8 Things to do when Windows 11 computer keeps freezing

Did your computer freeze and not respond to your commands after the Windows 11 upgrade? You might be wondering what is causing the problem and How to Fix Freezing Issues on Windows 11. Freezing can be very frustrating, especially when you are working on something important or playing a game display keeps getting stuck and won’t refresh, meaning you lose everything you’re working on. Few users report, Windows 11 computer freezes and becomes completely unresponsive when gaming. Malfunctioning storage devices to insufficient RAM, corrupted system files, or incorrect screen resolution aspect ratio are common reasons why Windows 11 freezes repeatedly. This article explores detailed solutions to help you resolve the issue and get your system running smoothly again.

Windows 11 Computer Keeps Freezing

There are many possible reasons why your computer freezes and not respond. One common cause of Windows 11 system freezing is insufficient resources. When your computer doesn’t have enough RAM or processing power to handle the tasks at hand, it may lead to freezes.

• Drivers play a crucial role in the smooth functioning of your hardware components. Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to conflicts and result in system freezes.
• Certain applications or programs may have bugs or conflicts with the operating system, causing your computer to freeze. Identifying and addressing these issues is essential for stability.
• Security threats, such as malware or viruses, can compromise the stability of the system, causing freezing issues.
• Excessive heat can lead to hardware malfunctions and system freezes. Ensuring proper ventilation and cooling for your computer is vital.
• Corruption in critical system files can disrupt the normal operation of the operating system, leading to freezing.

Depending on the cause of your problem, you can try different solutions to fix your computer freezing and not responding.

Update windows 11

An outdated Windows 11 version can potentially cause the computer to freeze or not respond. Outdated operating systems may have unresolved bugs, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues that can lead to system instability. Microsoft regularly releases updates to address these issues, improve performance, and enhance overall system stability. Therefore, keeping your Windows 11 installation up to date is essential in preventing or resolving freezing problems on your computer.

• Press the Windows key + X and select settings
• Go to Windows Update and click on Check for updates
• If there are any available updates, downlaod and install them and restart your computer.

Check System Resources

Monitoring your computer’s resource usage is crucial for identifying potential issues that lead to Windows 11 computer freezing. Task Manager provides real-time insights into the performance of your system, displaying key metrics such as CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. Open task manager and these metrics, you can pinpoint processes that may be consuming excessive resources, causing your system to become unresponsive.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to swiftly open Task Manager.
• Navigate to the “Performance” tab, where a dynamic overview of your system’s key resources is displayed.
• Identify processes with high resource consumption, focusing on CPU and memory usage.
• To address high resource usage, close unnecessary applications or consider upgrading your hardware to meet the demands of your computing tasks.

Again Hidden system files and cache issues can clog up your RAM over time and force your computer to freeze as it dumps memory between RAM and your hard disks.

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue, type “%temp%” and press Enter. Select all files and folders and delete them.
• In your web browser, go to settings or options. Locate the option to clear browsing data or cache and perform the operation.
• Use the built-in Disk Cleanup utility to remove unnecessary system files and clear the cache.

Update Device drivers

Drivers are software that helps control your physical hardware. Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause compatibility issues with Windows 11 and make your computer freeze and not respond. Keeping drivers up to date is essential for stability, Especially the Graphics driver.

The Device Manager is your gateway to maintaining driver health, allowing you to ensure that each device is equipped with the latest, compatible drivers.

• Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager” to access a comprehensive list of your system’s hardware components.
• Expand device categories, and for each device, right-click and select “Update driver.”
• For example, to update the Graphics driver, expand Display Adapter,s Right-click on the device, and select Update driver.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to search for and install the latest driver updates.

Alternatively, use Windows Update to automatically check and install driver updates for your system.

• Head to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options
• Under ‘Additional options’, select ‘Optional updates’
• Click ‘Driver updates’ to expand it, Check the box next to any updates that appear, then click ‘Download & install’

Also, You can use a third-party tool like Driver Booster or Driver Easy to scan and update your drivers automatically.

Identify Problematic Software

Software conflicts or bugs can manifest as freezes in your system. Identifying problematic applications is crucial for maintaining a stable computing environment. Observing when freezes occur and taking proactive measures, such as uninstalling or updating software, ensures a smoother user experience.

• Take note of when system freezes occur, paying attention to recently installed or suspicious applications.
• Uninstall any newly installed or suspicious software through the “Add or Remove Programs” feature in the Control Panel.
• Ensure existing software is up to date by checking for updates on the respective software’s official website.
• If issues persist, consider reinstalling or exploring alternative software solutions.

Scan for virus malware infection

Another possible cause of Windows 11 computer freezing is malware infection. Malware can slow down your computer, corrupt your files, or steal your data. Regularly running antivirus or antimalware scans is crucial for detecting and removing these threats, safeguarding the integrity of your system.

The presence of malware or viruses can severely impact system stability, leading to frequent freezes.

• To run a virus scan, use the built-in Windows Security app or a third-party antivirus program of your choice.
• Open Windows security then click on Scan options and select Full scan
• Verify that your antivirus definitions are up to date to ensure the detection of the latest threats.
• Promptly remove any identified threats and schedule periodic scans to maintain ongoing system security.

Check for Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can lead to instability, causing your computer to freeze or slow down. Verifying and repairing these files is crucial for maintaining a healthy operating system. You can run SFC and DISM command line tools to scan and repair corrupted system files on your PC.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator, press Windows key + S, type cmd
• In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
• The System File Checker (SFC) will scan and attempt to repair corrupted system files.
• Follow any on-screen instructions and restart your computer if needed.

If the SFC scan doesn’t resolve the issue, you can also try the DISM (Deployment Image Service and Management Tool) command by typing DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and pressing Enter.

By checking for and repairing corrupted system files, you can eliminate another potential cause of system freezing and enhance the overall performance of your Windows 11 computer.

Manage Startup Programs

Some programs that run in the background when you start your computer can consume a lot of resources and cause freezing. Managing startup programs can improve performance.

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and navigate to the “Startup” tab.
• Disable unnecessary programs from launching during startup to reduce resource consumption.
• Exercise caution not to disable essential system processes, ensuring the stability of core functionalities.

Check for overheating (Hardware health)

Overheating is a common culprit behind hardware malfunctions and system freezes. Monitoring the health of your hardware components ensures optimal performance and prevents issues arising from excessive heat. To check for hardware issues, you can use the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool or a third-party hardware diagnostic tool of your choice. You can also open up your computer case and inspect the components for any signs of damage or overheating.

• Employ hardware monitoring tools such as HWMonitor to assess the temperature of key components.
• Regularly clean dust from fans to maintain efficient cooling and airflow.
• Consider adding additional cooling solutions, such as fans or heat sinks, if your system tends to overheat under heavy workloads.

Again, If your computer is running low on disk space, it can affect its performance and cause freezing. To free up disk space, you can use the Storage Sense feature in Windows 11. Go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense. This will automatically delete temporary files, recycle bin items, and other unnecessary data. You can also manually delete or move files that you don’t need anymore.