How do I Fix Freezing Problems on a Computer?

Even hardware devices like keyboards may freeze and require new drivers.

It's no secret that many computer freezing problems stem from either a software or hardware driver incompatibility, or system process overload. The challenge is in determining which one is guilty--this time. If you recently installed anything new on your computer, you may have an edge in finding a cause and resolution. This is because right after a system changes, it reacts. If you know nothing about anything that recently happened to your computer, do not worry. There is still a way to thaw out a computer freeze.

Instructions

Limit Active Programs and then Get Security Updates

1. Close any software programs you are not currently using. Keep only one or two open at a time. If your computer still frequently freezes up, continue.

2. Take note of when the freeze event happened and write down the details. Include what software and hardware programs were running and if the Internet was accessed during that time.

3. Click "Start," then type "update" in the Search box.

4. Click "Windows Update" and then if your computer is not already set to accept updates automatically, click "Change settings." Otherwise, if your computer is set to accept updates automatically, go to step 6.

5. Select "Install updates automatically (recommended)" listed under Important Updates. (Note: Other options include "Download updates but let me choose whether to install them" and "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.")

6. Select a frequency day and time to install new updates and then check "Give me important updates the same way I receive important updates" listed under "Recommended updates," "Give me updates for Microsoft products and check for new optional Microsoft software when I update Windows," listed under Microsoft Update, and "Show me detailed notifications when new Microsoft software is available," and then click "OK." (Note: You can also check "Allow all users to install updates on this computer" listed under "Who can install updates" if you want other users to install software and updates manually.)

7. Click "Check for updates" and then check the boxes of the updates you would like to install if there are any available.

8. Click the message that states you have updates to install and then check the boxes next to the updates you want installed.

9. Click "OK" and then click "Install updates."

10. If your computer freezes up again, continue to the next section.

Get Hardware Updates

1. Click "Start," then click "Devices and Printers."

2. Right-click your computer identified by name, then click "Device and Printers."

3. Click "Yes, do this automatically (recommended)" if it was not already selected and then click "Save changes." Otherwise, close out of the dialog box.

4. Click "Check for updates" and then after the scan has finished, click an available update to find out more about it.

5. Check the boxes next to the updates you would like to install and then click "OK."

6. Click "Install updates." If your computer freezes up again, continue to the next section.

Restore Your Computer to an Earlier Point in Time

1. Click "Start," then type "system restore" in the Search box.

2. Click "Recommended restore" or click "Choose a different restore point" if one is not recommended.

3. Click "Next," then click "Finish."

Tips & Warnings

• You may be prompted to enter your administrator password or give confirmation while applying these steps, so have this information handy.

• In step 3, Section "Restore Computer System to an Earlier Point in Time," consider also choosing "Scan for affected programs" before you initiate the restoration. This is helpful if you know which program is causing the computer freeze problem and want to make sure it is included in the system restore process.

References

• Microsoft Windows: System Restore

Resources

• Microsoft Windows: Windows Update