When you’re in the middle of anything, having your computer lock up and freeze may be really irritating. The good news is that diagnosing computer freezes is frequently simple, and we’ll guide you through what you’ll need to do to resolve the underlying issue. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to back up all of your files and data before you begin manipulation with anything, just to be safe!
A Mouse that is Disconnected or Dead
If your USB cable becomes loose or your wireless mouse died, your computer may appear to be completely frozen at first.
- Try pressing Caps Lock. If the small light on your keyboard illuminates, your computer isn’t completely locked, and it’s worth looking into your mouse cable.
- Your trackpad on a laptop may be disabled or unclean. Many laptops include “lock” buttons that will turn off the trackpad, so check online to see if yours has one.
There are too many Programmes open.
This is most likely the most frequent cause of computer freezing. Every software and programme takes resources, and running too many at once might cause a freeze.
- RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the short-term storage capacity of your computer. Overworking the RAM might cause your computer to freeze.
- You might be running a slew of apps in the background without realising it. Open the task manager (or the activity monitor tool on Mac OS) to see how many background apps are active.
- Video Editing Software also used huge resources that’s the way the system also hangs if have less CPU & RAM.
There are too many web browser tabs open.
Internet browsing tabs, like practical applications, demand resources. If you have dozens upon dozens of browser tabs open on your computer, this might be the root of your problems.
- Do not open more than 20 tabs at once. If you have more than 20 tabs open, close some of them.
A software that is unresponsive
If a single software or application crashes, the computer may freeze. Frozen software, in any scenario, can cause your entire computer to freeze.
- The underlying factors, in this case, might differ. It might be a flaw in the software, faulty drivers, or an application that is overly demanding for your machine.
- If it’s a newer, intensive software (such as Blender or a high-end game) and your machine is outdated, you might not be able to run it.
- If you’ve had no problems with the application in the past, reinstall it.
System file corruption
Random freezes can occur if Windows has corrupted system files.
- To test whether anything is wrong, use the command prompt in administrator mode and type “sfc/scannow.“
- It is possible to resolve this manually without reinstalling the operating system or using System Restore, but it is extremely involved and tough. Still, if you have a technological buddy, you may ask them if they can do it!
A driver that is faulty or unsuitable
This might be because you upgraded your computer or an application. Drivers are essentially instruction manuals for applications and components, and a damaged or mismatched driver may cause all sorts of strange things to happen to your computer, including freezing.
- You may also use device restore to restore your drivers to an earlier point in time.
Viruses, Malware, and Dangerous Software
To discover whether anything is affected, run a malware and virus scan. Launch your antivirus application and do a thorough and in-depth scan to identify any issues.
- If your antivirus application is unable to disinfect and remove the problem, conduct an internet search. Some problems need an extra step or two, although this is entirely dependent on the virus or dangerous software in the problem. Some problems will need a complete reinstallation of the operating system, while others will be as simple as removing a single file.
- Download Malwarebytes if you don’t already have an antivirus application installed on your computer. It’s free, and it’s largely regarded as one of the most efficient solutions available.
A PC that has Overheated
Stuttering might occur if your computer is overheating. If your computer frequently freezes when doing intense tasks, but the task manager does not show a problem with the hard drive or RAM, it is most likely overheating.
- Place your laptop on a flat, hard, or sturdy surface. When you use your laptop in bed or on the couch, heat might develop along the battery.
- Whether you’re not sure whether heat is an issue, touch your hand over each side of the computer to determine if it’s warmer than usual. If it’s heated, this might be the cause.
A Broken Hard Drive
Stuttering caused by a failed hard disc might increase with time. If your hard disc is failing, your computer may stall while transferring or retrieving files.
- Right-click on the drive in your file explorer. Choose “Properties” and then the “Tools” tab. Under “Error Checking,” choose “Check.” Allow this scan to complete. It will notify you if your hard disc has been damaged.
Poor Memory
If your RAM is failing, you may experience frequent freezes. If starting apps causes stuttering or freezing, your RAM might be to blame.
- If your RAM is good but starting apps causes your PC to freeze, you may not have enough RAM. Either an upgrade or a new computer is required.
A Hard Disc or SSD that is Overloaded
If your computer is overloaded with files, it may sluggish and freeze. Open your file explorer and check the size of your hard disc. If your primary drive is nearly full, it’s time to start making some space.
- Movies, images, and videos can take up a lot of space, but you probably don’t want to erase any of them permanently. Choose a big external storage device and move these files to it to avoid taking up valuable space on your main hard disc.