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How to Fix Video Driver Crashed and Was Reset Error in Borderlands 3 on Windows 11

Experiencing a “Video driver crashed and was reset” error while playing Borderlands 3 on Windows 11 can be frustrating. This issue interrupts gameplay and can cause the game to freeze or crash unexpectedly. Fortunately, there are several straightforward steps you can follow to resolve this problem.

Most causes relate to your graphics driver or system settings conflicting with the game. Fixing it usually involves updating or adjusting those components. This guide will walk you through easy-to-understand steps to get your game running smoothly again.

Whether you are a beginner or somewhat familiar with PC troubleshooting, these instructions are designed to be clear and helpful. By following them carefully, you can reduce crashes and improve your gaming experience.

Let’s start with some quick checks before diving into the technical fixes.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

  • Ensure Windows 11 is up to date: Running the latest Windows updates can fix compatibility issues that affect your graphics drivers.
  • Check your system specs: Confirm that your PC meets the minimum requirements for Borderlands 3.
  • Close unnecessary programs: Other software running in the background can interfere with graphics drivers.
  • Save your game progress: Before troubleshooting, make sure to save any important data to avoid loss.

Step 1: Restart Your PC

Sometimes, a simple restart can clear temporary glitches in your graphics drivers. This refreshes your system and can resolve minor conflicts.

  1. Close Borderlands 3 and all other applications.
  2. Click the Start button and select Restart.
  3. After the reboot, launch the game again to see if the error persists.

Step 2: Update Your Graphics Driver

Outdated or corrupted video drivers are the most common cause of this error. Updating your graphics driver ensures compatibility with Windows 11 and Borderlands 3.

How to update your graphics driver:

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to find updates.
  5. If an update is found, follow the prompts to install it, then restart your PC.

Note: For the best results, consider downloading the latest driver directly from your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).

Step 3: Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

High graphics settings can strain your GPU, leading to driver crashes. Adjusting these settings can reduce the load and help stabilize the game.

  1. Open Borderlands 3.
  2. Go to the Settings menu and select Graphics.
  3. Lower settings such as Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, and Anti-Aliasing.
  4. Disable any advanced graphical features like Ray Tracing if enabled.
  5. Apply the changes and restart the game.

Step 4: Adjust Windows Graphics Settings

Windows 11 includes settings that prioritize performance for specific apps. Configuring these can sometimes prevent driver resets.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Navigate to System > Display > Graphics.
  3. Click Browse and select the Borderlands 3 executable file (usually located in your Steam or Epic Games folder).
  4. Once added, click the game’s entry and choose Options.
  5. Select High performance and save.
  6. Restart the game to test if this helps.

Step 5: Increase GPU Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR) Delay

The TDR feature in Windows resets your graphics driver if it stops responding. Increasing the delay time gives your GPU more time to respond and can reduce crashes.

How to change TDR delay:

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlGraphicsDrivers
  3. Right-click on the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it TdrDelay.
  4. Double-click TdrDelay and set its value data to 8 (this means 8 seconds).
  5. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
  6. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Warning: Be careful when editing the registry. Incorrect changes can affect system stability. Always back up your registry before proceeding.

Step 6: Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can cause crashes. Verifying the integrity of Borderlands 3’s files ensures everything is installed correctly.

For Steam users:

  1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
  2. Right-click on Borderlands 3 and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Local Files tab and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
  4. Wait for the process to complete, then launch the game.

For Epic Games users:

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to your Library.
  2. Click the three dots next to Borderlands 3.
  3. Select Verify.
  4. Wait until verification finishes, then start the game.

Alternative and Advanced Options

If the above steps don’t fix the issue, you can try:

  • Reinstalling the graphics driver: Use tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove old drivers before reinstalling.
  • Updating DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables: These components help games run smoothly and can sometimes cause driver errors if outdated.
  • Disabling overclocking: If your GPU or CPU is overclocked, revert to default clock speeds as instability can cause crashes.
  • Running the game in compatibility mode: Right-click the game executable, select Properties, go to Compatibility tab, and try running it in Windows 10 mode.

FAQs

Why does my video driver crash during Borderlands 3?

This usually happens because the graphics driver encounters an error or timeout due to high GPU load, driver bugs, or conflicts with Windows 11.

Is updating Windows important for fixing this error?

Yes. Windows updates often include fixes for graphics drivers and system compatibility, which can prevent crashes.

Can hardware issues cause this error?

Yes. Faulty or overheating GPUs, insufficient power supply, or damaged hardware can trigger driver resets.

Will lowering graphics settings reduce crashes?

Lowering settings reduces GPU workload, which can help prevent the driver from crashing under heavy strain.

Should I use third-party driver update tools?

It’s safer to download drivers directly from your GPU manufacturer’s official website to avoid potential malware or incorrect drivers.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still face the video driver crashed and was reset error, consider these final options:

  • Contact Borderlands 3 Support: Visit the official Gearbox Software support page for personalized help.
  • Reach out to GPU manufacturer support: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel can provide additional troubleshooting for driver-related issues.
  • Perform a clean Windows installation: As a last resort, reinstalling Windows 11 can fix deep system conflicts causing driver crashes.
  • Check hardware health: Use tools like GPU-Z or HWMonitor to check for overheating or hardware faults.

Conclusion

The “Video driver crashed and was reset” error in Borderlands 3 on Windows 11 is a common but solvable problem. Starting with simple solutions like restarting your PC and updating your graphics driver can often fix the issue quickly. Adjusting in-game settings and Windows graphics preferences further stabilizes your experience.

For more persistent problems, advanced steps like modifying the TDR delay or verifying game files can help. Always remember to keep your system and drivers updated, and take precautions when editing system settings.

By following this guide step-by-step, you should be able to reduce crashes and enjoy Borderlands 3 without interruptions. Happy gaming!

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