Windows nvlddmkm.sys BSOD — NVIDIA Display Driver Crash

The nvlddmkm.sys BSOD is caused by NVIDIA's display kernel mode driver crashing, triggering VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE or other stop codes during graphics operations. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: nvlddmkm.sys is NVIDIA's Windows kernel mode display driver. Most common stop code: VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (0x00000116) naming nvlddmkm.sys. TDR (Timeout Detection and Recovery) triggers when GPU does not respond within 2 seconds. Can cause black screen, display freezing, or full BSOD. Extremely common across all NVIDIA GPU generations. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: NVIDIA driver bug in the current version. GPU overheating causing the driver to hang. Unstable GPU overclock or memory overclock. Power supply not providing enough power to the GPU under load. Driver conflict with Windows Fast Startup or hybrid sleep. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) and run it in Safe Mode to completely remove NVIDIA drivers. Install the latest NVIDIA Game Ready or Studio driver from nvidia.com. If latest driver crashes, try an older stable version from the NVIDIA driver archive. Monitor GPU temperature with GPU-Z — should stay under 85°C under load. Disable Windows Fast Startup: Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > uncheck 'Turn on fast startup'. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Windows Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.