Dealing with the Video Memory Management Internal error in Windows 11 can be downright annoying, especially since it sometimes pops up as a BSOD with no clear reason. Usually, it’s caused by outdated graphics drivers, corrupted system files, or sometimes even system settings gone awry. But here’s the thing—these things aren’t impossible to fix, once you know what to look for. The methods below have worked for folks struggling with this error, whether it’s because of driver hiccups or system file issues.
And yeah, sometimes these BSOD errors just randomly appear, and it’s kind of weird how Windows doesn’t always tell you exactly what’s wrong. So, following these troubleshooting steps can help you get back on track without pulling your hair out. Ready to give it a shot? Let’s get into it.
How to Fix Video Memory Management Internal Error in Windows 11
Update your graphics driver — Why it helps & when it applies
This is probably the most common cause. If your graphics driver is outdated or incompatible—say, after a Windows update—you might get the error. Updating it can often do the trick, especially if your GPU driver hasn’t been refreshed in a while or if there’s a newer version out there. Expect to see fewer crashes and a more stable system after this.
On one laptop, it worked almost instantly, but on another, it took a few tries to find the right driver. Windows sometimes doesn’t auto-update drivers perfectly, especially with older or custom hardware.
Here’s how:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu (which sometimes feels like Windows hiding things just to be annoying).
- Double-click Display Adapters so you see your graphics card listed—whether it’s Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA.
- Right-click your graphics card name and choose Update Driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software. If Windows finds a new version, follow the prompts to install.
If you’re using a laptop—like Dell, ASUS, or HP—visiting the manufacturer’s site and downloading the latest driver manually can help. Just make sure you pick the right model and OS version. Sometimes, Windows updates mess with driver compatibility, so manual updates from the manufacturer can be more reliable.
Run an SFC scan — Why this might help & when to try it
Damage or missing system files can also trigger this error. Corruption can happen after interrupted updates, shutdowns, or malware, leaving Windows acting weird. Running an SFC (System File Checker) scan scans your files and repairs what it finds.
It’s a bit of a long shot if you’re just starting to see this error, but it’s quick and usually safe. On some setups, the scan fails the first time, then works after a reboot. Worth a shot.
- Open the Start menu, type CMD, then right-click and choose Run as administrator.
- Type
sfc /scannow
and hit Enter. - Let it scan. It might take 10-15 minutes. If it finds issues, it’ll attempt repairs automatically.
- Once done, restart your PC and see if the error persists.
Reset Windows 11 — When everything else fails
If nothing else works, resetting Windows can clear out whatever got borked. Don’t worry, you don’t have to wipe everything; you can choose to keep your files, though apps and settings will go.
Here’s how:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Recovery.
- Click on Reset PC under Recovery options.
- Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything. The former keeps your personal files but resets apps and settings, while the latter does a clean slate—useful if malware or persistent corruptions are involved.
- Follow the prompts and wait for the reset—this can take a little while.
Final words
If you go through these steps—updating drivers, running an SFC scan, and possibly resetting Windows—you should see a pretty decent chance of fixing the BSOD. It’s not always a quick fix, but these are common points of failure that are usually easy to address once you dig into them.
Summary
- Update your graphics drivers from Device Manager or manufacturer website
- Run
sfc /scannow
to fix corrupted system files - Consider resetting Windows if nothing else helps
- Check for Windows updates; sometimes, Microsoft pushes out fixes for these errors
Wrap-up
This whole process isn’t foolproof—errors can be tricky and sometimes require more in-depth troubleshooting. But these steps cover most bases. On some machines, it’s just a matter of drivers, on others, system file repair or a reset is needed. Fingers crossed this helps, and hopefully, it saves someone a ton of frustration with those pesky BSODs. Good luck!