Month: June 2025

If your pc is freezing, could it be a sign of failing hardware? Let’s walk through some steps to check to see what the issue might be, before making any assumptions. This kind of thorough troubleshooting can prevent you from purchasing hardware when it isn’t needed.

Feel free to do these in ANY order, and I’ve added a “level” for effort for each one. If you’re a beginner, feel free to just try the ones marked as “Level: EASY”, and possibly even “Level: “MEDIUM”. One of those could be the issue and you’ll have fixed your computer’s freezing issues and be able to call it SOLVED!

Faulty RAM (Memory)

Symptoms:

• Random freezes with no warning or error messages
• Apps crash frequently: Helpful tip, make a note of which apps tend to crash, and also any apps that you use frequently that don’t crash
• PC doesn’t boot reliably or takes a long time to load: This can mean anything that doesn’t look like the usual startup that you are used to seeing on your pc. Helpful Tip: Keep a log of your computer’s behavior since it could behave differently and you may not remember later on

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Step-by-Step: Test RAM with MemTest86 or Windows Memory Diagnostic

Windows Memory Diagnostic (Quickest)

Level: EASY

1. Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, then hit Enter.
2. Select “Restart now and check for problems.”
3. Let the tool run. Your PC will reboot and display a memory test.
4. If errors appear, you likely have a failing RAM stick.

Note: Sometimes people ask, “Is this a safe step to perform on my already troubled computer?” That’s a great question and the answer is “Yes!”, and that’s because this is simply a software that is already built in to your computer that only checks for issues. It does not update anything.

To go further with determining if faulty RAM (Random Access Memory) is the hardware issue you are experiencing, check out this post: 10 Signs That Your RAM May Be The Cause of Your PC Freezing

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Hard Drive or SSD Issues

Symptoms:

• System freezes when saving files or during startup
• Disk usage hits 100% frequently
• Clicking or buzzing sounds from drive

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Step-by-Step: Check Disk Health with CrystalDiskInfo

Level: MEDIUM

1. Go to: https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo/
2. Scroll down and download the Standard Edition installer.
3. Install and launch CrystalDiskInfo.
4. Look at the health status: “Good”, “Caution”, or “Bad.”
   • Pay attention to Reallocated Sectors, Pending Sectors, or Read Errors.
5. If you see “Caution” or “Bad,” back up your files and replace the drive ASAP.

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Graphics Card (GPU) Problems

Symptoms:

• Freezes while gaming or watching videos
• Artifacts (weird lines or colors) on screen
• Display flickers, goes black, or crashes

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Step-by-Step: Monitor and Stress-Test GPU with MSI Afterburner and FurMark

A. Monitor Temps with MSI Afterburner

Level: EASY

1. Download from: https://www.msi.com/Landing/afterburner
2. Install and launch the app.
3. Observe GPU temperature under idle and load conditions.
   • Idle: Below 45°C
   • Load: Below 85°C

B. Stress-Test with FurMark

Level: ADVANCED

1. Visit: https://geeks3d.com/furmark/
2. Download and install the tool.
3. Run the stress test at your screen’s resolution.
4. If your PC freezes, reboots, or shows artifacts during the test, your GPU may be failing.

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Motherboard or Power Supply Unit Issues

Symptoms:

• Random freezes during startup
• USB ports stop working unpredictably
• PC freezes even after replacing other components

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Step-by-Step: Visual and BIOS Checks

Level: ADVANCED

1. Power down and open the case.
2. Look for:
   • Swollen or leaking capacitors on the motherboard
   • Scorch marks or corrosion near power connectors
3. Boot into BIOS (usually Del, F2, or F10 during startup).
4. Look for Voltage Readouts:
   • 12V rail: Should read ~12V
   • 5V rail: ~5V
   • 3.3V rail: ~3.3V
5. If voltages are off or unstable, test with a known-good PSU or take your PC to a repair tech.

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Use Event Viewer to Look for Clues

Level: ADVANCED

1. Press Windows + X → Event Viewer
2. Go to Windows Logs > System
3. Filter for Critical and Error entries around the time of a freeze.
4. Look for errors like:
   • Event ID 41 – Kernel-Power
   • Event ID 7, 9, 11 – Disk errors
   • Event ID 6008 – Unexpected shutdown

Take the guesswork out and use the free tools above to rule out hardware problems one by one. Many freezing issues come down to RAM, power, or thermal instability, and early detection could save your system and data.

🛠️ Next Step: If you’ve run these tests and still have problems, your next best move is to take the system to a local computer repair shop and share the test results you’ve already gathered.

If your PC keeps freezing and you’ve already checked the usual suspects, you might be facing one of these less obvious problems.

Below are 7 strange but real causes, plus step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot each one.

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1. Faulty USB Peripherals

Why it happens: Faulty USB devices can send electrical noise or corrupt drivers that lock up your system.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Shut down your PC completely.
2. Unplug all USB devices (mouse, keyboard, flash drives, webcam, etc.).
3. Boot up the PC with only mouse and keyboard connected.
4. Add back one device at a time and monitor system behavior.
5. Replace any peripheral that causes a freeze shortly after being connected.

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2. Unstable Power Supply (PSU)

Why it happens: An aging or low-quality PSU can’t deliver steady power under load, triggering freezes.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Use a hardware monitor (like HWMonitor or HWiNFO) to check voltage levels. Look for:
   • 12V rail: Should be between 11.4V – 12.6V
   • 5V rail: Should be between 4.75V – 5.25V
2. If values are unstable or dipping below range, consider testing with a different power supply.
3. If on a power strip, plug directly into the wall or a UPS and retest.

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3. Faulty or Loosely Connected RAM Stick

Why it happens: Poor RAM seating can cause intermittent system instability.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Shut down your PC and unplug it.
2. Open the case and remove RAM sticks gently.
3. Clean the contacts using a soft, dry cloth or canned air.
4. Reseat the sticks firmly and evenly.
5. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86 to verify RAM health.

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4. Outdated BIOS or Firmware

Why it happens: Compatibility bugs between firmware and new OS updates can cause hangs.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Search your motherboard’s brand and model + “BIOS update” on the manufacturer’s website.
2. Compare your BIOS version (check via msinfo32 in Windows) to the latest.
3. If outdated, download the newest BIOS and follow the manufacturer’s update instructions carefully.
4. Reset to BIOS defaults after updating.

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5. Third-Party Antivirus Conflicts

Why it happens: Some antivirus software interferes with system processes, especially during updates.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Boot into Safe Mode (press F8 or Shift+Restart → Troubleshoot).
2. Temporarily disable or uninstall the third-party antivirus.
3. Restart and observe whether freezes continue.
4. Consider using Windows Defender instead or reinstall a lighter AV like Bitdefender Free.

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6. Wi-Fi Driver Conflicts with Bluetooth

Why it happens: Shared antenna modules can cause crashes, especially in laptops.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand both Network adapters and Bluetooth.
3. Right-click and update drivers for both.
4. If issue persists, try disabling Bluetooth temporarily and test.
5. Consider using a USB Wi-Fi dongle to isolate the conflict.

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7. Electrical Interference from Other Devices

Why it happens: Power-hungry devices like routers, desk lamps, or chargers can introduce surges or EMI.

Step-by-step fix:

1. Plug your PC directly into a wall outlet, not a shared power strip.
2. Remove nearby electronics (printer, phone charger, desk lamp) temporarily.
3. Observe your system over a few hours or days.
4. Add devices back one at a time and monitor for returning issues.

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These weird causes may not show up in error logs or blue screens, but they’re real and experienced by others. They could be behind the random freezing plaguing your PC.
💡 Tip: Try reseating your RAM and unplugging unnecessary USBs first—those are the most common stealth culprits.

If you’ve tried everything above and your PC still freezes:

Step 1: Run a Virus Scan

• Use Windows Defender or Malwarebytes for a full system scan (these are both free antivirus software options.  Paid versions provide more features.

Step 2: Check for Overheating

• Use free tools like Core Temp or HWMonitor (more free options for dealing with a pc that freezes randomly and try to diagnose the source of the issue)

Step 3: Check Hard Drive Health

• Open Command Prompt > type: wmic diskdrive get status
• Look for “OK” in the results

That’s right, there are tools built right into your PC that will allow you to try to diagnose what might be causing your PC to freeze.

Try these built-in Windows 10 tools:

Step 1: Use Task Manager

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
• Click the “Performance” tab
• Check CPU – this indicates the amount of usage of your pc’s processing power is being used.  Some legitimate programs may use up a lot of CPU.  I recommend looking at the next two items as further clues if this seems like a legit situation or not (Memory and Disk Usage).  Be sure to review the next 2 bullet points before proceeding to step 2, as this can be further clues of a specific application that is causing issues.
• Memory – this will indicate the amount of Random Access Memory (RAM) being used.  High memory usage can contribute to why your PC is freezing or is running slow.  Be sure to review the next bullet point, disk usage, as this can be another clue as to whether this is an application causing the issue or not
• Disk usage – this will indicate that the percentage of time that your hard drive is being used for reading or writing data.  If there is a high percentage (like close to 100) that is being used, it would be a good time to do a malware and virus scan

Step 2: Close Resource-Hogging Programs

• On the “Processes” tab, right-click apps using high CPU or memory
• Click “End Task”

Step 3: Run System File Checker

• Search “cmd” > right-click > Run as Administrator
• Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter

Step 4: Check for Windows Updates

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
• Click “Check for updates”

Let’s keep it simple:

Step 1: Understand What ‘Freezing’ Means When Talking About a PC Freezing Randomly

A PC “freezes” when the operating system becomes unresponsive. Your mouse might stop moving, programs hang, or nothing works until you restart.

Step 2: Learn the Common Causes

• Too many programs running at once – imagine someone asked you to juggle one rubber ball, and then increased it to two, three, and up to 12…you would get overwhelmed and the act of juggling would stop, or “freeze”
• Corrupted or missing system files – imagine someone has sent you to retrieve a file folder from someone’s desk, only to find out that desk is no longer where you thought it was
• Outdated drivers – drivers are essentially software that interact with your pc hardware to help make the hardware run efficiently, and not freeze
• Virus or malware – just like having too many programs running at once, a virus or malware can quickly eat up system resources making it run very slowly, or freeze
• Overheating or hardware problems – imagine just being plain ol’ worn out from doing too much, or you’ve injured yourself; you certainly wouldn’t be able to do your normal tasks very well in that condition

Step 3: Don’t Panic
Freezing doesn’t always mean your computer is dying. It just means something’s not working properly—and most causes are fixable.

Next Steps:
In the next post, we’ll look at the easiest way to troubleshoot this issue using built-in Windows tools—no extra downloads needed.

Cleaning out clutter helps keep your PC running smoothly and should avoid any pc freezing randomly issues.

Step 1: Clear Temporary Files

• Press Windows + R, type %temp%, press Enter
• Delete all files (skip any that won’t delete)

Step 2: Use Disk Cleanup

• Search “Disk Cleanup” > Select C: drive
• Check all boxes and click OK (Note:  Be sure that you no longer need any of the files in the Recycle bin for anything you need)

Step 3: Uninstall Unused Programs

• Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program
• From the list of programs, be sure you know what you are uninstalling before doing so.  A little searching online will help here : )

Step 4: Disable Startup Programs

Nothing makes a pc freeze more quickly than having too many unnecessary items starting up when you turn on your PC

• Open Task Manager > Startup tab
• Right-click and disable unnecessary items

You’re in the middle of an important task, and then out of nowhere, your Windows 11 PC freezes randomly.  The frustration of this interruption is real, but don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many users experience this issue, and the good news is that it’s fixable! This guide will walk you through proven methods to stop your PC from freezing once and for all.

But what if you’re not very experienced at these kind of fixes?  How can you know if these steps are safe?

All the steps in this guide are safe for beginners to follow. Updating Windows and drivers, scanning for corrupted files, and adjusting virtual memory won’t harm your computer. However, be cautious when adjusting virtual memory—setting it too high or too low may cause performance issues. If you’re unsure, write down the original settings before making changes so you can revert if needed.

Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

Step 1: Check for Windows Updates

• Microsoft regularly releases patches to fix bugs, so updating your system is a crucial first step.
• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to Windows Update (left sidebar).
• Click Check for updates and install any pending updates.
• Restart your PC and check if the issue persists.

Step 2: Update Graphics and Chipset Drivers

• Outdated drivers can cause random freezes, especially the GPU and chipset drivers.
• To update your GPU driver manually:
• Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand Display adapters and right-click your graphics card.
• Select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
• For chipset drivers, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest version.

Step 3: Check for Corrupted System Files

• Windows has built-in tools to repair corrupt system files that might be causing freezes.
• Type cmd in the Windows search bar and run Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Type the following command and press Enter:
• sfc /scannow
• Wait for the scan to complete. If issues are found, Windows will attempt to fix them.
• Restart your PC and check if it still freezes.

Step 4: Adjust Virtual Memory (Pagefile Size)

• If your RAM is running low, Windows 11 might freeze due to insufficient virtual memory.
• Open Control Panel and go to System.
• Click Advanced system settings > Performance > Settings.
• Go to the Advanced tab and under Virtual memory, click Change.
• Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size and select Custom size.
• Make a note of the settings before making any changes.  Then set the Initial size to 1.5x your RAM size (in MB) and Maximum size to 3x your RAM size.
• Click Set, then OK, and restart your PC.

Step 5: Disable Background Apps That Consume Resources

• Too many background processes can cause system slowdowns and freezes.
• Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
• Go to the Processes tab and look for high CPU/memory usage.
• Right-click unnecessary apps and select End Task.
• Navigate to Startup Apps (under Task Manager) and disable unnecessary startup programs.

By following these five steps, a PC that freezes randomly should be a thing of the past and you should see a significant improvement in performance.

If your Windows 11 PC keeps freezing randomly, for no apparent reason, the problem might not be your hardware—it could be a hidden setting that’s sabotaging your system’s performance. Let’s tweak some key Windows settings to get your PC running smoothly again.

Step 1: Disable Fast Startup

• Windows 11’s Fast Startup feature can cause instability in some systems.
• Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and hit Enter.
• Click Choose what the power buttons do (left panel).
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
• Click Save changes and restart your PC.

Step 2: Turn Off Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

• This setting can improve performance for some, but it can also cause freezing.
• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings.
• Toggle Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling to OFF.
• Restart your PC.

Step 3: Adjust Power Plan Settings

• Windows 11 may be throttling your system’s performance.
• Open Control Panel and go to Power Options.
• Select High Performance or Balanced.
• Click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
• Expand Processor power management and set Minimum processor state to 100%.
• Click Apply and OK.

Each one of the above updates/changes can help get your computer running well again with no surprise freezing!

Microsoft doesn’t always reveal every fix for Windows 11 issues. If your PC keeps freezing randomly, here are some lesser-known but highly effective fixes you should try.

Step 1: Run CHKDSK to Fix Hard Drive Issues

• Open Command Prompt (Admin).
• Type:
• chkdsk /f /r
• Press Enter, type Y, and restart your PC.

Step 2: Adjust BIOS Settings

• Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (press F2 or DEL at startup).
• Disable C-State Control under CPU settings.
• Set XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) to Auto.

Step 3: Reset Windows Without Losing Data

• Go to Settings > Recovery > Reset this PC.
• Choose Keep my files and follow the prompts.

If your PC is still freezing, it might be a hardware issue—check your RAM and SSD health using diagnostic tools like MemTest86 or CrystalDiskInfo.

Outdated or broken drivers are a hidden cause of freezing.

What is a “driver”?

A driver is a software that causes your computer hardware, such as your monitor, to be able to communicate with your operating system, Windows 10.  Updating drivers can resolve the pc freezing randomly issues you are experiencing.

Step 1: Open Device Manager

• Press Windows + X > Click “Device Manager”

Step 2: Look for Yellow Warning Icons

• Focus on Display Adapters, Network Adapters, Storage Controllers

Step 3: Update Drivers

• Right-click each > Update Driver > Search automatically

Once you’ve followed the above steps, try using your PC a bit to see if this resolves the pc freezing issues.