---
title: "TdrDelay and TdrDdiDelay: default values and what raising them to 10 does"
description: "TDR is the Windows watchdog that resets the graphics driver when the graphics card does not answer in time, 2 seconds by default."
url: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/tdr-delay
author: Frost LIVE, Founder of Frozen Tweaks
published: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
category: "GPU"
source: Frozen Tweaks (https://frozentweaks.com)
---

# TdrDelay and TdrDdiDelay: default values and what raising them to 10 does

**Short answer:** TDR is the Windows watchdog that resets the graphics driver when the graphics card does not answer in time, 2 seconds by default. TdrDelay and TdrDdiDelay set how long it waits. This tweak raises both to 10 seconds. In the registry it sets TdrDelay to 10 under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers, and 1 more value.

## In the app

- Switch: GPU TDR Relax (GPU, Pro, Advanced)
- Undo: Yes. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.
- Game profiles that switch it on: Apex Legends, ARC Raiders, Battlefield 6 and 6 more
- Catalog row: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks#t-1056

## What it does

TDR is the Windows watchdog that resets the graphics driver when the graphics card does not answer in time, 2 seconds by default. TdrDelay and TdrDdiDelay set how long it waits. This tweak raises both to 10 seconds.

In the app the switch is called "GPU TDR Relax", described there as: Increases driver timeout to avoid recovery spikes during load.

## When it helps

- 'Display driver stopped responding and has recovered' crashes during short heavy moments, such as shader compilation.

## When it hurts

- If the graphics card truly hangs, the screen stays frozen for 10 seconds before Windows recovers it.
- It hides a symptom. An unstable overclock, overheating or a bad driver is still there.

## What it writes

Read from the app's source. "Switching it off" is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values:

| Key | Value | With the tweak | Switching it off |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers` | `TdrDelay` | `10` | Stays 10 (switching it off leaves it) |
| `HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers` | `TdrDdiDelay` | `10` | Stays 10 (switching it off leaves it) |

Source: Tweaks/tdr_relax.hpp in the app's source, app 2.0.0, checked 2026-10-08.

## The same change by hand

Run in a Command Prompt opened as administrator. Make a restore point first.

```bat
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers" /v "TdrDelay" /t REG_DWORD /d 10 /f
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers" /v "TdrDdiDelay" /t REG_DWORD /d 10 /f
```

See what it is set to now:

```bat
reg query "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers" /v "TdrDelay"
```

## How to undo it

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. The values in the table are left as they are, so set them by hand if you want the old behavior.

## Verdict

A fair workaround for driver timeouts under load. If the crashes continue, look for the cause.

## Questions

### What does the "GPU TDR Relax" tweak change in Windows?

In the registry it sets TdrDelay to 10 under HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.

### Is "GPU TDR Relax" safe to switch on?

A fair workaround for driver timeouts under load. If the crashes continue, look for the cause. The main cost: If the graphics card truly hangs, the screen stays frozen for 10 seconds before Windows recovers it.

### How do I undo it?

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.

### Is "GPU TDR Relax" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

## Related guides

- [How to Fix Stuttering and Frame Drops: Diagnose Before You Tweak](https://frozentweaks.com/guides/fix-stuttering-frame-drops)

## More tweak explainers

- [NVIDIA Low Latency Mode and power management](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/nvidia-low-latency-mode-and-power-management)
- [AMD Radeon Anti-Lag](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/amd-radeon-anti-lag)
- [Optimizations for windowed games](https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/optimizations-for-windowed-games)

---
Written by Frost LIVE, founder of Frozen Tweaks. Canonical version: https://frozentweaks.com/tweaks/tdr-delay