Video TDR Failure (nvlddmkm.sys) error arises in Windows 10 when too many display related errors take place and the computer eventually shows a Blue Screen. The “T” in TDR stands for Timeout, the “D” stands for Detection, and the “R” stands for Recovery. Components i.e. Timeout, Detection, and Recovery of Windows 10 are important.

When there is a long interval or delay, these parts help to stop Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) from happening by resetting the GPU or the driver. This is a common blue screen error called Video TDR Failure (nvlddmkm.sys) mainly for users who are using both the Windows 10 operating system and an Nvidia GPU.

Video TDR Failure nvlddmkm.sys in Windows 10

To prevent blue screens of death from occurring the Video TDR function is designed. If there is an error or unnaturally long delay or interval it does this function by resetting drivers or GPU. Hence, if there is a VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE, then the blue screen of death will display on the desktop.

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How to Fix Video TDR Failure (nvlddmkm.sys) in Windows 10

The error nvlddmkm.sys is a problem is related to the display driver of the Nvidia graphics card. The causes of the Error VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE and BSOD can be driver conflicts, memory timings or voltages, corrupted driver installed, faulty graphics card, etc.

Method 1 – Check Windows Update

Typically, computers that use the Windows 10 Operating System will automatically update the OS when a new one is released. However, it is always a good idea to check if Windows gets updated automatically or not.

Keeping your Windows Operating System updated is necessary for your Nvidia GPU drivers to run efficiently. Sometimes updates come with solutions that resolve errors or bugs issues. There are few steps to check for your windows update easily:-

Step 1: Open start menu by Pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.

or

By clicking on the Windows icon that is located on the bottom left side of the computer screen by default.

or

Hold the Windows logo from the keyboard and press I to open Windows Settings.

Step 2: In Start Menu, click on the left side gear icon to open Windows Settings or directly hold the Windows logo from the keyboard and press I to open Windows Settings.

Step 3: Select Windows Update and Security.

Step 4: From the left panel, select Windows Update.

Step 5: In Windows Update, click on Check for Updates, if there are windows update available click on Update.

Step 6: After Updating, Restart your computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 2 – Install the latest Graphics Driver From the Official Website

If updating Windows doesn’t fix the nvlddmkm.sys blue screen of death error, it’s possible that you’re using the wrong graphics driver overall. There are two ways you can have the right drivers for your graphics card i.e. Manually and Automatically.

Manually Updating Driver: You can update the video driver manually by going to your manufacturer’s for your video card and look for the most compatible driver for it. Just make sure to choose the only driver that is compatible with your OS of Windows 10.

Automatically Updating Driver: You can automatically update your driver manually, you can do it automatically with a Software.

Step 1: Open an Internet Browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.

Step 2: Open a website to download Display Driver Uninstaller version 18.0.1.8.

Step 3: Launch Display Driver Uninstaller.

Step 4: When the dialogue box appears on the screen, then select Clean and Restart, after this, the graphics driver will be uninstalled from your computer.

Step 5: Open Nvidia website.

Step 6: Choose a compatible graphic card under the Manual Driver Search section and click Start Search.

Step 7: The Results will appear on the screen, download the latest version of the graphic. Do not download the Beta version of the driver.

Step 8: Click on the second resulted driver in the list of the name – GeForce Game Ready Driver – WHQL.

Step 9: Click Agree and Download.

Step 10: Install Graphic Driver.

Step 11: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 3 – Downgrade the Drivers

All applications and software which are compatible with Windows 7, are compatible with further versions of Windows like Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

So, you have to download Windows 7 graphic driver and install it in your Windows 10 according to your Operating System Type i.e. if it is of 32 Bit or 64 Bit. Before downgrading Graphic Driver your have to uninstall current Graphics Driver with Display Driver Uninstaller.

Method 4 – Change Global Settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel

When you install a new driver for your graphic card, an extra NVIDIA software will be installed with it automatically. You need to change settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Here are some steps to do it properly.

Step 1: Go to the Start Menu.

Step 2: Search for NVIDIA Control Panel.

Step 3: Select 3D Settings from the Left Panel.

Step 4: Choose Manage 3D Settings from the list.

Step 5: Choose the Global Settings tab.

Step 6: In the Preferred graphic processor select a High-performance NVIDIA processor.

Step 7: Go to Power Management Mode and change it to Prefer Maximum Performance.

Step 8: Go to Vertical Sync and change it to OFF.

Step 9: Close NVIDIA Control Panel.

Step 10: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 5 – Enable NVIDIA nView

When we install the latest NVIDIA Driver, along with the driver NVIDIA nView manager also gets installed automatically. nView helps to update productivity in a professional environment. Here are some steps to enable nView to fix the error.

Step 1: Open Run window by Windows icon + R.

Step 2: Type Control Panel and Enter.

Step 3: Filter icons by large icons.

Step 4: Then open NVIDIA nView Desktop Manager.

Step 5: In nView Desktop Manager click Enable.

Step 6: Click Apply and OK.

Step 7: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 6 – Exclude Nvlddmkm.sys From Scans

Windows can stop working when Antivirus starts scanning your hard dis, and include nvlddmkm.sys in scans because of BSOD error. Therefore, you need to exclude nvlddmkm.sys file from Antivirus scans. Here are steps to do it properly.

Step 1: Go to the Start Menu.

Step 2: Search for Windows Defender.

Step 3: Right-click on Windows Defender and select Run as Administrator.

Step 4: Click Confirm to Run.

Step 5: Click on Setting from the top right corner.

Step 6: In Exclusions Click on Add an exclusion.

Step 7: Go to the location C:\Windows\System32\drivers and from the list select nvlddmkm.sys and click on Exclude a File.

Step 8: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 7 – Copy Another nvlddmkm.sys

We will re-create nvlddmkm.sys file from these steps.

Step 1: Open Windows Explorer.

Step 2: Go to the following path – C:\NVIDIA

Step 3: Select file nvlddmkm.sys and copy it.

Step 4: Paste file in C drive.

Step 5: Go to the following path – C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Step 6: Search for nvlddmkm.sys file.

Step 7: Rename that file to nvlddmkm.sys.old.

Step 8: Go to Start Menu and Open Command Prompt.

Step 9: Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.

Step 10: Type command –  exe nvlddmkm.sy_ nvlddmkm.sys and press Enter.

Step 11: Unzip that file and create a new file address.

Step 12: Copy new file to C:\Windows\System32\drivers .

Step 13: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 8: Change Windows Theme

Windows themes are collections of settings to smart up your computer’s desktop appearance. But sometimes it will also become the cause of the error, so, the changing current theme helps in fixing VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Here are the steps to change the windows theme to the Basic one. Windows 10 Basic theme is compatible with all applications and software present in the operating system. Therefore, Windows 10 Basic theme may be the reason for BSOD.

Step 1: Right-click on Desktop and go to Properties.

Step 2: Change the current Windows Theme to Windows 10 Basic.

Step 3: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 9: Uninstall Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework

Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework is a software. It provides control to CPU power and performance and manages fan speeds for better consistency during gaming or other heavy processing. Here are steps to uninstall it.

Step 1: Open Run window.

Step 2: Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.

Step 3: Select the Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework.

Step 4: Right-click on Intel Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework and click on Uninstall.

Step 5: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 10: Disable Windows 10 Fast Startup

To boot up from being fully shut down a fast startup is a Windows 10 feature designed to reduce the time it takes for the computer.

Though, it prevents the computer from performing a regular automatic shutdown and can cause compatibility issues with devices that do not support sleep mode or hibernation in their Operating System.

Step 1: Go to the Start Menu.

Step 2: Go to Control Panel.

Step 3: Choose Hardware and Sound.

Step 4: Choose Power Options.

Step 5: Select Choose what the power buttons do.

Step 6: Select Change settings that are unavailable currently.

Step 7: Un-tick Turn on fast startup.

Step 8: Click Save Changes.

Step 9: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 11: System Restore

Step 1: Open Run window.

Step 2: Type rstrui.exe and press Enter.

Step 3: Click on Choose a different restore point and click on Next.

Step 4: Choose proper checkpoint and click on Next.

Step 5: Click on Finish.

Step 6: Restart your computer and wait for Windows to Restore.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 12: Downgrade to the Previous Operating System

In Windows 10 one of the new features that did come is the option in the Settings app to easily go back to the previous version of Windows installed. Sometimes downgrading to a previous Operating System helps in fixing VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 13: Reinstall Windows 10 to another edition

Reinstall Windows 10 to another edition helps in fixing VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Step 1: Go to the Start Menu.

Step 2: Open the Settings app.

Step 3: Click on Update & Security.

Step 4: Click on Recovery.

Step 5: Select option Reset this PC.

Step 6: Select if you want to keep your recent programs or not.

Step 7: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 14: Disable audio device in BIOS or UEFI

A user will need to disable the onboard card, to eliminate Blue Screen of Death. A user needs to access the BIOS of Windows. There are the steps of how to disable the audio card on the ASUS motherboard.

Step 1: Restart your computer.

Step 2: During the boot process press F2 to access BIOS.

Step 3: Then Press F7 to access Advanced Mode.

Step 4: Click on OK to confirm access to Advanced Mode.

Step 5: Select Advanced and click Onboard Devices Configuration.

Step 6: Go to Onboard Audio Devices. Disable – HD Audio Controller and Realtek LAN Controller.

Step 7: Press ESC.

Step 8: Click Save Changes & Reset.

Step 9: Restart your Computer.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 15: Update your BIOS or UEFI

There are the steps of how to update BIOS or UEFI on ASUS motherboard.

Step 1: Open Run window.

Step 2: Type msinfo32.exe and press Enter.

Step 3: Go to BIOS Version/Date.

Step 4: Open an Internet Browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox etc.

Step 5: Go to ASUS’s website to download the new BIOS version.

Step 6: Restart your computer after downloading the BIOS version.

Step 7: During the boot process press F2 or Delete to access BIOS or UEFI.

Step 8: Press F7 to access Advanced mode.

Step 9: Click on OK.

Step 10: Select ASUS EZ Flash Utility.

Step 11: Select the update file and click on Install.

Step 12: Restart your Computer.

Step 13: Open Run window.

Step 14: Type msinfo32.exe and press Enter to check for BIOS updated version.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 16: Clean Dirt From Motherboard and Fans

The computer system gets dirty as a natural part of running. Fans of CPU suck dirt and hairs and other contaminants into the fan, where they rest on every surface. Operating theaters, and other very clean environments, a computer system will eventually become dirty.

If there’s any dirt in the CPU at all, the system fans and Motherboard will suck it in and deposit on the surface, where it will become a problem. Here are some steps to clean dirt from the motherboard and fans.

Step 1: Turn off the computer.

Step 2: Use compressed air or a can to remove dirt.

Step 3: Select a paintbrush to remove dirt from the surface.

Step 4: Open CPU and blow all parts of the motherboard and the fan.

Step 5: Close the CPU and Plug in the computer and turn it on to check for the error if exists.

There is no longer the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

Method 17: Change Cable

Sometimes changing cable of a computer sometimes helps in fixing errors and issues of a computer system. If your computer has a cable of VGA or DVI, it is recommended to change them to HDMI cable.

Method 18: Change the Graphic Card

Buy or change your current graphics card to a graphic card that is compatible with your motherboard and with your Windows operating system.

Both NVIDIA and AMD graphic cards are best, choose according to your need. Sometimes changing graphics cards with a new or a compatible graphic card help in fixing VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error.

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Conclusion

The above methods and steps are given in a very easy language, apply them carefully, and get rid of the Video TDR Failure nvlddmkm.sys error.