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.

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.

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

Frost LIVEGPUProUndo: YesUpdated Oct 8, 2026View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated Oct 8, 2026

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

GPU TDR RelaxPRO

Registry

HKLMSYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers

TdrDelayStays 1010

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ. 1 more change below.

What it does

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, and when it hurts

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

Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values the switch writes.
Key and value	With the tweak	Switching it off
HKLMSYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDriversTdrDelay	10	Stays 10Switching it off leaves it.
HKLMSYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDriversTdrDdiDelay	10	Stays 10Switching it off leaves it.

From the app's source (tdr_relax.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked Oct 8, 2026.

The same change by hand

You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.

Make the change · CMD

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 · CMD

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

How to undo it

In the app: Yes

Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had 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.

Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.

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.

In the app