How to Fix VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE Error in Windows 10

Encountering the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error on Windows 10 can be frustrating, especially when it results in the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This issue can disrupt your work or gaming session, so let’s look at what causes this error and how you can fix it.

What is the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE Error?

The VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error happens when the video driver stops responding for a specific time period. TDR stands for Timeout, Detection, and Recovery, a Windows feature designed to prevent system crashes due to unresponsive video drivers. If the system fails to recover the driver, it triggers a BSOD with the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error code.

Causes of the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE Error

This error can be caused by various factors, including:

  • Outdated or corrupted video drivers.
  • Overheating of the GPU.
  • Software conflicts or Windows update issues.
  • Hardware problems with the graphics card.

How to Fix the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE Error

Here are some solutions you can try to resolve the issue.

1. Update Your Video Driver

An outdated graphics driver is a common cause of the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error. To update your driver:

  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section and find your graphics card.
  3. Right-click on the graphics card and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

If this method doesn’t work, visit the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver manually.

2. Roll Back to a Previous Driver Version

New driver versions can sometimes be unstable. In such cases, you may want to roll back to an older driver version:

  1. Open Device Manager and right-click on your graphics card.
  2. Select Properties and go to the Driver tab.
  3. Click on the Roll Back Driver button if it’s available.

3. Check GPU Temperature

Overheating can cause the GPU to malfunction, leading to the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE error. Use tools like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to monitor the temperature. If the GPU is overheating, ensure proper cooling and clean any dust buildup inside your PC.

4. Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration in applications like web browsers or video editors can sometimes trigger this error. Try disabling it:

  1. Open the settings of the application (e.g., Google Chrome or Adobe Premiere Pro).
  2. Look for the Use hardware acceleration option and turn it off.
  3. Restart the application to see if the issue is resolved.

5. Change TDR Value in Registry

Increasing the timeout value for the video driver may help fix the error. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers.
  3. Right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it TdrDelay.
  4. Set its value to 8 (the default is 2) and restart your PC.

6. Run System File Checker

To check for corrupted system files, use the sfc /scannow command:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete, then restart your computer.