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- Outdated drivers can cause random freezes, especially the GPU and chipset drivers.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.