BSOD errors are never welcome in Windows. One particularly well-known blue screen of death issue is the dxgmms2.sys error, which often occurs while gaming. When accompanied by a message like SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED or DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, the error is mostly due to a graphics driver or hardware malfunction.
However, this problem can also be caused by other underlying issues. Thankfully, you can fix the error at home using the fixes listed below.
1. Change the graphics driver
The first action you should take when dealing with the dxgmms2.sys blue screen error is to make changes to the graphics driver. If you don’t remember when your display drivers were last updated, update them. The error can also appear after installing a new driver update recently. In that case, you should try rolling them back to a previous update.
There are two main ways to change your graphics driver. If you use a dedicated graphics card, we recommend using companion software such as NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software. You can also manage all your drivers using Device Manager in Windows.
2. Disable Hardware Acceleration
Another common reason for the dxgmms2.sys error is the Hardware Acceleration feature in Windows 10 and 11. Hardware Acceleration feature helps to improve computer performance, but you can disable this feature to see the dxgmms2.sys error still appear.
You will have to edit the Registry settings to disable Hardware Acceleration, so make sure you create a system restore point before continuing.
Step 1: To open the Run application, press Win + R.
Step 2: Type regedit in the text box and press Enter. You will need administrator rights to make changes to the Windows Registry.
Step 3: In the Registry, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Avalon.Graphics using the navigation pane on the left.
Step 4: Here, right-click an empty space in the right pane and go to New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 5: Name the entry DisableHWAcceleration.
Step 6: Now double-click the newly created entry, and in Value data, enter 1.
Step 7: Click OK.
Step 8: Restart the computer after exiting Registry Editor.
If you are still getting the blue screen error after trying this method, make sure to re-enable Hardware Acceleration by changing the value data in the DisableHWAcceleration entry to 0.
3. Run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
The dxgmms2.sys error is directly related to DirectX on Windows. In fact, the filename itself is a shortened form of DirectX Graphics MMS.
Therefore, one of the best ways to effectively diagnose the problem is to open the built-in DirectX Diagnostic Tool in Windows:
Step 1: Using the Windows + R keyboard shortcut, launch the Run command.
Step 2: Type dxdiag into the dialog box and press Enter. This will open the DirectX Diagnostic utility.
Step 3: Wait for the DirectX Diagnostic Tool to complete the troubleshooting.
Step 4: Now, click on the Display tab in the window.
Step 5: Check the Notes section for any errors or conflicts.
Step 6: If you see an error in this section, download the DirectX Web Installer to reinstall the necessary components.
This should resolve the dxgmms2.sys error for many users. If not, move on to the next step.
4. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic utility
In rare cases, malfunctioning or faulty memory can also lead to the dxgmms2.sys blue screen error. In this case, Windows also has a built-in utility that can effectively diagnose and fix the problem. This tool is called Windows Memory Diagnostic.
Step 1: In the Start menu search bar, search for Windows Memory Diagnostic.
Step 2: A reminder will be displayed.
Step 3: Click the Restart now and check for problems option to restart your computer immediately.
Step 4: You can also select the option Check for problems the next time I start my computer, if you have unsaved work open on your computer.
Step 5: Windows will scan for memory problems when the computer starts.
5. Update BIOS
Outdated BIOS can lead to many errors on PCs, one of which is the dxgmms2.sys BSOD. You should always update the BIOS to the latest version.
Although the methods for updating the PC’s BIOS may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, the general procedure should be the same as in the article: BIOS Upgrade Guide.
The methods listed above should resolve the dxgmms2.sys error for most users. However, problems with the hardware can also cause errors, in which case you will have to replace your GPU or RAM. There are many other signs that can tell you if it’s time to upgrade your GPU.
