Well, have you ever thought about why your computer keeps freezing on windows 10? It’s equally unpleasant and unsettling when your computer freezes while you’re in the midst of an important project or a game. The computer freezes, causing you to lose data, corrupt files, and make it difficult to operate the device.
Your Windows 10 computer keeps freezing when you’re using it for whatever you’re doing, whether it is working on a project, playing a game, or just surfing the web. Your computer will need a restart. Each of us has experienced it. What’s causing this, and how can it be stopped?
The freezing issue is intricate. Windows freezing may be caused by several different things, and it’s pretty annoying when you don’t get an error message explaining the problem.
Problems with drivers, software, and hardware may all contribute to freezing. Freezing difficulties are not always obvious, but with the help of in-built scans and information panels, you can often find the root of the problem and fix it by installing updates or repairing any underlying corruption.
As annoying as it is, when Windows 10 stops amid a crucial job, users get highly frustrated. It’s possible that malicious software is corrupting your system files, causing low memory difficulties, or you’re having trouble playing graphically intense games.
However, with consistent upkeep, you may avoid most Windows 10 freezes. There is no prerequisite for technical knowledge. Through the use of tried-and-true methods, we will walk you through nine different troubleshooting procedures.
Why Does Your Computer Keeps Freezing Windows 10?
When a computer is “frozen,” it means the operating system has ceased responding to user input. Depending on the intensity and the root reason, a freeze might continue anywhere from a few seconds to indefinitely.
Windows 10 random freezes may be caused by three different types of issues: driver, program, and hardware. Repairing a driver is often cheap, whereas fixing a hardware problem might cost a lot.
1. Driver Problems
Your drivers are literally what “drives” your hardware to function correctly. They mediate communication between your computer and peripherals including monitors, printers, and disc drives.
In this way, almost any OS might become unresponsive due to outdated or flawed drivers. Essentially, your computer is receiving erroneous information about gadgets, causing it to behave improperly or not respond at all.
2. Software Problems
Freezing might occur if your C drive is too large or if you haven’t installed all of the latest Windows updates.
Since most of a computer’s essential system files live on the C drive, it’s also where things like temporary running files and old Windows installations tend to collect if they aren’t periodically deleted.
This issue may occur if you don’t routinely remove unnecessary files from your C disc. It is also recommended that you periodically delete temporary files stored on your computer.
There may be just too many programs open at once, each contending for the system’s limited resources.
Your computer may be unable to execute any other programs because of a background process. This is particularly true with games with complex graphics or large software installations.
Some software is currently incompatible with Windows 10. This may be the result of the program’s size, slow loading time, or insistence on launching itself upon system boot. The Microsoft team has narrowed the list of potential offenders down to McAfee, the Office Hub app, Speccy, and Acronis True Image.
Freezing is only one symptom of the damage that viruses and malware may do. Viruses are the most frequent kind of malware, however, the term “malware” encompasses any malicious software.
They mimic biological viruses in that they spread by inserting themselves into other programs and then copying themselves. This may lead to issues like the loss of data, encrypted files, or the inability to use specific programs.
3. Hardware Problems
Freezing hardware may be caused by anything from minor environmental conditions to catastrophic malfunctions. Hardware that is damaged, malfunctioning, or outdated might result in unexpected computer behavior.
Although it is rare, hard drive damage may result in performance difficulties including freezes, blue screens, and even complete system shutdowns.
Electrostatic discharge is another source of hardware failure and damage. This occurs when a person is not properly grounded during the installation of new gear.
Touching the metal of the gadget discharges the tiny electrical charges that build up while rubbing your bare feet on the carpet. The hardware may suffer from circuit overload if this continues.
Overheating is another typical cause of freezing that may be fixed more easily. Either the physical setting of your computer or the airflow around it might be to blame.
It’s possible that your computer won’t be able to handle the heat if you leave it in the car on a sunny day or at a stuffy office. A poor ventilation system, a blocked location, or a buildup of dust and debris may all worsen this problem.
Window 10 Diagnostics
Your first step in solving the freezing issue is to identify the root cause. You should think about when the freezes are occurring (do they happen every time you run specific software or do a certain action? ), how frequently they happen, whether they happen regularly, and if it’s an issue with simply your computer or a network.
It might be a connectivity issue if the issue occurs across many PCs. Having determined as much as possible about the freezes (and having this data at hand), you may begin performing fundamental diagnostic checks on your software and hardware.
1. Check Your Running Programs
Do not attempt anything complex if you have never dealt with a computer that freezes before. Check out the Processes tab in your Task Manager (find it by searching “Task Manager” in the Start menu or by pressing control, alt, and delete at the same time) See what programs are in use and how much memory they use.
The percentages of your computer’s processing power, memory, and storage space that are currently being utilized may all be seen under the Performance tab. If you want to learn more about the programs that have been active lately, you can check out their activity logs in the App History area.
2. Check Your Drivers
Miscommunication due to these files is simple to spot, therefore if you don’t discover any issues there, you may examine your drivers.
Windows’ built-in library and Windows Update service often handle driver updates automatically. This is a convenience feature aimed to make keeping up with the more frequent upgrades less of a chore, but it might pose problems if an update isn’t compatible with the program now being used.
You can view when each driver was last updated using the Device Manager’s settings.
To see the finer points, go to the item’s Properties menu (this will need to be done one at a time, which might take some time).
The requirement to update numerous drivers may be checked for at once. Visit Microsoft’s webpage to see if there are any updates available.
Network adapters and chipset drivers may also be available on the respective manufacturers’ websites, so it’s a good idea to check them out.
The drivers you use may potentially cause issues if you upgrade to a new operating system. OneSafe, a driver management program, may check for incompatibilities by inspecting a computer’s current drivers to identify outdated or broken programs that might be the root of the problem.
3. Scan For Viruses
If you’ve already ruled out driver problems and your PC began freezing after a new download or website was visited, malware may be to blame.
You may accomplish this using the built-in antivirus program or an alternative program of your choosing. We provide many options for scanning for and eliminating viruses on your computer, and we evaluate these options based on cost, effectiveness, and features.
Here are the suggestions we made:
Kaspersky.
Kaspersky has passed rigorous testing by many independent organizations. They provide a reliable support system and provide privacy and performance scans as extras, which may be used to identify the cause of any freezing issues. Unfortunately, there is a lot of duplication between these optional scans, and they don’t add up to much useful data. Rates for the software start at $59.99.
Bitdefender.
Independent testing also found that Bitdefender, and particularly the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus software, performed very well. Among their many security options is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Active Do Not Track software. These aren’t free, but the extra peace of mind they provide might make the price tag worthwhile. The cheapest program they sell is $29.99.
Webroot.
PC Mag’s protection testing gave this system a flawless score, making it the first highly regarded application to do so. Their scans are quick and light on system resources, but they may overlook more serious problems; they are best suited for systems dealing with simple malware. In addition, they are extremely inexpensive, with even the most basic software costing only $18.88.
Malwarebytes.
There is behavior-based detection, protection against exploits and ransomware, and more with Malwarebytes Premium. While it does a poor job of keeping out phishing attacks, it seems to be somewhat successful against other forms of malware. If you just need it (or can afford it) for a single audit, the program offers a free 14-day trial for $39.99.
Though well regarded, McAfee has been known to create major difficulties with Windows 10, so it’s not the ideal choice if you want to prevent your computer from freezing up.
In my opinion, the best free anti-virus software is Avast! I’ve been using it for a long time on many computers. Combining this with another free program, like Malwarebytes, can effectively eliminate most infestations.
After a comprehensive scan has been completed using Malwarebytes, you may choose to remove it from your system until you next require a scan.
Nonetheless, Avast should be kept running to provide continuous protection against future infestations.
4. Check Your Startup Settings
If all of your drivers check OK and you can’t seem to track down any virus, it’s time to check out the Startup settings for each program.
You may set what programs launch immediately after powering up your computer here. The issues may stem from the automated launch of some applications.
Hibernation Mode (also known as Fast Startup) stops your computer from shutting down entirely and instead enters a state of hibernation from which it may be started up quickly, all to make its use more convenient and speedier.
There may be issues if there are any outstanding processes that can’t finish until the system is completely shut down.
To turn it off, run a Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click the Start button, then either Powershell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)), and enter powercfg.exe -h off.
From the Settings menu, pick Apps, and then click Startup to see what programs are loading when your computer starts up.
You may then use the available choices to disable or terminate any background processes that are causing your computer to perform slowly.
If you can, following a freeze, review the System and Application logs for any relevant error information. If you have access to CPU System Diagnostics, collect that information.
A memory dump file or a data sanity check will be necessary for this. Microsoft also provides a performance diagnostic that can be done by going to the Support Diagnostics Self-Help Portal and typing in “Performance Diagnostic.”
5. Check Your Hardware To Prevent Your Computer From Freezing On Windows 10
Now that you’ve eliminated other potential causes, you should verify your hardware.
Using a tool like Core Temp, check to verify whether the system is operating at a typical temperature. Inspect the computer’s inside for signs of dust, accumulation, or corrosion, as well as for any indications that components may have been jumbled.
Moving the computer to a cooler setting, chilling the room you keep it in, or keeping it totally out of direct sunlight are all things you may do if you notice that it’s running too hot.
If this doesn’t work, you may want to clear the dust and debris out of your computer’s chassis and cooling system.
If you uncover any damaged parts and are confident in your ability to fix it yourself, remove your computer, take it apart, and then replace or repair the broken components before plugging it back in.
Avoid additional harm to your computer by discharging any static you may have built up before beginning work on it and keeping it that way throughout.
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure you can fix your computer yourself; there are reliable experts to be found online.
If your central processing unit (CPU) is overheating, a high-end air cooler like this one is worth considering as a solution.
Troubleshooting The Computer Keeps Freezing Window 10 Issue
You may begin computer troubleshooting when you’ve determined the root cause of the problem.
Because these procedures need several restarts of the system, you should anticipate your computer to remain unavailable for use for the rest of the day, if not longer.
To avoid losing any data, it is recommended that you create an external backup before doing any troubleshooting actions.
Place it somewhere safe, like the cloud or an external hard drive. The next steps in fixing the problem will rely on the diagnosis you made.
1. Restart Your Computer
The adage “have you tried turning it off and on again?” has a basis in reality: sometimes it truly is as easy as that.
If this is the first time your gadget has ever frozen, it might just be a fluke.
Close all running programs by using the task manager, the alt+F4 keyboard shortcut, or by closing them individually (using the “X” button or equivalent).
After that, power off your computer as usual, ensuring sure it doesn’t merely enter sleep mode. You need to let it power down fully before you try to restart it.
A hard shutdown is something you can perform if you have trouble closing all of your programs normally. However, since it might lead to file corruption or loss, this is something you should try to prevent if at all possible.
To accomplish this, you just only press the power button until the computer turns off fully, wait a few seconds, and then repeat the process to turn it back on. That ought to provide for a nice and tidy initialization process.
2. Update Your Drivers
If restarting doesn’t solve the problem, check for driver updates for your computer hardware (including Microsoft, your network adapter manufacturer, and your motherboard maker’s websites), and then restart.
By keeping your drivers up-to-date, you may avoid the freezes often caused by outdated software.
If this doesn’t work, or if you’ve determined that a driver update caused the problem in the first place, reinstalling the drivers may be in order.
Launch Device Manager, locate the suspect driver, and delete it. It’s time to reboot your machine.
If Windows fails to properly install, it will immediately try to reinstall, which may repair any damaged or improperly downloaded files.
3. Run A File System Scan To Prevent A Computer Freezing Issue
The System File Checker may also be activated. Checking for damaged system files is made possible by this simple utility.
Following the steps in sequence will ensure a smooth procedure, despite their seeming complexity.
Launch the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) program inside the mail client.
- It’s time to fire up the Start menu.
- You may right-click the first item in your search for “Command Prompt”
- Make sure you’re running as an administrator by selecting that option.
- At the prompt, enter “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth.”
Launch a scan of your system’s files using System File Checker.
- Get the old Command Prompt going.
- sfc /scannow” and press the Enter key.
Review the scans for more information.
- In the same way, launch the Command Prompt.
- To do this, open a command prompt and enter “findstr /c:”[SR]”%windir%LogsCBSCBS.log >”%userprofile%Desktopsfcdetails.txt.”
- Launch sfcdetails.txt from your desktop to see the scan details.
Substitute the files by hand.
- In the same way, launch the Command Prompt.
- Simply enter “takedown/f [path to file]” and press the Enter key. C:WindowsSystem32jscript.dll is an actual directory and filename combination (a file in the system32 folder on your C drive that is named jscript.dll).
Simply entering “icacls [insert location and file name here] /GRANT ADMINISTRATORS: F” and pressing Enter will grant administrators access to the file.
Type “Copy [insert good file name here] [insert bad file name here]” and press Enter to copy a known-good copy of the file (which may be acquired from a functional machine or the Windows Support team).
4. Run Your Antivirus Software To Fix The Windows 10 Freezing Problem
If your antivirus software detects a threat, you may use it to attempt to remove it.
This involves erasing the file, rather than merely sending it to the trash, and keeping it out of the reach of the applications it is attempting to harm.
If you want the best results from your scan, you may need to restart your computer afterward. A boot time scan describes this process.
To keep your computer safe in the long run, you should also consider scheduling frequent scans.
These measures will aid in detecting and removing malicious files before they do any harm, or even before they are downloaded.
If you want to know when you’ve encountered a certain kind of malware file and how to avoid it, even if it doesn’t get flagged by your security software, you could benefit from learning to manually identify it.
Turn Off Hibernation And Remove Problematic Software
If you’ve eliminated the possibility of a virus or other malicious software being present on your computer, you might try adjusting the starting settings.
If you have Hibernation turned on, you should disable it, and any problematic programs should be deleted.
Make sure your modifications are saved before you turn off your computer. If you do this, instead of going into sleep mode, it will shut down and resume without any data loss. Attempt uninstalling any programs that could be at fault if this doesn’t work.
If you’ve previously deactivated Hibernation, or if doing so doesn’t help, you should check what programs are launched automatically and which ones are blocked. To access the Startup tab in Task Manager, launch the program.
To disable a program that you believe is the source of the issue (Steam and other gaming apps tend to start immediately by default to download updates), right-click on the program in question and choose “Disable.” It’s time to reboot your machine.
Then, if that doesn’t work, you may try uninstalling any troublesome software. Get into your system’s preferences, then visit the Apps and Features menu (listed above).
After you’ve finished, it’s time to reboot your machine. A smaller number of programs will be started automatically when you turn on your computer, freeing up memory. There should be no more chilly weather for you to worry about now.
Roll Back To The Previous Version
If everything else fails, reverting Windows to an earlier version may help.
Quick action may allow you to roll back to the Windows version you were using before the most recent upgrade, preserving all of your data in the process.
The Recovery option may be found under the Update and Security menu.
Click the “Go back to the prior version of Windows 10” option.
This will roll back your OS by uninstalling any recent updates, but you’ll only have access to this feature for the first ten days after installing a new update.
Failure to do so or the onset of issues after 10 days may need a fresh installation.
This may resolve certain freezing problems, but it will wipe all of your data and revert your device to its original settings.
If you find yourself in this position, make sure you have a recent backup of all your data and set aside a substantial amount of time to reinstall your programs.
Final Verdict
If your gear is well-designed and you keep Windows 10 up-to-date, you should have very few problems with this OS.
Contrary to popular belief, Windows 10 becomes quite reliable after some hands-on practice.
Here are some last bits of advice:
- If at all possible, avoid making changes to critical system files: Don’t mess with system files. The Program Files, Windows, and any other hidden directories should never have files deleted or added manually.
- Always do routine maintenance on your equipment. Maintain a dust-free environment inside your computer and on the fans. Ensure there are no blockages in the system that might be preventing air from circulating.
- Never let the age of your power plant’s generators become higher than five years. Check the component temps now and again, too.
- Never mix and match hardware, make sure everything is compatible. Before assembling a computer, it’s a good idea to check the maker’s website for a list of approved components. Manufacturers of motherboards, for instance, often provide a list of RAM modules that work reliably with their product. The level of performance is not usually the deciding factor. System stability is king in my book.
- Remove any infections from the system: Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date and scan your hard disc often.
- Only download and install programs that are necessary. Avoid downloading any programs that the site suggests to speed up your computer or clean it of viruses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Fix a Computer Freezing While Idle?
You may have a software or hardware issue if your computer freezes while you’re not using it. My computer froze while sitting idle, so I disassembled it, reseated the RAM, cleaned everything, and applied a new thermal paste. I suspected a RAM issue, and following these instructions resolved it.
How Come My Computer Keeps Freezing Up On Me?
Overheating Hardware is a common cause of this problem. If that’s not the case, you likely have a corrupted operating system or driver. Therefore, a clean installation of Windows or updated drivers may be necessary.
What Causes My Computer to Freeze in BIOS?
A RAM or hard drive issue might cause a computer to freeze upon booting. Check whether your machine boots up properly by attempting to do so from a different disc.
