Error Video TDR Failure | What It Is and Possible Solutions

If you are using an AMD or ATI graphics card and you see a blue screen error with the message video TDR failure, you are not the only one. Many users of Windows have reported the presence of this frustrating error. And as annoying as a blue screen of death error can be, it is possible to fix it.

We've rounded up three methods you can try to fix this common error. You may not need to try them all; just work your way down until you find the one that works for you.

What is video TDR failure error?

TDR stands for Timeout, Detection, and Recovery in Windows. It is supposed to be there to help stop errors. BSOD resetting the GPU and/or driver when there is an issue causing prolonged lag. If this issue occurs too many times in a row, a blue screen of death appears.

Method 1: Update the display card and chipset drivers

If your PC fails to reset the display driver and recover from a timeout, you'll get a blue screen with the message video TDR failure. You can update your chipset and display card driver to fix this. Here's how:

• Manual driver update: You can update your chipset and display card drivers manually by going to the device manufacturers website and searching for the latest correct drivers. Please note that if the video TDR failure error occurs on your laptop, you need to go to the laptop manufacturer to get the display card and chipset driver. If you do not have There, patience, or computer skills to update your drivers manually, you can always do it automatically with Driver Easy.
• Automatic Driver Update: DriverEasy It will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for both your chipset and your AMD video card. You don't need to know exactly what system your computer is running or who all the manufacturers are, you don't need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don't need to worry about making a mistake when installing. One of the ways you can update drivers automatically is with Driver Easy. You can do this with both the free and pro versions. The difference is that with the pro version, you can do it with just 2 clicks plus you get full support as well as a 30-day warranty.

To carry out the process you only have to follow the following steps:

• Download and install Driver Easy.
• Run the program and click the button Scan now. Driver Easy will scan your computer and detect any driver problems.
• Click on the Update which you will see next to your AMD graphics card that will be marked. This way you will be able to automatically download the correct version of that driver. You can then do the installation manually (you can do this with the free version).

• Or if you prefer you can click on Update all to automatically download and install the correct version of all missing or outdated drivers on your system. To do this you need to upgrade to the Pro version.

Method 2: Reinstall drivers in safe mode

IMPORTANT: You must have the latest version of the chipset driver Intel and the ATI/AMD graphics card driver on your computer. You can download them for free with Driver Easy first.

• Go to safe mode on Windows 10.
• Go to Device administrator. Expand Display adapters. Right click on the device AMD/ATI and click uninstall.

• Click on Accept.
• Restart your computer in normal mode. Then install the latest version of the driver of the Intel chipset for your computer.
• Restart your computer again.
• Try Install the latest driver version ATI/AMD device on your computer again.

Method 3: Adjust power management settings

One of the possible causes of the video TDR failure error is that the power settings of your computer or laptop cannot handle the graphics. To adjust this setting, just follow these steps:

• Press the windows key and find the section Control panel.
• There, change the view mode to Category.
• Go to Hardware and sound and then to Energy options.
• Click on Change plan settings next to the plan your device is on.

• Then click on the link Change advanced power settings.
• Expand PCI Express, then disables Link State Power Management.
• Finally click on Apply.

Method 4: Remove and reinstall the GPU card

There is a chance that the graphics card may need to be removed and then reinstalled into the computer unit. If not connected properly, it can trigger Blue Screen of Death errors such as the video TDR failure error code.

Turn off your computer, unplug all cables, remove the computer chassis and Carefully remove the GPU card. Then, insert it back into the same slot firmly but without forcing it. Turn on the computer and see if anything changes.

You may be interested in: Windows 10 Does Not Recognize Graphics Card | Solutions

Method 5: Replace the atikmpag.sys or atikmdag.sys file

If you have tried the above methods but the video TDR failure issue still persists, you may need to replace the file in atikmpag.sys or atikmdag.sy (which appears in the blue screen error).

• Please download the latest driver version first from ATI/AMD graphics card.
• follow the route C:\Windows\System32\ drivers and locate the file atikmdag.sys (or atikmpag.sys). Change the name to atikmdag.sys.old (or atikmpag.sys.old).
• It is important that you only change the one that appears in your blue screen error.

• Go to ATI directory (usually in C:\ATI) and look for the atikmdag.sy_ or atikmpag.sy_ file.
• Copy the file to your desktop.
• If you can't find it in this folder, try typing the file name into the search box on the Start panel.
• On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key. Writes cmd and click Symbol of the system.
• Write chdir desktop and press Enter to change the directory to your desktop.
• Write expand.exe atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys and press Enter.
• Or write expand -r atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys and press Enter.

• When the expansion is complete, copy the new atikmdag.sys file from your desktop to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.
• Restart your computer and the problem should be solved.

Method 7: Reset Windows 10

If all else fails so far, you will be forced to reset Windows 10 to remove all programs and restore system settings to default. The good news is that your private files will not be changed.

But make sure to note down all the apps you need to install, save the program preferences, and get the serial key needed for reactivation. Then, proceed with the following steps:

• click with it right click on the Start button and open Configuration.
• Choose Updates and security.
• Choose Recovery and click Contac us.
• Click on keep my files and follow the rest of the instructions.

Final words

If the error video TDR failure appears on your PC or laptop and you don't know how to fix it, you can try any of these methods. Its effectiveness will depend on the underlying reason for the error appearing. If you know or have an idea about the exact cause, then go straight to the corresponding method, otherwise, you can keep trying the described methods until one of them works for your system.