5 Easy Ways to Fix nvlddmkm.sys Error in Windows 10

The nvlddmkm.sys blue screen error (also known as the Video TDR Failure error) has been plaguing many Windows users, many of whom also happen to be using Nvidia GPUs. While the exact cause of the error will vary from person to person, there are a few fixes you can try to get rid of this issue.

Here are 5 ways you can fix nvlddmkm.sys error in Windows 10.

1. Update graphics card driver

Often, outdated GPU drivers cause a lot of errors in Windows. That’s why the first logical step to take when solving this problem is to update your graphics card drivers. This can be done in two ways: through Device Manager or through Nvidia GeForce Experience.

Update graphics card drivers using Nvidia GeForce Experience

Nvidia GeForce Experience is a companion app for all Nvidia GPUs, and chances are you already have it installed. If you don’t have it, you can download it here . It also has a number of other key features and benefits that gamers might find useful.

Here's how you can use Nvidia GeForce Experience to update your display drivers:

• Open Nvidia GeForce Experience. It's usually found on the desktop or taskbar in Windows 10.
• Log in to Nvidia GeForce Experience, click Drivers , located in the top left corner.
• You will see a list of the latest Nvidia GameReady drivers. Click Download , then the application will automatically download and install the latest drivers for you.

2. Update Windows to the latest version

Sometimes, older versions of Windows trigger the nvlddmkm.sys BSOD. If you are running an older version, then there is a possibility that the problem is occurring due to a compatibility issue. If that is the case, it is best to upgrade it using the available system updates.

3. GPU Overclocking

This may sound strange, but some users have fixed nvlddmkm.sys errors by overclocking their GPUs. While this may result in a small performance drop, it’s worth a try if it clears up the error. The simplest utility to do this is MSI Afterburner, which you can download here.

After downloading and installing MSI Afterburner, follow these steps to overclock your GPU:

• Launch the MSI Afterburner utility and look for the slider that says Core Clock.
• Adjust the slider and move it to the left until it is at -50 or lower.
• Apply the settings and restart your computer.

Users should note that overclocking the GPU will also reduce temperatures and voltages.

4. Run a disk and memory check on your computer

Another reason for this error could be faulty memory or a problem with your storage device. It is best to rule these out by running the corresponding tests.

Run a disk check using CHKDSK

CHKDSK is a built-in Windows utility that automatically checks and repairs your hard drive.

Run a memory test using Windows Memory Diagnostic

The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, in addition to being fairly easy to use, should solve most memory-related problems in Windows. In this case, it's best to look for any problems.

To do this, follow these steps:

• Press Windows key + R to open the Run command window .
• Type mfsched.exe into the text box and press Enter. Alternatively, you can also launch the Memory Diagnostic Tool using the Settings app .
• In the window that opens, you can choose to restart your computer immediately and check for problems or wait until you do it manually. When you are trying to fix nvlddmkm.sys errors, it is best to choose to restart immediately.

Wait until the process is finished and check if the problem is now fixed.

5. Completely remove and reinstall the graphics card driver

You should only use this option after trying everything else. Also, make sure to create a system restore point just in case anything bad happens. Here's a great guide on how to use system restore.

To reinstall your GPU driver, follow these steps:

Please note that this fix does not always work. You can always go back to the first part of the article for tips on reinstalling your graphics card drivers.

• On the search bar, type Device Manager and open it.
• Find Display adapters and expand this section using the drop-down arrow.
• Right click on the GPU and click Uninstall device.

• In the confirmation window, make sure to check the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox , then click OK.
• Once the uninstallation is complete, download the latest Nvidia drivers for your GPU from here . Install these drivers and restart your computer.
• When your computer boots up, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers and rename the nvlddmkm.sys file to nvlddmkm.sys.old
• Then, open the Nvidia folder, usually found at C:\ProgramFiles\Nvidia , find a file named nvlddmkm.sys_ and copy it to the System32 folder.
• Now, open Command Prompt with admin rights and type the following:

EXPAND.exe nvlddmkm.sy_ nvlddmkm.sys

• Once the expansion is complete, copy and paste the newly created nvlddmkm.sys file into the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers folder .

Using the above methods, users can easily fix the nvlddmkm.sys “Video TDR fail” error without having to replace the GPU. This error is just one of the most common errors that Windows users face. To avoid such issues in the future, make sure you keep your graphics card drivers up to date.