How to Fix the AMD Driver Timeout (TDR) Error on Windows

If you use an AMD graphics processor, you may encounter a driver timeout detection error. The error is triggered due to a Windows OS feature, Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR). It checks and resets the graphics driver when the GPU fails to respond in a specified time.

The error often causes the game to crash or stutter on your Windows computer. AMD has acknowledged the error on its official blog, though there is no one-click solution to fix this error yet.

If you experience this error, here are a few working solutions to eliminate the AMD Driver timeout in Windows 10 and 11.

1. Update Your AMD Graphics Driver

Widespread issues with graphics drivers tend to receive a hotfix from the manufacturer. So, check if your AMD graphics driver is missing any new updates that may help you fix this error.

AMD offers multiple ways to update its graphics driver. You can update the AMD graphics driver by downloading the new drivers from its official site. You can also use the automatic detection utility or the AMD Radeon software to find and install new drivers for the unit.

To update the AMD graphics driver using the auto-detection tool:

1. Go to AMD Driver and support page, search for your product and click Submit.
2. Next, click on your Windows edition to view the available tools.

3. Scroll down and click on the Download button for Auto-Detect and Install.
4. Once the download is complete, run the setup file and install the tool.

5. Upon installation, the AMD Software installer will auto-launch and scan for pending graphics software updates.

6. Click on Install to download and install the available drivers. Then, restart your PC to apply the changes. You may need to perform multiple restarts to completely install the driver.

2. Disable Multi-Plane Overlay Using Registry Editor

Multi-Plane Overlay (MPO) is a Windows display adapter feature. It is used to decrease GPU and CPU workload and offers plane independent page flips for reduced latency. However, the feature can conflict with the AMD Drivers causing the driver timeout issue. To fix the problem, you can disable MPO using Registry Editor.

To disable MPO in Windows Registry:

1. Press Win + R to open Run.
2. Type regedit and click OK to open Registry Editor. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
3. In Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:

    ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsDwm 

4. Next, right-click on the Dwm key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Rename the value as OverlayTestMode.

6. Next, right-click on OverlayTestMode and select Modify.

7. In the Value data field, type 5 and click OK to save changes.
8. Close Registry Editor and relaunch your game. This should fix the AMD Driver timeout error on your Windows computer.

3. Install Pending Windows Updates

Any issues with graphics driver compatibility can cause the driver to malfunction and crash. If you haven’t installed any new updates recently, check for pending Windows updates and install them to see if that helps fix the issue.

To install Windows updates:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Open the Windows Update tab in the left pane. Alternatively, type Windows update in the Windows search bar and click on Windows Update Settings.
3. Next, click on Check for updates. Windows will scan for pending updates and install them automatically.
4. After the update is installed, restart your PC and check for any improvements.

4. Disable Hardware Acceleration on Chrome and Edge

Hardware acceleration helps take the load off your CPU and use your GPU hardware (when available) to perform tasks smoothly. However, if the error occurs when streaming YouTube or other streaming services on your Chrome or Edge browser, disabling hardware acceleration can help fix the error.

To disable hardware acceleration on Google Chrome:

1. Click on the Three-dots menu and select Settings.
2. In the left pane, open the System tab.
3. Next, toggle the switch for Use hardware acceleration when available to turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome.
4. Relaunch your browser and check for any improvements.

To disable hardware acceleration on Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the Three-dots menu and select Settings.
2. In the left pane, open the System and performance tab.
3. Toggle the switch for Use hardware when available to disable the feature.
4. You will need to relaunch the browser to apply the changes.

5. Uninstall Windows Updates

At times, newer Windows updates can cause more issues than they resolve. If you determine the error to have occurred after installing an update, you can undo the changes by uninstalling the same. There are many ways to uninstall Windows updates in Windows 10 and 11. An easy way to do it is by using the Settings app. Here’s how to do it.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Next, open the Windows Update tab in the left pane.

3. Click on Update history under the More options section.
4. Scroll down to the Related settings section and click on Uninstall updates.

5. Now go through all the recently installed updates to find the most recent one based on the installation date.
6. Click on Uninstall.

7. Click Uninstall once again to confirm the action.

On Windows 10, the options vary a little. To uninstall updates, open Settings and click on Update & Security. Next, click on View update history. Choose the first option and click on Uninstall updates.

6. Change and Set the Power Plan to Best Performance

Windows allows you to create multiple power plans for your computer to conserve power or extract maximum performance. Changing your power plan to Best Performance can help you fix the AMD driver timeout error.

To change your power options:

1. Press Win + R to open Run.
2. Type control and click OK to open Control Panel.
3. In Control Panel, click on System and Security.

4. Next, click on Power Options.
5. In the left pane, click on Create a power plan.

6. Select the High performance option.

7. Enter a name for your plan and click Next.

8. You can also configure sleep and display settings if necessary. Once done, click Create.
9. Restart your PC and check if the AMD driver timeout error is resolved.

7. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a Windows feature to help your computer boot faster after a shutdown. While a handy feature, it can sometimes result in slow boot time, dual boot issues, and even the AMD driver time-out error.

You can turn off fast startup by disabling the hibernation feature in the command prompt. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Win key and type cmd.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt form the search result and select Run as administrator.
3. Next, in the command prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

    Powercfg -h off 

4. Restart your PC and check for any improvements.

If you would rather have Hibernation turned on, you can only disable fast startup from Control Panel.

8. Check for Overheating and Overclocking Issues

You can use tuning utilities to overclock your CPU and GPU. However, incorrect overclocking can lead to critical failure. Mainly due to insufficient power supply and poor cooling solutions. To fix the error, undo any overclocking changes to see if it helps fix the issue.

Overheating is another major reason that can cause a system failure. To fix an overheating computer, begin by monitoring your system temperature. Next, clean clogged fans for dust and make sure all the fans are working. Often, timely reapplication of thermal paste can help you fix your overheating computer.

Fixing the AMD Driver Timeout Error

To fix the AMD driver timeout error, you can disable Multi-Plane Overlay (MPO) using the Registry Editor. If the issue persists, try to update your AMD graphics drivers. Additionally, change the power options and set it to the best performance mode to fix compatibility and power management issues.