Unfortunately, a lot of users, in particular, lovers of modern games, face what they think is a terrifying problem: for no reason, either during the game or when the system starts, the error nvlddmkm.sys (blue screen of Windows 7, 8 , XP, Vista). What is it, and how to fix this situation, we will briefly try to consider.
Problem with nvlddmkm.sys file (BSOD blue screen of death): common symptoms
Of course, the appearance of the screen of death is an unpleasant situation, but by no means hopeless. The nvlddmkm.sys error itself indicates that a failure occurred while trying to access the paged type of memory at the so-called level of IRQL processes (interrupts).
As practical research indicates, in most cases this is due to incorrect driver addresses. What is most sad, such failures are typical exclusively for NVIDIA video chips and are most often manifested in 64-bit versions of the Seven and Eight. In such cases, the system issues the code 0x00000116 for the error.
Less commonly, this type of error can also occur in the same “error book” with errors in the NETIO.SYS file, which is responsible for implementing the IPv4 / IPv6 network protocol stacks. However, the Seven is not immune from this. It can also easily issue a similar error, but with a different code: nvlddmkm.sys (blue screen of Windows 7 0x000000d1). In general terms, these failures are similar to each other, but the methods for resolving problems in both cases are fundamentally different.
Problems with NVIDIA Graphics Card Drivers
As for the drivers, there is a twofold situation. Problems can occur directly during the “crash” of the installed driver, or it may crash like nvlddmkm.sys (blue screen) after installing the driver. And in fact, and in another case, when fixing the problem, you need to act very carefully.
Some "experts" recommend simply reinstalling the driver in the standard way from the "Device Manager" or simply replacing the desired object nvlddmkm.sys in the System32 \ Drivers folder. In general terms, the train of thought is correct, but the method of eliminating the problem by the standard method, alas, does not work. Here you need to act a little differently.
Troubleshoot nvlddmkm.sys file crashes ( Windows 7 blue screen 0x00000116): preliminary steps
So, we proceed from the situation that the system boots normally. Suppose a failure in the nvlddmkm.sys file (blue screen of Windows 7, 8) appears already in the process. First we need to remove all existing video card drivers. As already mentioned, the standard method is not suitable for this.
First, download and install two utilities: Driver Sweeper and CCleaner (not necessarily them, you can use other similar software). In principle, if you find, you can use portable versions.
Now we load Windows in safe mode (F8 key at startup). Then, using the Driver Sweeper program, we completely remove the video card drivers (sometimes it will be necessary to remove the accompanying software, as well as drivers for HDMI sound).
Next, we use the CCleaner utility, or rather, its section to automatically search for errors in the system registry with subsequent automatic correction of problems. All. The system is ready to install fresh drivers.
Installing fresh drivers
The drivers can be installed using the standard method through the “Device Manager” with a system search for the most suitable video card drivers, and then start the update (provided that you are constantly connected to the Internet). But the best option would be to download the latest driver directly from the manufacturer’s website (by numbering your graphic adapter model), and then install it in manual mode.
In principle, at this stage, you can use automated utilities that are able to access developer resources themselves, find and install updated drivers for absolutely all devices, including a video adapter.
If the problem occurs after installing the driver (the same failure in the nvlddmkm.sys file, Windows 7 blue screen, etc.), you can try to roll back to a specific restore point when there was no problem. However, as practice shows, this situation can only occur if either the installation is incorrect or the device driver is not suitable. Hence the conclusion: you need to find the exact driver that fully matches the video chip.
Sometimes this method may not work. It also happens that a blue screen can easily occur when starting Windows with the nvlddmkm.sys error. Here you will have to load the downloaded archive with the driver, for example, into the NVIDIA folder on the “C” drive, boot from the installation or recovery disk, use the recovery console, and then use the command line to unzip the desired file with the command: expand.exe, and nvlddmkm in a space. sy_, and after a space - nvlddmkm.sys, then transfer the new file to the Drivers folder in the System32 directory. The following is a reboot of the computer system.
Of the additional steps, you may need to reinstall, for example, drivers such as HD Audio, and, if necessary, also install an accompanying service package for NVIDIA chips called PhysX.
DirectX Update
Quite often, even when performing the above operations, an error appears again and again. In all likelihood, this may be due to a conflict between the graphics card driver files and the DirectX library and system files. Most often, two files are present in the error message: dxgkrnl.sys and dxgmms1.sys.
As already clear, the easiest way out of this situation will be either a complete reinstallation or updating the DirectX package. You can download it, in principle, anywhere, but it is better to use the official Microsoft resource.
A kind of error (code 0x000000d1)
Another type of conflict of this type is the same error code 0x000000d1. As mentioned earlier, it is associated with incorrect operation of the NETIO.SYS system file. But do not be scared, and then there is a solution to eliminate the problem.
In principle, it all boils down to just disabling IPv6 if it is not in use.
Problem Solving Method
First, reinstall the network card drivers, and then use the Run menu (or the command line, if desired) in the working system, where we write the sfc / scannow command. In principle, it should work without disabling IPv6.
As a last resort, we go into the properties of the wireless connection (if, for example, it is used exactly that) and uncheck the line for using the IPv6 protocol, and then reboot the system. You can also get to this section through the standard “Control Panel” if you use the Network status view and change the properties of the network adapter.
Other possible causes and solutions
Basically, now we have briefly reviewed the most possible causes and situations when the nvlddmkm.sys file fails (blue screen of Windows 7, 8, etc.). As already clear, first you need to determine the essence of the problem itself. To do this, it is enough to pay attention to the error code, since in both described cases the common name remains the same.
On the other hand, the problems may not end there. Here you have to conduct a test of RAM. Often conflicts with the RAM slots can also lead to such results. In this case, you will need to remove all the brackets and insert them into the slots, followed by loading the system in turn, until the error reappears. As soon as it arises, it will immediately become clear that the problem is precisely in the “RAM”. Naturally, it is better to replace an inoperative or conflict bar. But this mainly concerns stationary computers, not laptops, especially since access to them is limited, and disassembling the laptop yourself, and even if it is under warranty, seems completely ungrateful.
In some cases, you may need to reset the BIOS of the video card itself. If the card was overclocked, it is better to reduce its frequency to the factory settings. A small utility called Riva Tuner is perfect for this.
However, in some cases (especially in Windows XP), the installation of the last service pack may be a successful solution to the problem, and for the “seven” and above, the usual update. Along the way, it’s worth adding that programs such as Sygate Personal Firewall or other similar firewalls from third-party developers can cause problems. The problem is solved by the usual uninstallation.
In any case, do not despair, because for each specific situation there is its own solution to the problem.