🛠️ How to Fix Common Windows 11 Problems in 2025

Windows 11 offers a fresh interface and improved performance, but like any modern OS, it’s not without its occasional bugs and glitches. You may notice your Windows 11 PC acting up with slow apps, Wi-Fi drops, or annoying errors. Whether you’re dealing with slow performance, update failures, or app crashes, this article explores the most common Windows 11 problems and how to fix them even if you’re not a tech expert.

Why Is Windows 11 Acting Up?

Windows 11 may act up due to various reasons, including software compatibility issues, slow storage, outdated drivers, or even malware infection.

• Software or Driver Conflicts: Installing new software or outdated drivers can sometimes cause clashes with system processes.
• Incomplete or Corrupt Updates: If a Windows Update fails halfway through or gets interrupted, it may leave behind broken system files or create instability in core components like the Start Menu, Taskbar, or Settings app.
• Malware or Unwanted Software: Malicious or junk software running in the background can slow your PC, hijack browser settings, or even block legitimate apps from working correctly.
• Lack of System Maintenance: Over time, too many startup apps, full storage, outdated drivers, or registry clutter can slow performance and trigger weird system behavior like freezing or unresponsive programs.
• Hardware Issues: Failing hard drives, overheating components, or bad RAM can cause random crashes, corrupted files, or frequent Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors.

Windows 11 Won’t Boot or Gets Stuck on Startup

If your PC is stuck on a black screen, spinning circle, or never loads into the desktop, it’s often due to driver issues, corrupt system files, or failed updates.

• Force Restart: Hold the power button for 10+ seconds, then boot again.
• Boot into Safe Mode: Press Shift + Restart > choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > F4. This will start Windows safe mode and allow you to troubleshoot your PC.

• Use System Restore (if enabled) or Startup Repair via Advanced Recovery Options.

✅ Tip: Always keep System Protection enabled so you can roll back changes.

Windows 11 is Running Slow

Lagging apps, slow boot times, or Unresponsive system? It’s likely due to too many startup apps, low RAM, or background processes hogging resources.

• Disable startup apps: Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Startup tab > Right-click and disable.

• Run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense: Settings > System > Storage.

• Turn off visual effects: System Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings.

✅ Restart your PC regularly to clear temporary processes and memory leaks.

Wi-Fi Not Working or Keeps Disconnecting

Wi-Fi drops on Windows 11 can stop browsing or streaming, but reconnecting fixes most connection issues. If your PC can’t find a network, randomly disconnects, or is painfully slow, it’s time to troubleshoot.

• First of all, try to restart your router and PC. (It clears temporary glitches)
• Take your laptop closer to the Wi-Fi router it fixes the Wi-Fi signal issue (weak WiFi signal or Frequent disconnect)
• Go to Device Manager > Network adapters > Right-click Wi-Fi driver > Update wifi driver.
• Run Network Troubleshooter: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Troubleshoot.

✅ Use the “Forget network” option and reconnect if the problem persists.

Windows Update Not Working

If updates fail to install, show errors, or get stuck at a percentage, it’s usually due to corrupted update files or connection issues.

• First of all, check and ensure your device is connected to a stable internet connection.
• Disconnect VPN if connected, and ensure enough free space on C drive to download update files.
• Run Windows Update Troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

Clear update cache:

• Open Windows services using services.msc, right-click on Windows Update Service, and select stop.
• Next, Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Downloads.
• Select all files and folders within the Download directory and delete them
• In the Services window, locate “Windows Update” again, right-click it, and select “Start”. Now try to check and install Windows updates again.

✅ Make sure you have at least 20 GB of free space for major updates.

No Sound in Windows 11

If you can’t hear anything through your speakers or headphones or your sound icon is grayed out, there could be a problem with your audio drivers or the wrong output device has been selected.

• Check the output device: Click the sound icon > Select the correct device.
• Run Audio Troubleshooter: Settings > System > Sound > Troubleshoot.
• Go to Device Manager > Sound > Right-click your audio driver > Update or reinstall.

✅ Restarting the Windows Audio service can also help resolve stubborn issues.

Display or Screen Resolution Problems

Blurry display, incorrect resolution, or external monitor not detected? These are usually graphics driver-related.

• Right-click desktop > Display settings > Adjust resolution and scaling.
• Use the display troubleshooter: Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display.
• In Device Manager, update or reinstall your graphics drivers.

✅ If you recently updated drivers and the problem started, try rolling them back.

Windows 11 Freezing or Crashing Randomly

Windows 11 randomly freezing or crashing can be caused by a variety of factors, including software conflicts, outdated drivers, hardware issues, or even overheating.

• Try updating drivers, running a memory test, and checking for hardware overheating.
• Open command prompt as administrator, run system file checker command: sfc /scannow and DISM restore health command, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• If you encounter BSODs, analyze the minidump files for clues, refer to a post on the Microsoft Community.
• If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consider performing a clean boot or even a clean installation of Windows 11.

✅ Keep BIOS and chipset drivers updated for stability.

Microsoft Store or Apps Not Opening

If the Microsoft Store or other built-in apps like Photos, Mail, or Calculator won’t open or crash instantly, they might be corrupted or outdated.

• Try resetting the Microsoft Store cache by running wsreset.exe
• Reset the app: Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > locate the App > Advanced Options > Reset.

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter from Settings and click on System > Troubleshoot. Scroll down and click Other troubleshooter ->  Windows Store Apps option and click the Run button.

✅ Sign out and sign back into your Microsoft account if apps aren’t syncing properly.

File Explorer Keeps Crashing or Not Responding

File Explorer crashing or not responding can be frustrating. The issue could stem from various problems, including corrupted files, corrupted thumbnail caches, or third-party integrations.

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc). Locate “Windows Explorer” in the Processes tab. Right-click and select “Restart”.
• Clear File Explorer History: Open File Explorer. Click on the three dots (menu) at the top and select “Options”. Go to the “General” tab. Click “Clear” next to “Clear File Explorer history”.
• Run SFC and DISM restorehealth command, and run a full scan with your antivirus software.
• Disable third-party shell extensions using a tool like ShellExView.

✅ Keeping your graphics and display drivers updated can also help.