Fix Windows 11/10 Freezes Randomly: Step-by-Step Guide

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Published on October 13, 2025

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Experiencing random freezes in Windows 11 or Windows 10 can be incredibly frustrating. These freezes can occur unexpectedly, interrupting your work, gaming sessions, or even simple browsing. Identifying the root cause and implementing the right solutions is key to restoring your system’s stability and preventing future occurrences of Windows 11/10 freezes randomly.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to diagnosing and resolving the issue of random freezes in Windows 11 and Windows 10. By systematically working through these troubleshooting steps, you can pinpoint the cause of the problem and implement the appropriate fix to get your computer running smoothly again.

What Can I Do to Stop My Windows 11/10 from Freezing?

Check for Hardware Issues

Hardware problems are a common cause of random freezes. Here’s how to investigate:

Test your RAM: Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.

Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” in the search bar and select the tool.
Choose to restart now and check for problems.
Let the test run and check the results after the restart.

Inspect your hard drive/SSD: Use the Check Disk utility.

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type chkdsk /f /r C: and press Enter. (Replace C: with your system drive if different.)
Type Y to schedule the check on the next restart.
Restart your computer and let the check run.

Monitor CPU and GPU temperatures: Overheating can cause freezes.

Download and install a hardware monitoring tool like HWMonitor.
Run the tool and monitor the CPU and GPU temperatures while using your computer.
If temperatures are consistently high (above 80°C for CPU or GPU), consider improving cooling.

Check for loose connections: Ensure all internal components are properly seated.

Power off your computer and unplug it.
Open the case and check that RAM modules, the graphics card, and any other expansion cards are firmly seated in their slots.
Also, check the power connections to the motherboard and other components.

Update Your Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can lead to system instability.

Update graphics drivers: Download the latest drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.

Visit the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Download the latest drivers for your graphics card.
Uninstall the old drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode (recommended).
Install the new drivers.

Update other device drivers: Use Device Manager to check for updates.

Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
Expand each category and look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark.
Right-click on the device and select “Update driver.”
Choose “Search automatically for drivers.”

Scan for Malware

Malware can cause system instability and random freezes.

Run a full system scan: Use Windows Defender or your preferred antivirus software.

Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu).
Select “Virus & threat protection.”
Click “Scan options” and choose “Full scan.”
Click “Scan now.”

Use a malware removal tool: Consider running a tool like Malwarebytes.

Download and install Malwarebytes.
Run a scan and remove any detected malware.

Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a background program is causing the issue.

Open System Configuration: Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Disable startup programs: Go to the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” and click “Disable all.”
Disable startup items: Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager.” Disable all startup items.
Restart your computer: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Check System Files for Corruption

Corrupted system files can cause a variety of issues, including freezes.

Run System File Checker (SFC): Open Command Prompt as administrator.

Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Let the scan complete and follow any instructions.

Run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management): If SFC doesn’t fix the issue, try DISM.

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
Let the process complete and restart your computer.

Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

Insufficient virtual memory can sometimes cause freezes, especially with memory-intensive applications.

Open System Properties: Right-click the Start button, select “System,” and click “Advanced system settings.”
Adjust virtual memory: In the “Advanced” tab, click “Settings” under “Performance.” Go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Change” under “Virtual memory.”
Automatically manage paging file size: Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
Select a drive and set the initial and maximum size: Select your system drive (usually C:). Choose “Custom size” and set the “Initial size” and “Maximum size” to a value that is 1.5 to 3 times your physical RAM.
Click “Set” and “OK”: Click “Set” to apply the changes and then click “OK” on all windows. Restart your computer.

Tips

Monitor Event Viewer: Check the Event Viewer for error messages that might provide clues about the cause of the freezes.
Roll Back Updates: If the freezes started after a Windows update, consider uninstalling the update to see if it resolves the issue.
Consider a Clean Install: As a last resort, a clean install of Windows can often resolve persistent issues.

Addressing Windows Freezes

By systematically addressing potential hardware issues, driver problems, malware infections, and system file corruption, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve random freezes in Windows 11 and Windows 10, ensuring a stable and reliable computing experience.

FAQ

Why does my Windows 10 keep freezing randomly? Random freezes can be caused by hardware issues, driver problems, malware, or corrupted system files.

How do I fix a frozen computer screen? Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open the Task Manager. If that doesn’t work, force a shutdown by holding the power button.

How do I run System File Checker? Open Command Prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow.

How do I check my RAM for errors? Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool by searching for it in the Start menu.

Comparing Common Causes

Cause	Symptoms	Solution
Hardware Issues	Frequent freezes, BSODs	Test RAM, check hard drive, monitor temperatures, check connections
Driver Problems	Freezes after updates, device malfunctions	Update drivers, roll back drivers, use DDU to uninstall drivers
Malware	Slow performance, unexpected behavior	Run a full system scan, use a malware removal tool
System Files	Application errors, system instability	Run SFC, run DISM
Virtual Memory	Freezes with memory intensive apps	Adjust virtual memory settings