Windows 10 Computer Hangs For Seconds

Good day!

In general, the problem of PC freezing (in my opinion) has not disappeared for the past 20 years (despite all the updates, new systems, programs, etc.). And, it would seem, with the release of Windows 10. stability should have improved. But no, in this regard, 10 hangs more often than Windows 7 (in my subjective opinion).

In this article, I would like to give the most popular causes of this problem (which are known), and what can be done with them. I think the information will be useful to a wide range of users.

Note: by the way, I also recommend for “decrease” number of brakes to optimize and clean the system from “garbage” (broken and old files, erroneous registry entries, etc.). About how to do it. see here: https://ocomp.info/super-optimizatsiya-windows-10.html

What to look for when Windows 10 hangs. Check hard drive status

I want to immediately note and in my first recommendation to pay attention to the disk. The fact is that Windows 10 is very “zealously” loads the hard drive: with its updates, when the system boots, when checking some files, etc. And very often at these moments it can “tight” hover (on the Microsoft site there are widespread complaints about the OS working with HDD).

Therefore, if you did not have such problems before, and they appeared immediately after installing (or updating) Windows 10. Most likely, the problem is connected with this.

Article to help!

In general, according to my observations, quite often the computer stops freezing when switching from the old HDD to the new SSD (or at least the freezes become much less). For example, not so long ago on one laptop (which booted up for 2-3 minutes, and then another minute “slowed down” and hung) installed SSD. began to load in 15 seconds, you can start working immediately.

Apparently, so that the developers do not say, the system is very actively working with the drive and because of this all these “hangs“.

By the way!

If during freezing you can hear it cracking, clicking, and crunching the hard drive. maybe the problem concerns not only software. In this case, I recommend that you look at the readings of the SMART disk, and it will not be superfluous to check the disk for bads and errors (possibly a computer “dead” hangs just because the disk began to crumble and will soon become worthless. This behavior of the PC, by the way, is one of the first signs of this. )

See if there are processes with a high CPU load

In most cases, before freezing, the computer first starts “creepy” to brake (note: in case of sudden freezes, first check the status of the HDD, RAM). Often when a particular program or process becomes the cause.

To calculate it, try opening the task manager (note: press CtrlShiftEsc) and sort the programs depending on their load on the CPU, hard drive.

Windows 10 Computer Hangs For Seconds

Please note that the task manager is not always capable of “see” (and show) all the software that creates the load. In some cases (if the dispatcher does not show anything, and the computer slows down) it is much more efficient to use specials. utility. Process Explorer I quote the link to the officer. Microsoft website, where you can download it.

The work in this utility is identical to the classic task manager: only here there are much more processes to view.

Process Explorer main window

If you find any specific process, then it is much more efficient to use specials. Instructions for resolving this issue (Google help). On my blog, for example, there is a solution to a similar problem with Svchost and System.exe.

By the way!

If your computer freezes after a certain time after turning it on (for example, you turn it on, start some kind of game and freeze after 10-15 minutes), then pay attention to the temperature of the main components: processor, card, HDD. Find out their temperature will help here this article: https://ocomp.info/soft-dlya-prosmotra-temperaturyi.html

Explorer failure

I would like to note one more point, it is not so rare that many users believe that the computer is frozen “tight”but meanwhile. the fact is that it hung “only” Explorer, and if you restart it. you can work on.

How to check it:

  • first you need to open the task manager (press the key combination CtrlAltDel or CtrlShiftEsc);
  • then find in the list of programs “conductor” (or “explorer”);
  • right-click on it and select “restart”;

alternative option: close the process in the task manager “conductor”then click “file / new task” and enter the command explorer , click OK.

explorer. launch conductor

Check RAM operation

For problems with RAM slots (RAM), the most characteristic “behavior” PC: it freezes suddenly, can work for 5 minutes, maybe an hour or two, and then freezes so that even the cursor does not move. You have to reboot when you hold the power button for 5-10 seconds. (special reset button. will not work on all PCs in this case).

over, after a reboot, it can continue normal operation as if nothing had happened. Another feature: it will hang when starting any OS and programs.

In general, if your PC / laptop behaves in this way, I recommend that you test the memory. About how to do this, one of my last instructions will tell, a link to it below.

If errors are found during testing, try cleaning the system unit from dust, then remove the RAM strips from the slots and blow them out of dust as well.

It is recommended that you clean the contacts on the strips with an eraser (neatly) and brush away the residue with a brush. It can give a very good effect on older PCs, where the contacts are already somewhat acidic, have a dull brownish tint (ideally should have a yellow tint).

Cleaning memory contacts with an eraser and a brush

After cleaning, retest. If errors are found again: try to leave one bar in the slots (it is important if you use 2-3 bars) and test again. Most often “problem” lies in any one bar (slot). You can find it, most often, only experimentally.

Pay attention to startup and auto updates

If you do not have an SSD drive, then I will recommend very carefully “strain” (remove all unnecessary) from startup. Windows 10 very often slows down and freezes when you turn on the PC and boot the system, and each “superfluous” a program in autoload creates an already heavy load.

Also, it will not be amiss to turn off automatic updates: they can start to update the system very late (for example, when you really need a PC), and also create a big load. By the way, if in Windows 7 it was possible to easily configure the update mode in the control panel, now updates by “normal” do not disconnect (have to “reinvent the wheel”)

Note: however, I do not recommend completely abandoning updates (I only recommended disabling their automatic option).

The problem is the drivers ?!

In this article, I cannot but note the operation of drivers.

Generally, Windows 10 is enough “clever” the system and by default, upon installation, immediately finds and installs drivers for most equipment (on a card, sound and network cards, etc.) in the system. Everything would be fine, but there are a couple “but”:

  1. sometimes such “non-native” the driver works very unstable, causing various errors (including freezes are not excluded);
  2. when Windows 10 itself “automatically” puts the driver. the system does not have a control panel (and it is very necessary, for example, when you are dealing with a driver for a or audio card). However, specifically this moment is not related to this article.

To see for which devices there are no drivers in the system. run device Manager (note: to launch it, press WinR, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter)

Launch device manager. devmgmt.msc

In the dispatcher, pay attention to the devices in front of which a yellow exclamation mark is lit (signals a missing driver).

Device Manager. everything is OK from the drivers (on the left), and the driver did not get up (on the right)

Recommendation!

A few words about “fast” startup and power

Some users noted that fine-tuning the power supply helped them in solving this problem. It’s about turning off the function quick start. Therefore, I recommend to try!

To turn it off, open the Windows Control Panel, section ” System and Security / Power “.

Next, open the tab ” Power Button Action ” (see screenshot below).

Power Button Actions

After which you will need to uncheck the item “Enable Quick Launch”, save the settings and restart the PC.

Turn off quick start

I note that it will not be superfluous to switch the power supply to the mode of increased performance (if you are dealing with a laptop, then connect it to mains power).

PS

On the whole issue, I think that “there is” some kind of flaw in Windows 10 itself (because in “seven” such “good work” did not have). Maybe that’s why Microsoft occasionally so often with updates.