【Ultimate Fix Guide】Windows 11 Keeps Freezing – Causes and Solutions for Unresponsive PCs

Has your PC ever suddenly frozen—completely unresponsive to your mouse or keyboard—and your only option was to force shut it down?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Recently, more and more Windows 11 users have been reporting that their PCs randomly freeze. These aren’t temporary slowdowns—they’re full system lockups that don’t recover even after hours. You might have tried updating drivers, running sfc /scannow, or scanning for malware—yet nothing helps.

Some users worry this might be a deeper issue with Windows 11 itself. If you’re not a tech expert, terms like “performance monitor” or “system file checker” can be overwhelming. But don’t worry—we’ll walk you through this, step by step, in plain English.

This guide covers the common symptoms, root causes, and proven solutions to fix Windows 11 freeze issues—even if your mouse and keyboard are completely unresponsive.

Common Symptoms of System-Wide Freezing

Note: These symptoms may appear hardware-related at first, but they often stem from driver conflicts, Windows services hanging, or even improper boot configurations.

1. Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Graphics Drivers

Why It Works

Many freezes are caused by corrupted or outdated GPU drivers. Simply updating may not be enough. Fully uninstalling and then reinstalling using the official drivers ensures a clean setup.

Steps

1. Download and run DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to remove current graphics drivers
2. Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website (Intel / NVIDIA / AMD) and download the latest drivers
3. Install and restart

💡 Avoid Windows’ default drivers; always use official manufacturer versions.

2. Disable Startup Apps to Reduce Boot Load

Why It Works

Heavy startup apps can overwhelm your system before it even finishes loading. Disabling unnecessary ones helps your PC boot smoother and more reliably.

Steps

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Go to the Startup tab
3. Right-click and disable apps you don’t need on boot

🔍 If you don’t recognize an app or never use it—disable it safely.

3. Turn Off Fast Startup in Power Settings

Why It Works

“Fast Startup” can prevent proper driver initialization, especially after a shutdown. This often causes freezes right after boot.

Steps

1. Go to Control Panel > Power Options
2. Click “Choose what the power button does”
3. Select “Change settings that are currently unavailable”
4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup

＊ This forces Windows to do a clean boot each time, improving stability.

4. Fully Repair System Files (DISM + SFC)

Why It Works

SFC alone can’t always fix everything. Combining it with DISM provides a deeper scan and repair of system files and update components.

How to Run It (As Administrator)

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Admin

• Press Windows + S, type cmd
• Right-click “Command Prompt” → choose Run as administrator
• Click Yes on the User Account Control popup

Step 2: Enter the following commands one at a time

👉 Wait for this process to finish. It may take 10–15 minutes.

Then run:

🔧 This scans and fixes corrupted system files automatically.

Step 3: Restart Your PC

After both commands complete, restart to finalize repairs.

💡 Even if errors appear, let both commands finish.

5. Test in Safe Mode to Identify Third-Party Conflicts

Why It Works

Safe Mode runs Windows with only essential drivers and services. If the freezing doesn’t occur here, a third-party app is likely to blame.

Steps

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced Startup
2. Click “Restart now”
3. Choose Troubleshoot > Startup Settings > Restart
4. Press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode

Advanced Tips When Nothing Else Works

＊ Test your PC in Safe Mode for a while to confirm if the problem persists.

Here are some lesser-known tricks that have helped others resolve persistent freezes.

Trick 1: Disable Sleep & Hibernate

Sleep or hybrid sleep can cause freezes when resuming.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery > Screen & Sleep
• Set all options to Never
• Also check “Additional Power Settings” in Control Panel and disable sleep there too

Trick 2: Use Event Viewer for Error Logs

Check Event Viewer to find what failed before each freeze.

Steps:

• Press Windows + X, choose Event Viewer
• Go to Windows Logs > System
• Look for red X or yellow exclamation point errors around the time your PC froze

Trick 3: Manually Set Virtual Memory

Windows manages virtual memory automatically, but this isn’t always optimal.

Steps:

• Control Panel → System → Advanced System Settings
• Under “Performance” → click Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory
• Uncheck “Automatically manage,” then set the initial size to 1.5x your RAM

Trick 4: Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

If you’re using an older PC or motherboard, outdated BIOS can conflict with Windows 11.

Steps:

• Visit your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website
• Find the latest BIOS firmware for your exact model
• BIOS updates can be risky if not performed correctly

Summary: Fixing Freezes Step by Step

If none of the above resolves your issue, consider:

• Performing a clean install of Windows
• Testing hardware with tools like MemTest86 or CrystalDiskInfo
• Seeking help from a certified technician

Your PC freezing constantly can feel hopeless, but you are not alone. Many others face the same issues—and most find a fix by patiently troubleshooting one step at a time.

Keep calm, take notes, and you’ll get your PC running smoothly again.

✔️Looking for more tips? Try these

▶︎Troubleshooting Windows 11 Update Error KB5054979 (June 2025)

▶︎Chrome Won’t Launch and Remains “Paused” — Causes and Fixes

▶︎Is your Windows screen black, flickering, or just not working? Your ultimate guide to fixing it.

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タグ: Windows 11, DISM, SFC, freezing issue, system repair, computer not responding, safe mode, BIOS update, startup troubleshooting, Windows freezes