A display driver timeout may recover without a full system crash or progress to a stop error. Record which occurred.
Protect your files first
Back up important files when possible. If the drive is encrypted, locate the BitLocker recovery key before recovery changes. Stop if storage appears to be failing or this is a work or school managed PC.
What to record
Display message, Event Viewer provider, exact stop code if present, and recent GPU driver version.
The exact message, Windows version, and whether the desktop still opens matter more than a guess based on the symptom name.
Try these safer checks
Check the official GPU or PC support page, undo a recent driver change if Windows provides a supported rollback, and retest one workload.
Change one thing at a time. After each check, see whether the same symptom returns and write down what changed.
When to stop and get help
Stop if shutdowns, abnormal heat, or electrical symptoms occur.
If this is a work or school device, contact its administrator before changing managed settings.
Keep track of your checks
This checklist stays in this browser session. It is not sent to WinErrors.