The most common cause of this issue is unstable GPU speeds or power problems—this can happen if the GPU is running at high speeds set by the factory, or if it’s been undervolted. Other things like outdated drivers, incorrect RAM settings (like XMP/DOCP), BIOS settings, bad power supply cables, MPO (multi-plane overlay), or certain Windows power plans can also cause this error. Now that you know the causes, let’s discuss the solutions.
1. Update the Operating System to the Latest Build
An outdated version of Windows may not work well with your AMD driver, which can cause timeout errors. Updating Windows to the latest version often fixes this issue. If the problem is still there, consider cleaning out dust from your system or GPU and making sure your RAM sticks are properly installed.
2. Set Your PC to the Best Performance Mode
If your PC is running on battery saver or a power-saving mode, it might not be giving your AMD driver the resources it needs, causing a timeout. Switching to high performance can help.
2.1. On a laptop:
2.2. On a desktop PC:
3. Increase the System’s Virtual Memory
Virtual memory helps your computer by using part of your hard drive as extra RAM. If it’s set too low, your AMD driver might not have enough room to work properly. Increasing virtual memory could help. Before you start, make sure you have free space on your drive. You can use Disk Cleanup or remove temporary files.
4. Decrease the Refresh Rate of Your Display
If your monitor’s refresh rate is too high or not supported by your card, it may cause timeout errors. Lowering the refresh rate may help.
5. Disable Fast Startup of the System
Windows Fast Startup helps you boot up quickly, but sometimes it interferes with AMD drivers. Disabling Fast Startup can help. If you still have issues, try doing a clean boot to see if another program is causing conflicts.
6. Disable Issue Reporting of the AMD Driver
If the timeout error message pops up but your system still works fine, disabling “issue reporting” in the AMD Adrenaline software can stop those messages from showing.
7. Update, Reinstall, or Try an Older AMD Driver
A broken or outdated AMD driver is a common cause of timeout errors. You can try updating to the latest version, reinstalling, or rolling back to an older, more stable version. If you still have problems, do a clean installation: If the most updated drivers just won’t work on your system, going back to an older driver version can sometimes fix the problem.
8. Install the AMD Driver Without the Adrenaline Software
9. Clear the Shader Cache
Shader Cache helps games start faster by storing certain files, but if these files get corrupted, it might cause AMD driver timeouts. Clearing the cache often solves this.
10. Disable FreeSync and Virtual Super Resolution in AMD Settings
While FreeSync can create smoother gameplay, sometimes it interferes with AMD drivers.
11. Edit Frequency and Voltage Settings
Sometimes tuning your graphics card’s frequency or voltage can help with timeout errors—but be careful: doing this incorrectly can cause instability or even hardware damage. Warning: Please proceed only if you’re comfortable with this process, as it can impact system reliability. Sometimes simply increasing the power limit of your AMD card can fix the problem.
12. Fine Tune the System’s Fan
Overheating can cause driver timeouts. Adjusting how your system’s fan works can sometimes help.
13. Edit the System’s Registry
Sometimes Windows doesn’t wait long enough for the graphics card to respond, causing a timeout error. You can make Windows wait longer by increasing the TDR Delay in the registry. Be careful: Making mistakes here can cause other issues. Warning: Back up your registry first: Learn how here. If this only happens in one game or program, reinstalling that application (like Adobe After Effects) can help. Make sure certain games are using the DirectX version they like best—many older games prefer DirectX 11. For browsers with this issue (like Chrome), try turning off hardware acceleration. Some users have also found that keeping AMD Radeon Software minimized in the background solves the issue. If you’ve tried everything and still get the error, consider resetting your PC or reinstalling Windows. If the problem comes back, your graphics card might be failing—try another GPU if possible, or test your AMD card in a different computer to check.
