The Basics
Before undertaking any of the more time-consuming solutions below, these are a few fundamentals to get you started
- Double check system responsiveness—if the clock advances, your system isn't frozen. Too impatient to wait? Try using a different input to verify.
- Press the Windows key to see if the start menu opens.
- Right click your mouse or press any additional buttons to trigger a different response.
- Use the touch screen to navigate if your laptop has one.
- Force shutdown. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to force it off. This is as close to disconnecting the battery as most modern laptops can get without busting out the screwdriver set. Power back on and try to recreate the issue.
- Remove all peripherals. This applies to anything attached to your laptop—flash drives, USB hubs, display cables, dongles, literally anything other than the charger. A bad, or incompatible accessory can cause instability, crashing or hung processes.
- Check for driver updates. Newer versions of Windows usually do a good job updating drivers and firmware. However, it's worth checking for driver updates, USB firmware, etc.
- Right-click the Start Menu and click Settings > Windows Update on the left > Check for updates.
Issue Caused by a Faulty External Peripheral
If you use any peripherals, such as an external GPU or monitor, the issue might be caused by the peripherals.
- Try disconnecting any peripherals connected to your device and reconnecting them one at a time to see if it freezes when a specific peripheral is connected.
- Check the connections of any external peripherals to ensure they are properly connected and functioning without any issues.
If a specific peripheral causes the issue, it could indicate an issue with the external hardware.
Issue Caused by Overheating
Computers generate a lot of heat whenever they are under significant processing stress. This is why most computers require a cooling system, such as a fan and heat sink, to cool the CPU. If your Dell Laptop is overheating, it might freeze or become unresponsive. This is often referred to as Thermal Throttling.
- Carefully inspect your laptop's vents and cooling system for dust or debris obstructing airflow.
- Make sure you are using your laptop on a smooth and level surface. Often, uneven surfaces like carpet or fabric can block your device's vents and cause airflow to become restricted.
- Consider using a cooling pad designated for laptops to improve ventilation and reduce the risk of overheating.
If you recently reinstalled your cooling system, ensure your device has a proper amount of thermal paste.
Operating System-Related Issue
If your device is outdated, a newer software update may have fixed the issue.
- To check for updates on Windows, select Start > Settings > Windows Update, then select Check for updates. If there are updates available, install them.
Malware Infection
Computer viruses and other harmful software can wreak havoc on system stability. They might skate by unnoticed, but more likely you'll end up with freezing, crashing or other unexpected behavior.
- Scan your computer using an Antivirus. If you do not have dedicated security software, use Windows Defender. It can be accessed from the Windows Security App in most versions of Windows.
- Want a second opinion about your results? Malwarebytes or ESET Online Scan are free programs that provide some excellent malware scanning techniques.
- There are many free malware removal tools available, but a paid solution will be more effective. Be sure to verify legitimacy before using software from any unfamiliar developer or you may end up worse off than before.
- Remove anything the scan finds. It may also recommend a restart to complete the removal.
- Keep reading through the OS Corruption section and process those fixes as well. Malware can damage Windows as a result of infection.
Lack of System Resources
If you are finding that your laptop is freezing on a particular program, then the issue could be caused by a lack of system resources.
- Double-check the system requirements for the application that you are attempting to run. Be sure to check for your RAM, CPU, and GPU requirements.
- If your Dell Laptop allows it, try upgrading your device's hardware. This process will be specific to your Dell Laptop. Be sure to inspect the external hardware for any damage.
Hardware Damage
If the above tips have failed, the issue might be caused by damaged or failing hardware.
- Inspect the laptop's hardware components, such as the RAM and hard drive, for any signs of damage or failure contributing to the freezing issue.
- If the laptop's Central Processing Unit (CPU) is damaged or experiencing hardware-related issues, it may struggle to process instructions efficiently, leading to system slowdowns or freezes. Prolonged overheating, inadequate cooling, or physical damage to the CPU can compromise its performance and stability.
- Damage to the motherboard due to physical trauma, electrical surges, or other hardware-related issues can impact various components' connectivity and functionality. A faulty motherboard can lead to erratic behavior, intermittent freezing, and system instability.
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