Windows 11 Screen Freezes But Mouse Still Works? 9 Ways to Fix It (2026)

Did your Windows 11 screen suddenly freeze while the mouse cursor still moves normally? You may be able to move the pointer around the screen, but clicking icons, opening apps, or using the keyboard doesn’t respond. This issue can occur randomly while working, browsing the web, gaming, or immediately after signing in to Windows. Graphics driver problems, corrupted system files, insufficient system resources, and Windows update glitches can cause Windows Screen Freezes. Well, the exact solution depends on what’s causing Windows to stop responding. In this guide, you’ll learn the most common reasons why the Windows 11 screen freezes while the mouse still works, along with solutions to get your PC working normally again.

Why Your Windows 11 Freezes But Mouse Works

When your Windows 11 screen freezes, but the mouse cursor still moves, it usually means the operating system hasn’t completely crashed. Your input device (mouse) is still communicating with Windows; the desktop, graphics system, or one or more background processes have stopped responding. This happens because:

• Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers: Display driver issues can prevent Windows from updating the screen, even though the mouse cursor still moves.
• High CPU or memory usage: Running too many applications or background processes can leave Windows with insufficient resources, making the desktop unresponsive.
• A frozen application or Windows Explorer: A single unresponsive program or the Windows Explorer process can make the desktop appear frozen while the mouse remains usable.
• Corrupted system files: Damaged Windows files can interfere with essential processes and cause intermittent freezes.
• Storage drive errors: Problems with your HDD or SSD can delay access to system files, causing Windows to hang or freeze
• Faulty or failing hardware: Defective RAM, an overheating GPU, or other hardware problems can also cause random system freezes.

Solution 1: Restart the Graphics Driver

If your Windows 11 screen is frozen but the mouse cursor still moves, the graphics driver may have stopped responding. Windows includes a built-in keyboard shortcut that restarts the graphics driver without restarting your computer. In many cases, this restores the display within a few seconds.

To restart the graphics driver:

1. Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B on your keyboard.
2. Your screen may briefly go black or flicker, and you might hear a short beep.
3. Wait a few seconds for Windows to reload the graphics driver.
4. Check whether the screen becomes responsive again.

If the desktop becomes responsive again, the issue was likely caused by a temporary graphics driver problem.

Note: This keyboard shortcut only restarts the graphics driver. It won’t close your applications or delete unsaved work, making it one of the safest troubleshooting steps to try first.

Solution 2: Force Close the Unresponsive App

If the mouse cursor still moves but Windows doesn’t respond, a single application may have frozen and is preventing you from interacting with the desktop. Force closing the unresponsive app can often restore normal operation without restarting your PC.

To force close a frozen application:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. If Task Manager opens in compact view, click More details.
3. Under the Processes tab, look for an application marked Not Responding or one using unusually high CPU or Memory.
4. Select the application and click End task.
5. Wait a few moments to see if Windows becomes responsive again.

If no application appears to be frozen, locate Windows Explorer in Task Manager, right-click it, and select Restart. This reloads the desktop, taskbar, and File Explorer, and may resolve the issue if the Windows Explorer process has stopped responding.

Tip: If Task Manager opens but appears behind the frozen application, press Alt + Tab to switch to it, or press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and open Task Manager from the security screen.

Solution 3: Update or Reinstall the Graphics Driver

A faulty, outdated, or incompatible graphics driver is one of the most common causes of screen freezes in Windows 11. The graphics driver controls communication between Windows and your display hardware. If it crashes or becomes corrupted, Windows may stop responding even though the mouse cursor continues to move.

If the problem started after a Windows update, driver update, or installing a new graphics driver, updating or reinstalling the driver may resolve the issue.

Update the Graphics Driver

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
4. Click Search automatically for drivers.
5. If Windows finds a newer driver, install it and restart your PC.

If Windows doesn’t find a newer driver, download the latest graphics driver from your GPU manufacturer’s official website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).

Reinstall the Graphics Driver

If the latest driver is already installed or the problem continues, reinstalling the driver can replace corrupted driver files.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Uninstall device.
4. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (if available), then click Uninstall.
5. Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall a basic graphics driver.
6. For the best performance, install the latest driver from your GPU manufacturer’s website.

Tip: If the freezing started immediately after updating your graphics driver, open Device Manager > Display adapters > Properties > Driver and click Roll Back Driver (if available) to restore the previous version.

Solution 4: Repair Corrupted System Files

Corrupted or missing Windows system files can cause the desktop, apps, or Windows processes to stop responding, resulting in screen freezes. Windows includes two built-in tools, System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), that can scan for and repair these files.

Step 1: Run the SFC Scan

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Enter the following command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Wait for the scan to complete. If Windows repairs any corrupted files, restart your computer and check whether the freezing issue is resolved.

Step 2: Run DISM (If SFC Doesn’t Fix the Problem)

If SFC reports errors that it can’t repair or the problem continues, run these DISM commands one at a time:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After DISM finishes, restart your computer and run the SFC scan again.

Tip: These scans can take several minutes to complete. Keep your PC connected to power and avoid closing the Command Prompt until the process finishes.

Solution 5: Install Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs, improve system stability, and resolve compatibility issues that can cause Windows 11 to freeze. Installing the latest updates may fix the problem if it’s caused by a known software issue.

To check for Windows updates:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Download and install any available updates.
5. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Note: If your screen freezing problem started immediately after installing a Windows update, the update may be causing the issue. In that case, consider uninstalling the recent update and check whether the problem is resolved.

After updating or removing the problematic update, use your PC for a while to check whether the screen freezing issue has been resolved.

Solution 6: Perform a Clean Boot

If your Windows 11 screen still freezes, a third-party application or background service may be interfering with normal system operation. Performing a Clean Boot starts Windows with only essential Microsoft services, making it easier to identify software conflicts.

Here’s how to perform a Clean Boot:

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. In the System Configuration window, open the Services tab.
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
5. Disable all non-essential startup applications.
6. Close Task Manager, click Apply > OK, and restart your computer.

After restarting, use your PC normally. If the freezing problem no longer occurs, one of the disabled startup programs or services is likely responsible. Re-enable them one at a time until you identify the software causing the issue.

Note: Once you’ve finished troubleshooting, open System Configuration again and select Normal startup to restore your usual startup settings.

Solution 7: Scan for Malware

Malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) can interfere with Windows processes, consume system resources, and cause your screen to freeze while the mouse cursor continues to move. Running a full malware scan can help detect and remove malicious software affecting your PC.

Scan Your PC with Windows Security

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & security > Windows Security.
3. Click Virus & threat protection.
4. Select Scan options.
5. Choose Full scan, then click Scan now.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions if any threats are detected.

After removing any detected threats, restart your computer and check whether the freezing issue is resolved.

Tip: If Windows becomes unresponsive before you can complete a scan, restart your PC in Safe Mode and run the scan again.

Solution 8: Check RAM and SSD/HDD Health

If none of the previous solutions worked, the problem may be caused by failing hardware. Faulty memory (RAM) or a failing storage drive can cause Windows 11 to become unresponsive while the mouse cursor still moves.

Test Your RAM

• Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
• Select Restart now and check for problems.
• Your PC will restart and Windows Memory Diagnostic will check for memory errors.
• After Windows starts again, review the test results. If memory errors are found, the affected RAM module may need to be replaced.

Check Your SSD or Hard Drive Health

A failing storage drive can also cause Windows to freeze unexpectedly.

• Listen for unusual clicking or grinding noises if you’re using a traditional hard drive (HDD).
• Check your SSD or HDD health using the manufacturer’s diagnostic tool or a trusted disk health utility.
• If the drive reports critical health warnings or bad sectors, back up your important files immediately and replace the drive.

Solution 9: Repair or Reset Windows (Last Resort)

If your Windows 11 screen continues to freeze after trying all the previous solutions, your Windows installation may be severely corrupted. Before performing a full reset, try a Repair Install (In-place Upgrade), which reinstalls Windows while keeping your personal files, installed apps, and settings.

Option 1: Perform a Repair Install (Recommended)

A Repair Install replaces damaged Windows system files without affecting your data or installed applications. It’s often the best option when SFC and DISM can’t resolve persistent freezing issues.

Follow our detailed guide to perform an In-place Upgrade (Repair Install) on Windows 11.

Option 2: Reset This PC

If a Repair Install doesn’t fix the problem, you can reset Windows.

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Click Reset PC next to Reset this PC.
3. Choose Keep my files to reinstall Windows while preserving your personal files, or Remove everything for a completely fresh installation.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

Important: Although the Keep my files option preserves your personal files, it’s always a good idea to back up important data before repairing or resetting Windows.

How to Prevent Windows 11 Screen Freezes

While you can’t prevent every system issue, these best practices can reduce the chances of your screen freezing again:

• Keep Windows and device drivers up to date, especially your graphics driver.
• Install software from trusted sources to avoid compatibility issues and malware.
• Avoid running too many resource-intensive applications at the same time.
• Regularly scan your PC for malware using Windows Security or a reputable antivirus program.
• Keep enough free storage space on your system drive so Windows can operate efficiently.
• Monitor your PC’s hardware health, especially if you notice frequent freezes, unusual noises from the drive, or overheating.
• Create regular backups so your important files are protected if you need to repair or reset Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions