How to fix AMD Driver Timeout (TDR) error on Windows

It checks and resets the graphics driver when the GPU becomes unresponsive for a certain period of time.

Errors often cause games to crash or stutter on Windows computers. AMD has acknowledged the bug on its official blog, although there is no one-click solution to fix it yet. If you encounter this error, here are some effective solutions to remove AMD Driver Timeout error in Windows 10 and 11.

1. Clear Shader Cache

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AMD Radeon uses Shader Cache to help make game load times faster and reduce CPU usage, similar to how browser caches work. However, a corrupted Shader Cache can cause the Adrenaline app to crash, leading to errors.

To solve the problem, you can reset the Shader Cache as follows:

1. Launch AMD Software and open Settings (Gear icon).
2. Next, open the Graphics tab .
3. Click Advanced to see advanced options.
4. Scroll to Reset Shader Cache and click Perform Reset . Click OK to confirm action.

2. Update AMD graphics driver

Common problems with graphics drivers tend to receive quick fixes from the manufacturer. So, check to see if your AMD graphics driver is missing any new updates that can help you fix this error.

AMD offers many ways to update its graphics drivers. You can update AMD graphics drivers by downloading new drivers from the company's official website. You can also use the automatic detection utility or AMD Software Radeon to find and install new drivers for your device.

3. Let Windows automatically install compatible AMD drivers

If the problem persists, you can remove Adrenaline Software from your computer and let Windows install a compatible AMD driver for your graphics processor. To do this:

1. Go to the AMD support page and download AMD Cleanup Utility.

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2. Run the utility and follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall AMD Software Adrenaline. Select the Safe Mode option when prompted for best results. After uninstalling, restart your computer.

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3. After the computer restarts, press Win + I to open Settings.

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4. Open the Windows Update tab and click Check for updates . Download and install the pending update to allow Windows to install AMD graphics drivers.

4. Install AMD Software driver without Adrenaline Software

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If you suspect Adrenaline Software is causing the error, try installing the ADM graphics driver without Adrenaline Software. Here's how:

1. Uninstall the existing driver package using AMD Cleanup Utility .
2. Next, download the AMD Software Adrenaline package that is compatible with your processor.
3. Run the installer and wait for the installation wizard to appear.
4. Click Additional Options under AMD Radeon Graphics .
5. Click the Install Type drop-down menu and select Driver Only .
6. Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions. After installation, restart your computer and check for any changes.

5. Disable Multi-Plane Overlay using Registry Editor

Multi-Plane Overlay (MPO) is a feature of the Windows display adapter. You can use it to reduce GPU and CPU workloads and lower latency. However, this feature may conflict with AMD drivers, causing Driver Timeout problems.

To fix the problem, you can disable MPO using Registry Editor as follows:

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 .

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5. Rename the value to OverlayTestMode.

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

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7. In the Value data field , enter 5 and click OK to save the changes.

8. Close Registry Editor and relaunch your game. This will fix the AMD Driver Timeout error on your Windows computer.

6. Install any pending Windows updates

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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 fixes the problem.

7. Disable hardware acceleration on Chrome and Edge

Hardware acceleration reduces CPU load and uses GPU hardware (if available) to perform tasks smoothly. However, if errors occur while streaming YouTube or other streaming services on your Chrome or Edge browser, disabling hardware acceleration may help resolve the error.

To disable hardware acceleration on Google Chrome:

1. Click the 3-dot menu and select Settings .

2. In the left pane, open the System tab .

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3. Next, turn off Use hardware acceleration when available  to disable hardware acceleration in Chrome.

4. Relaunch your browser and check for any improvements.

To turn off hardware acceleration on Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the 3-dot menu and select Settings .

2. In the left pane, open the System and performance tab .

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3. Turn off Use hardware when available to disable this feature.

4. You will need to relaunch the browser to apply the changes.

8. Uninstall most recent Windows updates

Sometimes, newer Windows updates can cause various problems. If you determine an error occurred after installing an update, you can undo the changes by uninstalling the update.

There are many ways to uninstall Windows updates in Windows 10 and 11. One easy way to do this is to use the Settings app.

9. Change and set Power Plan to "Best Performance"

Windows allows you to create multiple power plans for your computer to save energy or achieve maximum performance. Changing your power plan to Best Performance can help you fix the AMD Driver Timeout error.

To change your power plan options:

1. Press Win + R to open Run.

2. Type control and click OK to open Control Panel.

3. In Control Panel, click System and Security .

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4. Next, click Power Options .

5. In the left pane, click Create a power plan .

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6. Select the High performance option .

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

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8. You can also configure Sleep and display settings if needed. Once done, click Create .

9. Restart your PC and check if the error is resolved.

10. Turn off Fast Startup

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Fast Startup is a Windows feature that helps your computer start up faster after shutdown. While it is a handy feature, it can sometimes lead to slow boot times, dual boot issues, and even AMD Driver Timeout errors.

11. Check for thermal and overclocking issues

You can use tuning utilities to overclock your CPU and GPU. However, incorrect overclocking can lead to serious damage, mainly due to insufficient power supplies and poor cooling solutions. To fix the error, undo any overclocking changes to see if it helps fix the problem.

Overheating is another main reason that can cause system failure. To fix an overheating computer, start by monitoring your system temperature. Next, clean clogged fans to remove dust and make sure all fans are working. Usually, reapplying thermal paste promptly can help you fix the problem of your computer overheating.

12. Perform BIOS update

If the problem persists, check if a BIOS update is available. Updating your BIOS can help you resolve hardware incompatibility issues. You can update the UEFI BIOS in Windows using a proprietary system customization tool or flash it manually from the BIOS menu.

13. Turn off AMD crash detection and reporting

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If the AMD Driver Timeout error does not affect your system performance, such as lag or crashes, you can turn off the Issue Detection feature in AMD Software. This will prevent the Bug Reporter Tool from launching and displaying errors.

To turn off Issue Detection on AMD Software:

1. Launch the AMD Software Adrenaline Edition application.
2. Click the gear icon to open settings.
3. Next, open the System tab .
4. Scroll down to Issue Detection . By default, it is set to Enabled . Toggle the switch to change it to Disabled .

Once disabled, AMD Software will not launch the Bug Reporter Tool if it encounters a BSOD, TDR, or device installation error.

Samuel Daniel

Update 17 September 2023