PC Randomly Freezes? Fix it in 6 Easy and Effective Ways!
This is a comprehensive guide about fixing PC randomly freezes issue. You will know why does your PC randomly freeze and how to fix it easily and effectively in 6 ways.
User case: PC randomly freezes
PC keeps freezing randomly I recently got a refurbished computer off of amazon, but the issue is it has many errors such as blue screening (I think I may have fixed that already) and freezing up constantly with no warning I have done a fresh windows 11 install but the random freezing problem is still there, sometimes it freezes as soon as I power on my pc or it is fine for 10 minutes or so then freezes out of nowhere. I have tried looking around but there's nothing I can do currently, it could be a hardware issue, any help please?
- Question from Microsoft Community
A common and frustrating problem of computers for some users is random freezes or crashes, which can interrupt critical tasks like work or gaming. These freezes often leave the screen unresponsive, rendering the mouse and keyboard useless, and may even cause a blue screen of death or boot failure. "Why does my PC randomly freeze?" There are many common reasons:
- Too Many Programs Running: Running multiple programs at once can overwhelm your system's memory and resources.
- Corrupted or Outdated Drivers: Damaged or outdated drivers can cause communication issues between hardware and software.
- Overheating: Excess heat can slow down components and lead to system freezes.
- Insufficient RAM: Limited memory makes it hard for the system to handle tasks effectively.
- Incorrect BIOS Settings: Misconfigured BIOS settings can destabilize your computer.
- Faulty External Devices: Malfunctioning USB drives, keyboards, or other peripherals can interfere with operations.
- Viruses or Malware: Harmful programs can slow down your system and cause it to freeze.
- Corrupted or Missing System Files: Damaged or missing essential system files can disrupt functionality.
- Low C Drive Space: A nearly full C drive doesn’t leave enough room for the operating system to run smoothly.
- Software Errors: Bugs or compatibility issues in third-party applications can cause your PC to freeze.
- Corrupted or Missing BCD/MBR Files: Errors in Boot Configuration Data or the Master Boot Record can disrupt the boot process and lead to instability.
Whatever the reason for your computer freezing, the priority is to fix the problem without risking your important data. Now, let’s look at how you can keep your data safe while solving this issue.
How to fix computer freezes randomly issue?
To effectively fix a computer that freezes randomly, there are several solutions you can try. Before you start, it's a good idea to download a useful tool called AOMEI Partition Assistant, as it can help with many different cases. In this section, we’ll show you how to use this tool to fix random freezes on your PC, along with some built-in Windows tools.
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Fix 1. Free up disk space
A refurbished computer may have less storage space, which can lead to issues like frequent PC crashes or freezes, especially after upgrading from an older version of Windows. The main cause in this case is likely insufficient space for the system to run properly. If you have large programs installed on the system drive, taking up a significant amount of space, and you don't want to uninstall them, the App Mover feature in AOMEI Partition Assistant can help. This tool allows you to move these programs to another drive with more space, all without losing any data.
Step 1. In the main interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, click “Free up” on the top panel, then select “App Mover”.
Step 2. Here, click “App Mover” to move applications. Or, you can also move folders to a different drive if you need.
Step 3. Then, select the drive where the applications you want to move located and click "Next".
Step 4. Choose apps and select the destination drive, then click "Move".
Step 5. Finally, click "OK" to begin the process.
To effectively free up disk space, it is also recommended to use features like Allocate Free Space, 1-Click Adjust Space, Merger Partition, and so on.
Fix 2. Perform boot repair
Corrupted or missing Boot Configuration Data (BCD) or Master Boot Record (MBR) files, which are essential for the system's boot process; their absence or corruption can lead to system instability and freezing. And it often shows that Windows keeps freezing on startup.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. In the Main Tab, please click the "Recover" tab and select "Boot Repair".
Step 2. The Boot Repair tool will pop up. Please click "Next" to start the system’s boot entries scan process.
Step 3. After the process is completed, it will display the scan result: system paths, system versions, and boot status. And, all repairable boot entries will be available to select.
Advanced Settings: Select a location to store the repaired boot entry.
Repair to the current disk: The system will boot from the current disk and ensure the boot files are complete and functioning properly. (By default)
Repair to another disk: This operation will repair the boot entry or create a new system boot entry to ensure the system can boot from the disk you select.
Step 4. Select one/multiple repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the "Repair" button to start the boot repair.
Step 5. Wait for the repair process to finish. Once it is finished, you can check the repair result. If it succeeds, you will get a "Repair Successfully" result.
Fix 3. Rebuild MBR
Similar to missing or corrupted BCD files, a corrupted MBR can also cause random computer freezes. This issue is especially common when the system fails to boot into Windows and repeatedly crashes or freezes during startup. To address this problem, you can follow these steps:
The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard on a working PC. In the main interface, click Tools > Make Bootable Media and follow the wizard to create a Windows 10/11 bootable USB drive.
Step 2. Connect the bootable media created via AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard to the computer with a boot issue and enter BIOS to boot computer from the USB drive.
Step 3. Once logged in, the AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard will run automatically. In the main interface, right-click the system disk that contains corrupted MBR and choose Rebuild MBR.
Step 4. Set the type of MBR for Windows 10 in the pop-up window. (Choose a proper MBR type according to your operating system.)
Step 5. Click Apply and Proceed on the toolbar to commit Rebuild MBR operation.
- Notes:✎...
- "Rebuild MBR" only can solve problems such as MBR code has been damaged. To deal with OS unbootable problem which is caused by bootable file or system file missing is beyond its abilities.
- "Rebuild MBR" would not lead to any kind of data loss. However, improperly Rebuild MBR might cause your computer unbootable. So, you’d better learn more relevant knowledge before you execute Rebuild MBR operation.
Fix 4. Update driver
Incompatible drivers or hardware are among the most common reasons for random computer crashes and freezes. To address this, you can try updating the drivers by following a few simple steps and check if it resolves the issue.
Press the "Win+R" keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. Type "devmgmt.msc" and press "Enter" to access the Device Manager. Find "Disk drives", right-click on each drive, and choose "Update driver" from the menu.
Fix 5. Increase RAM
Insufficient system resources, such as low RAM, can cause your computer to freeze randomly. To fix this, you might consider upgrading your RAM. Adding more memory can improve multitasking and ensure smoother system performance.
Step 1. Purchase a suitable RAM for your computer. If your PC has only one slot, replace the existing small RAM with a larger one. If your PC can accommodate more RAM, purchase a new RAM module that matches the specifications of the old one.
Step 2. Press “Win+R” simultaneously, input “cmd,” and press “Enter”. Type the command "wmic" and hit “Enter”. Then input "memorychip” and press "Enter”.
In the window, you can view information about your memory, such as speed, capacity, interface, etc.
Now, add RAM to your computer:
Step 1. Turn off your PC and open the panel.
Step 2. Replace the old RAM module with the new one or insert it into an available slot.
Please ensure that the RAM is securely inserted. Afterward, you can check whether computer crashing or freezing issues be sloved.
Fix 6. Launch system restore and reinstall
Using system restore or reinstalling Windows OS is a common approach to fixing system issues. These methods can be particularly effective in resolving random freezes or startup problems.
Step 1. Hit “Win+R” and type “sysdm.cpl”. Press the “Enter” key.
Step 2. Select “System Protection” and choose “System Restore”.
Step 3. Click “Next” and select the desired “System Restore point”. Then follow the instruction to finish the procedure, click “Yes” if there is a warning window.
Conclusion
The 6 methods will be effective for fixing PC randomly freezes issue. If the problem continues after trying these methods, it might be time to replace your disk, as it could be outdated, damaged, or too small for your needs. AOMEI Partition Assistant provides a handy Clone Disk feature, which allows you to upgrade or replace your disk quickly and easily. Alternatively, you can use the Transfer OS to SSD feature to resolve random PC freezes and improve system performance. Windows Server users please turn to AOMEI Partition Assistant Server edition.