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Computer Randomly Freezes in Windows: 14 Ways to Fix it
Computer freezing may be a sign of low resources or driver problems
10 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Fix Windows 10 OS errors with Fortect:
You might have encountered arandom restart on Windows 10once or twice, but some users are experiencing a random freeze on Windows 10.
Random freeze can cause just as many problems as a random restart, so let’s see how we can fix this problem.
Why is my PC randomly freezing?
There are a lot of causes for computer freezing, but we will highlight the most important ones below:
Now that we know the main problems that can cause PC freezing, let’s fix them using the solutions below.
How do I fix random freeze in Windows 10?
1. Update the network drivers
Issues with random freezes onWindows10 can be caused by your network drivers, especially if they are out of date. If that’s the case, you might want to visit your network adapter manufacturer’s website and downloadthe latestdrivers.
Few users have reported that unsupported Wi-Fi cards and Wi-Fi drivers caused this issue, and if that’s the case, you might want to install a different wireless adapter or switch to a wired connection.
Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.
Using an automatic driver updater will save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and keep your OS up to date with the latest drivers.
Old, broken,or missing drivers can also cause freezes and other related issues. When that is the case, a tool likeOutbyte Driver Updaterwill come in handy, especially since it can handle all of the scenarios mentioned above.
Simply download and install Outbyte Driver Updater on your PC, launch it, and the fixing process will start pretty much all by itself.
➡️Get Outbyte Driver Updater
2. Remove problematic software
Certain software can sometimes cause a random freeze on Windows 10. Our readers have reported that software such as F.lux, Speccy, Acronis True Image, Privatefirewall, McAfee, and Office Hub App can cause problems in Windows.
If you notice that the freezes began right after you installed a new program, then you need to remove it entirely, leftover files included, and to do that, you will need an uninstaller.
To perform this action effectively and resolve all the issues caused by problematic applications, you should erase them using thebest uninstaller softwareout there.
Once that is done, restart your PC and see whether the freezes still occur, although that is highly unlikely.
3. Run netsh winsock reset command
Random freeze onWindows10 can occur for many reasons, and some of our readers have reported that internet connection problems precede computer freeze.
Thus, resetting the internet settings will hopefully solve this problem quickly.
4. Disconnect all USB devices
USB devices, such as external hard drives, printers, etc., can sometimes causeWindows10 to freeze randomly.
If you have any USB devices connected to your computer, you should disconnect them before you turn on your computer. WhenWindows10 boots, you can connect your USB devices again.
5. Download the latest chipset drivers
Outdated driverscan sometimes be the culprit of random freezes onWindows10, and many users have reported that the random freeze issue was resolved after they’ve updated chipset drivers on their computers.
To update your chipset drivers, you need to visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest chipset drivers for your motherboard.
Few users have reported that USB 3.0 drivers can sometimes create problems, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to update USB 3.0 drivers as well.
6. Run the SFC scan
It’s also possible that a certain corrupt system file causes the freezing problem. To rule out that possibility, we’re going to run theSystem File Checker. This is a command-line tool that basically scans your system for potentially damaged files.
If the tool finds a corrupt file, it will ‘repair’ it automatically.
7. Run DISM
Another command-line troubleshooter we can try when addressing the random freezes is the DISM. Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), as its name, says, re-deploys the system image, so it may resolve our problem along the way.
8. Check the hard drive
If your hard drive is damaged, your system will likely lag or freeze. That’s why we’re going to run the chkdsk command.
This command checks your hard drive for potential issues and resolves them (if possible).
9. Uninstall Windows Updates
Windows updates are a two-edged sword for every Windows 10 user. On paper, each new update should improve the functionality and security of the system, but that’s not always the case.
Reports about certain update breaking things have been circulating since the first days of Windows 10.
So, it’s quite possible that the latest cumulative update you installed causes the problem. If you suspect so, your best bet is to delete that update simply.
10. Disable your dedicated graphic card
If you have both dedicated and integrated graphics cards, you might want to disable your dedicated graphics card as a temporary workaround.
A few of our readers have reported that they are getting random freezes on Windows 10, and the only workaround is to disable your graphics card.
After disabling your dedicated graphic card, you might get lower performance in video games, but random freezes should be fixed.
Also, be sure to check for graphic card updates. In most cases,graphic card driverupdate can fix these issues, so try downloading the latest updates for your graphic card.
Updating drivers manually is annoying, so we recommend youdownload this driver updater toolto do it automatically. Thus, you will prevent file loss and even permanent damage to your computer.
11. Disable AMD Cool’n’Quiet and Fast Boot in BIOS
In some cases,Windows10 freeze can be caused by certain BIOS settings such as AMD Cool’n’Quiet orFast Boot. If these features are enabled in BIOS, you should disable them and check if the issue is resolved.
You won’t find the AMD Cool’n’Quiet feature if you have a non-AMD processor, but almost all versions of BIOS have the Fast Boot option available. After you’ve disabled these settings, save changes, and restart your computer.
12. Update your BIOS
If you are experiencing random freezes inWindows10, you might want to update your BIOS. To perform a BIOS update, you have to visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of BIOS.
Our guide onhow to update BIOSwill provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform that action.
Make sure that you read the instruction manual carefully before you start the update process in order to avoid anypermanent damage.
13. Flash your SSD
If you haveWindows10 installed on yourSSD, you might experience random freezing due to older firmware. Our readers have reported that after installing newer firmware on their SSD, all freezing issues have been resolved.
We have to warn you to be extra careful while flashing your firmware unless you want to cause permanent damage to your SSD.
14. Turn off Link State Power Management
On laptops, if you are running a power plan designed to save energy, some of the systems may be affected when the battery is not fully charged. By changing and editing the power plan, you will prevent this from happening.
How do I fix random freeze in Windows 11?
Fortunately, the new OS is not so different from the old Windows 10. Thus, all the solutions provided for Windows 10 above can be applied to Windows 11 with minor adjustments.
These are a few of the most common ways to fix random freezes on Windows, so try them out and let us know if our solutions have fixed your problem.
If you have any other questions, feel free to use the comments section below.
More about the topics:Fix Hard Drive issues,windows 10,Windows 11
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
