Crashing/Freezing PC (Windows 10/11)

Firstly, if you can log into the Windows PC, make sure it is running with the latest software updates and drivers. You can do this by going to Start → Settings → Windows Update

Next, if you do have some sort of warranty or maybe customer support from your purchase of a prebuilt PC, it might be worth utilising that service for help.

Safe Mode

Hardware Issues

  • Test each component within your PC by running diagnostics provided by the manufacturer, such as the company who made the RAM or hard drive.

    • You can find out what hardware you have inside your PC by opening System Information and browsing through there.

  • Test for faulty RAM by opening Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Overheating

  • The issue may be due to overheating, which is a bit more difficult to check as there is no easy way to check this within PCs.

    • As such, you’ll need to install an application like HWMonitor to monitor temperatures for the CPU and GPU, as well as fan speeds. Then, compare the temperatures to what your PC parts ought to be running at.

  • If the temperatures are exceeding normal operating values, it might be worth:

    • First checking if there is a built up of dust in or around any vents and fans, clean these out using compressed air or a vacuum.
    • Secondly, try to increase airflow by placing the PC on a hard surface with plenty of room around it, and away from direct sunlight or any other sources of heat. It might be worth upgrading the fans or adding more if possible.
    • Next try reducing the amount of pressure on the resources, so close unnecessary applications, and reduce screen brightness if you’re on a laptop.
    • If the fans are not running at the correct speed according to the fans stated specifications, these may need replacing.
    • Another possibility to overheating is that the thermal paste may need replacing.

Resources

  • Check your PC’s resources, it might be pushed beyond its capacity. To check this, open Task Manager by either right-clicking on your taskbar and selecting it, or by pressing the following keys at the same time: Ctrl Shift Esc or Alt Ctrl Delete. Then look at the CPU and RAM, if either are near 100% capacity, you need to see which programs are contributing towards this load and close them as these could be causing the issues.

  • You may also wish to upgrade the RAM, which should be relatively simple in a tower PC, but more difficult in a laptop. iFixIt have guides on how to upgrade RAM, including how to make the correct purchase and how to replace or add the modules.

Disk Issues

  • To repair possible issues on your hard drive, run CHKDSK.

  • See if you have enough disk space. If you have large files, see if these could be moved to an external drive. It’s also a good opportunity to uninstall old software you may not be using any more.

Malware

  • Check for malware issues. If you do not have an anti-virus installed, MalwareBytes have a free version here which can be used to help clean up infections, or just give you a peace of mind with a scan to see if the device is infected or not.

System Restore

  • If the problems started recently, and you have System Restore set up, you might want to use it to go back to a point before the issues began.

Fresh Install

  • If the issues continue persisting, you might consider reinstalling the operating system and start from a blank slate (with your important files backed up for course!).
  • To do this, you will need to create a bootable USB or DVD for your device to reinstall from. Download Windows Media Creation Tool here, and follow its instructions as it walks you through the process, making sure the bootable media is in the PC before restarting.
  • Then restart your PC and access the boot menu by pressing down one of either F2 F12 Esc Del - the exact key varies depending on the PC. When you find the right key required, select your bootable media and then you should be in another walkthrough on how to reinstall Windows.