Troubleshoot Windows Random Freezes
In this article, I will try to help you troubleshoot the freezing problem with various solutions I have used over the years. Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for the freezing problem.
Check Event Viewer
Check for Event Log to see if there are any events in the System or Application log that could help you identify the problem. Look for yellow exclamation and red x icons right around the time the computer froze.
Start Event Viewer by pressing Windows + R keys to open Run dialog box. Type eventvwr and click OK button.
Check Memory
If you’re getting a lot of random freezes and you’re pretty certain that Windows is not the problem then check your computer memory. You can make sure the memory is not bad by downloading Memtest86, burning the ISO onto a CD, booting up the computer and running the diagnostics. If you get any errors, then you should definitely replace the faulty memory chips. If you get no errors, that is good, but it still does not mean there is not an issue with the memory. The next thing you have to check on the memory is the type, speed, voltage, etc. Your motherboard might have certain memory settings and if the memory chips installed are running at a different speed, voltage, frequency or timing, then it can cause all kinds of random freezes in Windows.
The best thing to do here is to look up the documentation on your motherboard and your memory and go into the BIOS and adjust the settings for your memory to match what is recommended by the motherboard.
Installing Updates
Update all the drivers for all hardware on your computer. It’s best to go to the website of your computer manufacturer and download all the latest drivers from there.
It’s also a good idea to go ahead and update the BIOS to the latest version.
Lastly, it is a good idea to go ahead and download the latest updates from Windows Update.
Repair Windows
Open the Command Prompt by clicking Start Menu --> All Programs --> Accessories, right-click on Command Prompt, and open it as an administrator. In Windows Vista and later versions of Window operating systems type cmd.exe into Start Screen or Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.
Just to rule out any issue with Windows system files execute following command.
Following command will fixes errors on the disk and locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.
Perform a Clean Boot
Clean boot can help you track down if its a installed software problem. You can read this article on Microsoft’s website about how to perform a clean boot:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows
If your computer is freezing and none of these solutions solved your problem then clean install Windows.
Check Event Viewer
Check for Event Log to see if there are any events in the System or Application log that could help you identify the problem. Look for yellow exclamation and red x icons right around the time the computer froze.
Start Event Viewer by pressing Windows + R keys to open Run dialog box. Type eventvwr and click OK button.
Check Memory
If you’re getting a lot of random freezes and you’re pretty certain that Windows is not the problem then check your computer memory. You can make sure the memory is not bad by downloading Memtest86, burning the ISO onto a CD, booting up the computer and running the diagnostics. If you get any errors, then you should definitely replace the faulty memory chips. If you get no errors, that is good, but it still does not mean there is not an issue with the memory. The next thing you have to check on the memory is the type, speed, voltage, etc. Your motherboard might have certain memory settings and if the memory chips installed are running at a different speed, voltage, frequency or timing, then it can cause all kinds of random freezes in Windows.
The best thing to do here is to look up the documentation on your motherboard and your memory and go into the BIOS and adjust the settings for your memory to match what is recommended by the motherboard.
Installing Updates
Update all the drivers for all hardware on your computer. It’s best to go to the website of your computer manufacturer and download all the latest drivers from there.
It’s also a good idea to go ahead and update the BIOS to the latest version.
Lastly, it is a good idea to go ahead and download the latest updates from Windows Update.
Repair Windows
Open the Command Prompt by clicking Start Menu --> All Programs --> Accessories, right-click on Command Prompt, and open it as an administrator. In Windows Vista and later versions of Window operating systems type cmd.exe into Start Screen or Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.
Just to rule out any issue with Windows system files execute following command.
Code:
Sfc /ScannowFollowing command will fixes errors on the disk and locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.
Code:
Chkdsk C: /rPerform a Clean Boot
Clean boot can help you track down if its a installed software problem. You can read this article on Microsoft’s website about how to perform a clean boot:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows
If your computer is freezing and none of these solutions solved your problem then clean install Windows.