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VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE (0x116) on Windows: display driver recovery failed

Verified with sources3 sourcesReviewed Oct 3, 2026
Technician coming? See the 2 steps they must show you

Risk level

Medium

Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.

Urgency

Medium

Quick answer

The graphics card stopped responding and Windows could not restart its driver. Install the latest display driver, close background programs and, if you raised clock speeds, go back to factory settings.

Safety first

Stop and check this first

  • Do not open the power supply or graphics card to inspect them: those checks are for the technician. A 0x116 does not prove the card is faulty either.

Safe checks you can perform

  • Graphics driver and graphics software
  • Over-clocking and background programs
  • Windows Memory Diagnostic
  • Safe Mode

Leave these tasks to a qualified professional

  • Do not attempt this professional task: Identify the module in the dump
  • Do not attempt this professional task: Check power, cooling and hardware

What a technician must be able to justify

Technician visit

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

  1. Identify the module in the dump

    What they doIT support runs !analyze -v, reviews MODULE_NAME and IMAGE_NAME and uses lm to see the version and date of the graphics driver involved.

    They must show youthe output with the module and its date.

    In writingwhich version was installed instead.

  2. Check power, cooling and hardware

    What they doThey review component settings and compatibility, cooling and power supply, and run the maker's hardware diagnostics.

    They must show youthe checks made and the diagnostic report.

    In writingwhat they found and, if a part is replaced, its reference and reason.

Before accepting a part or repair

Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

Follow these steps

Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

  1. Graphics driver and graphics software

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    install the latest display driver from the graphics card or PC maker's website and make sure DirectX and the game or graphics program are up to date.
    Result that matters:
    whether the blue screen stops after updating.
    If it stops:
    the driver was not handling recovery properly.
    If it repeats:
    note which program it happens in and move on to system load.
    Evidence to keep:
    driver version before and after and the program in use.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

  2. Over-clocking and background programs

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    if you enabled over-clocking on the motherboard or card, restore defaults; close background programs before using the failing game or program.
    Result that matters:
    whether the error goes away with defaults and less load.
    If it does:
    settings or load were preventing recovery.
    If not:
    go on to the memory test.
    Evidence to keep:
    which settings you changed and when.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

  3. Windows Memory Diagnostic

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    search Memory in Control Panel, choose Diagnose your computer's memory problems and, after the restart, find MemoryDiagnostics-Results in Event Viewer's System log.
    Result that matters:
    whether the test reports errors.
    If it does:
    keep the result for IT support.
    If not:
    system memory is not flagged.
    Evidence to keep:
    screenshot of the result.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

  4. Safe Mode

    No special tools

    Who:
    you.
    How:
    go to Settings, Recovery, Advanced startup, Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, Restart and pick 4, 5 or 6.
    Result that matters:
    whether the problem stays away in Safe Mode, with minimal drivers.
    If it does:
    it points to a driver or service loaded in normal startup.
    If it appears anyway:
    the full display driver is not needed to reproduce it; ask IT support.
    Evidence to keep:
    result in Safe Mode and in normal mode.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

Still not solved

If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

Where this code applies

A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

Primary scope

System
Software and digital services
Brand
Microsoft Windows
Product type
Operating system

Known code variants

  • 0x00000116
  • 0x116
  • STOP 0x00000116
  • stop code VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE
  • VIDEO TDR FAILURE
  • VIDEO_TDR_ERROR

What it means

Microsoft defines 0x00000116 as a failed attempt to reset the display driver and recover from a timeout, part of Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR). The default timeout is 2 seconds, and the system also stops if more than five TDRs happen in one minute. Causes include a display driver that needs updating, over-clocked components, incompatible settings, insufficient cooling or power, defective parts or too many background programs.

Warnings and stop conditions

  • Mediumeditorial warning

    Do not open the power supply or graphics card to inspect them: those checks are for the technician. A 0x116 does not prove the card is faulty either.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

Symptoms and causes

Probable causes · in order

  • Outdated display driverCommon

    Microsoft says you may need the latest display driver updates so it supports TDR properly. If crashes stop after updating, that was the cause.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE · Stop code error or bug check troubleshooting (IT professionals)

  • Over-clocking, cooling or powerPossible

    Suspected if it happens under heavy graphics load, such as gaming, or after raising clock speeds.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

  • Too many programs or visual effectsPossible

    If crashes drop when you close background programs, the PC's load kept the card from responding.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

  • Defective partLess common

    Microsoft mentions defective memory modules or motherboards; only a hardware diagnostic confirms it.

    Evidence: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

Virtual technician

Does VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE still appear after these checks?

Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.

Start diagnosis

Sources and technical references

  1. 1

    Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

  2. 2

    Stop code error or bug check troubleshooting (IT professionals)

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

  3. 3

    Troubleshooting Windows unexpected restarts and stop code errors

    Microsoft · 2026 · official_doc

Sources: Bug Check 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE · Stop code error or bug check troubleshooting (IT professionals) · Troubleshooting Windows unexpected restarts and stop code errorsreviewed 2026-10-03 · verified

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