“Display Driver Stopped Responding and Has Recovered”
The message “Display driver stopped responding and has recovered” appears on Windows computers when the system detects a malfunction in the graphics driver but successfully restarts it to maintain normal operation. This error can occur for several reasons, and understanding these can help in addressing the issue effectively.
Causes of the Error
Common causes of this problem include:
- Graphics driver malfunction. The graphics card driver may be outdated, incompatible with the system, or corrupted.
- Overheating of the graphics card. If the graphics card overheats, the system may attempt to disable it temporarily to prevent damage.
- Power issues. Incorrect power settings or insufficient power can cause the graphics adapter to work unstably.
- Memory or system load issues. During high system load, there may be insufficient memory, impacting driver performance.
Methods for Resolving the Error
To resolve the issue, try the following steps:
1. Update the Graphics Driver
The simplest and often most effective solution is to update the graphics driver. Visit the graphics card manufacturer’s website (for example, NVIDIA or AMD) to download and install the latest driver version.
2. Check Power Settings
Ensure that the Windows power settings are set to “High Performance.” You can adjust this in the Control Panel by selecting “Power Options” and changing the current plan to “High Performance.”
3. Cooling and Cleaning the Computer
Overheating could be causing this error. Ensure that the cooling system works efficiently, and the graphics card doesn’t overheat. Regularly clean dust from the computer and monitor temperatures with software like HWMonitor.
4. Check Memory and Other Components
Insufficient memory may also cause this error. Test your computer’s memory for errors using Windows' built-in tool (Windows Memory Diagnostic) or software like MemTest86.