How to Fix igdkmd64.sys BSOD on Windows 10

If you are seeing a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) referencing igdkmd64.sys, your Intel graphics driver has crashed or become corrupted. This guide walks you through the most reliable fixes, from simple driver reinstalls to registry edits, so you can get back to a stable system.

What You’ll Need

Windows 10 installation media (USB or DVD) or access to the Advanced Startup Options
Another working computer with internet access (to download drivers)
A USB flash drive (if you need to transfer drivers)
Administrator account access

Step-by-Step

Boot into Safe Mode. If the BSOD prevents normal startup, force a reboot three times (turn the PC off and on again at the logo) to trigger Automatic Repair. Then go to Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, and press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
Uninstall the current Intel graphics driver. In Safe Mode, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand Display adapters, right-click your Intel graphics adapter, and choose Uninstall device. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device and click Uninstall. Restart your PC normally.
Install the latest driver from Intel or your PC manufacturer. Download the newest driver for your Intel processor generation from Intel’s official site or from your laptop/desktop maker’s support page (they often customize drivers). Install it and restart.
If the BSOD persists, use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant (Intel DSA). Download and run Intel DSA from Intel’s official site. It will scan and automatically install the correct driver for your hardware. Restart after the update.
Check for Windows updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, especially optional driver updates, then restart.
Run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. After it finishes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Restart your PC.
Edit the registry to disable the problematic feature (if all else fails). In Safe Mode, press Win+R, type regedit, and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named DisableD3D11OnD3D10 and set its value to 1. Restart. (This disables a Direct3D feature that can trigger this BSOD on some systems.)
If the BSOD still occurs, perform a clean installation of Windows. Backup your data, then use the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB and reinstall Windows.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the driver uninstall. Installing a new driver over an old corrupted one often leaves the problem. Always uninstall first.
Downloading drivers from unofficial sources. These can be outdated or contain malware. Stick to Intel or your PC manufacturer’s site.
Ignoring the PC manufacturer’s custom driver. Some laptops (e.g., with hybrid graphics) require a specific driver from the maker, not the generic Intel one.
Not restarting after driver changes. Many fixes only take effect after a reboot.

Tips

If you have a dual-GPU laptop (Intel + NVIDIA/AMD), also update the second GPU’s driver, as conflicts can trigger igdkmd64.sys errors.
Use a driver cleaner tool (like Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode to fully remove all traces of old drivers before reinstalling.
Keep your BIOS/UEFI updated. Motherboard manufacturers often release updates that improve stability with graphics drivers.
If the BSOD happens only when waking from sleep or during video playback, try disabling hardware acceleration in your browser or media player as a temporary workaround.

Troubleshooting

If the steps above don’t resolve the issue, try these additional checks:

Test your RAM. Faulty memory can cause random driver crashes. Use Windows Memory Diagnostic (search “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in the Start menu) and let it run.
Check for overheating. Use a temperature monitoring tool to ensure your CPU/GPU isn’t overheating, which can cause driver failures.
Inspect the minidump files. Use BlueScreenView (a free tool) to read the .dmp files in C:\Windows\Minidump. They may show other drivers involved.
Disable Fast Startup. Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do, then click Change settings that are currently unavailable and uncheck Turn on fast startup. Restart.
If the BSOD appears during installation of Windows, you may need to disable the integrated graphics in BIOS temporarily, install Windows, then re-enable it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is igdkmd64.sys?

It’s a system file that belongs to Intel’s graphics driver. It handles graphics rendering for Intel integrated GPUs. A BSOD referencing this file means the driver crashed or had a fatal error.

Can I just delete igdkmd64.sys?

No. Deleting system files can cause more problems. Instead, uninstall the entire driver through Device Manager and reinstall a fresh copy.

Why does the BSOD happen only when I play games or watch videos?

Those activities put heavy load on the GPU. A faulty driver or overheating can cause the driver to crash under load. Updating the driver and checking temperatures often helps.

Will updating Windows fix the BSOD?

Sometimes. Windows Update often includes driver updates and stability fixes. It’s worth trying, but if the issue is a corrupted driver, a clean reinstall of the driver is more reliable.

Is this BSOD caused by a hardware failure?

Not usually. In most cases, it’s a driver issue. But if you’ve tried all software fixes and the BSOD persists, it could indicate a failing GPU or motherboard. Test with another graphics card (if possible) or consult a technician.

How do I boot into Safe Mode if I can’t get to the login screen?

Force your PC to restart three times during boot to trigger Automatic Repair. From there, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings and press 4 to enter Safe Mode.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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