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Computer freezes or stops responding

Updated

When it freezes

  1. Wait 30 seconds. Windows often recovers from a busy app.
  2. Close the frozen app. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select the app and select End task.
  3. Reset the display driver. Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. The screen flickers and you'll hear a beep.
  4. Sign out. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose Sign out or Restart.
  5. Force it off as a last resort. Hold the power button for 10 seconds. Unsaved work will be lost.

Find the cause

When it freezesWhat to try
Only in one appUpdate or reinstall that app
Since a recent updateSettings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates
When it gets hotSee Laptop is hot or the fan is loud
When a device is plugged inUnplug USB devices and docks, then add them back one at a time
RandomlyWork through the checks below

Checks for random freezes

  1. Update everything: Windows Update, then your maker's driver tool (Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant or Lenovo Vantage). See Updating drivers and BIOS safely.
  2. See what crashed: search for View reliability history. Red crosses show which app or driver failed and when.
  3. Repair Windows files: right-click Start, select Terminal (Admin), then run these one at a time:
    • sfc /scannow
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Check the drive: in the same window, run chkdsk C: /scan.
  5. Test the memory: search for Windows Memory Diagnostic and select Restart now and check for problems. The results appear after it restarts.

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