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FIX: Windows 10/11 driver stopped responding and has recovered
9 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Windows 10users have reported a strange message sayingdriver stopped responding and has recoveredand today we’re going to explore and see how to fix this little problem.
Driver stopped responding and has recoveredis an annoying error message that will cause your screen to go black and crash your display driver. Speaking of this error, users reported the following problems as well:
Driver stopped responding and has recovered is usually related to your display driver, and in order to fix it, you can do several things.
What can I do if the driver stopped responding and has recovered?
1. Reset your Visual Effects
If you’ve changed your Visual Effects recently you might want to restore them to default.
2. Uninstall and update your drivers
You can manually update your drivers from Device Manager by selecting the driver you need. Right-click and choose Update driver then restart your PC. After you’ve uninstalled your drivers, go to the manufacturer’s website, and download the latest drivers for yourgraphics card.
However, to speed up the process switching to a professional tool can automate the whole process for you. Advanced software will ensure the safety of your system and prevent damage to the PC due to the installation of the wrong version of the driver.
Outbyte Driver Updater
3. Increase GPU processing time in Registry
4. Adjust your GPU clock offset
This is an advanced method and if not careful it can cause damage to your computer. We hold no responsibility for any potential damage.
Some users say that adjusting GPU clock Offset to -125 MHz using an EVGA Precision X Utility fixes the issue. This is potentially dangerous, so if you’re going to try this, please research how to do it properly to avoid any potential damage.
We also have to mention that -125 MHz was helpful for one user, but you might need a different value for your graphics card. Once again, if you’re not experienced and not comfortable with doing this hire a professional to do it for you to avoid any potential damage.
5. Change frequency and set energy option for Maximum power
Several users claim that you can fix this problem simply by changing the frequency and energy options for your graphics card. To do this, follow these steps:
This might not work for all users but it’s worth checking out. If you don’t useNvidiagraphics, try changing these settings fromCatalyst Control Center.
6. Close unnecessary applications
SometimesDriver stopped responding and has recoveredmessage can appear due to your applications. Certain applications will stress your graphics card and cause this problem to appear.
If you’re having this problem, keep a close eye on applications you’re running in the background.
If you notice that this problem appears only when running certain applications, you might want to disable those applications from running in the background.
In addition, you can also reinstall these applications and check if that solves the problem. As a rule of thumb, try to keep only the necessary applications open and check if that solves the problem.
7. Clean your graphics card
If you’re gettingDriver stopped responding and has recoveredmessage frequently on your PC, the problem might be overheating.
Your graphics card produces a lot of heat, and in case of overheating, Windows will temporarily disable your graphics card in order to prevent damage to your system.
To check if your graphics card is overheating, we advise you to usetemperature monitoring software.These applications allow you to monitor both CPU and GPU temperature, so you can keep a close eye on your graphics card.
⇒Get Aida64 Extreme
If theDriver stopped responding and has recoveredmessage appears when your GPU gets hot, it’s rather likely that your graphics card is dirty. To fix the problem, it’s advised to clean your graphics card.
This is rather simple and you just have to open your computer case and use pressurized air to clean the dust from the heatsink and fan. After doing that, the problem should be resolved and you won’t encounter this message again.
8. Remove overclock settings
Many users tend tooverclocktheir hardware in order to achieve better performance. Overclocking your hardware is relatively simple, but overclocking puts extra stress on your components reducing their lifespan.
If you encounterDriver stopped responding and has recoveredmessage on your PC, the problem might be your overclock settings, so it’s advised to remove them. After removing the overclock settings, check if the problem is resolved.
9. Try using older drivers
SometimesDriver stopped responding and has recoveredmessage can appear due to your drivers. Usually, it’s better to install the latest drivers since they offer better performance and new features, but in some rare cases, newer drivers could lead to new issues.
If you’re having this problem on your PC, we strongly advise you to uninstall your current driver and switch to the older driver. We already showed you how to properly remove your drivers inSolution 1, so be sure to check it out for detailed information.
Once you remove the current driver, install an older version that is a few months older, and check if that solves the problem. In some cases, you might have to experiment with different drivers until you find the version that works for you.
If you find experimenting with drivers tedious, you can always install the default driver. Simply remove your current driver and restart your PC and Windows will install the default driver automatically.
If you choose to install the default driver, keep in mind that Windows 10 might try to update it automatically. To prevent that, be sure to check our guide onhow to prevent Windows 10 from automatically updating drivers.
10. Use TDRManipulator
As we already explained in one of our previous solutions, this problem can be caused by TDR value in your registry. This value is in charge of resetting your graphics card driver in case the driver doesn’t respond after a certain time frame.
We showed you in one of our previous solutions how to manually adjust the TDR value in your registry, and this is usually one of the best methods to fixDriver stopped responding and has recoveredmessage.
However, if you don’t feel comfortable modifying the registry manually, you can achieve the same results by using theTDRManipulator.
This is a freeware, third-party application designed to modify the TDR value in your registry, without having to open the Registry Editor. The application is simple to use, and if you don’t feel comfortable modifying the registry on your own, we encourage you to try this application.
Several users reported that they fixed this problem simply by using this tool, so be sure to try it out.
11. Change power settings
In some cases,Driver stopped responding and has recoverederror message can appear due to your power settings. However, you can easily fix that by doing the following:
After switching to this power plan, check if the problem still persists.
That’s about it, we hope at least one of these solutions was helpful to you.
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, just reach for the comments below.
More about the topics:Black screen issues
Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
When he’s not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.
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Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Ivan has delved deep into understanding the Windows OS, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
