[Fixed] Video TDR Failure: Troubleshooting Guide

[Fixed] Video TDR Failure: Troubleshooting Guide

/ James Masterson

Video TDR Failure occurs when a signal is not detected from a graphics card to a monitor or display. This can be caused by various factors, such as outdated drivers, faulty hardware, and even incorrect settings on the graphics card itself. If the video cable connecting the graphics card and monitor has become damaged or frayed over time, this could also result in Video TDR Failure.

Update Graphics Drivers

An outdated graphics card driver cannot work according to the normal video player functioning on the device, and it would ultimately end up causing a video TDR failure error. The outdated or incompatible driver can be updated via the device manager. Updating the graphic card driver or display driver to fix video TDR failure can resolve the problem. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the Run utility with the Windows key +R shortcut keys. 

Step 2: In the run command box, type devmgmt.msc and click enter to continue. It will launch the device manager.

devmgmt msc

Step 3: In the device manager menu, select the option of display adapter and expand it. A list of all graphic drivers will appear on the screen. 

Step 4: Right-click the desired drivers and select the updated driver option from the drop-down menu. 

open device manager and update graphics driver

Step 5: In the next step, select the option to Search automatically for drivers. WOS will scan for all available options and install the compatible ones.

Change Power Management Settings

Sometimes, video TDR failure may also occur due to incompatible power management settings on your device. It would be best if you disabled the PCI Express on your device to change the power settings. Here is how you can act as the control panel.

Step 1: Launch the control panel from the main Windows menu. Type the control panel in Windows search and double-click the option in the list to launch.

windows search control panel

Step 2: In the control panel menu, navigate to the view option and change it to category. It will display all the options along with their categories.

Step 3: Next, click the hardware and sound option and select power options.

hardware and sound

Step 4: In the power options menu, select the change plan settings and click advanced power settings option.

advanced power settings

Step 5: In advanced power settings windows, expand the option of PCI express and turn the option off via the link state power management option. Click apply to save changes. Restart the device to check if the error is resolved.

change link state power management

Change atikmpaq.sys (For ATI or Amd Graphics Card Users)

If you currently use an AMD graphics card driver on the device, here is a quick-fix solution that could resolve the video TDR failure error. All you need to do is to check the error message appearing on the screen. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Update the particular graphic card driver using the abovementioned procedure.

Step 2: Launch file explorer via shortcut keys, i.e., windows key+ E. In the file explorer menu, type Hard disk (C:)>Windows>System 32 in the address bar and click enter to reach the destination.

Step 3: In the system 32 folder, navigate to the driver folder and locate the atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys files.

locate atikmpag

Step 4: Rename the file with an addition of .old in the current file name. Launch the ATI directory folder via C:ATI/ address,and locate the files atikmdag.sy_ or atikmpag.sy_.

Step 5: Copy and paste the targeted folder/file on the desktop. Launch the command prompt from Windows search and run as administrator.

Step 6: In the command prompt window, type chdir desktop and click enter. Now copy and paste the new atikmdag.sys or atikmpag.sys file to the driver’s folder. Restart the device to check if the error is resolved.

chdir desktop cmd command

Disable Intel HD Graphics Driver

If your device is currently in compliance with the Intel HD graphics driver, and you are facing a video settings error, i.e., video TDR failure error, disabling Intel HD drivers can resolve the error. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the Run utility via the Windows key+ R shortcut from the keyboard. In the run command box, type devmgmt.msc and click ok to continue, and it will launch the device manager.

devmgmt msc

Step 2: In the device manager window, navigate to the option of display adapters. Expand the option and right-click the Intel Drivers. Select the option to disable the device from the context menu to complete the action.

disable intel graphics driver

Roll Back Old Video Driver

If a video TDR failure error occurs due to any recent video/graphic driver update, rolling back to the old video drivers can resolve the error. Here is how to do it.

Step 1: Launch the device manager via run utility. Click Windows key+ R, and in the run command box, type devmgmt.msc. Click ok to continue.

devmgmt msc

Step 2: In the device manager window, expand the option of display adapters and right-click Intel HD graphic driver. Select properties from the context menu.

intel graphics driver properties

Step 3: In the properties menu, navigate to the option of drivers tab and click the button for the options to roll back the driver. Complete the wizard to get back to the older version of the graphics driver on the device.

intel graphics driver options
rollback intel graphics driver

Use System Files Utility Checker

The video TDR failure error may also arise due to the device’s corrupted/damaged system files. To track and fix the damaged system files, running a system file checker scan (SFC scan) can resolve the problem. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch the command prompt from Windows search. Type cmd in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option to launch it. Choose Run as administrator with full privileges. 

run as admin cmd

Step 2: In the command prompt, type sfc /scannow. Click enter to continue. The SFC scan will initiate, and the issue will be resolved as soon as it completes. 

sfc scannow

Perform a Startup Repair for Video TDR Failure

One can choose the startup repair option to fix the video TDR failure errors. The error may occur due to the system startup not launching appropriately. Hence, a startup repair will automatically fix the system configuration and resolve the issues with the video display. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch startup repair by booting your device in safe mode. It could be done by booting a device with installation media or Windows booting options. Boot device from media. And select the repair your computer option from the popup window. 

windows repair your computer

Step 2: In the next window, select the Troubleshoot option, followed by Advanced Options

advanced options troubleshoot

Step 3: Select the option of Startup Repair in the next window. Once the process completes, your device will function without any error message. 

select startup repair

Run CHKDSK for Video TDR Failure

Any application/utility/software not working appropriately on the device is not always any software-linked error; rather, it could be hardware troubling the application from working. The Chkdsk command via the command prompt can fix software and hardware-associated errors. It runs a scan and corrects the error, and it helps to check and fix the disk errors automatically on the device. Here are the steps to run Chkdsk to improve the video TDR failure. 

Step 1: In the main menu of Windows, type cmd in the taskbar’s search box to launch the command prompt. Click the option in the list and select run as administrator

run as admin cmd

Step 2: In the command prompt, type chkdsk f /r/c: and click enter to continue. In the next line, type Y to proceed. 

chkdsk c f r

Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver for Video TDR Failure

If you can still fix the video TDR failure error, the only resort is to uninstall and reinstall video drivers on the device. It will help to fix the blue screen errors too. Here are the steps to follow to resolve the problem.

Step 1: Step 1: Launch the device manager from Windows search. Type device manager in the taskbar’s search box and double-click the option to launch the menu.

search device manager

Step 2: In the device manager window, expand the option of display adapters. Please navigate to the Intel HD graphics driver option and right-click it to uninstall the device from the context menu.

uninstall intel graphics driver

Step 3: Launch the manufacturer’s official page in the browser and download and install the latest version of graphics card drivers on the device.

Conclusion: Troubleshoot Video TDR Failure With Confidence and Get Back to Enjoying Your Videos

In conclusion, experiencing Video TDR Failure can be a frustrating experience for anyone trying to watch a video on their computer. However, with the troubleshooting steps listed above, you can confidently fix the issue.

Whether updating your graphics drivers, disabling your Intel HD graphics driver, or uninstalling and reinstalling your video driver, these steps can help you get back to enjoying your videos seamlessly. By following these steps, you can ensure that your video-watching experience remains uninterrupted and stress-free. Remember, if you’re still experiencing issues, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Video TDR Failure

What does TDR Failure Mean on PC?

TDR Failure, or Timeout Detection and Recovery Failure, is a PC error message indicating the system has stopped responding to graphics-related tasks. It occurs when the system attempts to execute a command related to its GPU but fails to do so within the allocated period.

Video TDR failure is a common issue experienced by those who use NVIDIA graphics cards. This error occurs when the video driver times out and can be caused by various factors. It may happen due to conflicts between drivers or hardware components or if the installed driver does not match the version of the operating system that you’re using.

Can Driver Software Negatively Affect My Video TDR?

Yes, driver software can negatively affect your video card’s performance and stability. Outdated or incorrect drivers can cause various issues, from compatibility problems to system crashes. If you experience any of these issues with your video card, check for the latest driver updates and install them as soon as possible.

What Windows Component Affects My Video TDR Failure?

The display driver is the Windows component that can affect your video TDR failure. Display drivers control and manage the communication between your computer’s operating system and display hardware. When a display driver fails, it can cause a Video TDR Failure.

Will it Affect My Video TDR if I Fix Damaged System Files?

When you encounter a damaged system file, it can cause your video to display improperly or not at all. Depending on the severity of the damage, fixing these system files may restore your video’s functionality, but there are no guarantees that this will be successful. If the repair process is unsuccessful, it could affect your video TDR (Time-out Detection and Recovery) settings, resulting in further problems.

Can Corrupt System Files Affect My Video TDR?

Yes, corrupt system files can affect your video TDR. System files are vital for the functioning of your operating system, and any corruption in them could lead to instability in hardware or software. Corrupting these files may also cause Windows to fail to recognize the Video TDR, leading to performance issues with video playback or freezing of the computer.

What Causes Video TDR Failure?

A variety of factors causes Video Time Data Recovery (TDR) failure. Some common causes include an inadequate power supply, a malfunctioning video card, or software issues. Another factor that can cause TDR failure is a faulty connection between the computer and the monitor. This could be due to bad cabling, incorrect configuration settings on the computer, or a defective video card.

Does Video TDR Failure Cause Frozen Blue Screen?

When a video Time-out Detection and Recovery (TDR) failure occurs, it can cause the display to freeze while displaying a blue screen. TDR failures occur when a display driver takes too long to respond or has an issue with rendering graphics. When this happens, Windows stops the active application and attempts to reset the graphics hardware.

James Masterson
Meet the author

James is a software engineer and an information architect with a keen eye for detail. Among his key interests are enhancing the usability of our Windows 10 content, troubleshooting errors, and tech news.