The computer freezing can cause disruptions in your work process, reduce your efficiency, and can even lead to the loss of some files. There might be several reasons for your computer to freeze, such as low memory, too many running applications, outdated drivers, overheating, and even problems with the hard drive.
However, there are several solutions for the problem and you may not need to go through any complicated process such as reinstalling the Windows or replacing some components of your computer.
In this article, you will learn how to fix a computer that keeps freezing. You will also be able to find out why it happens and how to avoid it in the future.
When a computer freezes, it usually happens because of the inability of Windows or an application to perform ongoing operations. The problem might occur for just one application, while in some instances, the whole system can freeze.
The common reasons are:
Lack of RAM: Multiple programs run at once may take up all available memory.
Too many startup programs: Background programs use up system resources.
Old drivers: Drivers may become faulty and cause instability.
Overheating: High temperatures can affect the performance of the computer.
Not enough storage space: A computer with not much free space can have problems functioning.
Malware programs or unwanted software: Such software might take up the resources or corrupt the functioning of Windows.
Hardware issues: Failing RAM or storage drives and others may be the reason for constant freezing.
Test these solutions one by one. After trying each solution, continue using your computer as usual to see if the issue recurs.
1. Restart the Computer
A quick restart will solve any issues with the system being temporarily glitched and close any programs which are not responding.
If your computer is somewhat working, click on the keys Ctrl + Alt + Delete and check if the security dialog box comes up. If it pops up, launch the Task Manager or the available power options to restart the system.
However, if the computer has completely stopped responding to anything you try and it doesn’t even have power options left, you might have to forcefully shut down the system by pressing the power button.
Then proceed to restarting the computer.
2. Close Unnecessary Programs
A computer with limited memory or processing capability gets burdened by running several programs.
Steps to detect which programs are heavy resource users:
Click on Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys together to launch the Task Manager.
Go to the Processes tab.
Check the CPU, Memory, and Disk tabs.
Detect which programs are heavy users of system resources.
Close those programs that you don’t use.
Do not close Windows processes that you do not recognize, as it may impact the performance of your computer.
In case your computer keeps freezing due to some particular program, see if there is an update available for that program.
3. Turn Off Unneeded Programs That Run at Startup
A few applications open automatically whenever you boot Windows. Having too many programs that open at the time of starting will slow down the computer’s performance.
For this, you should:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to Startup programs.
Look at all the applications.
Turn off those applications which are not required to be opened at startup.
Restart the computer.
Do not turn off any security applications without knowing about their functionality.
3. Turn Off Unnecessary Start-Up Programs
Some programs tend to run automatically when Windows is booted. The presence of too many start-up programs can cause slow performance on your PC.
For this purpose:
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
Select Start-Up programs.
Check out the start-up programs displayed on the list.
Uninstall those start-up programs which are not required by you.
Reboot your PC.
Do not uninstall any program without knowing its use especially security software.
4. Check Available Free Space
It is necessary for Windows to have adequate free space to handle temporary files, updates, and virtual memory. A disk drive that has insufficient available space may be the reason behind poor performance.
Use File Explorer to open This PC and look at the available free space on your Windows drive.
In case there is not enough storage, follow these instructions:
Clear the Recycle Bin after looking through its contents.
Get rid of temporary files using the Windows settings.
Delete unused applications.
Transfer personal files to other drives or appropriate backup locations.
Do not remove any unknown system files manually.
Once your computer starts to work correctly, several maintenance practices can assist you to avoid any issues in the future:
Update Windows and critical drivers.
Delete unneeded software and startup applications.
Make sure that you have enough empty disk space.
Do not use more software than your system hardware allows.
Cool down your PC and keep its ventilation clean.
Backup your files.
Find out what causes your freezing instead of using force shutdowns.
In case you still experience freezes, use reliability information of Windows or Event Viewer and search for errors near the time when your issue happened.
Why is my computer freezing randomly?
My computer can be freezing randomly due to limited memory, overheating, driver issues, malware, storage corruption, or even failure of hardware components.
What should I do when I need to unfreeze my computer without restarting it?
First of all, try pressing Esc key or Ctrl+Shift+Esc. If you see the response, shut down the application which doesn’t work. But if the whole computer is frozen, you should perform a forced shutdown.
Does having low RAM cause the computer to freeze?
Yes. If there is not enough RAM available, then the Windows operating system has to resort to using storage space to handle its memory functions. This results in slow application performance, especially when multiple heavy applications are running.
When do I need professional computer repair?
Professional help can be considered when the computer freezes even after troubleshooting steps, the computer is overheating often, problems have been found on storage diagnostics, or memory tests show problems.
In case when the computer freezes constantly, the best way to solve this problem will depend upon the root cause. First, you should perform a restart, shut down all unnecessary programs, make some space on hard drive and update Windows and drivers. If the problem still persists, then you need to think about overheating, virus, RAM and hard drive state.
It is better to maintain the computer in order to avoid such problems, however constant freezing is a sign of hardware problem which should be diagnosed by a specialist.