Are you amongst those Windows users who are suffering from, “Display driver stopped responding and has recovered” while playing games or running software?
If yes, worry not this post is all about troubleshooting Display driver stopped responding and has recovered error. But before learning the fixes, let’s know the reason for the error, the display driver stopped responding.
Reasons for“Display Driver Stopped Responding and Has Recovered” Error
There are different reasons for Display Driver Stopped Responding error, however, a few of them are common. Hence, here we will list the most common reasons for display driver stopped responding error:
- Too many programs and applications run simultaneously on the PC
- Corrupt, missing, or faulty display driver
- Overheating of GPU
- GPU consumes more than permitted resources for graphics processing
- Outdated, corrupt graphics card
To resolve this issue, follow the fixes explained below. You can follow the fixes one by one to see which one works for you.
Ways to Resolve Display Driver Stopped Responding Error – Windows
Method 1. Stop unnecessary applications and programs from running
When the number of applications or services running on the system is more than the GPU can take care of, you encounter issues like the Display Driver Stopped Responding and Has Recovered error.
In such situations, closing unnecessary programs work. For this, you open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl +Shift + Esc. Click the Processes tab and look for the unwanted process. Select them one by one > End task.
After doing so, restart the system and run the game, you should no longer face the display driver, stop responding, error.
Method 2. Edit Graphics Setting
For some Windows users adjusting visual effects have worked, and they were able to fix the display driver stopped responding, error. Hence, to check if it works for you try disabling some visual effect settings. To do so, follow the steps below:
1. In the Windows search bar, type Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows
2. In the new window that opens hit the Visual Effects tab and selects the radio button next to Adjust for best performance> OK.
Note: Alternatively, you can also choose Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer option.
3. Hit Apply > Ok
Now, check if the display driver has stopped, error is fixed, or not.
If this fix did not work for you, move to the next fix.
Method 3. Update Graphics Drivers
If you are running an outdated or corrupt version of Graphics driver, then you might face display driver stopped responding and has recovered error. To fix this error, we suggest updating the driver. This can be done both automatically and manually.
Easiest Way to Update Graphics Driver
1. Download, install and run Smart Driver Care
2. Launch the program
3. Click Start Scan and wait for the scan to finish
4. Once done, update the graphics driver by clicking Update Driver next to it.
However, if you want to update all outdated drivers, click Update All.
Note: Doing so will take you to the purchase page as the trial version does not allow updating all drivers at once.
However, if you don’t want to use Smart Driver Care, you can update drivers manually. To learn how to do that click here.
Note: If you choose to go with the manual way, you need to collect hardware information, details about the operating system, and more. Also, the chances of installing an incorrect driver are more in a manual way.
In addition to this, we also suggest uninstalling and reinstalling the graphics driver.
To do so, press Windows + R > type devmgmg.msc > Ok > Double click Display adapters to expand it.
Right-click the graphics drivers > Uninstall device.
Do this for all the graphics drivers. Next restart the system, Windows will automatically install the latest version of the graphics driver.
Now, check if you still face the Display driver stopped working error or not.
Method 4. Change GPU Processing Time
Display driver stopped responding and has recovered, the issue can also be resolved by increasing the Timeout Detection & Recovery timeout. To learn how to do that, follow the steps below:
Important: This method explains how to modify the registry. Hence, when following the steps explained you need to be very careful, as an incorrect change can harm the system. To be safe, try taking a backup of the registry.
1. Close all running programs
2. In Windows search, type regedit
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > GraphicsDrivers
4. Right-click on the empty space present in the right pane > click Key > New
For 32-bit select DWORD (32-bit) Value
For 64-bit select QWORD (64-bit) Value
Note: To know the bit of Operating System you are using, click My PC > Properties. Here, you can find information about the Operating System.
5. Name the key as TdrDelay > Enter.
6. Modify TdrDelay registry value. Double click > under Value data enter 8 > OK.
7. Exit Registry Editor and reboot system.
This should surely fix the display driver stopped responding on Windows 10.
Additional Tip
Tip: If you face any problem after making changes to the Windows registry, we suggest deleting the key, as an incorrect modification might create issues.
Method 6. Check if GPU Is Overheating
When the temperature of graphics cards goes beyond the limit, you might face Windows 10 display drivers stopped responding, problem. Hence, in this case, using a temperature monitoring program is recommended. To learn more about the best software, you can read our post on Temperature monitoring apps.
Alternatively, you can also try cleaning the radiator as a dusted one also overheats GPU. To do so, shut down the system, take the radiator out clean, and then use it. You should not face display drivers that keep crashing on Windows machines.
Method 7. Set Hardware to Default Settings
If you are into overclocking CPU and GPU, you might face display driver stops responding, error often. To fix it, try running all hardware components on its default settings.
Once this is done, restart the system and check whether the display driver stops responding, error is fixed or not.
Method 8. Run System File Checker
1. Type Command Prompt in the Windows search bar
2. Select the search result > Run as administrator
3. Here, type SFC /scannow > Enter
4. Wait for the command to run
This built-in functionality will repair all corrupt Windows files. Now try to run the game or application you should not face display driver stopped responding and has recovered error.
Final Words
This is it, using these best 8 fixes you can easily fix, the display driver has stopped responding and has recovered the error. Do let us know which method works best for you. However, if you used any other method do share the same. In case you have any questions or any driver-related problems can drop a mail at [email protected]
FAQ – Display Driver Stopped Responding and Has Recovered
Why do you face display drivers stopped working, error?
The most common reasons for the display driver stopped working problems are outdated drivers and GPU overheating. To fix this issue, closing unwanted applications, services, and updating drivers is recommended.
How do I update display drivers?
The easiest way to update display drivers or any other device driver is to use Smart Driver Care. This advanced driver updating utility automatically scans the system for outdated drivers and updates them. To install it, click here.
However, if you want to do it manually, you can do so via device manager or can visit the manufacturer’s website to download drivers.
How do I find my display driver?
To find the display driver, press Windows + R > devmgmgt.msc > Look for Display Adapter section and expand it> right-click the device > Properties > Driver tab. Here, you will find all the information about the display driver.
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Mridula Nimawat
Outdated display drivers can cause a lot of issues, its better to install best Driver updater for your PC.Mathew
While playing games when I encounter Display driver stopped working I hate it but now I know how to fix it, thanks will try the automatic wayMansi Vijay
Updating graphics drivers was a helpful fix!