Why does my computer keep freezing?
There are a number of reasons why a computer may freeze or start to perform poorly. Typically, it will be a software-related issue or your computer has too many programs operating at any once, causing it to freeze.
Additional issues such as insufficient hard-disk space or ‘driver’-related issues also can cause a computer to freeze.
This article will give you step-by-step instructions on what to do if your computer freezes or locks up unexpectedly.
Computer keeps freezing
First off, give your computer some time to recover from the freeze automatically. Usually, a few minutes will be sufficient to see if a computer can resolve the issue itself. If the computer remains frozen, it is worth exploring a few other options.
Check if your computer is completely dead-locked
There are a couple of ways to check if your computer is completely frozen, often referred to as ‘dead-locked’.
- Try to move your mouse cursor on the screen. If it won’t move, it is likely that your computer is dead-locked and will require rebooting.
- Try to click the ‘Caps Lock’ button on the keyboard. If the Caps Lock light shows it is working, it is very likely a software issue and this can be resolved using the Windows task Manager. If the Caps Lock light does not work, it is likely your computer is dead-locked and you will need to reboot.
Ctrl+Alt+Del - Task Manager
One of the easiest solutions to unfreeze a computer is to activate the task manager. To open the task manager and execute this in Windows:
- Press ‘Ctrl+Alt+Del’ to open the task manager
- Select the program that is unresponsive and select ‘End Task’
- Allow 30 seconds for the process to execute
Reboot your computer
If the task Manager is not responding, it may be worth rebooting your computer.
To do this, press and hold the power button for around 10 seconds. This will force your computer to turn off.
Give the computer 30 seconds and then turn the computer back on again.
Top tip: Be sure to have the Autosave feature selected for any software that you operate. That way, if your computer ever freezes, you can recover your project files easily.
Computer freezes randomly
If your computer is freezing randomly when using different software applications, it could be due to a few different reasons. Here are the most common reasons for a computer to randomly freeze.
1. Not enough processing power
Often caused by programs that demand heavy Central Processing Unit (CPU) power such as video editing or 3D rendering software. Try to limit multiple programs open at the same time when using programs that demand high CPU processing.
2. Not enough hard-disk space
It’s always a good idea to keep as much hard-disk space available for your computer to run optimally. The best way to do this is by using a disk cleaner regularly to remove any unused or unwanted files. The disk cleaner function or a third-party cleaner such as CCleaner will work perfectly for weekly maintenance on your PC.
3. CPU overheating
If a computer starts to overheat, this will add significant strain to your CPU’s processing power. A sure-fire way to know if your computer is overheating is if the internal fans inside a laptop or desktop computer are loud or louder than usual.
Always make sure your computer does not overheat by providing adequate ventilation and never cover or obstruct the ventilation ports on a computer.
4. Update your Operating System
Always make sure you are running the most recently updated version of an operating system. This will ensure your CPU runs smoothly and also prevents it from being attacked by the most recent malware or experiencing other security-related issues.
5. Driver issues
If all of the above checks still don’t help and your computer continues to freeze randomly, there may be a ‘driver’-related issue causing the problem. You can check for any driver issues by either using the Windows Device Manager or by using third-party software such as CCleaner.
6. Hardware issues
A more serious issue is that of a hardware issue, where a component of the computer is not working correctly or is malfunctioning. This can occur due to a number of reasons. The most common are from overheating or excessive dust accumulating on components within the computer.
It is always best to take your computer to a trusted PC repair shop if you think there is a hardware issue that is causing your computer to freeze randomly.
