Windows BSOD Error 0x00000116 — VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

The 0x00000116 blue screen error is called VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE. TDR stands for Timeout Detection and Recovery. It means your graphics card (GPU) stopped responding and Windows could not recover it. This is one of the most common blue screens for gamers and video editors.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1
Windows Server

Common Causes

The graphics card driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your version of Windows
The graphics card is overheating due to dust buildup or a failing cooling fan
The GPU is overclocked beyond its stable limits
A recent Windows update broke compatibility with your graphics driver
The graphics card itself is failing or has faulty onboard memory

How to Fix It

Update your graphics card driver. Go to the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel website, find your GPU model, and download the latest driver.

This is the most common fix. The blue screen often names the faulty file — 'nvlddmkm.sys' for NVIDIA, 'atikmpag.sys' for AMD.
If updating does not help, do a clean driver install. Download DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller), boot into Safe Mode, run DDU to remove all traces of the old driver, then install the latest driver fresh.

A clean install removes leftover files that can cause conflicts. Regular updates sometimes leave broken remnants behind.
Check your GPU temperature. Download a free tool like HWMonitor or GPU-Z and monitor the temperature during normal use and under load.

If your GPU is above 85 degrees Celsius under load, overheating is likely the cause. Clean the dust from the heatsink and fans.
If you have overclocked your GPU, reset it to stock speeds using your overclocking software (MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision, etc.).

An unstable overclock is a very common cause of VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE. Return to default clock speeds and test for stability.
If none of the above helps, try increasing the TDR timeout value. Open Registry Editor, navigate to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers and create a new DWORD called TdrDelay with a value of 8.

This gives the GPU more time to respond before Windows considers it crashed. This is a workaround, not a permanent fix.

When to Call a Professional

If the blue screen keeps happening after updating drivers and checking temperatures, your graphics card may be failing. A technician can test the GPU and determine if it needs replacement. GPU replacement costs vary widely, from $100 for a budget card to $500 or more for a high-end card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does TDR mean in VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE?

TDR stands for Timeout Detection and Recovery. It is a Windows feature that monitors your graphics card. If the GPU does not respond within a few seconds, Windows tries to reset it. If the reset fails, you get the blue screen.

Why does this happen when I play games?

Games push your graphics card much harder than normal desktop use. If the GPU is overheating, has an unstable overclock, or has a buggy driver, the extra load exposes the problem. Try lowering your game's graphics settings to reduce the load on the GPU.

How do I know if my graphics card is dying?

Warning signs include visual artifacts like colored dots or lines on screen, crashes during any GPU-intensive task, and fan noise that is louder than usual. If the blue screen happens even at stock speeds with the latest driver and clean install, the card may be failing. Test with a different GPU if you have one available.