Fix System Thread Exception not Handled nvlddmkm.sys Error in Windows 11 or 10

“System Thread Exception not Handled Nvlddmkm.sys” bug checking is a general problem for Windows computers having Nvidia graphics cards installed. This fatal error suddenly appears causing system crash when using an application that involves a large extent of GPU. Nvlddmkm.sys refers to the kernel mode driver (a small program) directly associated with NVIDIA Graphics that allows your computer to establish communication with hardware. When system thread generated an exception that the error handler didn’t catch, this BSOD occurs leading to system crash and unexpected restart of computer.

Nvlddmkm.sys System Thread Exception not Handled Nvlddmkm.sys is generally triggered because of obsolete or incompatible NVIDIA graphics card driver. Furthermore, conflicts with third-party applications, corrupt system files, malware, and Windows update bugs are potential reasons behind this BSOD. However, you can easily solve this stop error with the help of solutions in the coming part of this post. What failed: nvlddmkm.sys is commonly accompanied by VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, and more.

Nvlddmkm.sys System Thread Exception not Handled Error in Windows 11 or 10

Here is how to fix System Thread Exception not Handled Nvlddmkm.sys Error in Windows 11 or 10 –

Ways-1: Update NVIDIA Graphics Driver

Since this Blue Screen Error has a direct relation with NVIDIA Graphics, the outdated driver version might be the most authentic reason. The driver may be incompatible, buggy, corrupt, underdeveloped, or unable to compete with the running big or high-resolution running game or application.

As a result, when Windows calls nvlddmkm.sys and does not find it in return, System thread creates an exception and the bug check is triggered. Therefore, updating the driver is the most prior solution to fix the BSOD –

1. Press Windows and R keys.
2. Type devmgmt.msc.
3. Click on OK.
4. When Device Manager appears, double-click on Display adapters.
5. Right click on NVIDIA GeForce (the existing version).
6. Select  Update driver.

7. When another window prompts; click on Search automatically for drivers option.
8. Restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
9. In case, the BSOD still persists, navigate to –  https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/drivers/.
10. Search the latest version using the dropdown on the web page and download the driver.
11. Launch the setup file and follow the onscreen instructions to complete installation.
12. Reboot the device and the error should be fixed.

Way-2: Roll Back the driver

If the previous method fails to solve System Thread Exception not Handled Nvlddmkm.sys blue screen problem then it indicates that there are any bugs in the latest version. Therefore, rolling back the driver to an earlier version may help to withdraw the BSOD occurring. Follow the steps for the same –

1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager”.
2. Go to the “NVIDIA GeForce” Display adapter.
3. Then, right click on it and select – Properties.

4. Click on the Drivers tab.
5. Select – Roll Back Driver.

6. Click Yes on the confirmation dialog box.
7. Restart the device and check if the issue is corrected.
8. Sometimes, Rol Back Driver is greyed out (presently also on my laptop). In this case, there is a manual way to downgrade the driver; follow –
9. Right-click on the NVIDIA GeForce and choose “Update driver”.
10. On the ‘Update drivers’ wizard, select Browse my computer for drivers.

11. Click on – Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

12. Uncheck the box – Show compatible hardware.
13. This will show multiple older driver versions in a list under Models. Note: on my computer, AMD driver is installed so the screenshot is showing AMD’s older version of drivers. On yours, you will see NVIDIA drivers.
14. Select the previous version and click on Next.

15. Follow the guide on the screen and finish the rollback.
16. Finally, restart the PC and ensure that the error doesn’t show up.

Way-3: Uninstall and then reinstall the driver

Both the methods are not working or supporting getting rid of the bug check means the driver is corrupted or involved in any conflict. This may be the consequence of any third party program which has been recently installed or updated or buggy Windows update. Furthermore, malware or virus can cause this annoyance which we will address in the later part of this article.

Whatever the reason be, to deal with What failed: nvlddmkm.sys blue screen you need to uninstall and reinstall the NVIDIA driver. This process is likely to properly install the software, so, proceed with the steps:

1. Click on Start.
2. Type – “devmgmt.msc” (without quotes).
3. Press Enter.
4. On Device Manager, right-click on the NVIDIA display adapter and select – Uninstall device.

5. Click on “Uninstall” when a popup shows.

6. Restart the computer which will automatically reinstall the application.

Or,

1. Click on Search and type appwiz.cpl.
2. Press Enter in order to launch the Programs and Features window.
3. Locate NVIDIA in the list and click on it.
4. Click on ‘Uninstall’.
5. Choose Yes on the confirmation pop-up.
6. Go with the Uninstallation wizard if appears to conclude the procedure.
7. Then, install the driver you have downloaded during following the Way-1.

Follow the guide – How to Reinstall NVIDIA Drivers in Windows 11 or 10

Way-4: Run System File Checker and DISM successively

Corruption in the system files and Windows image format may cause to generate the nvlddmkm.sys system_thread_exception_not_handled. Windows built-in tools (that exclude the risk of less trustworthy software) can help you to repair the Blue Screen error Nvlddmkm.sys.

These are SFC and DISM that can work on both glitches and help you come out, hence, deploy them one by one by moving forward with the instructions –

1. Press – Winkey+R.
2. Type – cmd.exe.
3. Then, press – Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
4. Select the Yes option on the User account control pop-up.
5. Once the Command prompt appears, type the syntax Sfc /Scannow and hit Enter.
6. After the execution is completed reboot the computer and see if the bug checking does not initiate.
7. But if nvlddmkm.sys error still persists then open the Command prompt once again and run the below codes one line at a time –

Dism /Online /cleanup-image /checkhealth
Dism /Online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
Dism /Online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

8. When these 3 commands finish running then reboot the device.

These are 4 basic solutions so the BSOD should be fixed after following the above-mentioned methods. If the error still continues then there is possibility of more factors forcing this bug check so we recommend following How to Use BlueScreenView to Detect the Cause of Blue Screen and WhoCrashed: A Tool to analyze Dump and reveal culprit driver on Windows to explore more files that are causing the system break. Now, have a look at some more solutions –

Way-5: Use Microsoft Defender Offline scan or Full Scan

Malware and virus are other factors that create messes that end up with nvlddmkm.sys error windows 11 error. However, no room for frustration is here because Windows provides strong tools to completely and quickly remove or quarantine them. You only need to use them –

1. Press Winkey and type Windows Security.
2. Click on “Windows Security” app from the result.
3. Select Virus & threat protection.
4. Then, click the Scan options link.
5. Save your work because the system will restart and close all the running tasks when using this option.
6. Check the option – Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
7. Click on “Scan now”.

8. When a pop-up is prompted, click on “Scan”.
9. Wait until the computer restarts and detects threats thoroughly.
10. Now go to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection History.
11. Select the found threats and remove them using Action dropdown.
12. To use full scan, check the option “Full scan” and click on “Scan now”.

Way-6: Disable Hardware acceleration in browser

Enabled Hardware acceleration setting in web browsers causes compatibility issues with the graphics card driver, leading to the “System Thread Exception not Handled Nvlddmkm.sys” error on the cost of PC performance improvement. To solve this, disable the setting. Here’s how:

1] In Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge

1. Launch the browser.
2. Click on 3-dots icon (ellipsis) from the top right corner and select Settings.
3. In the Search box, type Hardware Acceleration.
4. Turn off “Use hardware acceleration when available” from the result.
5. Click on Relaunch.

2] In Firefox

1. Click on “hamburger menu (3-lines) icon “and select “Settings”.
2. Type – hardware.
3. Uncheck the option Use recommended performance settings.
4. And then remove the tick from Use hardware acceleration when available.

Way-7: Install pending Windows Updates

System Thread Exception not Handled Nvlddmkm.sys BSOD or Blue Screen error, when triggered due to bugs in Windows update, this method will give you relief. Redmond is known to push patches to kill the bugs and issues when informed. Therefore, head to the steps:

1. Press Windows+S.
2. Type – updates.
3. Hit – Enter.
4. On the Settings page that appears, click on – Check for updates.

5. Wait for some time and allow the system to scan and download the update (if found).
6. When asked, click on Restart now.
7. Run Windows Update

Way-8: Disable Nvidia ShadowPlay

Sometimes, Nvlddmkm.sys error may show due to Nvidia ShadowPlay, a graphics card (GPU) integrated feature, that allows users to record and share gameplay footage. Although, you have the privilege to disable this using a few quick steps –

1. Right-click on Desktop.
2. Select – NVIDIA Control Panel.
3. Click on the Preferences tab
4. Then select – GeForce Experience.
5. Click on the Settings cog icon.
6. In the General tab, scroll down and disable the In-Game Overlay.
7. Restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.

Way-9: Enable Clean boot

Nvlddmkm.sys blue screen error can go to a dead end after enabling Clean boot because this feature has the capability to run the system with a minimal set of drivers and applications. Thus, the programs interfering with the normal functionalities of the system are disabled and the Blue screen is fixed. Follow the steps:

1. Click on the Search and type – msconfig.
2. Press “Enter” to launch System Configuration window.
3. Switch to the Services tab.
4. Check the box for – Hide all Microsoft Services.
5. Click on – Disable all.

6. Then, go to the Startup tab.
7. Click on Open Task Manager.
8. Go to the “Task Manager”, right click on the apps one by one, and select Disable each time.
9. Close the tool and come back to the System Configuration window.
10. Click on Apply and OK.

Way-10: Perform Clean install

This is a foolproof method that provides immunity to Windows 11 against any BSOD bugcheck or any other issue. System Thread Exception not Handled Nvlddmkm.sys will have no trace after you clean install the software on your device. Hence, go with the guide –

1. Navigate to – https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
2. Scroll down to the “Create Windows 11 Installation Media” section and click on Download now.
3. Launch the setup file and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
4. For a step-by-step method, follow How to Use Rufus to Install ‘Windows 10 or 11’.

Methods:
Ways-1: Update NVIDIA Graphics Driver
Way-2: Roll Back the driver
Way-3: Uninstall and then reinstall the driver
Way-4: Run System File Checker and DISM successively
Way-5: Use Microsoft Defender Offline scan or Full Scan
Way-6: Disable Hardware acceleration in browser
Way-7: Install pending Windows Updates
Way-8: Disable Nvidia ShadowPlay
Way-9: Enable Clean boot
Way-10: Perform Clean install

That’s all!!