There are several fixes for Windows 11 freezing and crashing. Getting to know the symptoms and solutions, you can accurately fix Windows 11.
Expecting a smooth and fast experience with your freshly installed OS, but facing issues like Windows 11 freezing/lagging or even crashing randomly after upgrading? It can be incredibly frustrating. But no worries! This post aims to explore various scenarios of Windows 11 freezing, pinpointing potential causes to help you precisely address the issue and prevent it from happening again.
Windows 11 freezing manifests in numerous cases. To accurately resolve this issue, it is essential to identify the real causes based on the specific situation. Here are 7 common symptoms of Windows 11 crashing and freezing.
| Symptoms | Reasons |
| 1️⃣ Windows 11 freezing randomly during inactivity | If your computer encounters freezing when idle, it could be due to corrupted system files. Running system scans can assist in identifying and repairing the problem. |
| 2️⃣ Windows 11 crashing or freezing after system update | In some cases, a recent Windows 11 update may lead to system freezing. If this occurs, uninstalling the latest update can resolve the issue. |
| 3️⃣ Windows 11 freezing at the login screen | If your Windows 11 keeps freezing, the problem can be boot issues. The most effective method is to rebuild MBR. But sometimes, update your GPU driver is also a helpful method. |
| 4️⃣ Windows 11 keeps freezing during gaming | Overheating, outdated graphics drives, insufficient system resources or software conflicts can all cause Windows 11 crashing or freezing when gaming. |
| 5️⃣ Windows 11 freezes when shutdown | Freezing during shutdown may be caused by RAM issues. Apart from fixing any RAM problems, optimizing and cleaning it can also help resolve the freezing problem. |
| 6️⃣ File Explorer slow loading and then Windows 11 freezing randomly | If your system has insufficient RAM or is running on low disk space, it can result in slow File Explorer loading and subsequent Windows 11 freezing. |
| 7️⃣ Windows 11 lagging and freezing in Sleep Mode | Freezing during sleep mode could be related to power settings or driver issues. Adjusting power settings and updating drivers, particularly those related to power management, can be helpful in resolving this issue. |
Based on the symptoms, here are 7 targeted and practical solutions for fixing Windows 11 freezing. Follow the guidance to effectively solve the issue.
If your Windows 11 keeps freezing, especially when gaming, you can first try the easiest method: cooling down the overheated Windows 11. The accumulation of excessive heat in the motherboard and CPU, coupled with insufficient heat dissipation, can result in Windows 11 crashes or freezes.
To guarantee stable computer operation, it is essential to ensure proper ventilation and maintain an appropriate temperature for your device. During warmer months, it is advisable to open one side panel of the computer case to improve heat dissipation. For laptops, using a cooling fan or cooling pad is recommended to address heat-related issues.
Incompatibility with drivers or hardware is one of the most common causes of random Windows 11 crashing and freezing. You can follow the simple steps to update the driver and see whether the issue can be solved.
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.
Windows 11 freezing randomly or crashing can be fixed by running system restore as well. This method is especially helpful when the situation happens after a new update.
Step 1. Press “Win+R”, type “sysdm.cpl”, and press the “Enter” key.
Step 2. Choose “System Protection” and then select “System Restore”.
Step 3. Click “Next”, choose the desired “System Restore point”, and follow the instructions to complete the procedure. If a warning window appears, click “Yes”.
Insufficient system resources like RAM of your PC can result in Windows 11 freezing. To resolve this issue, you may consider increasing the amount of RAM. More memory enhances the smoothness of multitasking.
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 Windows 11 crashing or freezing issues be sloved.
Cleaning up background programs to free up system resources is another approach. This helps prevent Windows 11 freezing caused by running multiple programs simultaneously. To do this, open Task Manager, right-click on the running programs, and select "End task".
If you notice frequent Windows 11 crashing or freezing after upgrading, particularly when upgrading from an older Windows OS to the latest version, the primary reason could be insufficient storage space for the system to operate normally.
To effectively reach the goal, it is strongly recommended to use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional as it offers various options to meet different needs. This user-friendly software enables users of all skill levels to effortlessly expand system drive space, avoiding the need to break the annoying limitations of traditional methods.
▌Option 1. Move installed large programs to another drive
If you notice several large programs installed on the system drive, occupying a considerable amount of space, and you prefer to keep them without uninstalling, the App Mover feature of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional can help you. It allows you to move them to another drive that has sufficient drive space without any data loss.
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.
▌Option 2. Allocate Free Space
If other drives have ample space, you can allocate the free space from them and add it to the system drive that lacks sufficient space. Just 3 steps, you can quickly extend the system drive space and fix Windows 11 freezing or crashing randomly.
Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click on a partition that is with enough space, and choose “Allocate Free Space”.
Step 2. In the small window, you can decide how much space to be added to C drive. And click “OK” when you finish it.
Step 3. At last, you can preview the outcome on the main interface, and remember to click “Apply”, so the change will be executed.
▌Option 3. Delete duplicate or large files
If you notice Windows 11 freezing, lagging, or crashing after an upgrade, it's also the time to clean up the cluttered and accumulated files on your years-old PC. To avoid time-consuming manually checking or missing hidden files, you can just run the Duplicate Files Finder or Delete Large Files provided by AOMEI Partition Assistant.
Commonly, Windows 11 freezes or crashes on the loading/boot screen after an upgrade as well. This may happen because the Master Boot Record (MBR) could become corrupted during the OS installation due to various reasons. Since rebuilding the MBR is associated with system changes, it is advisable to use AOMEI Partition Assistant for a safe and efficient solution.
Firstly, you should make a bootable USB with AOMEI Partition Assistant and restore the MBR on the PC.
Step 1. On another running Windows PC, install and execute this powerful tool. Insert a USB drive with a minimum capacity of 13GB. Once your PC recognizes the USB, navigate to "Tools" from the top pane, select "Make Bootable Media" from the top panel, and click "Next" to proceed.
Step 2. Select the "USB Boot Device" option, choose the previously prepared USB drive, and click "Proceed" to generate a WinPE bootable disk for the freezing Windows 11.
Now, insert the USB into the Windows 11 that is stuck at the loading/boot screen. Go to the BIOS settings to modify the boot device and initiate the boot from the USB. Then, you will encounter the interface of this tool.
Step 1. Right-click on the C drive and choose "Advanced" > "Check Partition" in turn.
Step 2. Select the way of checking errors to perform. There are 3 options:
Step 3. Click "OK" to continue.
Step 4. After the check, you can select the system disk which can’t boot and right-click the disk to choose "Rebuild MBR", or in the left side interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant, select "Disk Operations" > "Rebuild MBR".
Step 5. Set up the type of MBR to rebuild in the "Rebuild MBR" window.
Step 6. Click "Apply" on the toolbar to commit the operation.
Now you can remove the USB and boot your PC to check if Windows 11 freezing at the loading screen is solved.
With 7 symptoms, causes, and fixes, Windows 11 freezing can be solved accurately and escape from recurrence. If the aforementioned methods do not work effectively, that may indicate your device hardware cannot support running the fresh OS. In such circumstances, maybe you should consider upgrading a better or larger SSD, or even a new computer.
To seamlessly transition to a new device, AOMEI Partition Assistant also provides functions such as OS Migration and Clone Disk features. These functionalities enable you to swiftly transfer the original data, allowing you to enjoy familiar configurations on a new device in a short amount of time.
For businesses in search of comprehensive solutions, both the AOMEI Partition Assistant Technician edition and the Unlimited edition offer limitless usability within a single company or across multiple companies. This cost-effective choice caters to corporate needs efficiently.