If you’ve ever been interrupted by a sudden blue screen while working, watching a movie, or gaming on your Windows PC, you’ve probably seen an error message that reads “Video TDR Failure.” It’s a frustrating experience that can make you worry something serious is wrong with your computer.
The good news? The Video TDR Failure error is common—and in most cases, it can be fixed easily with the right approach.
In this article, we’ll explain what the Video TDR Failure means, why it happens, how to fix it, and what you can do to prevent it from returning. Whether you’re dealing with the Video TDR Failure blue screen, the Windows stop code Video TDR Failure, or the Video DXGKRNL fatal error, this guide covers it all in simple terms.
What Is Video TDR Failure?
The term TDR stands for Timeout, Detection, and Recovery. It’s a feature in Windows designed to prevent your computer from freezing completely when your graphics card (GPU) stops responding.
When Windows detects that the GPU is taking too long to respond, it restarts the driver to recover the system. But if this process fails, you see the Video TDR Failure error or a blue screen of death (BSOD).
This error is usually linked to problems with your graphics driver, hardware acceleration, or video card hardware itself.
Common error messages include:
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“Stop code: VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE”
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“Video_TDR_Failure (atikmpag.sys / nvlddmkm.sys / igdkmd64.sys)”
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“Video DXGKRNL Fatal Error”
Each file in parentheses represents a different graphics driver (for AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel).
Why Does the Video TDR Failure Error Happen?
There are several reasons why your system might run into this problem. Let’s look at the most common causes:
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Outdated or Corrupt Graphics Drivers
If your GPU driver is outdated or has become corrupted, it may stop communicating properly with Windows.
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Overheating GPU
A graphics card that runs too hot can cause instability and eventually trigger this blue screen error.
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Hardware Acceleration Issues
Some applications (especially browsers or video players) use hardware acceleration, which can overload the GPU.
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Faulty GPU Hardware
Damaged or defective graphics cards can cause the system to hang during rendering or video playback.
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System File Corruption
Damaged Windows system files can lead to driver communication errors.
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Overclocking or Power Supply Problems
If your GPU is overclocked or your PSU isn’t supplying enough power, the GPU may time out during high load tasks.
Common Signs of Video TDR Failure
Before your system shows the blue screen, you might notice a few warning signs:
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Screen flickering or freezing during gaming or video playback
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Display driver crashes or sudden restarts
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Blue screen with “Video_TDR_Failure” or “Video DXGKRNL Fatal Error”
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Unusual fan noise or overheating
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Graphics glitches or lag
Recognizing these early symptoms can help you prevent a full crash.
How to Fix Video TDR Failure on Windows
Let’s go through the most effective ways to fix this issue. You don’t need to be a tech expert—just follow the steps carefully.
1. Update or Reinstall Your Graphics Driver
This is the most common solution.
Steps:
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Press Windows + X → select Device Manager.
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Expand Display adapters.
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Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
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Select Search automatically for drivers.
If the problem persists, uninstall the driver and reinstall it manually from your GPU manufacturer’s website:
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Intel: intel.com
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AMD: amd.com
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NVIDIA: nvidia.com
2. Clean Install Your GPU Drivers
Sometimes, leftover driver files cause conflicts. Use a free tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove the old driver before installing a new one.
Tip: Always restart your computer after reinstalling drivers.
3. Check for Overheating
Overheating can easily trigger TDR errors.
How to check:
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Use tools like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to monitor GPU temperature.
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Clean the inside of your PC to remove dust buildup.
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Ensure fans are spinning properly and airflow isn’t blocked.
If temperatures exceed 85°C, consider reapplying thermal paste or improving cooling.
4. Disable Hardware Acceleration
If the issue occurs mostly while watching videos or using browsers, hardware acceleration may be the culprit.
For Google Chrome:
For Firefox:
Restart the browser after changing the setting.
5. Run System File Checker
Corrupt system files can trigger a Windows stop code Video TDR Failure.
Steps:
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Open Command Prompt as administrator.
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Type:
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Wait for the scan to complete and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Update BIOS and Windows
Outdated BIOS or Windows versions can cause driver compatibility issues.
7. Check Power Supply and Overclocking Settings
If you’ve overclocked your GPU, revert to default settings using your GPU software.
Also, ensure your power supply unit (PSU) meets your GPU’s power requirements.
8. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot helps you find if a background program is causing the issue.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
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Under Services, check Hide all Microsoft services.
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Click Disable all.
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Under Startup, open Task Manager and disable all startup apps.
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Restart your PC.
9. Repair Windows Registry (Optional Advanced Fix)
If the Video TDR Failure or Video DXGKRNL fatal error keeps returning, it might be due to broken or corrupted registry entries that affect your display drivers.
Here’s how to repair the Windows registry safely:
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Press Windows + R and type cmd, then run Command Prompt as Administrator.
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Enter the command:
This will check and repair system components related to the registry.
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After that, run:
The System File Checker will automatically fix any corrupted registry or system files.
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Restart your PC to apply changes.
Tip: Avoid using third-party “registry cleaner” tools, as they can sometimes remove essential entries and make things worse. Stick to the built-in Windows tools for safety.
Specifications of the Issue (Technical Overview)
| Component |
Description |
| Error Code |
VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE |
| Associated Files |
atikmpag.sys (AMD), nvlddmkm.sys (NVIDIA), igdkmd64.sys (Intel) |
| Type of Error |
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) |
| Operating System Affected |
Windows 10, Windows 11 |
| Primary Cause |
GPU Timeout or Driver Crash |
| Common Fix |
Reinstall or update graphics drivers |
Benefits of Fixing the Video TDR Failure
Fixing this error isn’t just about avoiding crashes—it also improves your system’s overall performance.
Key benefits include:
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Smoother gaming and video playback
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Better system stability
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Reduced blue screen errors
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Longer GPU lifespan
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Enhanced productivity without random interruptions
Why You Should Fix It Early
Ignoring the Video TDR Failure blue screen can lead to:
Fixing it early ensures your PC stays fast, cool, and reliable.
What’s in the Box (If You’re Replacing a GPU)
If your old graphics card is faulty and you decide to replace it, here’s what you typically get in the box with a new GPU:
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Graphics card unit
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Driver installation guide
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Quick start manual
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Power adapter cables (in some models)
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Manufacturer warranty information
Uses and Applications
Your GPU does much more than just power games—it handles:
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Video rendering and editing
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3D modeling and CAD design
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AI computation
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Video playback and streaming
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Multi-monitor setups
That’s why keeping your GPU driver healthy and up-to-date is essential for all types of users—from casual streamers to professionals.
FAQs About Video TDR Failure
Q1: What does Video TDR Failure mean?
It means Windows tried to reset your graphics driver after it stopped responding but failed to recover successfully.
Q2: Can a bad GPU cause Video TDR Failure?
Yes. A failing or overheating GPU can cause timeouts that lead to this error.
Q3: How do I know which driver is responsible?
The blue screen usually mentions a file like nvlddmkm.sys (NVIDIA), atikmpag.sys (AMD), or igdkmd64.sys (Intel).
Q4: Is Video TDR Failure a hardware or software problem?
Usually, it’s a software issue (driver-related), but in rare cases, it can be hardware-related if the GPU is damaged.
Q5: Will reinstalling Windows fix the error?
Yes, if all else fails. A clean Windows installation removes conflicting software and corrupted drivers.
Run Disk Cleanup to Free Up Space and Remove Corrupt Files
Sometimes, unnecessary files, temporary data, and cached driver files can cause conflicts that lead to the Video TDR Failure blue screen or the Windows stop code Video TDR Failure. Running a Disk Cleanup helps remove these cluttered files and improve your system’s stability.
Here’s how to do it:
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Press Windows + S and type Disk Cleanup, then open it.
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Choose your system drive (usually C:) and click OK.
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The tool will calculate how much space can be freed.
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Check the boxes next to:
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Click OK, then choose Delete Files to confirm.
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Once cleanup is done, restart your computer.
Optional tip:
You can also use Storage Sense in Windows 10 or 11 for automatic cleanups. Go to Settings → System → Storage → Storage Sense and toggle it on.
Conclusion
The Video TDR Failure error can look alarming, but it’s one of the most common and fixable Windows blue screen problems. By updating your drivers, checking your hardware, and ensuring your system runs cool and stable, you can eliminate this issue permanently.
Whether it’s the Video TDR Failure blue screen, Windows stop code Video TDR Failure, or Video DXGKRNL Fatal Error, the steps above will help you get your PC back to normal performance. Take a few minutes to apply these fixes—you’ll save hours of frustration in the long run.
