The “Video TDR Failure” error is a common issue encountered by Windows 10 users, often resulting in the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
This error can be frustrating, as it causes your system to crash unexpectedly, leading to potential data loss.
In this article, we will explain what the Video TDR Failure error means, why it occurs, and provide step-by-step solutions to help you fix it.
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What Does the Video TDR Failure Error Mean?
The Video TDR Failure error is a Windows stop code (error code 0x00000116) that indicates a problem with your computer’s graphics card driver.
TDR stands for Timeout, Detection, and Recovery, a feature built into Windows that prevents the operating system from freezing by detecting when the graphics card stops responding and restarting it.
When the system is unable to recover the graphics card within a certain period, it results in the Video TDR Failure error.
Common Error Messages Associated with Video TDR Failure:
- VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (atikmpag.sys) – Typically related to AMD graphics drivers.
- VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (nvlddmkm.sys) – Typically related to NVIDIA graphics drivers.
- VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (igdkmd64.sys) – Typically related to Intel integrated graphics drivers.
Common Symptoms of the Error:
- The screen suddenly turns blue, displaying the “Video TDR Failure” error message.
- The computer restarts unexpectedly, sometimes repeatedly.
- Graphics-intensive applications, such as games or video editing software, cause the system to crash.
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Why Does the Video TDR Failure Error Occur?
Several factors can trigger the Video TDR Failure error, including:
- Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers: Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics drivers are the most common cause of this error.
- Overheating Graphics Card: Overheating can cause your GPU to stop responding, leading to the Video TDR Failure error.
- Hardware Issues: Faulty or damaged graphics card hardware can trigger the error.
- Incorrect Power Settings: Improper power management settings can cause the GPU to malfunction, resulting in the error.
- Software Conflicts: Conflicting software or applications can interfere with the graphics driver’s functionality.
How to Fix Video TDR Failure (Nvlddmkm.sys) in Windows 10
Below, we have mentioned some Solutions to solve the Video_TDR_Failure error. All of these Solutions have been Tried & Tested by our users, and we are sure that one of them will work for you!
Solution 1 ⇒ Run a Disk Check On Your System
BSOD errors are usually related to corrupted or faulty hard drives or RAM. You can run a Disk Check to check whether the Hard Drive or RAM is causing the Video TDR Failure issue to arise.
Now I’ll explain how to do the same with the following steps:-
Step 1 ⇒ Press Windows key + X at the same time. From the dialog box that appears, click on Command Prompt (Admin). When asked for any permission, grant it by clicking Yes.
Step 2 ⇒ In the command prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f c:
(If your Windows is installed in some other drive, replace the letter c with the appropriate drive letter).
Step 3 ⇒ Type Y and Restart your computer. Now, wait for the process to finish.
This Solution must have solved your Video TDR Failure problem. If not, proceed to our next Solution.
Solution 2 ⇒ Run A Memory Check On Your System
The test will help us to verify if the RAM is at fault or not properly.
Step 1 ⇒ At first, press Windows key + R to open the Run window. Type mdsched.exe in the box hit Enter.
Step 2 ⇒ Next, among the two options that appear on your screen, you should click on Restart now and check for problems. If you are busy right now and can’t restart your computer, choose the 2nd option.
Step 3 ⇒ Now, you’ll see the process happening on a Blue Screen. Once the errors are shown, fix those errors with their solutions. If no errors are present, then the Memory Card is not having any issues.
Solution 3 ⇒ Uninstall Conflicting Programs
If you have recently installed any new drivers or a program, you might have to uninstall them and recheck if the issue persists. Or update those programs or drivers as any out-of-date drivers might be causing the issue. This might be the simplest solution to the error, so it’s worth performing. If the issue is still present, try the next solution.
Solution 4 ⇒ Stay Up-To-Date With Windows
The last Solution is to Update your Windows version as Microsoft releases updates to Windows every second or fourth Tuesday of the month.
If you are not running the latest version of Windows, there is a high possibility of your system getting affected with malware, which can damage the OS and ultimately results in Loss of Data.
We recommend you to use an Original Copy of Windows, as a pirated copy can cause a whole lot of other issues.
If you are using a Microsoft driver for your Graphics card, check for updates in Windows as Microsoft releases updates frequently for the efficiency of the drivers. We will tell you how to check for updates in Windows 10.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1 ⇒ At first, go to Windows settings by pressing the Windows key + I on the keyboard.
Step 2 ⇒ Then click on Update & Security.
Step 3 ⇒ Go to the Windows Update tab on the left.
Step 4 ⇒ Now, click on the Check For Updates button. If any updates are available for the driver, Windows will download and install the updates.
Step 5 ⇒ After the updates are installed, Restart your computer.
Enjoy your PC without the Video TDR Failure error!
Solution 5 ⇒ Install the Latest Graphic Driver from the Official Website
The corrupted or unsuitable graphics driver may be the cause of the Video TDR Failure error. If this is the reason, then you should uninstall the current driver and install the latest driver from the official NVIDIA website.
While doing so, you should keep in mind the operating system architecture that is for the 32-bit operating system, you need to download the driver for the 32-bit operating system, and if the operating system is 64-bit, then you need a driver for 64 bit because the incompatibility of the driver with operating system architecture causes problems.
Follow the Solution below to uninstall the driver from your computer and then install the latest driver from the NVIDIA website.
To Uninstall the Driver:
You can download the DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) and, with the help of this, easily uninstall the existing driver. You can also uninstall the driver from the device manager. To uninstall the driver from device manager follows the steps below:
Step 1 ⇒ To open the run box, press the Windows + R key at the same time. A dialog box appears in that type devmgmt.msc and press Enter. The device manager window will open.
Step 2 ⇒ Find the display adapter and double click it to expand it—Right-click on the graphics driver which you want to uninstall.
Step 3 ⇒ Then click on the Uninstall Device option. A pop-up window showing an uninstall option will appear. Click Uninstall.
Step 4 ⇒ At last, restart your computer.
To Install the latest driver:
Step 1 ⇒ Go to the official website of NVIDIA. Then navigate to the Driver section. Click on the GEFORCE derivers section.
Step 2 ⇒ You can manually find a suitable graphics card for your system by filling in the necessary information like Product Type, Product Series, Product, Operating System, Download Type, and Language.
Step 3 ⇒ While selecting the download type, select Game Ready Driver. Then click on the green button having a text search.
Step 4 ⇒ The latest version of graphic drivers is the first in the result list. Check if the shown driver in the result is GeForce Game Ready Driver – WHQL.
Step 5 ⇒ Now, click the download button. Install the driver. After the download is complete, restart your Windows.
Step 6 ⇒ At last, check if the Video TDR Failure error has been appearing or not.
Solution 6 ⇒ Downgrade the Drivers
Downgrading the drivers may sometimes work effectively to overcome the Video TDR Failure error.
This is based on the fact that almost all applications that are compatible with Windows 7 are compatible with Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.
Before downgrading the graphic driver uninstall the graphic driver from the device manager as described in the Solution above.
If you don’t want to uninstall from the device manager, you can do this with DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller).
After that, downgrade the driver by taking into care the suitability of the architecture of the operating system with the driver.
Solution 7 ⇒ Change Global Settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel
If you prefer the official driver for your graphic card, then you can switch the setting to the NVIDIA driver.
Usually, on installing the official driver, additional NVIDIA software will be installed automatically. So follow the steps to change a global setting in the NVIDIA control panel.
Step 1 ⇒ At first, go to the start menu there in type NVIDIA Control Panel. Then open the NVIDIA Control Panel. In the window opened, go to a 3D setting.
Step 2 ⇒ Now, select Manage 3D Setting. After that, select the Global Settings tab. Go to the Preferred graphics processor and select a High-performance NVIDIA processor.
Step 3 ⇒ Next, go to Power Management Mode and change to Prefer maximum performance.
Step 4 ⇒ Then, move to Vertical Sync and change to OFF. Then Close the NVIDIA Control Panel. Restart your Windows.
Step 5 ⇒ After the restart, check if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error persists or not.
Solution 8 ⇒ Enable NVIDIA nView
NVIDIA nView is a tool by NIVIDIA which help to enhance productivity and manage workspace. Most often, when you install the latest NVIDIA driver, you will get the NVIDIA nView Manager installed.
By just enabling the NVIDIA nView, the error BSOD VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE has been found to get resolved.
To enable the NVIDIA nView to follow the Solution given:
Step 1 ⇒ Firstly, press the Windows key and R button at the same time to open the run box. In the dialog box type control panel and press Enter.
Step 2 ⇒ In the control panel search for NVIDIA nView Desktop Manager and open it.
Step 3 ⇒ Under nView Desktop Manager click Enable, then click apply. After that, click, OK. Restart your Windows.
See if the Video TDR Failure error has been fixed or not.
Solution 9 ⇒ Exclude nvlddmkm.sys From Scans
It is also possible that when your antivirus scans your hard disk, the file nvlddmkm.sys is included in the defective for corrupted files list.
Due to this, your Windows may stop working. In that case, you should exclude nvlddmkm.sys file from Antivirus scans.
To exclude nvlddmkm.sys file from Antivirus scans using Windows defender follow the steps given:
Step 1 ⇒ Firstly, go to the Start menu in that type of Windows Defender. Next, click on Windows Defender and choose Run as Administrator.
Step 2 ⇒ To confirm to run Windows Defender as Administrator click Yes. Then click on the setting and then go to Exclusion.
Step 3 ⇒ Under the exclusion, click Add and exclusion and Click Exclude a file.
Step 4 ⇒ Go to folder drivers through C:\Windows\System32\drivers and Click on Exclude this file and see if the file is added.
Step 5 ⇒ Restart your Windows.
Now check if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (nvlddmkm.sys) error has been resolved or not.
Solution 10 ⇒ Copy Another nvlddmkm.sys
If the above solution did not work for you, then you can try to recreate the nvlddmkm.sys file. To do so:
Step 1 ⇒ First of all, open Windows Explorer. Then go to the given location, C:\NVIDIA.
Step 2 ⇒ After that, choose file nvlddmkm.sys and copy the file and paste it to the root of C:
Step 3 ⇒ Now, go to the following location C:\Windows\System32\drivers. Then, locate the nvlddmkm.sys and rename it to nvlddmkm.sys.old.
Step 4 ⇒ Next, go to the start menu, in that type of Command prompt. Then click on command prompt and select Run as Administrator.
Step 5 ⇒ Then type exe nvlddmkm.sy_ nvlddmkm.sys and press Enter. This command creates a new File instance by allowing you to unzip the nvlddmkm.sys file.
Step 6 ⇒ Copy this new file to C:\Windows\System32\drivers then Restart your Windows.
See if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (nvlddmkm.sys) error has been resolved or not.
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Solution 11 ⇒ Change Windows Theme
Though sounds funny but some users had reported that their problem has been solved when they changed the Windows theme.
According to the Microsoft definition, “a theme is a combination of desktop background pictures, window colors, and sounds.”
Here is the Solution to show how to change the Windows theme in Windows 7 operating system.
Step 1 ⇒ Firstly, open the personalization Windows by right click on Desktop. Or open personalization Windows through the control panel.
Step 2 ⇒ In the personalization, the window selects the Windows basic theme. Change your Windows theme to Windows 7 basic.
Step 3 ⇒ Restart your Windows.
Check if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error has been fixed or not.
Solution 12 ⇒ Uninstall Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework
Intel® Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework (Intel® DPTF) is a hardware/software solution for power and thermal management.
It is aimed to better consistency during gaming or other heavy loads. But instead, it might be interfering with your graphic setting and causing the error.
In that case, you should uninstall the Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework from your computer. To do so:
Step 1 ⇒ To open the run box hold the Windows logo and press R. In the box Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
Step 2 ⇒ Choose the Intel Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework and Right-click on it. Select Uninstall.
Step 3 ⇒ After the Intel Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework gets uninstalled, restart your Windows.
Check if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error has been fixed or not.
Solution 13 ⇒ Disable Windows 10 Fast Startup
If you are a Windows 10 user, then you can try to disable Windows 10 fast Startup to fix the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.
The Fast Startup is an especial feature of Windows 10, which helps to start your computer fast when you shut down it.
As it saves some of your computer’s system files to a hibernation file upon shutdown, it can cause compatibility issues with devices that do not support sleep mode or hibernation.
So if you have enabled the Fast startup, you should disable it to see if this fixes your VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error. To disable the fast Startup, you can use the Solution given below:
Step 1 ⇒ Hold the Windows Logo and press X at the same time. Then go to the Control Panel.
Step 2 ⇒ In the control panel, Sort icons by Category. Now, select Hardware and Sound and after that, select Power Options.
Step 3 ⇒ Then, click on Choose what the power buttons do. Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Step 4 ⇒ Deselect the Turn on Fast Startup (recommended) then save all the changes made.
Step 5 ⇒ Finally, restart your Windows. Check if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error has been fixed or not.
Solution 14 ⇒ System Restore
If you have a system restore checkpoint, you can apply this solution to fix the BSOD VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (nvlddmkm.sys) error.
This has been proven to be an effective solution. It often happens when you do some updates or changes to the computer system. Your computer faces some problems.
If the error is occurring due to this reason, then going back to the initial state is the best solution. You can do this only if you have created the systems restore checkpoint.
In case you don’t have a system restore checkpoint try other Solutions to fix the error.
To do the system restore, first of all, decide on which date or time your computer was running normally. To revert your Windows to that date, follow the Solution given.
Step 1 ⇒ Firstly, hold the Windows logo and press R. The run box will open. In the run box type rstrui.exe and select OK.
Step 2 ⇒ Now, click on Choose a different restore point and click Next. Then, select the proper checkpoint then clicks Next.
Step 3 ⇒ Then, click Finish and wait till system restore completes.
Step 4 ⇒ Finally, restart your Windows.
Check if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error has been fixed or not.
Solution 15 ⇒ Downgrade to the Previous Operating System
When you see the error VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (nvlddmkm.sys) recently, or a few days after the update of an older version of Windows to Windows 10 then the error might be occurring due to incompatibility of graphic card with the updated version of Windows.
If this is the case, it is suggested that you downgrade your newer operating system to a previous operating system using the bootable Windows DVD or USB flash drive.
Solution 16 ⇒ Reinstall Windows 10 To Another Edition
Many users find that when they changed Windows 10 version the error VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (nvlddmkm.sys) gets removed.
So you should try installing other versions of Windows to see if this Solution works for you or not.
Solution 17 ⇒ Disable Audio Device in BIOS or UEFI
The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) and Basic Input Output (BIOS) are interface tool between an operating system and platform firmware. You can disable the audio device in BIOS or UEFI to remove this error.
To disable the audio card on the ASUS motherboard, you can refer to the following Solution.
[This is for dell PC to access BIOS or UEFI check the technical documentation of the device you are using.
Because it depends on the vendor, for example, you are required to press F2 during boot for Dell and to press the F10 button for HP]
Step 1 ⇒ Reboot your PC. To access BIOS or UEFI during the boot process, press Del or F2.
Step 2 ⇒ To access advanced mode press F7. To confirm access to Advanced Mode, click OK.
Step 3 ⇒ Now, select Advanced and then click Onboard Devices Configuration. Then go to onboard audio devices and disable them.
Step 4 ⇒ After that, press Esc on the keyboard and then click Save Changes & Reset.
Step 5 ⇒ At last, restart Windows.
Check if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error has been fixed or not.
Solution 18 ⇒ Update your BIOS or UEFI
If your PC has a problem with BSOD codes, then you can try to update BIOS or UEFI firmware. To do this, you should know the current version of BIOS or UEFI.
The procedure for updating BIOS or UEFI is different for different motherboards. So you should carefully check the technical documentation of your motherboard, section BIOS or UEFI before updating.
You can refer to the following Solution given to update BIOS / UEFI on the ASUS P8B75-M motherboard.
Step 1 ⇒ Firstly, press the Windows + R key at the same time to open the run box.
Step 2 ⇒ In the box opened type msinfo32.exe. Then press Enter.
Step 3 ⇒ Go to BIOS Version/Date and now, open the internet browser, for example, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge, or other which you use.
Step 4 ⇒ Open ASUS’s website to download the new BIOS version and download it on your USB flash drive.
Step 5 ⇒ Restart your computer. During the restart process, press F2 or Delete to access BIOS or UEFI.
Step 6 ⇒ To access advanced mode press f7. To confirm access to Advanced Mode, click OK. Select ASUS EZ Flash Utility, then Select an update file from a USB flash drive and click Install.
Step 7 ⇒ Restart your Window. To ensure that BIOS is successfully updated to the newer version Run msinfo32.exe again and check the current BIOS version.
See if the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error has been fixed or not.
Solution 19 ⇒ Change The Graphics Card
If the above Solutions haven’t solved the Video TDR Failure problem, you can try to change your Graphics Card. You can buy the graphics card of Nvidia or AMD.
Before buying, be sure to check the compatibility of the graphics driver with your motherboard.
If you buy an incompatible graphics driver and install it in your system, it will likely cause the same issue.
Solution 18 ⇒ Clean Dust from Motherboard and Fans
The Video TDR Failure error may appear due to the accumulation of dust on PCIe slots and fans.
So you should clean dust from ports, slots, and your fans, If you don’t know the solution for cleaning these, it is recommended for you to go PC repair service to clean the motherboard and fan.
Solution 20 ⇒ Change Cable
You can try to replace cable between computer and monitor, and this Solution has been proven to be effective for some users.
Users of VGA or DVI should change to HDMI cable. If your monitor supports only VGA or DVI, then if you have VGA change it to DVI and if you have DVI cable, change it to VGA.
Preventing the Video TDR Failure Error in the Future
- Keep Graphics Drivers Updated: Regularly update your graphics card drivers to avoid compatibility issues.
- Maintain Proper Ventilation: Ensure your computer has proper airflow to prevent overheating.
- Avoid Overclocking: Be cautious when overclocking your GPU, as it can lead to instability and errors.
- Run Regular System Maintenance: Use tools like SFC and DISM to keep your system files healthy and free of corruption.
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Conclusion
As we have mentioned all the best Solutions above to solve the Video_TDR_Failure (nvlddmkm.sys) error, we hope that it has solved the issue for you. These Solutions can be used on Windows 7 and above versions
We advise all Windows users to keep their system updated to the latest version and take good care of their PC to avoid any such errors in the future. If you face any errors, you know we are here to help!
FAQs About the Video TDR Failure Error
1. What causes the Video TDR Failure error in Windows 10?
The error is commonly caused by outdated or corrupted graphics drivers, overheating, hardware issues, or incorrect power settings.
2. How do I fix the Video TDR Failure error?
You can fix the error by updating or reinstalling graphics drivers, adjusting power management settings, checking for overheating, or running the System File Checker (SFC) tool.
3. Can overheating cause the Video TDR Failure error?
Yes, overheating can cause your graphics card to stop responding, leading to the Video TDR Failure error.
While the error is often caused by software issues, hardware problems like a faulty graphics card can also trigger it.
5. Will reinstalling Windows fix the Video TDR Failure error?
Reinstalling Windows may fix the error, but it should be considered a last resort if other troubleshooting methods fail.
6. Can overclocking cause the Video TDR Failure error?
Yes, overclocking can cause instability in the GPU, leading to the Video TDR Failure error. Disabling overclocking may resolve the issue.
7. How do I update my graphics drivers manually?
You can download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and install them manually.
8. Will increasing the TDR delay fix the error?
Increasing the TDR delay can give the GPU more time to respond, potentially preventing the error, but it should only be used as a temporary solution.
9. Should I contact technical support if the error persists?
Yes, if none of the troubleshooting methods work, consider reaching out to your device manufacturer’s support team for further assistance.
10. How do I prevent this error in the future?
Keep your graphics drivers updated, avoid overclocking, maintain proper ventilation, and monitor your system’s temperature to prevent future occurrences of the Video TDR Failure error.
