Graphics and display errors

VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR (0x00000113)

Stop code 0x00000113, also written 0x113. Here is what it means, what usually causes it, and the safest order to work through fixes on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

In short

The DirectX graphics kernel subsystem found a violation, usually related to the graphics driver or GPU.

What VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR means

The DirectX graphics kernel (dxgkrnl) coordinates the graphics driver with Windows. A violation there stops the system. It generally relates to the graphics driver or GPU hardware and can appear when a game, video or graphics workload starts.

Common causes

A graphics driver problem or corrupted driver installation
GPU hardware faults or overheating
Unstable overclocking or undervolting
Damaged system files that the graphics stack depends on

How to fix VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR

Work through these in order and test after each one. Stopping as soon as the crashes stop tells you which change mattered.

Reinstall the graphics driver cleanly. Download the latest driver for your exact GPU from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel (or the laptop maker for notebooks), then install it using the vendor's clean-install option. If the newest driver is the one that started the crashes, install the previous release instead.
Repair Windows system files. Open Terminal (Admin) and run sfc /scannow. If it reports damage it could not repair, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, restart, and run sfc /scannow once more.
Return the PC to stock settings. Reset the BIOS to defaults, then leave XMP or EXPO, CPU or GPU overclocks and undervolts (including per-core offsets such as Curve Optimizer) switched off while you test. If the crashes stop, re-enable one setting at a time to find the unstable one.
Watch temperatures under load. Use a monitoring tool to log CPU, GPU and drive temperatures while you reproduce the problem. Sustained high readings, loud fans or thermal throttling point to dust, failed fans or poor airflow rather than a software fault.
Check Windows and hybrid-graphics settings. On laptops with integrated and dedicated graphics, update both drivers from the laptop maker. In Windows Settings, System, Display, Graphics, review any per-app GPU overrides you added.

When to stop and protect your data

If the screen artifacts or flickers before the crash, suspect the GPU or its cooling, and test with another card or on another PC.

Not sure this is your code?

The stop code appears as text on the blue screen. If the PC restarted before you could read it, open Event Viewer, then Windows Logs, then System, and look for a BugCheck event with ID 1001. You can also search all stop codes.

Related guides

Other graphics and display errors

Frequently asked questions

What does VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR mean?

The DirectX graphics kernel subsystem found a violation, usually related to the graphics driver or GPU. The DirectX graphics kernel (dxgkrnl) coordinates the graphics driver with Windows. A violation there stops the system. It generally relates to the graphics driver or GPU hardware and can appear when a game, video or graphics workload starts.

What usually causes VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR?

Typical causes: A graphics driver problem or corrupted driver installation; GPU hardware faults or overheating; Unstable overclocking or undervolting; Damaged system files that the graphics stack depends on.

How do I fix VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR (0x00000113)?

A sensible order is: 1) Reinstall the graphics driver cleanly; 2) Repair Windows system files; 3) Return the PC to stock settings; 4) Watch temperatures under load. If the screen artifacts or flickers before the crash, suspect the GPU or its cooling, and test with another card or on another PC.

Use this guidance carefully

A stop code can have several causes, and these steps are general guidance rather than a diagnosis of your PC. If your data matters, back it up before repairs. If the problem continues, a hardware technician can test the parts.

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