My computer keeps freezing/crashing?

Step 1: Check for Overheating

Excessive heat is a common cause of instability.

Monitor Temperatures:

Download and install a free temperature monitoring utility (e.g., HWMonitor, Core Temp, Speccy).

Run the utility and observe CPU and GPU temperatures, especially when the computer is under load (e.g., running applications, playing games).

Normal CPU temperatures are typically below 60 

∘

 C (140 

∘

 F) at idle and below 85 

∘

 C (185 

∘

 F) under load. GPU temperatures can be slightly higher.

Clean Dust:

Shut down your PC completely and unplug it from the power source.

Open your PC case (for desktops) or remove the back panel (for laptops).

Use compressed air to carefully blow dust out of CPU coolers, GPU heatsinks, case fans, and laptop vents. Hold fan blades still to prevent overspinning.

Ensure Proper Airflow: Make sure your PC case has good ventilation (for desktops) and that laptop vents are not blocked by surfaces like blankets.

Step 2: Update Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers (especially for graphics, chipset, and network adapters) can cause system instability.

Windows Update: Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for and install all available updates, including "Optional updates" which may contain driver updates.

Manufacturer Websites: For critical drivers (graphics card, motherboard chipset), download the latest versions directly from your PC manufacturer's website (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo) or component manufacturer's website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek).

Graphics Drivers: This is often the most critical.

Chipset Drivers: Important for motherboard stability.

Step 3: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted Windows system files can lead to crashes.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

Search for cmd in the Start menu.

Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator."

Run SFC Scan: Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This will scan for and attempt to repair corrupted system files. Let it complete (it may take some time).

Run DISM Commands (if SFC found errors or problems persist):

Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press Enter.

Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press Enter.

Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. These commands repair the Windows image itself, which SFC relies on.

Step 4: Check RAM (Memory)

Faulty RAM is a very common cause of random freezes and BSODs.

Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool:

Search for Windows Memory Diagnostic in the Start menu and open it.

Select "Restart now and check for problems (recommended)."

Your PC will restart and run a memory test. Do not interrupt it. If errors are found, it indicates a potential issue with your RAM.

MemTest86 (More thorough): For a more comprehensive test, download and run MemTest86 from a bootable USB drive. This can take several hours.

Action if RAM is faulty: If memory errors are detected, try reseating your RAM modules. If problems persist, one or more RAM sticks may need to be replaced. If you have multiple sticks, try testing them individually to isolate the faulty one.

Step 5: Check Hard Drive Health

Bad sectors or failing hard drives can cause data corruption and system instability.

Check Disk (chkdsk):

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (as in Step 3).

Type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.

If prompted to schedule the check on the next restart, type Y and press Enter.

Restart your computer. The scan will run before Windows loads.

SMART Status: Use a utility like CrystalDiskInfo (free) to check the S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) status of your hard drive or SSD. A "Bad" or "Caution" status indicates potential failure.

Step 6: Identify Software Conflicts (Clean Boot)

Recently installed software or background processes can cause conflicts.

Perform a Clean Boot: Follow the instructions in KBA: How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows to isolate if a third-party application or service is causing the crashes.

Uninstall Recent Software: If the problem started after installing a new program, try uninstalling it.

Step 7: Check for Malware

Malware can severely degrade performance and cause crashes.

Run a Full System Scan: Ensure your antivirus software is up to date and perform a full, deep scan of your entire system. Consider a second opinion scan with a tool like Malwarebytes (free version for scanning).

Troubleshooting/Workarounds

Note Down BSOD Error Codes: If you get a BSOD, write down the error code (e.g., "PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA") and any accompanying hexadecimal codes. Search for these online; they often point to specific drivers or system components.

System Restore: If the issue began recently, try using System Restore to revert your system to an earlier point when it was working correctly.

Search for Create a restore point in the Start menu and open it.

Click "System Restore..." and follow the prompts.

Check Event Viewer: The Windows Event Viewer logs system events, including errors and crashes.

Search for Event Viewer in the Start menu and open it.

Navigate to Windows Logs > System and look for "Error" or "Critical" events around the time of the crash. These often provide clues.

Reinstall Windows (Last Resort): If all other troubleshooting fails, a clean installation of Windows can resolve deep-seated software issues, corrupted system files, and driver conflicts. Ensure you back up all your data before attempting this.