Troubleshoot atikmpag.sys BSOD With Simple Fixes

The atikmpag.sys (video_tdr_faliure) is a common BSOD error faced by several users after updating the drivers or upgrading OS. It can occur due to corrupted, incompatible, or faulty graphics drivers.  

This error can be triggered while running the updates automatically or upgrading to the latest version not supporting the atikmpag sys driver. You can also face this error if you update the graphics driver manually. 

Fortunately, this error shows the file name that triggers it. Hence, it can help to identify the root cause. 

If you are unaware of how to fix atikmpag.sys BSOD error, then have a look at some effective hacks to troubleshoot this error. 

5 Ways to Fix atikmpag.sys BSOD Problem

Here, we have compiled some easy methods to get rid of this error. So, perform the steps as explained below: 

Fix 1: Update Chipset Drivers and Graphics Card

Sometimes, the computer may fail to reset the display driver. Then, it may also fail to retrieve the timeout details and result in atikmpag.sys BSOD or similar errors in other Windows versions. Hence, you can solve this issue by updating the drivers. To apply this fix, follow the steps given below: 

  1. First and foremost, right-click on ‘My Computer’. 
  2. Afterward, choose the ‘Properties’ option from the drop-down menu. 
  3. Next, select the ‘Device Manager’ and check if the display driver is showing any error. 
  4. Now, check the list if there is an exclamation mark beside any folder. If you find, then right-click on such folders and click on the ‘Update Driver’ option. 

Now, wait until the updating process completes for the graphics card, chipset drivers and other relevant components. After that, if this error is appearing or atikmpag.sys crash, then move on to the remaining methods described below. 

Fix 2: Install Graphics Driver in Compatibility Mode

You can download and install the latest graphics driver of the system to get rid of this error. So, visit the official website of the system manufacturer to download the newest version of the display driver. Afterward, install the driver in compatibility mode. 

How to Install the Graphics Driver in Compatibility Mode? 

The following steps are exclusively for Windows 7 users affected by this error:

  1. First of all, visit the manufacturer’s website. Then, search for the latest driver that is suitable for your Operating System and download it. 
  2. Next, uninstall the graphics driver that is currently installed by going to the Control Panel. 
  3. Afterward, go to the location where you have saved the graphics driver and right-click on it. 
  4. Now, choose the Properties option and navigate to the Compatibility tab. 
  5. Check the box that prompts ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for.’ Then, choose ‘Windows 7 Operating System’ from the list. 
  6. Complete the installation process by following the on-screen prompts. 

Note: 

If you are using any other version of Windows, modify these steps accordingly.

After installing the driver in compatibility mode, you should check if the issue still persists. Otherwise, check if the corrupted system files are causing the atikmpag sys BSOD Windows 7 error. 

Fix 3: Check the System Files

Often, the missing, damaged or corrupted system files lead to the error. You can easily check the status of the system files by running the in-built System File Checker or DISM command utility. 

These tools can help to check the damage system files and replace the missing files with the correct ones. 

To do this, first, you need to go to the Start menu and type “command prompt” in the search bar. As it shows the ‘Command Prompt’ as the search result, right-click on that. 

Choose the ‘Run as administrator’ option from the list to invoke the Command Prompt with Admin’s privileges. Now, type the command “sfc /scannow” and hit the Enter key to run the command. 

Once the scanning process completes properly, run the DISM command below: 

“DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” 

If the SFC checker notices any incorrect files, then it will extract the correct files automatically. After that, you can exit from the Command Prompt window and restart the system. 

Now, check whether the video_tdr_faliure problem is still occurring. Else, go to the next solutions stated below. 

Fix 4: Tweak PCI Express Power Management

You can tweak the settings of the PCI express power management to eradicate this error from the system. Here are the steps to do this: 

  1. In the beginning, bring up the Start menu and type “powercfg.cpl” in the search bar. Press the Enter key to proceed forward. 
  2. Next, tick the ‘High Performance’ box from the next window and tap on the ‘Change Plan Settings’ option. 
  3. Afterward, click on the ‘Change advanced power settings’ option and search for the PCI Express. Once you get this, tap on the drop-down button to expand the list.  
  4. Now, you need to expand the ‘Link state power management’ option. 
  5. After that, set the settings for both the ‘Plugged in’ and ‘Battery’. 
  6. Click on the OK button to apply the changed settings and restart the system. 

Now, check if the error has been fixed or try the next method. 

Fix 5: Rename ‘atikmdag.sys’ File

If all the above hacks failed to fix the atikmpag.sys BSOD error, then you can rename the file as your last resort. To rename this file, perform the steps as follows: 

Step 1: 

First, go to the path “C:\ Windows\System32\drivers”. Now, search for the ‘atikmdag.sys’ file and right-click on it. Choose the ‘Rename’ option and type “atikmdag.sys.old.”

Step 2: 

Next, navigate to “C:\ATI”, where the ATI directory is located. But, if you are unable to locate this file, then go to the “C:\” drive and search for the file. 

Afterward, copy the file to the desktop and hit the X and Win key simultaneously. Then, choose the ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’ from the list. 

Step 3: 

Now, type the commands given below: 

  • chdir C:\Uers\[Your Username]\desktop
  • expand.exe atikmdag.sy_atikmdag.sys

Press the Enter key after each command to execute them. 

Note: If the above commands don’t run, then you can run the command “expand -r atikmdag.sy _atikmdag.sys”.

Step 4: 

Look for the atikmdag.sys file on the home screen. Lastly, copy the file to the location “C:\ Windows\System32\Drivers”.

Now, restart the computer to apply the changes and check whether the atikmpag.sys BSOD is resolved. 

Concluding Remarks

These are the probable ways to get rid of the atikmpag.sys BSOD error. Hence, apply all the above-discussed hacks in their appropriate order to put an end to this bug. 

All the hacks are foolproof and helped several affected users. Hopefully, it will help you to eradicate this blue screen error in minutes. 

If you face any trouble while implementing the above fixes, then feel free to share that through the comment box.