35 BSODs since Nov. 2016: video_dxgkrnl_fatal_error

Tarkiz · 15 Mar 2017

Hello-
I am at a loss to solve my BSOD problem, which is occurring with increasing frequency. It is always the same error: video_dxgkrnl_fatal_error. It occurs randomly and without warning. After the BSOD, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M is hidden in the Device Manager and listed as not installed. Restarting the computer does not make the computer find the hidden NVIDIA card. However, the card reappears and functions normally once the system is shut down totally and powered on again. BIOS and drivers should be up to date. Many thanks for any help that you can provide!

System SpecComputer type:LaptopSystem Manufacturer/Model Number

ell Inspiron 15 7000 Series 7559OS:windows 10CPU:Intel (R) Core(TM) i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60 GHz, 2601 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 LogicalMemory:16GGraphics Card(s):Intel(R) HD Graphics 530, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M

lifetec · 15 Mar 2017

As you said all dumpfiles point to the nvdiadriver.
I noticed that you are using the generic nvdiadrivers (and intel drivers).
To my understanding DELL uses often "customized" graphic drivers.

Did you already uninstall the generic drivers from Nvdia and Intel and reinstall the graphic drivers from the supportpage from DELL Support for Inspiron 15 7000 Series 7559 | Dell US

Tarkiz · 15 Mar 2017

Thanks for the reply. I've installed those drivers from the support page you linked to, though the NVIDIA one was from August 2016. Now I cannot play games on Steam without a more recent update of the NVIDIA driver. So I guess I will install the latest NVIDIA driver rather than the using the dated one from the Dell link. As best practice moving forward, should I rely on drivers listed on my product supportpage rather than those driver updates found by device manager or programs like drive booster?

lifetec · 15 Mar 2017

Best practice is using the "customized" drivers from the DELL supportpage, but as you already noticed those drivers are not often updated by vendors like DELL.
So if you need to update i would only "manually" update the drivers from Intel and Nvdia and hope they give no problems with your DELL laptop,

I personly never use progams lik Driver Booster because it often happens they update wrong driver versions etc.
And i like to stay in control of what is installed on my system.