How to FIX Laptop Hang and Freeze Problem Solution in Windows 10/11

Is your Windows 10 or 11 laptop hanging or freezing frequently? Whether it’s slow response, laggy performance, or complete system freeze, these issues can seriously disrupt productivity. Fortunately, most laptop freezing problems can be fixed with simple software and hardware checks.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step solutions to fix laptop hang and freeze issues on Windows 10/11. These fixes are beginner-friendly and you don’t need advanced tech skills to follow along.

Common Causes of Laptop Hanging in Windows

• Insufficient RAM or storage space
• Background processes consuming system resources
• Corrupted system files
• Malware or viruses
• Outdated drivers or Windows updates
• Faulty hardware (HDD, RAM, GPU)

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix a Freezing or Hanging Laptop

Step 1: Restart Your Laptop

A simple reboot can clear temporary glitches and stuck background tasks.

How to do it:

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
• Click the power icon and select Restart

Step 2: Check for System Updates

Running outdated Windows versions can cause instability.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update
2. Click Check for Updates
3. Install all available updates
4. Restart your PC

Step 3: Free Up Disk Space

Low storage slows performance and causes freezing.

How to clean up:

1. Open Settings > System > Storage
2. Use Storage Sense or manually delete temporary files
3. Empty Recycle Bin

Step 4: Disable Startup Programs

Too many startup apps can overload your system at boot.

To disable them:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Go to Startup tab
3. Disable unnecessary apps

Step 5: Scan for Malware or Viruses

Malware can slow down your system and cause hangs.

Use Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus:

1. Go to Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection
2. Click Quick Scan or Full Scan
3. Remove any threats found

Step 6: Update Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers cause freezes, especially graphics or chipset drivers.

Steps:

1. Right-click the Start button > Device Manager
2. Expand Display adapters, Sound, and Network
3. Right-click each device > Update driver

Step 7: Run System File Checker (SFC)

This checks and repairs corrupted system files.

To run SFC:

1. Type cmd in the Windows search bar
2. Right-click Command Prompt > Run as Administrator
3. Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter
4. Wait for the scan to complete and follow instructions

Step 8: Perform a Clean Boot

This helps identify software conflicts.

Steps:

1. Type msconfig in the search bar
2. Go to Services tab > Check Hide Microsoft services
3. Click Disable All
4. Go to Startup > Open Task Manager and disable all items
5. Restart your PC

Step 9: Check RAM and HDD Health

Faulty RAM or hard drive can freeze your laptop.

• Use Windows Memory Diagnostic to check RAM
• Use chkdsk or third-party tools like CrystalDiskInfo to check HDD/SSD health

Step 10: Reset or Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If nothing works, a system reset may help.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery
2. Choose Reset this PC
3. Select Keep my files or Remove everything

Laptop hanging and freezing on Windows 10 or 11 is often caused by software bloat, outdated drivers, or hardware issues. With the right steps, you can restore smooth performance and avoid costly service calls.