Windows freezing can be frustrating, but you can follow this troubleshooting guide to identify and fix the underlying cause on Windows 10, 11, or 8.1. This article will help you learn how to stop Windows from freezing using built-in tools and simple adjustments.
Before you start: Ensure you have administrative access to your PC, a reliable internet connection for updates, and the ability to restart your computer if necessary.
Warning: Some steps, such as resetting your PC or updating BIOS, can result in data loss or system instability if not performed correctly. Back up important files before proceeding.
How to stop Windows from freezing with easy troubleshooting steps
Follow these steps in order to diagnose and resolve freezing issues on your computer.
Method 1: If your PC is frozen right now
- Wait a few moments for your system to catch up. If your PC hangs during intensive tasks, it might unfreeze on its own.
- If the screen goes black, press Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset video card drivers.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If that fails, press Ctrl + Alt + Del or right-click the Start menu and select Task Manager.
- In Task Manager, look for apps using excessive CPU, Memory, or Disk resources, select the app, and click End Task.
- If the PC remains unresponsive, press and hold the power button until the screen turns off, then press it again to restart.
Method 2: Disconnect devices at startup and shutdown
- Unplug all USB devices, such as flash drives, phones, and printers, before starting up or shutting down your PC to prevent interference.
Method 3: Run a malware and virus scan
- Press Windows key + S, type security, and click Windows Security.
- Click Virus & Threat Protection.
- Select Scan options.
- Choose Full scan for a deep check or Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) for a thorough removal of difficult malware.
- Click Scan now and follow on-screen instructions to quarantine threats.
Method 4: Check for software and driver updates
- Open Settings via the Start menu.
- For Windows 10, click Update & Security > Windows Update. For Windows 11, click Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install all available updates.
- If prompted, click Restart now to reboot.
- For BIOS/UEFI updates, visit your PC manufacturer’s website and ensure a reliable power source before updating.
Method 5: Try a simplified startup
- Press Windows key + S, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- In the General tab, select Selective startup and uncheck Load startup items.
- Click OK and restart your PC to see if freezing persists.
- If freezing stops, open Startup Apps by typing startup apps in the search bar and toggling off unnecessary apps.
- Reopen msconfig, check Load startup items, and click OK to save changes.
Method 6: Scan the file system
- Press Control + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter.
- After completion, type SFC /scannow and press Enter to repair corrupted files.
Method 7: Check your hard drive
- Open File Explorer by right-clicking the Start menu.
- Click This PC, right-click your hard drive, and select Properties.
- Go to the Tools tab and click Check.
- Click Scan drive and repeat for all connected drives.
Method 8: Run a RAM test
- Press Windows key + S, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
- Select Restart now and check for problems.
- After reboot, right-click the Start menu, select Event Viewer, and navigate to Windows Logs > System.
- Right-click the System log, select Find, type MemoryDiagnostics, and click Find Next to check results.
Method 9: Disable Link State Power Management
- Press Windows key + S, type power, and click Edit power plan.
- Click Change advanced power settings.
- Double-click PCI Express and then Link State Power Management.
- Select Off from the menu(s) and click OK.
Method 10: Clear cached and unneeded files
- Press Windows key + S, type disk cleanup, and click Disk Cleanup.
- Click Clean up system files.
- Select files to delete, such as Temporary files, and click OK.
- Click Delete Files to confirm.
Method 11: Roll back the latest update
- Open Settings and go to Update & Security (Windows 10) or Windows Update (Windows 11).
- Click View Update History or Update history.
- Select Uninstall updates, choose the most recent update, and click Uninstall.
Method 12: Run a system restore
- Press Windows key + S, type control panel, and open it.
- Type recovery in the search bar and click Recovery.
- Click Open System Restore.
- Select a restore point, click Scan for affected programs, and then Finish to restore your PC.
Method 13: Disable Fast Startup (Windows 8.1)
- Press Windows key + S, type power button, and click Change what the power buttons do.
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck Turn on Fast Startup and click Save changes.
Method 14: Reset your PC
- Open Settings and go to System (Windows 11) or Update & Security (Windows 10).
- Click Recovery and then Reset PC or Get Started.
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Follow on-screen instructions to reset and reboot.
Pro tip: After resetting your PC, reinstall apps one by one to identify if a specific application causes freezing, which helps isolate the problem efficiently.
After completing these steps, monitor your PC for any recurring freezing issues. If the problem persists, consider consulting a professional technician, as it may indicate underlying hardware failures such as a failing hard drive or faulty RAM.
Additionally, keep your system updated regularly and maintain good security practices to prevent future freezing problems. You can also explore community forums or official support sites like Microsoft Support for more advanced troubleshooting tips tailored to your specific hardware configuration.
