Why does a computer freeze

In fact, computer freezes and crashes are among the top signs your computer is infected. In some cases, the malware overwhelms your system by opening dozens of applications that run in the background, eating up your computer's memory and causing it to freeze. If your computer continues to freeze after a reboot, it's time for a virus scan with the most current security solution. Q: My software is updated, and my system is virus-free. What else could cause the problem?

A: Your operating system could frequently freeze for a number of other reasons, including the following:. Q: What can I do to reduce computer freezes?

A: In addition to the previous tips, you can implement a few other good practices to minimize the risk of computer freezes. No matter how well you maintain your computer, all systems freeze at some point. It could simply be an operating system issue, as occurred with a Windows 10 update.

However, understanding what causes a computer to freeze can help you prevent problems and troubleshoot in the future. We use cookies to make your experience of our websites better. So you should clear them regularly. This will invoke Windows Explorer with your Temp folder open, showing you all the temp files on your computer.

It is a combination of RAM and a portion of your hard drive. If your computer runs out of RAM when performing an intensive task, Windows will dip into virtual memory for temporary file storage. Then choose Advanced System Settings on the left panel. Corrupt, damaged, or missing system files can cause Windows to randomly freeze. To check if this is the exact cause, you can either use the Windows built-in tool to run a basic check or use an automatic tool to perform a complete diagnosis.

Reimage commonly known as Reimage Repair is a computer repair software that can diagnose problems on your computer and fix them immediately. Reimage Windows Repair is tailored to your specific system and is working in a private and automatic way. It will firstly check hardware-related issues to identify problems, and then security issues powered by Avira Antivirus , and finally it detects programs that crash, missing system files. Once complete, it will find a solution to your specific problem.

Once complete, you will be able to review the detailed scan report. Microsoft makes it easy for you to get your original system files back. It has an in-built tool called System File Checker that will restore any broken or missing system files that could be causing your PC to freeze.

Windows will display a list of programs that match your search. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. Windows will scan your system for corrupted files, and attempt to fix any it finds. However, some people think they have to pull the computer's power plug or flip the switch on the power strip. Instead, simply hold the computer's power button for 5 to 10 seconds and it will restart with less disruption than a complete power loss. There are a few things that can happen next when your computer comes back on.

Let's look at the three most typical ones and what you should do next. If the computer starts up fine, immediately back up your important information in case a serious problem is on the way. Otherwise, you could find yourself scrambling through more complicated ways to get files off a dead computer. Then use the computer as normal until it freezes again, although it might not. Find out why a restart often makes problems disappear.

If the computer does freeze again, then keep reading for more steps to take. While restarting, the computer might say there was an error with Windows and ask if you want to start normally or in Safe Mode. The first time, choose to start Windows normally. Then back up your data and keep using the computer to see if it freezes again. If this is the second time your computer has frozen, choose to boot in "Safe Mode with Networking.

If it does, then you could be looking at either a software or a hardware problem. If it doesn't freeze again while in Safe Mode, it's likely a software problem. Check the software you are using, it may need to be updated or restarted. Third-party software is often the culprit for computer freezes. Run a quick scan to see if all of the software on your computer has the latest version of the software installed.

If your operating system or software programs have updates pending, allow these to run and restart your computer. If these do not seem to be the cause for your computer freezing, or you find your computer or laptop frozen on a regular basis, it may be time to seek out a trained professional who can properly diagnose your computer.