by The Computing Australia Group | What to Do If Your
Laptop Freezes
You’re working away on your laptop and suddenly everything stops responding. The cursor won’t move, the screen won’t update, the keyboard does nothing, and panic sets in. Many people immediately worry about a cyberattack—but in reality, most laptop freezes are caused by common (and fixable) issues like an overloaded app, low memory, overheating, outdated software, corrupted system files, failing storage, or—less often—malware.
This guide walks you through practical, step-by-step fixes you can try safely, starting with the quickest checks and moving into deeper troubleshooting. It’s written for everyday users and small business teams, but includes enough detail to be genuinely useful when you need results fast.
Goal: Get you unstuck quickly, protect your files, and reduce the chances it happens again.
Before you do anything: quick safety rules
When a laptop freezes, it’s easy to make things worse by hammering keys or forcing shutdowns repeatedly.
- Don’t mash the keyboard or click aggressively. This can increase CPU load and keep the system “stuck.”
- Give it a short window to recover (30–120 seconds). If it’s a temporary spike, it may catch up.
- If you suspect overheating (fan noise, hot chassis, sudden lag), stop using it immediately and let it cool.
- If you have unsaved work, your goal is to regain control without a hard shutdown—if possible.
Step 1: Wait, then try a controlled restart
Why this works
Short freezes often happen when your laptop is finishing a heavy task: saving a big file, syncing cloud storage, installing an update, indexing, or hitting 100% CPU usage. Waiting briefly can allow the system to recover.
What to do
1. Wait 1–2 minutes.
2. If it’s still frozen:
- Try opening a system shortcut (details below).
- If you can’t regain control, use a controlled restart:
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Alt + Del. If the screen appears, choose Restart (or open Task Manager first).
- Mac: Press Control + Command + Power to restart, or Command + Option + Esc to force quit apps.
Last resort: hard shutdown (use only when needed)
If nothing responds, press and hold the power button for ~10 seconds until it turns off. Wait 10 seconds, then power it back on.
Step 2: Close the unresponsive program (most common fix)
A single app can freeze your entire system—especially browsers with many tabs, video calls, spreadsheets, design tools, or corrupted add-ins.
Windows: Task Manager
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. If that doesn’t work, press Ctrl + Alt + Del → select Task Manager
3. Look for apps marked Not responding, or those using very high:
- CPU
- Memory
- Disk
4. Select the problematic app → click End task
Tip: If Windows is slow, click More details and sort by CPU or Memory to find the culprit quickly.
1. Press Command + Option + Esc
2. Select the app → click Force Quit
If the freeze stops after closing an app, the issue is usually one of:
- the app needs updating
- too many open tabs/extensions
- the file you opened is corrupted
- the app is incompatible with your OS version
- insufficient RAM for your workload
Step 3: Check if your laptop is low on resources (RAM, CPU, Disk)
Freezes are often your laptop telling you it’s overwhelmed.
Signs you’re running out of memory (RAM)
- Apps take ages to switch
- Typing appears seconds later
- Browser tabs reload constantly
- Fans run loudly while you’re doing “normal” tasks
Quick checks
Windows
-
Task Manager → Performance tab
Check Memory, CPU, and Disk
If Disk is stuck at 100% (especially on older HDD systems), the laptop will feel frozen even if it’s technically running.
Mac
- Open Activity Monitor (Applications → Utilities)
- Check Memory Pressure (green is good; yellow/red indicates strain)
Quick fixes
If Disk is stuck at 100% (especially on older HDD systems), the laptop will feel frozen even if it’s technically running.
- Close extra apps and browser tabs
- Disable heavy startup apps (see Step 8)
- If you frequently max out RAM: consider upgrading RAM (if your model supports it), or moving to a system with more memory
Step 4: Install pending updates (OS, drivers, and apps)
Outdated systems can freeze due to:
- buggy OS builds
- security patches not applied
- driver issues (graphics, Wi-Fi, storage controllers)
- app versions that don’t match system libraries
Windows updates
- Go to Settings → Windows Update
- Install all updates
- Restart (even if it doesn’t ask—do it anyway)
Driver updates (Windows)
- Update graphics drivers (Intel/AMD/NVIDIA)
- Update chipset and storage drivers (especially on laptops with older controllers)
- Check Optional updates under Windows Update as well
macOS updates
- System Settings → General → Software Update
- Update macOS and restart
Step 5: Scan for malware (important when freezes are “weird”)
Most freezes are not malware—but it’s worth checking if you notice:
- sudden performance drops with no clear reason
- unknown processes consuming CPU
- browser redirects or pop-ups
- security software disabled unexpectedly
- your laptop runs hot while idle
What to do
- Run a full system scan using your trusted antivirus/endpoint tool
- If you manage business devices: confirm device compliance (patch levels, EDR status)
- Avoid installing “free cleaner” tools—many are more harmful than helpful
Extra safety tip: If you suspect active compromise, disconnect from Wi-Fi and seek professional support before entering passwords or accessing banking/email.
Step 6: Do a Disk Cleanup and free storage space
Low storage can cause freezing, especially when the system can’t create temporary files or swap memory.
Windows
- Search: Disk Cleanup
- Clean:
- Temporary files
- Recycle Bin
- Delivery Optimization files
- Old update caches (if offered)
Also check:
-
Settings → System → Storage
Enable Storage Sense to automate cleanup.
macOS
-
System Settings → General → Storage
Review Recommendations: - Empty trash
- Reduce clutter
- Remove large unused files
Rule of thumb: Aim to keep at least 15–20% free disk space for stable performance.
Step 7: Check for overheating (a huge cause of “random” freezes)
Overheating can throttle performance or lock the system temporarily to protect hardware.
Common causes
- Blocked vents (dust buildup)
- Laptop used on a bed/couch (blocks airflow)
- Old thermal paste (older devices)
- Heavy background tasks (updates, malware, indexing)
- High-performance apps + poor cooling design
What to do now
- Shut down and let it cool for 10–15 minutes
- Place it on a hard, flat surface
- Ensure vents aren’t blocked
- If you’re comfortable: clean vents using compressed air (short bursts)
Prevention tips
- Use a laptop stand
- Avoid using it while charging on soft surfaces
- Consider a cooling pad for hot-running models
- Don’t keep it in “High performance” mode all day unless you need it
Step 8: Reduce startup and background load (prevents future freezes)
Some laptops freeze because they’re trying to run too many background tools at once—cloud sync, multiple chat apps, update agents, browser helpers, etc.
Windows: disable unnecessary startup items
1. Open Task Manager → Startup apps
2. Disable non-essential items (be cautious with security software)
3. Restart and check improvement
Mac: login items
1. System Settings → General → Login Items
2. Remove unnecessary background items
Tip for business environments: Standardising startup apps via device management can dramatically reduce stability issues.
Step 9: Repair system files (Windows) and check disk health
If freezing happens regularly—even after updates—system files or the disk may be damaged.
Windows: System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
These tools can repair corrupted Windows components.
1. Open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin)
2. Run:
- sfc /scannow
3. If issues persist, run DISM repair:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Restart
Check disk errors (Windows)
- Run:
- chkdsk /f
- You may need to schedule it for next restart
Disk health warning signs
- long boot times
- frequent freezes during file access
- clicking noises (HDD)
- “disk at 100%” often
- file corruption messages
If storage is failing, back up immediately and plan a replacement.
Step 10: Test your RAM (memory problems can mimic “random” freezing)
Faulty RAM can cause:
- freezes
- blue screens (Windows)
- app crashes
- corrupted files
Windows Memory Diagnostic
- Search: Windows Memory Diagnostic
- Choose Restart now and check for problems
- Review results after reboot
Mac memory checks
Apple Silicon and modern macOS systems are less user-serviceable, but repeated freezes + restarts can still indicate memory or logic board issues. If you see frequent system crashes or kernel panic reports, it’s time for professional diagnostics.
Step 11: Boot in Safe Mode (to isolate software conflicts)
Safe Mode runs only essential services and helps determine if a third-party app/driver is causing freezes.
Windows Safe Mode
- Hold Shift while selecting Restart
- Choose: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart
- Press the number for Safe Mode
- a startup app
- a driver
- security software conflict
- a recently installed program
Mac Safe Mode
- Apple Silicon: hold power → startup options → select disk → hold Shift → Continue in Safe Mode
- Intel Macs: hold Shift while starting
Step 12: When it’s likely hardware (and what to do)
If you’ve tried the steps above and the laptop still freezes frequently, hardware issues become more likely.
Hardware-related causes
- failing SSD/HDD
- overheating due to dust or fan failure
- aging battery causing power instability
- motherboard/VRM issues (less common, more serious)
- RAM faults
- GPU issues (especially if freezing happens during video/graphics work)
What you should do next
- Back up your data (priority #1)
- Document what you observed:
- when the freeze happens
- what apps are open
- whether the laptop is hot
- any error messages
- Get a professional assessment (especially if it’s a work device)
If you need professional support in Perth, our IT team can help with diagnostics, upgrades, and repair services. Contact your IT provider or email helpdesk@computingaustralia.group.
If none of these tips works, then it may be a hardware problem. Get your IT provider to check the hardware and service hardware drivers or any other component if needed. To get professional upgrades & computer repair services, contact our Perth IT Solutions or email us at helpdesk@computingaustralia.group.
Jargon Buster
RAM – Random-access memory (RAM) is your system’s short-term memory where data is temporarily stored. This data is erased once the system is turned off.
Malware – refers to malicious software that is intentionally created to cause damage to a computer, laptop, server or computer network.
Hardware driver – or device driver is a set of files that enables system hardware to communicate with the operating system of a device.
FAQ
Why does my laptop freeze randomly?
Random freezes are usually caused by high CPU/RAM usage, low storage space, overheating, outdated drivers/OS, or corrupted system files. Failing SSD/HDD can also cause repeated freezing.
Is a frozen laptop a sign of a virus or hacking?
Not usually. Most freezes come from performance or software issues. But if you notice strange pop-ups, unknown programs, browser redirects, or high CPU while idle, run a full malware scan and change important passwords.
Why does my laptop freeze when I open certain programs?
That’s often due to the app needing updates, corrupted files, incompatible plugins/add-ins, or insufficient RAM/graphics resources. Reinstalling the app and updating drivers (especially graphics) often fixes it.
Can low disk space make a laptop freeze?
Yes. If your laptop has very little free storage, it can’t create temporary files or swap memory, which can cause freezing. Keep at least 15–20% of your drive free and run Disk Cleanup/Storage Sense.
When should I get professional help for freezing issues?
Get a technician involved if freezes happen daily, the laptop overheats quickly, you hear clicking (HDD), you get frequent crashes/blue screens, or diagnostics show RAM/disk errors. Back up your data as soon as possible.
