How To

Fix: NVIDIA nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen Error

Some Windows users have complained about the Nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen Error on Windows 11 and how this error has ruined the experience of using Windows. Any Blue Screen error is dangerous, and so is the NVIDIA nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen Error. In this article, we have compiled a list of the best troubleshooting tips that are guaranteed to work on your PC and fix the issue in no time.

Why Does The NVIDIA nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen Error Occur?

The nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error is related to NVIDIA graphics drivers and is caused due to certain factors like –

Outdated, Missing, Corrupted, or Incompatible graphics drivers
GPU hardware faults
System file corruption
Conflicts between software and drivers

Methods To Fix The Nvlddmkm.sys Error On Windows 11

Fix 1 – Boot Into Safe Mode

If you’re stuck in a BSOD loop, then you need to follow these steps.

Force shut down your PC 3 times while it’s starting.
This will launch Windows Recovery Environment or WinRE.
Click on Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

Fix 2 – Reinstall NVIDIA Drivers (Clean Install)

Download DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) from the official website.

Boot into Safe Mode and run DDU. Select “Clean and Restart”.
After restarting your PC, go to the official NVIDIA website.

Download the latest compatible driver for your GPU.
During installation, choose Custom (Advanced) > Perform a clean installation.

Fix 3 – Update Drivers

Update Drivers Using Device Manager.

The Device Manager is a built-in tool provided by Microsoft to all Windows users. It is used to update outdated drivers. Here are the steps.

Press Win + X to open the Windows Power menu.
Click on Device Manager, and a new box will open.
Locate the drivers that have a yellow triangle exclamation mark next to them.
Right-click on these drivers and choose Update from the context menu.

Follow the steps that appear on the screen to update the driver.

Update Drivers Using Advanced Driver Updater

Advanced Driver Updater is a third-party driver updater software that can identify outdated, missing, and corrupted drivers. Here is what you need to do.

Download and install Advanced Driver Updater

Launch the app and click the Start Scan Now button.

A list of driver issues will appear on the screen.

Locate the Graphics Driver among the list and click on the update link next to it.

The update process will now begin. Restart your computer once the update is completed.

Fix 4 – Update Windows

Press Win + I to open the Settings box.
Click on Windows Update in the left panel.
Next, click the Check For Updates button on the right.

After the Updates have been found, click on the Download & Install button.
Next, click the Advanced Options followed by Optional Updates.
Check if you have updates under Driver Updates and Other Updates.

Check the boxes next to them to select and click on the Download and Install button.

Fix 5 – Check For System File Corruption

You can use the System File Checker (SFC) tool and the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) to repair corrupted system files. Here is what you need to do :

Press Win + S to open the Search bar.
Type cmd or Command Prompt.
Right-click on Command Prompt in the search results and select Run as administrator.
If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

sfc /scannow

Press Enter to execute the command.

The System File Checker will start scanning your system for corrupted or missing files.
Wait for the scan to finish. The tool will attempt to fix any issues it finds automatically.
Reboot your PC to ensure that the changes made take effect.

After the SFC scan completes, run DISM to repair any issues with the system image:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator
If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Press Enter to execute the command.

You will see progress information on the screen as DISM works to repair the system image.
Restart your computer to apply any changes.

Fix 6 – Underclock Your GPU If Your PC Is Overheating

If the error happens during gaming or heavy load, then use tools like MSI Afterburner to slightly underclock the GPU core and memory clock.

Fix 7 – Test Your RAM

The Memory Diagnostic tool is a built-in utility that helps scan the memory for errors. Here is what you need to do:

Press the Windows keys, type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” and click the result with the same name.
A new dialog box will open, and click “Restart Now…”.

Follow the instructions, and the tool will check and fix memory-related errors.

Note – You can initiate this tool by pressing Win + R, typing mdsched.exe, and clicking on the OK button.

Fix 8 – Disable Fast Startup On Windows OS

Press Win + R to open the RUN box and type “powercfg.cpl” followed by the OK button.

Click “Choose what the power buttons do” in the left panel.

Click on “Change Settings That Are Currently Unavailable”.

Uncheck Turn on fast startup and click on the Save Changes button at the bottom right of the window.

Fix 9 – Increase GPU TDR Delay Via Windows Registry

The nvlddmkm.sys error often happens due to Timeout Detection & Recovery (TDR).

Press Win + R to launch the RUN box and type “regedit”, and press the Enter key.
Navigate to the following path by copying it and pasting it in the address bar of the Windows Registry Editor.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers

Make a right-click on an empty space in the right-hand pane.
Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Name the new value TdrDelay.
Set value to 8 (decimal).
Restart your PC.

Fix 10 – Check GPU Hardware

Test the GPU in another system if possible.
Run a stress test (e.g., FurMark, 3DMark) to see if crashes occur.
If errors persist under heavy load → GPU hardware may be failing.

Fix 11 – Reset Windows

The final step remaining to fix this issue is to reset the PC. Here are the steps –

Open the Start menu and search for ‘Reset this PC.’ Then, select the appropriate option from the search results.

Click on “Reset PC.”

Select “Keep my files.”

Follow the on-screen instructions to start the reset process for your Windows computer.

Note: Although Windows provides an option to keep your data during the reset, it is recommended to manually back up your files externally to prevent any potential data loss.

Are You Able To Fix The Nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen Error On Windows?

We hope that the above-mentioned methods have successfully guided you to fix the “NVIDIA nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen Error” on your Windows PC. Please write to us in the comments section explaining your issue and which method helped you fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does NVIDIA Cause a Blue Screen On Windows?

An NVIDIA graphics card may cause a blue screen error like “Nvlddmkm.sys error Windows 11” only if the hardware is not compatible with your PC or the correct drivers are not installed.

Is nvlddmkm a hardware issue?

The Nvlddmkm.sys Blue Screen Error on Windows 11 may occur due to a hardware or software issue. You can follow the methods listed above to fix the issue.

Can I delete nvlddmkm.sys?

No, all files that end with .sys in their names are system files and should not be deleted, moved, or opened.

How to reset Nvidia drivers?

Use the DDU to uninstall NVIDIA software from your PC completely and then reinstall it from an official source.

Dheeraj Manghnani

Dheeraj Manghnani likes to read and write about latest technological developments that make life simpler in today's intricate world. He has been fascinated by technology since he got his first computer and is on a never ending quest to know more and share his knowledge with others.