Windows Not Responding? Here’s Why

Windows is designed to provide a seamless experience to its users. Although, there are several times when we find that our Windows PC is hanging or freezing or just becoming unresponsive to any commands. Such situations can be quite frustrating, especially when you’re working on a deadline.

There are many problems that cause Windows to become unresponsive. If you see a blue screen or automatic shut-down, the chances are that there are issues with Windows system files. But if your screen is frozen as it is while you’re working, it is likely to be due to one or more of the following;

Incompatible Hardware

Windows uses a bunch of distinct hardware to complete its processes. The compatibility of hardware is the most significant factor to examine while facing hanging/freezing issues on Windows. Incompatible hardware can lead to a number of stability issues that can manifest in the form of crashing or hanging of the Windows OS.

Examine whether any newly connected hardware(both external or internal) is outdated. If found so, you should try replacing the part of hardware with the one that is compatible with your system.

Extensive RAM Usage

Even though Windows has a smart algorithm for RAM management, running too many power-hungry apps at the same time can cause a severe dent in performance. RAM is the memory secured for storing the data of all the running processes. You can refer to the Task Manager to have a look at the real-time RAM usage statistics by different running processes.

Right-click on the Start button and then select Task Manager from the list. You should try suspending the top 2 or 3 processes in the usage statistics. Tasks like running heavy-graphic games or rendering a high-quality video can often overburden the CPU.

Issues With the Drivers

Just like incompatible or outdated hardware, the drivers concerning the hardware can also cause stability issues if the drivers are incompatible. Drivers are software components that enable Windows to interface with the hardware correctly.

Microsoft provides all the necessary drivers to interact with the essential components like a keyboard, speaker, or mouse, by default. However, you may face problems when the installed drivers are either outdated or incompatible with the current Windows.

You can head over to the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Device Manager from the list. You can right-click on any of the drivers in Device Manager to find the option for updating the drivers. However, manual installation of drivers from 3rd parties is not recommended.

Presence of Malware

Malware is the umbrella term for several types of threats to the system, namely viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, etc. These contain a script of malicious codes that can harm the user-data, and reveal sensitive information. As these codes gain access to the precious resources of the computer, it can result in a slow-down of the system. It’s a good idea to use high-quality antivirus software in addition to the Windows Defender.

Corrupt Registry Files

Windows has a protected database in which it stores all the system registry files. These contain the logs of the activities done and changes made by the user like the installation of a new program, change in a particular setting etc. Problems can arise when these system files get corrupted or outdated. You shouldn’t rely on 3rd party registry cleaners that claim to boost your performance. There are chances of messing up the registry files, so it is better to leave them untouched if you’re not sure about what you’re doing. Sometimes a fresh Windows Install can override the obsolete registry files and solve the issue. Make sure you back up all the data before proceeding with the fresh installation of Windows.

Hope you’ve found out the cause behind your unresponsive Windows. A lagging/freezing or crashing issue is most likely to arise due to one or more of the reasons mentioned above. Make sure you do some research and follow the appropriate troubleshooting steps after identifying the cause of your issue.

Source:-  Windows Not Responding