What to Do if Your Windows 11 PC Keeps Crashing

Before resorting to a complete reinstall

Experiencing constant crashing issues with your Windows 11 PC can be incredibly frustrating! You just want to do your jobs without interruption, but instead, you’re faced with a computer that keeps freezing, rebooting, or presenting that dreaded blue screen.

We’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot the problem if Windows 11 keeps crashing and how to fix the issue. Of course, these tips apply to Windows 10 too!

Is Windows 11 the Problem?

Before embarking on your troubleshooting journey, take the time to figure out if your Windows 11 operating system is the real culprit behind the crashing issue. Pay close attention to each crash. Are there specific apps or tasks that provoke the system to fail? Also, note patterns or correlations that can help identify the root cause.

If the crashes appear exclusive to a particular app, you may be dealing with a software-related issue rather than an operating system problem. In this case, the first action should be to uninstall the problematic app. To do this, use theStart button, search for and selectAdd or Remove Programs, locate the app in question, and selectUninstallfrom itsthree-dot menu.

Once the uninstallation process is complete, see if your computer crashes again. If not, reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store, another storefront (e.g., Steam), or the software vendor’s website, then wait to see if the crashing issue returns.

While exploring the possibility of Windows 11 causing the crashes is essential, don’t overlook the hardware and peripheral devices as the culprits. For instance, a faulty USB device or an incompatible graphics card can lead to system instability. Disconnect any non-essential peripherals to see if the issue continues. If the crashing stops, reconnect the devices individually to identify the problematic hardware. Once identified, consider updating the device driver or replacing the hardware if it is incompatible or faulty.

Tip:An old hard drive or SSD is a common cause of crashes. So using disk health analysis tools should be part of your investigation.

Malware and other security threats can also cause system crashes. To rule out this possibility, run a thorough antivirus scan using Windows Defender or a trusted third-party antivirus solution. To perform a full scan with Windows Defender, open theWindows Securityapp, click onVirus & Threat Protection, and underScan Options, chooseFull Scan.

If malicious software is detected, follow the on-screen instructions to quarantine or remove the threat.

Restart Windows

Sometimes, the easiest and most effective solution to fix Windows 11 crashing is simply restarting the system. While it may seem too easy, a quick reboot can often resolve temporary glitches or conflicts that lead to system instability.

Of course, if the type of crash you’re experiencing forces a restart anyway (such as aBSOD) rather than just components or applications within Windows 11, then you’ll need to move on to more advanced troubleshooting steps.

Tweaking BIOS Settings

The BIOS (or UEFI in most modern computers, if we’re being technical) is responsible for the fundamental communication between the operating system and computer hardware. Improper settings in your BIOS can lead to instability, incompatibility, and sometimes crashes. So it’s best to have a look around your BIOS to make sure everything is still OK:

Don’t fiddle with any settings you don’t understand. Changing settings to “auto” or failing that “default” is the safest way to proceed if you want maximum stability. If you don’t want to comb through countless menus of BIOS settings, you can always use the “restart and restore default settings” or similarly-worded option on the BIOS exit menu.

The Importance of Windows 11 Updates

Checking for updates is one of the first steps in fixing a crashing Windows 11 PC. Microsoft regularly releases updates to improve performance and patch security vulnerabilities. To check for updates, right-click theStart button, selectSettings, thenWindows Update, and finally,Check for updates.

If updates are available, install them and restart your computer.

Outdated Drivers Can Cause Crashes

Outdated device drivers can be a leading cause of crashes. To update your drivers, open “Device Manager” by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the list. Next, expand the categories, right-click each device, and choose “Update driver.” Alternatively, visit the manufacturer’s website for your hardware components and download the latest drivers.

Identifying and Resolving Incompatible Programs

Software conflicts can lead to crashes and freezes. To check if this is the issue, do a clean boot to start Windows with only essential Microsoft services running.

PressCtrl + Shift + Escto open theTask Manager.

Go to theStartup tab, and disable all non-Microsoft services by right-clicking on the app and selectingDisable.

Restart your PC and observe if the issue continues. If the crashing stops, enable the disabled services individually until you identify the problematic software. Uninstall or update the conflicting program to resolve the issue.

Memory Matters: Testing and Troubleshooting RAM Issues

Faulty or incompatible RAM can cause system crashes. To diagnose this, run the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic” into the Start menu search bar, and selectRestart now and check for problems. Your PC will reboot and run the memory test. If issues are detected, consider replacing or upgrading your RAM. Also, if your RAM was overclocked or its default settings were modified, remember to undo those changes before running the memory test.

Overheating: Ensuring Your PC Stays Cool

Overheating can result in system crashes. Ensure your PC’s fans and cooling system function properly, and clean any dust build-up. Check your CPU and GPU temperatures using a monitoring tool, and if they’re consistently high, consider upgrading your cooling solution. Sometimes you may have a faulty cooler or the thermal paste between the cooler and CPU or GPU is no longer working correctly and must be replaced.

Rolling Back to a Stable State

If the crashes started after a recent change, try aSystem Restoreto return your PC to a previous stable state. TypeSystem Restoreinto theStart menu search bar, follow the prompts, and select a restore point from before the issues began.

If that doesn’t work, consider resetting your PC by going toSettings>System>Recoveryand selectingReset this PC.

Note:The “reset” option in Windows 11 will take your Windows installation back to its factory default. Any applications pre-installed by your PC manufacturer will also be restored. You will be given the option to keep your files, but any software you installed yourself will be removed. We recommend making backups rather than relying on Windows 11 to preserve your files.

Checking and Restoring System Files: Harnessing the Power of SFC and DISM

System File Checker(SFC) is a built-in Windows utility that scans and repairs corrupted system files, which can often cause system crashes. To run an SFC scan, follow these steps:

If the SFC scan fails to resolve the crashing issue or cannot repair certain files, you can use theDeployment Image Servicing and Management(DISM) tool. This can often fix issues that SFC can’t:

Reinstalling Windows 11

If all else fails, reinstalling Windows 11 can be a last resort. Back up your important files, create abootable USB drive, and perform a clean installation. This will wipe your hard drive and provide a fresh start, eliminating lingering issues.

Sydney Butler is a social scientist and technology fanatic who tries to understand how people and technology coexist. He has two decades of experience as a freelance computer technician and more than a decade as a technologies researcher and instructor. Sydney has been a professional technology writer for more than five years and covers topics such as VR, Gaming, Cyber security and Transhumanism.Read Sydney’s Full Bio

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