Troubleshooting the dxgmms2.sys BSOD: A Windows Repair Guide

Table of Contents

The dxgmms2.sys file is an essential component within the Windows operating system. It functions as a system driver intrinsically linked to your computer’s graphics rendering capabilities. This particular file has been identified as a potential source of the dreaded Blue Screen of Death error, commonly known as BSOD. Encountering a BSOD can be a frustrating experience, disrupting workflow and potentially leading to data loss if not addressed promptly.

The occurrence of dxgmms2.sys related BSOD errors can often be attributed to a range of underlying issues. These primarily include conflicts arising from problematic RAM or Hard Disk operations, incompatibilities stemming from outdated or incorrect firmware, and the presence of corrupted or malfunctioning graphics drivers. While the root causes may vary, resolving this issue is generally considered to be a straightforward process. Numerous effective workarounds are available to tackle this problem, applicable to both Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating systems, ensuring a broad range of users can benefit from the solutions.

Understanding BSOD Errors Related to dxgmms2.sys¶

When the dxgmms2.sys file encounters issues, it can manifest in various Blue Screen of Death errors. Recognizing these specific error codes can be helpful in pinpointing the problem and applying the appropriate fix. Here are some common BSOD errors associated with this file:

• SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED: This error indicates that a kernel-mode driver has generated an exception that the error handler could not catch. It’s a broad error that can be caused by various driver problems, including those related to graphics.
• SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION: This BSOD typically arises when a system service throws an exception that was not handled. Faulty drivers, including graphics drivers, are a frequent cause.
• KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED: This error occurs when a kernel-mode program generates an exception that the kernel’s exception handler doesn’t recognize. Incompatible or corrupted drivers are often implicated.
• PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA: This error signals that requested data was not found in memory. It can point to issues with RAM, but also driver problems that cause memory access errors.
• IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL: This error implies that a kernel-mode process or driver attempted to access paged memory at an invalid Interrupt Request Level (IRQL). Driver malfunctions, especially with network or graphics drivers, are common causes.

These errors, while distinct, share a common thread related to system drivers and memory management, areas where dxgmms2.sys plays a critical role. Understanding these error types can provide valuable context when troubleshooting dxgmms2.sys BSOD issues.

Resolving the dxgmms2.sys Blue Screen Error¶

If you’ve recently started experiencing the dxgmms2.sys Blue Screen error, and you have a System Restore Point that was created prior to the error’s onset, leveraging this restore point is a highly recommended first step. System Restore allows you to revert your computer’s system files, program files, and registry settings back to a previous state. This can effectively undo any recent changes that might be causing the BSOD, such as driver updates or software installations.

If a System Restore Point is not available, or if restoring to a previous point doesn’t resolve the issue, there are several other troubleshooting steps you can take. It’s also advisable to create a new System Restore Point after applying any fixes that work, so you can easily revert to a stable configuration in the future if similar problems arise.

The following sections outline a series of fixes designed to address the dxgmms2.sys Blue Screen error. These methods range from updating or reinstalling graphics drivers to adjusting system settings, providing a comprehensive approach to resolving this issue.

Step-by-Step Fixes for dxgmms2.sys BSOD¶

Here are detailed methods to troubleshoot and fix the dxgmms2.sys Blue Screen error:

1] Reinstalling Graphics Card Drivers¶

Problems with graphics card drivers are a primary cause of dxgmms2.sys BSOD errors. Drivers act as the communication bridge between your operating system and your graphics hardware. If these drivers become corrupted, outdated, or incompatible, they can lead to system instability and BSODs. Reinstalling the graphics drivers ensures you have a clean and functional driver installation.

The most reliable approach to obtaining the correct drivers is to visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer. Whether you are using NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics, their websites provide dedicated sections for driver downloads.

• NVIDIA: Navigate to the “Drivers” section on the NVIDIA website. You will typically find options to manually search for drivers based on your graphics card model and operating system, or utilize automatic driver detection tools.
• AMD: Similarly, the AMD support website houses a “Drivers & Support” area where you can input your product details to find compatible drivers. AMD also offers tools that can automatically detect and update your drivers.
• Intel: For Intel integrated graphics, the Intel Download Center is the central repository for drivers. You can search for graphics drivers by product name or use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant for automated updates.

After downloading the latest drivers for your specific graphics card, the installation process usually involves running the downloaded executable file and following the on-screen instructions. It’s crucial to reboot your computer after the driver installation is complete. This reboot is necessary for the new drivers to be fully loaded and take effect.

Using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)

For a more thorough driver reinstallation, especially when troubleshooting persistent driver-related issues, consider using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU). DDU is a utility designed to completely remove graphics drivers and related registry entries, ensuring a clean slate for a fresh driver installation.

1. Download DDU: Obtain the latest version of DDU from a reputable source.
2. Boot into Safe Mode: It’s recommended to run DDU in Windows Safe Mode for optimal driver removal. To boot into Safe Mode, restart your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key (or Shift + F8, or consult your motherboard manual for the specific key) as it starts up. Select “Safe Mode” from the Advanced Boot Options menu.
3. Run DDU: Launch Display Driver Uninstaller. Select your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) from the dropdown menu.
4. Clean and Restart: Click the “Clean and restart” button in DDU. This will uninstall the current graphics drivers and automatically reboot your system.
5. Install New Drivers: After restarting, install the new graphics drivers you downloaded from the manufacturer’s website as described earlier.

Using DDU ensures that all remnants of previous drivers are removed, minimizing potential conflicts with the new driver installation.

2] Running the DirectX Diagnostic Tool¶

As the dxgmms2.sys file is deeply intertwined with DirectX, Microsoft’s collection of APIs for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool can be invaluable for identifying and diagnosing problems. This tool can help pinpoint issues within the DirectX components that might be contributing to the BSOD error.

To run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool:

1. Open the Run dialog box: Press the Windows key + R.
2. Type dxdiag: In the Run dialog box, type dxdiag (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. Review the Reports: The DirectX Diagnostic Tool window will open. It has several tabs, including “System,” “Display,” “Sound,” and “Input.” Navigate through each tab and carefully review the information presented. Pay close attention to any error messages or warnings reported in the “Notes” section at the bottom of each tab.
4. Check for Problems: Look for any reported problems, especially under the “Display” tab, as this is most relevant to graphics-related issues. The tool will often highlight detected issues and may offer suggestions for resolution.

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool can help you identify if there are any fundamental problems with your DirectX installation or if specific components are malfunctioning. While it may not directly fix the dxgmms2.sys error, it provides crucial diagnostic information.

3] Updating or Re-installing DirectX¶

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool or other troubleshooting steps indicate potential issues with your DirectX installation, updating or reinstalling DirectX can be a necessary step. Over time, DirectX components can become corrupted or outdated, leading to instability and errors.

In most modern versions of Windows (Windows 8, 10, and 11), DirectX is typically updated through Windows Update. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include the latest DirectX runtime components. Ensuring your Windows system is fully updated is usually sufficient to keep DirectX current.

To check for and install Windows Updates:

1. Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Update & Security (or Windows Update): Click on “Update & Security” in Windows 10, or “Windows Update” in Windows 11.
3. Check for Updates: Click the “Check for updates” button. Windows will scan for and download any available updates, including those related to DirectX.
4. Install Updates and Restart: After the updates are downloaded, install them and restart your computer when prompted.

In some cases, particularly if you suspect a more significant DirectX corruption, you might consider a reinstallation. However, directly reinstalling DirectX is not as straightforward as reinstalling other software. DirectX is deeply integrated into the operating system.

For most users, simply ensuring Windows is up-to-date through Windows Update is the recommended approach to maintaining a healthy DirectX installation. If you encounter persistent DirectX-related errors even after updating Windows, more advanced troubleshooting might be required, potentially involving system file checks or even a system refresh or reset.

4] Resetting the BIOS Configuration¶

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware embedded on your computer’s motherboard. It initializes hardware during startup and provides runtime services for the operating system. Incorrect BIOS settings, particularly those related to memory or graphics, can sometimes contribute to system instability and BSOD errors like dxgmms2.sys. Resetting the BIOS configuration to its default settings can resolve conflicts arising from misconfigurations.

The process for accessing and resetting the BIOS varies slightly depending on your motherboard manufacturer. However, the general steps are as follows:

1. Restart Your Computer: Shut down and then restart your computer.
2. Enter BIOS Setup: As your computer starts up, watch for a prompt that indicates which key to press to enter BIOS setup. Common keys include Delete, F2, F10, F12, and Esc. The specific key is usually displayed briefly on the screen during startup. If you are unsure, consult your motherboard manual.
3. Navigate to Reset/Default Settings: Once you are in the BIOS setup utility, use your keyboard’s arrow keys to navigate through the menus. Look for options like “Load Defaults,” “Load Setup Defaults,” “Reset to Default,” or similar wording. The location of this option varies depending on the BIOS interface, which can differ between manufacturers (e.g., AMI, Award, Phoenix).
4. Confirm Reset: Select the option to reset to defaults and confirm your choice when prompted.
5. Save and Exit: After resetting, navigate to the “Exit” menu. Choose “Save Changes and Exit” (or similar wording). This will save the default BIOS settings and restart your computer.

After your computer restarts with the default BIOS settings, check if the dxgmms2.sys BSOD error persists. If the error is resolved, it indicates that a previous BIOS setting was likely the root cause. If the error continues, proceed with other troubleshooting steps.

Caution: Be careful when modifying BIOS settings. Incorrect changes can prevent your computer from booting properly. If you are unfamiliar with BIOS settings, it’s best to consult your motherboard manual or seek assistance from someone with experience.

5] Checking Registry Settings (TdrDelay)¶

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the operating system and applications. A specific registry setting called TdrDelay can influence how Windows handles unresponsive graphics processing, which is relevant to dxgmms2.sys related issues. TdrDelay stands for Timeout Detection and Recovery Delay. It controls the time (in seconds) that Windows waits for the graphics processing unit (GPU) to respond before assuming it has become unresponsive and attempting to recover it (which can sometimes lead to a BSOD if recovery fails).

By increasing the TdrDelay value, you can give the GPU more time to recover from temporary stalls before Windows initiates a reset, potentially preventing a BSOD. The default TdrDelay value is typically 2 seconds. Increasing it to 10 seconds can be a helpful adjustment.

Modifying the TdrDelay Value in the Registry:

Warning: Incorrectly editing the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Back up your registry before making any changes.

1. Open Registry Editor: Press the Windows key + S, type regedit, and press Enter. Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Navigate to the GraphicsDrivers Key: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key using the left-hand pane:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers
3. Create TdrDelay DWORD Value: In the right-hand pane, right-click in an empty area, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name the Value: Name the new DWORD value as TdrDelay.
5. Modify TdrDelay Value: Double-click on the newly created TdrDelay value.
6. Set Value Data: In the “Value data” field, enter 10. Ensure that the “Base” is set to “Hexadecimal” (it should default to Hexadecimal). Click OK.
7. Close Registry Editor and Restart: Exit the Registry Editor and reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

After restarting, the TdrDelay value will be set to 10 seconds, giving your GPU more time to recover from potential hangs. Monitor if this change reduces or eliminates the dxgmms2.sys BSOD errors. If this adjustment doesn’t resolve the issue or causes other problems, you can revert the TdrDelay value back to its default (usually 2 seconds or simply delete the TdrDelay DWORD to revert to default behavior).

6] Disabling Sleep Functionality¶

In certain scenarios, the Sleep functionality of your display or computer can interact negatively with graphics drivers and contribute to dxgmms2.sys BSOD errors. This is potentially due to how the system manages power states and driver operations when transitioning into and out of sleep mode. Disabling sleep functionality can sometimes prevent these conflicts.

To disable sleep mode in Windows:

1. Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to System: Click on “System.”
3. Select Power & Sleep: In the left-hand menu, click on “Power & sleep.”
4. Adjust Sleep Settings: Under the “Sleep” section, use the dropdown menus for “On battery power, PC goes to sleep after” and “When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after” and set both to “Never”.

By setting sleep to “Never,” you prevent your computer from automatically entering sleep mode. This keeps the system in a consistently active state, which might bypass the conditions that trigger the dxgmms2.sys BSOD in relation to sleep transitions.

If disabling sleep mode resolves the BSOD, it suggests that the issue might be related to power management or driver behavior during sleep/wake cycles. While disabling sleep is a workaround, it’s not always ideal for energy efficiency. If this fix works, you might consider further investigating power management settings or looking for updated graphics drivers that address sleep-related issues.

Addressing Frequent BSODs in Windows¶

If you are encountering Blue Screen of Death errors frequently, regardless of whether they are specifically dxgmms2.sys related, a broader approach to troubleshooting is needed. Frequent BSODs often point to fundamental system problems. Common causes include:

• Driver Issues: Faulty, outdated, or incompatible drivers are a leading cause of BSODs. This includes graphics drivers, but also drivers for other hardware components like network adapters, storage controllers, and peripherals.
• Windows Update Problems: Sometimes, recent Windows Updates can introduce instability or driver conflicts that lead to BSODs.
• Hardware Failure: Failing hardware components, such as RAM, hard drives, or the graphics card itself, can cause system crashes and BSODs.
• Software Conflicts: In rare cases, conflicts between software applications or system services can trigger BSODs.

Initial Steps for Frequent BSODs:

1. Recent Changes: Consider any recent changes to your system. Did you recently update drivers, install new software, or apply Windows Updates? If so, these are prime suspects.
2. Rollback Recent Changes: If you suspect a recent driver or Windows Update, try rolling it back.
   • Driver Rollback: Use Device Manager to rollback to a previous graphics driver version.
   • Uninstall Windows Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates to remove recently installed updates.
3. Run Hardware Troubleshooter: Windows includes built-in troubleshooters for various hardware components. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to detect and attempt to fix hardware-related problems. You can typically find troubleshooters in Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (or similar location depending on your Windows version).

If these initial steps don’t resolve the frequent BSODs, more in-depth hardware and software diagnostics might be necessary.

Is the Blue Screen of Death Fixable?¶

While the Blue Screen of Death can be alarming, many BSOD errors are indeed fixable. The key to resolving BSODs is to systematically troubleshoot the potential causes and apply appropriate solutions. As mentioned earlier, common culprits include driver issues, Windows Update problems, hardware failures, and software conflicts.

For many BSOD errors, especially those related to driver or software issues, the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide and other resources can effectively resolve the problem. Hardware failures can be more challenging, but even in these cases, identifying the failing component and replacing it can restore system stability.

It’s important to approach BSOD troubleshooting methodically. Start by noting down the BSOD error code and any accompanying messages. This information can provide valuable clues about the underlying cause. Then, systematically work through potential solutions, starting with the most likely causes (like driver issues) and progressing to more complex diagnostics if needed.

Disabling the Windows Error Recovery Screen¶

The Windows Error Recovery Screen appears after Windows experiences a critical error, such as a BSOD, and fails to boot normally. It presents options to start Windows normally, launch Startup Repair, or access advanced recovery options. While this screen can be helpful for troubleshooting, some users might find it bothersome, especially if they are frequently rebooting while troubleshooting.

Disabling the Error Recovery Screen is generally NOT recommended as a primary solution to BSODs. The recovery screen is there to provide options when Windows encounters boot problems. Disabling it hides the symptoms but doesn’t address the underlying issue causing the errors.

However, if you are certain you want to disable the Error Recovery Screen for troubleshooting purposes (e.g., to speed up reboot cycles during testing), you can do so using the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) editor.

Disabling the Windows Error Recovery Screen (Advanced Users Only):

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, right-click on “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as administrator.” Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.
2. Enter the Command: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
   bcdedit /set bootstatuspolicy ignoreallfailures
3. Close Command Prompt and Reboot: Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

After running this command and rebooting, Windows should no longer display the Error Recovery Screen after a BSOD or boot failure. It will attempt to boot directly into Windows.

Re-enabling the Error Recovery Screen:

To re-enable the Error Recovery Screen later, open Command Prompt as administrator again and run the following command:
bcdedit /set bootstatuspolicy default

Important Note: Disabling the Error Recovery Screen should be done with caution and primarily for advanced troubleshooting scenarios. It’s generally better to address the root cause of BSODs and boot errors rather than simply suppressing the recovery screen.

We hope these troubleshooting steps have been helpful in resolving your dxgmms2.sys Blue Screen error. If you continue to experience issues or have further questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Sharing your experiences and questions can help others facing similar problems!