blog posts

What is TDR in Windows?

TDR stands for Timeout, Detection, and Recovery and is part of Windows. Whenever you get this error, it means the graphics card is no longer responding and Windows has stopped to fix the driver error.

Computer crashing due to Blue Screen Error is unpleasant. Ever since the introduction of the Windows operating system, the Blue Screen of Death (also known as BSoD) has caused more problems than you can imagine.

One of these blue screen errors is the Video TRD Failure error. This error occurs when you try to play a video file, play a game, or pretty much anything else that involves video output on your computer.

In such cases, instead of playing the video properly, your computer will show a blue screen with other things along the lines of an error message with the content “VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

After displaying this blue screen, the system restarts, but the problem remains and does not resolve itself.

Depending on the brand of graphics card, you may encounter another error message:

With an NVIDIA graphics card, the error is shown as nvlddmkm.sys.
With an Intel graphics card, the error is shown as igdkmd64.sys.
With an AMD or ATI graphics card, the error is displayed as atikmpag.sys.

In this article, you can learn how to troubleshoot Video TRD error in Windows 10.

Why does the Video TDR error occur?

Several reasons can cause a Video TRD error. These reasons are:

• Problems with the graphics card or other computer components
• Outdated graphics card driver
• Multiple programs running in the background
• Overclocking of computer components
• Component compatibility issues
• System overheating

Keep in mind that the listed items are only the most likely causes of the error. Microsoft has yet to address this issue or provide a permanent fix officially.

How to fix Video TDR Failure error

You should start fixing the error as soon as it occurs because it can put your computer into a reboot loop. This event makes you unable to access your files and makes it harder to troubleshoot.

Solution 1: Update or reinstall your graphics drivers

The first thing you should do in this situation is fix any problems with the system drivers. Many users report that updating or reinstalling their drivers, especially the graphics driver, fixes the error.

To learn how to update or reinstall drivers in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1- Press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard, then press the R key. This will open the Run program.

2- Type devmgmt.msc and click OK. This will launch the Device Manager.

3- Click on the arrow next to Display adapters to enlarge the window.

4- To update, right click on your driver and select Update driver.

5- If you want to reinstall the driver instead of updating, first click on Uninstall device.

6- After uninstalling, visit the manufacturer’s website. A quick Google search for graphics card should lead you to the correct page on the manufacturer’s website.

7- Download and install the latest driver compatible with your graphics card.

Then restart your computer and check again for the problem. If the problem is still not solved, you can try one of the other methods introduced below.

Solution 2: Change the system’s Power Management Settings

It’s possible that your system’s power settings are causing problems with how your computer or laptop with a graphics card works.

You can fix the Video TDR error by disabling PCI Express. Follow the steps below:

1- Search for Control Panel in the search bar and open the program.

2- Change the View mode to Category.

3- Go to the Hardware and Sound section, then Power Options.

4- Click on Change plan settings under selected plan.

5- Click on Change advanced power settings.

6- Maximize the PCI Express window, then turn off Link State Power Management completely.

7- Click Apply to make changes.

8- Restart your computer and check if the problem persists.

Solution 3: Clean system components

Overheating is one of the causes of Video TDR error. System overheating can be caused by dirt and debris among your computer’s components.

When physically cleaning your computer, you need to pay attention to everything you do.

If this is your first time cleaning the components of your computer, we recommend watching this video from GamingScan, which explains step by step how to clean all the components of the device.

The components that you should pay more attention to are cooling fans, RAM memory, graphics card and processor.

Solution 4: Replace atikmpaq.sys (for ATI or AMD graphics card users)

This solution can only be answered for those who use ATI or AMD graphics cards.

1- Check if the blue error screen shows atikmpag.sys or atikmdag.sys error message.

2- Download the latest drivers for your graphics card from the manufacturer’s page.

3- Open file explorer and follow the path of Hard disk (C:), Windows, System 32

4- Open the Drivers folder and find atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys.

5- Change the file name by adding .old after the current file name.

It is very important that you only change the name of the file that is shown in your blue screen error message. Leave the other file intact.

6- Go to the ATI directory, usually found in C:\ATI, and find atikmdag.sy_ or atikmpag.sy_. Again, make sure this message matches the error message.

7- Copy the file and paste it on your desktop.

8- Search for Command Prompt and open the program.

9- Type chdir desktop and press Enter.

 

10- Depending on the file you renamed:

A: Type expand.exe atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys and press Enter.

B: Type expand -r atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys and press Enter.

11- Copy the new atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys file from your desktop to the Drivers folder in System 32.

12- Restart your computer.

Solution 5: Solution for Intel users

If your system works with an Intel graphics card, you can try one of the following methods to fix the Video TRD Failure error.
Method 1: How to Disable Intel HD Graphics Driver

1- Press and hold the Windows key on your keyboard, then press R. This will open the Run program.

2- Type devmgmt.msc and click OK. This will launch the Device Manager.

 

3- Click on the arrow next to Display adapters to enlarge the window.

4- Right click on the Intel driver, then click on Disable device.

Method 2: How to change Intel graphics settings

1- Launch the Intel HD Graphics control panel from the Start menu or system tray.

2- In 3D settings, apply the following changes:

A: Activate Application Optimal Mode.

B: Change Multi-Sample Anti-Aliasing to Use Application Settings.

A: Turn off Conservative Morphological Anti-Aliasing.

D: Change General Settings to Balanced Mode.

3- Make the following changes in the Video settings – Basic section:

A: Change Standard Color Correction to Application Settings.

B: Change Input Range to Application Settings.

Conclusion

We hope that one of these solutions has helped you to fix the Video TDR Failure error. If none of the recommended solutions solve your problem, we suggest contacting Microsoft and requesting personal support through the Contact Us page.