Like any other BSOD error, the video TDR failure error can prevent you from using your PC.  The problem mainly occurs in Windows 8 and later versions.

In this post, we’ll talk about what is video TDR failure error and, more importantly, we’ll three solutions which users have told us have worked for them.

Of course, there’s no need for you try all the three if you are getting this error. Begin with the first one and move on to the next one and so on, until the issue is resolved. And, yes, please leave a comment telling us which one worked for you!

What is video TDR failure error?

The TDR in the error message stands for Timeout Detection and Recovery components in Windows.  It is a feature in Windows operating system that detects problems with the graphics card and resets the graphics card to recover from frozen situations.

If the Windows fails to reset the graphics card driver in given time (2 seconds), the system generates a blue screen of death error with message “ video TDR failure”

To perform the troubleshooting steps given in solutions below, you need to be logged in Windows system. If the PC does not boot in normal mode, power on and off your PC three times in a row which will enable you to start the PC in safe mode.

Solution One – Update graphics card drivers.

As the video TDR failure is caused by video driver’s problems, the first thing you need to do is update graphics card drivers.  You can update drivers manually or use a driver update tool that can update graphic driver automatically.

• Manual update- you need to visit the graphics card manufacture website and download latest drivers for your Windows system and install it
• Automatic update- you can use a Driver Update Tool to update graphics drivers automatically.

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download

 

Solution Two- Reinstall graphics drivers in Safe Mode

To re-install graphics driver in Safe Mode, you need to have latest graphics driver for your Windows system. You can also use a Driver Update Tool to reinstall graphics drivers in Safe Mode. Here are the steps to follow.

• Boot your computer in Safe Mode
• Type Device Manager in Start search box and double-click Device Manager from the list of results
• In the Device Manager window, go to Display adapters and expand it
• Right-click on Display adapter name and click uninstall

• Click OK
• Reboot your computer and install latest graphics drivers you have downloaded manually or use a Driver Update Tool to re-install latest graphics card drivers

Solution Three – Replace atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys file

If the above solutions have not worked for you, try replacing the atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys file shown in error code. There is a possibility the file mentioned in the error code is corrupt and replacing it might resolve the issue.

Note- You need to be careful while replacing the files – atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys. Remember you need to only replace one file that is shown in error code and not both files.

• Download the latest version of atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys file from ATI or AMD website
• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder and locate the atikmdag.sys (or atikmpag.sys) file

• Rename the file as atikmdag.sys.old (or atikmpag.sys.old)

• Now go to ATI directory on your computer that is generally C:\ATI
• Locate the file – atikmdag.sy_ or atikmpag.sy_
• Copy the file to your desktop
• Press Windows logo key and R simultaneously on the keyboard to invoke Run command console
• In Run command box, type cmd, and select command prompt from the list of results
• In the command prompt window that opens, type chdir desktop and hit Enter

• Next, type expand.exe atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys and hit Enter

Or

• You can type expand -r atikmdag.sy_ atikmdag.sys and hit Enter.

• The above commands will expand the original driver files. After the expansion is complete, do the following
• Copy the newly created atikmdag.sys file on your Desktop to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers folder
• Reboot your PC.

Copying these expanded driver files in driver folder will ensure you have graphics drivers in the original state which would resolve the video TDR failure error.