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How to fix Event ID 153 nvlddmkm

Spivey 20 Reputation points
2025-06-09T07:15:55.4333333+00:00

I have experienced multiple game crashes. When I look at the event log there are multiple errors for nvlddmkm, Kernel-Event Tracing, and multiple others. I have watched several videos on how to fix the error but none of the solutions work. I have used DDU and did a clean install and I have taken full control of the nvlddmkm file. My computer does not crash but the game does after about 20 mins to an hour. There are a couple of other errors in the event viewer that I don't fully understand. If anyone is able to, please help.

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  1. Mark Dicks 725 Reputation points
    2025-06-09T12:55:05.64+00:00

    The Event ID 153 with the source nvlddmkm usually indicates a problem with the NVIDIA graphics driver, often involving disk I/O delays or timeouts, especially when under load (e.g., gaming). This can cause game crashes while leaving the system running. You've already tried several good steps (DDU, clean driver install, permissions), so let's dig deeper into advanced troubleshooting.

    Step-by-step Fixes to Try

    1. Confirm the Error Source

    nvlddmkm is the NVIDIA kernel-mode driver.

    Event ID 153 often appears when there's a delay in responding to disk I/O requests.

    If you're also seeing Kernel-Event Tracing errors or WHEA errors, it may indicate broader system instability (possibly hardware).

    2. Check System Stability (Stress Test)

    Use OCCT, FurMark, or Heaven Benchmark for GPU stress testing.

    Use MemTest86 to test your RAM overnight.

    Use CrystalDiskInfo to check SSD/HDD health (look for reallocated sectors, etc.).

    3. Disable Hardware Acceleration (Temporary Test)

    Sometimes, the crash is triggered by games or apps that use GPU acceleration (Chrome, Discord, etc.)

    Go to apps like Chrome, Discord, Steam → Settings → disable Hardware Acceleration.

    4. Power Supply & GPU

    Insufficient or failing PSU can cause intermittent GPU crashes.

    If you're using a riser cable or adapter, remove it and test direct PCIe connection.

    Ensure PCIe cables are properly connected to the GPU (both ends).

    5. Try Older / Studio Drivers

    Download and install an older or Studio version of the NVIDIA driver. Use DDU again before changing versions.

    Avoid the latest Game Ready driver if it's unstable.

    NVIDIA Driver Archive

    6. Turn off MPO (Multi-Plane Overlay)

    MPO has caused crashes and flickering for some users.

    Create a new Registry key:

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Dwm]
"OverlayTestMode"=dword:00000005

    Reboot. You can delete the key later to revert.

    7. Set Power Settings to Maximum Performance

    Control Panel → Power Options → High Performance

    In NVIDIA Control Panel:

    Manage 3D Settings → Power Management Mode → Prefer Maximum Performance

      Set Threaded Optimization → Off (test both On and Off)

    8. Pagefile and Virtual Memory

    Set custom pagefile size:

    Initial size: 1.5× RAM

      Maximum size: 3× RAM

  
  Example: For 16 GB RAM → 24576 MB Initial, 49152 MB Max

    9. Disable Fast Startup

    Fast startup can sometimes cause driver issues.

    Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what power buttons do → Uncheck Turn on fast startup

    10. Analyze Additional Errors

    If you provide:

    Exact error messages from Event Viewer

    Any WHEA, disk, or critical kernel errors

    … I can give more targeted help.

    Would you be able to share:

    Your GPU model

    Your PSU wattage and brand

    Any other Event IDs or messages (especially from “System” logs)

    I can help a little more affectively

    Let me know if any of these help.

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  1. Wolverine 10 Reputation points
    2025-09-16T21:21:24.8366667+00:00

    Hi, regarding this error i'm using an old laptop (Asus ROG GL703GM) for everyday activities and sometimes for games, i didn't encounter any issues like video artifacts or restarts until i installed the latest nvidia game ready drivers 581.29, i thought i will see some improvements in games or something, in exchange i thought my laptop is dying.

    I installed the latest graphics driver because a game i just started, POE2 recommended that i should upgrade my graphics driver.

    Of course i did that but after restart had video artifacts and restarts every time i started my laptop with the following Windows event error:

    "The description for Event ID 153 from source nvlddmkm cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

    If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

    The following information was included with the event:

    \Device\Video3

    Reset TDR occurred on GPUID:100"

    For me the solution was to go back to the old nvidia drivers (maybe this is a way for them to tell us to upgrade our hardware or who knows..)

    I did DDU uninstall in safe mode and then installed the old driver i had:

    https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/details/242141/

    No problem after going back to 572.70 driver, maybe just for me or people with outdated hardware. Good luck

    2 people found this answer helpful.
  2. Spivey 20 Reputation points
    2025-06-12T09:33:15.37+00:00

    Hi Mark, thank you so much for responding. I was finally able to get a day off from work and test the old drivers. I did DDU and installed an old Nvidia driver from February and was able to run the game without any crashes. The shaders took longer than normal to load but I didn’t have any issues. There weren’t any errors but I did see some warnings for kernel boot and kernel tracing. My next day off I will look at the steps you provided to try and get those errors cleared. I will let you know as soon as I know. Again thank you so much.

  3. Matt McCarthy 0 Reputation points
    2025-08-31T16:30:54.2266667+00:00

    I have recently been having this same issue for a week or 2 with nvlddmkm Event ID 153. Seems to occur when I'm playing games like POE 2 and WoW. I tried some of the suggestions in other threads like clean installing graphics drivers with DDU and updating all of my other drivers for CPU and motherboard but I am still having the issue. When the error occurs, my computer freezes for about 3 seconds, goes black for a second, then recovers. I have also noticed that I am getting constant WHEA-Logger warnings a couple times a second with event ID 17.

    A corrected hardware error has occurred.

    Component: PCI Express Root Port

    Error Source: Advanced Error Reporting (PCI Express)

    Primary Bus:Device:Function: 0x80:0x1C:0x3

    Secondary Bus:Device:Function: 0x0:0x0:0x0

    Primary Device Name:PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_7F3B&SUBSYS_88EF1043&REV_10

    Secondary Device Name:

    I will likely try installing older Nvidia graphics drivers versions because that seems to be a common fix but I wanted to know if anyone would have some input into whether the WHEA-Logger warnings could be another indicator to the root cause of this issue.

    Specs

    GPU: Nvidia 5070 ti Vanguard MSI

    CPU: Intel Ultra 7 265K

    Motherboard: ASUS Z890 AYW Gaming Wifi W

    PSU: 1200W Gold

    Memory: 32GB DDR5-6000

  4. Davi Carlos Silva 0 Reputation points
    2025-09-27T17:28:23.4866667+00:00

    Quick Fix – Starfield Crashing (Error ID 153) After days of testing, the only thing that worked for me was:

    Disable OneDrive completely

    Disable all NVIDIA HD Audio drivers in Device Manager (keep your main sound driver enabled)

    ⚠️ I did NOT need to roll back to older NVIDIA drivers, or change memory clocks / GPU default overclock settings.

    After that, Starfield stopped freezing/crashing. (GPU: RTX 5070)

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