Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE blue-screen error is bug check 0x00000116. Windows detected that the graphics processor stopped responding, tried to reset the display driver, and could not recover it. When the crash report names nvlddmkm.sys, NVIDIA’s kernel-mode display-driver module was involved—but that filename alone does not prove the NVIDIA driver file or the graphics card is defective.
Work through the fixes in order. Start with driver and configuration changes, then check Windows component health, temperatures, power, and hardware. If the computer is stable only in Safe Mode, that is useful evidence: Safe Mode is preventing some normal drivers and services from loading.
What causes VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (nvlddmkm.sys)?
TDR means Timeout Detection and Recovery. Windows normally gives the graphics system about 2 seconds to respond. If the GPU does not respond, Windows attempts to reset the display driver. A 0x116 stop error occurs when that recovery fails. Windows can also produce this stop code after more than five TDR events within one minute.
Possible causes include:
- An outdated, incompatible, or damaged graphics driver
- GPU, CPU, motherboard, or memory overclocking
- Incorrect memory settings or timings
- Overheating or restricted airflow
- Insufficient or failing power delivery
- A defective graphics card, motherboard, memory module, or other component
- Background software or visual effects that prevent the GPU from responding in time
Windows 11 version 24H2 and later may show an unexpected stop-code failure on a black screen, while version 23H2 and earlier use the older stop-code presentation. The appearance of the screen does not by itself indicate a different underlying problem.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- CONSISTENT QUALITY: Our thermal paste packaging design has evolved over time, but the formula has remained the same, ensuring reliable performance.
- EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE: ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste is made of carbon microparticles, guaranteeing extremely high thermal conductivity. This ensures that heat from the CPU/GPU is dissipated quickly & efficiently
- SAFE APPLICATION: The MX-4 is metal-free and non-electrical conductive which eliminates any risks of causing short circuit, adding more protection to the CPU and VGA cards
- HIGH DURABILITY: In contrast to metal and silicon thermal compound, the MX-4 does not compromise over time. Once applied, you do not need to apply it again as it will last at least for 8 years
- EASY TO APPLY: With an ideal consistency, the MX-4 is very easy to use, even for beginners
Before troubleshooting
- Save or back up important files if Windows remains usable.
- Remove any recently installed hardware and test the computer again.
- If you changed GPU, CPU, RAM, or motherboard settings, load the BIOS/UEFI default settings. Temporarily disable overclocking, undervolting, XMP, EXPO, and similar performance profiles.
- Check that the Windows drive has reasonable free space. Microsoft recommends approximately 10%–15% free space for swap files and other operations.
1. Install Windows updates and inspect Device Manager
- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates, install available updates, and restart.
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters and look for warning icons. Also check for yellow exclamation marks elsewhere in Device Manager.
A yellow exclamation mark indicates a device or driver problem that needs investigation. Right-click the relevant device and choose Update driver. If updating does not help, Device Manager also provides Disable device and Uninstall device options. Do not uninstall devices at random; use those actions as part of a specific driver test.
2. Test Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts Windows with limited files, drivers, and services. If the blue screen stops occurring there, normal startup software or a full graphics-driver installation becomes more likely than a basic Windows setting. Safe Mode is an isolation test, not a repair by itself.
- Open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now. Alternatively, hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart.
- In Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- When the Startup Settings menu appears, press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
If the PC cannot boot normally, interrupt startup twice by holding the power button after the Windows or manufacturer logo appears. Windows should enter Automatic Repair on the third boot; choose Advanced options and follow the same Startup Settings route.
An encrypted device may request the BitLocker recovery key during this process. If Windows keeps starting in Safe Mode, press Windows key + R, enter msconfig, select OK, open the Boot tab, and clear Safe boot under Boot options.
3. Clean-install the NVIDIA driver
A clean installation is a practical next step when the crashes began after a driver update, downgrade, failed installation, or graphics software change. NVIDIA’s documented procedure uses its own driver installer and does not require a third-party Display Driver Uninstaller.
Rank #2
- EXTREME HEAT CONDUCTIVITY - With an exceptional thermal conductivity, Kryonaut is perfect for even the most demanding congurations and can be used in industrial cooling systems
- EASY APPLICATION - Featuring a specially designed syringe and spatula for spreading, Kryonaut guarantees effortless, comfortable, and precise paste distribution on your processor or graphics card
- LONG-LASTING EFFECT - Thanks to its unique and specialized structure, Kryonaut ensures long-lasting performance and does not dry out even at 80°C
- MARKET LEADER - Proven through extensive testing, the top choice in the market meets the highest quality standards, satisfying not only standard computer users but also passionate overclocking enthusiasts
- CLEANING WIPES: Comes with 6 Wet and 6 Dry cleaning wipes to easily clean and degrease the surface. Ensures surfaces are free of grease for better thermal material application
Download the appropriate current driver from NVIDIA’s official driver page before starting. On a laptop, also check the computer manufacturer’s support page: some laptops require an OEM-customized graphics package.
Before running the installer, close:
- MSI Afterburner and other GPU tuning or monitoring utilities
- Corsair iCUE and similar hardware-control software
- Web browsers, video players, and 3D-accelerated applications
Windows Update running in the background can interfere with installation. Microsoft Defender can remain enabled, but aggressive third-party antivirus or anti-malware monitoring may block the installer.
- Right-click the NVIDIA driver installer and select Run as administrator.
- Approve the UAC prompt by selecting Yes.
- Accept the default temporary-file location by selecting OK.
- Select NVIDIA Graphics Driver and NVIDIA App.
- Select AGREE AND CONTINUE.
- Choose Custom (Advanced), then select NEXT.
- Select Perform a clean installation, then select NEXT.
- Restart Windows when the installation finishes.
After the restart, test the workload that previously caused the crash before reinstalling tuning utilities or applying an overclock.
4. Repair Windows component and system files
Driver installation and Windows Update failures can sometimes involve damaged Windows components. Run DISM first, then SFC, from an elevated Command Prompt.
- Type Command Prompt into Start.
- Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Run these commands one at a time:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
sfc /scannowDISM normally obtains repair files through Windows Update. If the PC cannot access Windows Update, Microsoft documents this alternative:
Rank #3
- WELL PROVEN QUALITY: The design of our thermal paste packagings has changed several times, the formula of the composition has remained unchanged, so our MX pastes have stood for high quality
- EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE: ARCTIC MX-4 thermal paste is made of carbon microparticles, guaranteeing extremely high thermal conductivity. This ensures that heat from the CPU/GPU is dissipated quickly & efficiently
- SAFE APPLICATION: The MX-4 is metal-free and non-electrical conductive which eliminates any risks of causing short circuit, adding more protection to the CPU and VGA cards
- 100 % ORIGINAL THROUGH AUTHENTICITY CHECK: Through our Authenticity Check, it is possible to verify the authenticity of every single product
- EASY TO APPLY: With an ideal consistency, the MX-4 is very easy to use, even for beginners, Spatula incl.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:\<servername>c$windows /LimitAccessReplace <servername> with a computer containing a working Windows installation of the same operating-system version. The DISM log is normally at:
%windir%LogsCBSCBS.logOn a standard installation, that is C:WindowsLogsCBSCBS.log. A successful SFC scan does not rule out GPU, power, thermal, memory, motherboard, or driver problems; SFC and DISM repair Windows components, not failing hardware.
5. Check the Windows drive
File-system errors can cause wider system instability. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:
chkdsk /f C:If the drive is in use, Windows may schedule the check for the next restart and ask you to reboot. Allow it to complete, then retest the system.
6. Check temperatures, power, and physical connections
If a clean driver installation does not solve the error, investigate the conditions under which the GPU stops responding:
Rank #4
- EXTREME HEAT CONDUCTIVITY - With an exceptional thermal conductivity, Kryonaut is perfect for even the most demanding congurations and can be used in industrial cooling systems
- EASY APPLICATION - Featuring a specially designed syringe and spatula for spreading, Kryonaut guarantees effortless, comfortable, and precise paste distribution on your processor or graphics card
- LONG-LASTING EFFECT - Thanks to its unique and specialized structure, Kryonaut ensures long-lasting performance and does not dry out even at 80°C
- SURPRISING IMPACT - Experience a temperature drop right from the rst use, reducing device heat and enhancing operational comfort
- MARKET LEADER - Proven through extensive testing, the top choice in the market meets the highest quality standards, satisfying not only standard computer users but also passionate overclocking enthusiasts
- Check whether crashes happen only during games, rendering, video playback, or another demanding workload.
- Clean dust from the case filters, GPU heatsink, fans, and laptop vents. Make sure airflow is not blocked.
- Confirm that the graphics card is fully seated and that its power connectors are firmly attached. Shut down and disconnect power before opening a desktop.
- Check that the power supply is adequate for the graphics card and that modular cables are correctly connected.
- Return GPU and memory settings to their standard values. Do not use a TDR registry change as a substitute for fixing instability.
- Test memory and, where possible, test the GPU in another known-good system or test the PC with another graphics card.
Persistent crashes at stock settings, visual corruption before Windows loads, crashes under multiple operating systems, or failures that follow the graphics card to another system point more strongly toward hardware or power delivery. At that stage, contact the PC or GPU manufacturer or a repair technician.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat not to do
| Claim or action | Why it is unreliable |
|---|---|
“nvlddmkm.sys proves the driver file is corrupt.” |
The module was involved in the failed display-driver recovery. Cooling, power, overclocking, memory configuration, background software, and defective hardware are also possible causes. |
Change TdrDelay immediately. |
Increasing the timeout can hide a delay without correcting the driver, thermal, power, configuration, or hardware problem. It is not Microsoft’s general repair guidance for this stop code. |
| Run SFC repeatedly and assume the GPU is cleared. | Microsoft’s documented order is DISM followed by sfc /scannow. These tools repair Windows files; they do not validate the graphics card or power supply. |
| Install every driver utility and overlay while testing. | Monitoring, tuning, recording, browser, and overlay software can add variables to a graphics timeout. Test with the clean driver installation first. |
When Windows 11 still crashes
If the problem continues after BIOS defaults, Windows updates, a clean NVIDIA installation, system-file repair, and temperature/power checks, record the pattern rather than repeatedly reinstalling the same driver. Note the application running, GPU temperature, whether the crash occurs at idle or under load, recent hardware changes, and whether Safe Mode is stable.
That information helps distinguish a driver conflict from a cooling, power, memory, motherboard, or graphics-card fault. If the PC is under warranty, provide the stop code, the nvlddmkm.sys reference, and the troubleshooting steps already completed.
FAQ
Is nvlddmkm.sys a virus or definite proof that my NVIDIA GPU is bad?
No. It is NVIDIA’s kernel-mode display-driver module and was named in the failed TDR. The same VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE can result from driver incompatibility, overclocking, incorrect memory settings, overheating, inadequate power, background software, or defective hardware.
What does VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE 0x116 mean?
Windows detected that the graphics processor stopped responding, attempted to reset the display driver, and could not recover it. The default TDR timeout is about two seconds, and repeated TDR events can also lead to the stop code.
Best Value
- NEXT-LEVEL THERMAL PERFORMANCE: MX-7 features a performance-optimized, dense, and highly viscous consistency. Its high filler content ensures exceptional heat transfer
- LONG-TERM STABILITY: High cohesion prevents pump-out, dry-out, or bleeding even under repeated thermal cycles, ensuring long-lasting and consistent performance without the need for frequent reapplication
- PERFECT APPLICATION: MX-7 cannot be spread manually by design. Its low adhesion allows the paste to distribute naturally under cooler pressure, forming a thin bond line without trapping air bubbles
- SAFE FOR ALL DEVICES: MX-7 is electrically non-conductive and non-capacitive, making it completely safe for CPUs, GPUs, laptops, consoles, and other, no risk of short circuits or electrical discharge
- EFFORTLESS CLEANING WITH MX CLEANER: Removes old thermal paste thoroughly, preparing contact surfaces for optimal performance. Also available as a convenient bundle with MX-7
Should I use Display Driver Uninstaller?
It is a commonly suggested third-party tool, but NVIDIA’s current documented clean-install procedure does not require it. Start with NVIDIA’s installer, choose Custom (Advanced), and select Perform a clean installation.
Will changing TdrDelay fix the blue screen?
Not reliably. Changing the timeout may conceal a slow response while leaving the underlying driver, cooling, power, configuration, or hardware problem unresolved. Fix those causes first instead of treating a registry change as a general solution.
Why does the error stop happening in Safe Mode?
Safe Mode loads only limited drivers, files, and services. If it is stable there, a normal-mode driver, startup service, overlay, or tuning utility becomes more likely. Safe Mode narrows the investigation but does not repair the cause.
Can SFC repair VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE?
DISM and SFC can repair damaged Windows components that affect updates or driver installation, but they cannot repair a failing GPU, power supply, overheating system, unstable memory settings, or motherboard. Run DISM first and SFC second.
The Bottom Line
Start with Windows Update, remove overclocks, and use Safe Mode to isolate normal startup drivers. Then perform NVIDIA’s clean installation, run DISM followed by SFC, and check the graphics card’s temperature, power, airflow, and physical connections. If the error remains at stock settings—especially across different drivers or systems—treat the graphics card, power supply, memory, or motherboard as a possible hardware fault rather than assuming nvlddmkm.sys is the culprit.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
