Fix Video TDR Failure BSOD Error On Windows 11 & 10
“`markdown The “Video TDR Failure” error, often accompanied by a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), is a common and frustrating issue for Windows 11 and Windows 10 users. This error indicates that the graphics card driver has failed to respond in a timely manner, causing the operating system to crash. Understanding the root causes and applying the appropriate troubleshooting steps can help you resolve this issue and prevent future occurrences.
This guide will walk you through a series of troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the Video TDR Failure BSOD error on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer. From updating your graphics drivers to checking for hardware issues, we’ll cover the most effective solutions to get your system back up and running smoothly.
How Do I Fix the Video TDR Failure Error?
Update Your Graphics Drivers
The most common cause of the Video TDR Failure error is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics drivers. Updating to the latest drivers can often resolve the issue.
- Press
Windows key + Xand select “Device Manager”. - Expand the “Display adapters” section.
- Right-click on your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon, Intel UHD Graphics) and select “Update driver”.
- Choose “Search automatically for drivers”. Windows will search for and install the latest available drivers.
- If Windows doesn’t find a newer driver, visit the graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver manually.
- Run the downloaded driver installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your computer after the installation is complete.
Reinstall Your Graphics Drivers
If updating the drivers doesn’t work, try completely uninstalling and reinstalling them.
- Press
Windows key + Xand select “Device Manager”. - Expand the “Display adapters” section.
- Right-click on your graphics card and select “Uninstall device”.
- Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” if available.
- Click “Uninstall”.
- Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall a basic driver.
- Download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it.
Adjust Visual Effects
Excessive visual effects can sometimes strain the graphics card and lead to errors. Adjusting these settings can help.
- Press
Windows key + R, typesysdm.cpl, and press Enter. - Go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Settings” under the “Performance” section.
- Select “Adjust for best performance” to disable all visual effects, or choose “Custom” and selectively disable resource-intensive effects like shadows and animations.
- Click “Apply” and then “OK”.
Check Your Hardware
Hardware issues, such as a failing graphics card or overheating, can also cause the Video TDR Failure error.
- Monitor Temperatures: Use hardware monitoring software (e.g., HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner) to check the temperature of your graphics card and CPU. Ensure they are within acceptable ranges under load.
- Inspect the Graphics Card: Physically inspect the graphics card for any signs of damage, such as burnt components or loose connections.
- Test with Another Graphics Card: If possible, test your computer with a different graphics card to see if the error persists. This can help determine if the issue is with the graphics card itself.
- Check RAM: Faulty RAM can sometimes manifest as video errors. Run a memory diagnostic tool to check for RAM issues.
Perform a System File Check
Corrupted system files can lead to various errors, including the Video TDR Failure. The System File Checker (SFC) can scan for and repair these files.
- Press
Windows key + Xand select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”. - Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. - Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.
- If the SFC finds and repairs any files, restart your computer.
Roll Back Windows Updates
Sometimes, recent Windows updates can introduce compatibility issues with graphics drivers. Rolling back to a previous version of Windows might resolve the error.
- Press
Windows key + Ito open the Settings app. - Go to “System” and then “Recovery”.
- If available, click “Go back” under the “Previous version of Windows” section.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to roll back to a previous version.
Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup can sometimes cause conflicts with drivers and lead to errors. Disabling it might help.
- Press
Windows key + R, typepowercfg.cpl, and press Enter. - Click “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left.
- Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
- Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)”.
- Click “Save changes”.
Increase TDR Delay
The Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR) feature is designed to restart unresponsive graphics drivers. Increasing the TDR delay can give the driver more time to recover before the system crashes. Warning: Incorrectly editing the registry can cause serious problems. Back up your registry before proceeding.
- Press
Windows key + R, typeregedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers - Right-click in the right pane, select “New”, and then “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.
- Name the new value
TdrDelay. - Double-click
TdrDelayand set the value data to10(decimal). This sets the delay to 10 seconds. - Click “OK” and restart your computer.
Here’s a comparison of common troubleshooting steps:
| Troubleshooting Step | Description | Difficulty | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Update Graphics Drivers | Install the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. | Easy | High |
| Reinstall Graphics Drivers | Completely uninstall and reinstall graphics drivers. | Medium | High |
| Adjust Visual Effects | Reduce the strain on the graphics card by disabling visual effects. | Easy | Medium |
| Check Hardware | Monitor temperatures and inspect hardware for issues. | Medium | High |
| System File Check | Scan for and repair corrupted system files. | Easy | Medium |
| Roll Back Windows Updates | Revert to a previous version of Windows to resolve compatibility issues. | Medium | Medium |
| Disable Fast Startup | Prevent conflicts with drivers by disabling Fast Startup. | Easy | Low |
| Increase TDR Delay | Give the graphics driver more time to recover before the system crashes. | Advanced | Medium |
Getting Your System Stable Again
By systematically applying these solutions, you can often resolve the Video TDR Failure BSOD error and restore your Windows system to a stable state. Remember to address the most common causes first, such as driver issues, before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting steps.
FAQ
What does Video TDR Failure mean? Video TDR Failure indicates that your graphics card driver has stopped responding and Windows was unable to recover it, resulting in a crash.
Can overheating cause Video TDR Failure? Yes, overheating can cause the graphics card to malfunction and trigger the Video TDR Failure error.
How do I check my graphics card temperature? You can use hardware monitoring software like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to check your graphics card temperature.
What if updating my drivers doesn’t fix the problem? Try reinstalling the drivers, checking your hardware, or rolling back Windows updates.
Is the Video TDR Failure error serious? While the error itself is not inherently dangerous, it can indicate
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