Fixing BSOD Errors: Nvlddmkm.sys, dxgkrnl.sys, and dxgmms1.sys

Encountering a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) related to Nvlddmkm.sys, dxgkrnl.sys, or dxgmms1.sys indicates issues with your graphics card, GPU drivers, or DirectX components. These errors often occur during demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or other graphic-intensive applications. Let’s go through the potential causes and solutions step by step.

1. What Are Nvlddmkm.sys, dxgkrnl.sys, and dxgmms1.sys?

  • Nvlddmkm.sys — This is a driver file associated with NVIDIA graphics cards. Errors involving this file often point to a problem with the NVIDIA GPU driver.
  • dxgkrnl.sys — This is the DirectX Graphics Kernel, part of DirectX, which handles multimedia and graphics on Windows systems. Issues here can indicate a fault in the DirectX subsystem.
  • dxgmms1.sys — The Microsoft DirectX Graphics MMS driver, which manages video memory. Errors can occur due to conflicts in video memory management.

2. Common Causes of BSOD Errors

These BSOD errors can be triggered by various factors, including:

  • Outdated or corrupt GPU drivers.
  • Conflict between NVIDIA drivers and DirectX.
  • Overheating of the graphics card under heavy load.
  • Unstable overclocking of the GPU or CPU.
  • Faulty hardware such as the GPU or RAM.

3. How to Fix Nvlddmkm.sys, dxgkrnl.sys, and dxgmms1.sys Errors

Let’s walk through the troubleshooting steps to resolve these errors effectively.

Step 1: Update Your GPU Drivers

The first step is to ensure your graphics card drivers are up to date. For NVIDIA cards, download the latest drivers from the official NVIDIA website. During installation, opt for a clean install to remove any old, conflicting driver versions.

Step 2: Check DirectX Status

To check your DirectX version, press Win + R, type dxdiag, and hit Enter. This will open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool where you can verify your DirectX version and detect any issues. If your DirectX is outdated, download the latest version from the Microsoft website.

Step 3: Disable GPU Overclocking

If you use GPU overclocking software (like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision), revert your settings to the default values. Overclocking can cause instability and driver errors, leading to BSOD crashes.

Step 4: Monitor GPU Temperature

Overheating is a common cause of BSOD errors. Use tools like HWMonitor or GPU-Z to keep track of your GPU temperatures. If your card exceeds 80°C, consider cleaning the system from dust or improving cooling solutions.

Step 5: Test Your RAM

Faulty RAM can also cause BSOD errors. Use the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and follow the on-screen instructions to check your memory for errors.

Step 6: Run GPU Stress Tests

To verify the stability of your graphics card, use stress-testing software like FurMark or Unigine Heaven. If you notice visual artifacts or crashes during the test, your GPU might be failing.

Step 7: Reinstall Windows

If none of the previous solutions worked, the issue might be with the operating system itself. Back up your data and consider performing a clean installation of Windows.