What is what to do when laptop freezes?

When your laptop freezes, here's a breakdown of steps you can take:

  • Patience: Before jumping to conclusions, wait a few moments. The freeze might be temporary, especially if the laptop is performing a demanding task. Sometimes a program just needs a little time to catch up.

  • Check the Mouse and Keyboard: Make sure your mouse and keyboard are properly connected (if external) and have power. A simple disconnect and reconnect can sometimes resolve the issue.

  • Try the Force Quit Shortcut: Use the keyboard shortcut to try and force quit the application that might be causing the freeze.

  • Force Quit Application (If Possible): If the Force Quit shortcut works, select the unresponsive application and click "End Task" (Windows) or "Force Quit" (macOS).

  • Check the Hard Drive Indicator Light: If the light is constantly on, it indicates the computer is still processing something. Avoid interrupting it unless you've waited a substantial amount of time.

  • Safe Mode: Booting into https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Safe%20Mode can help diagnose whether a software issue is the cause. In Safe Mode, only essential drivers and programs are loaded. If your laptop works fine in Safe Mode, it suggests a third-party application or driver is the problem.

  • System Restore (Windows): If you suspect a recent software installation or update caused the freeze, use https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/System%20Restore to revert your system to a previous working state.

  • Hard Reboot (Last Resort): If all else fails, press and hold the power button until the laptop shuts down completely. This should only be done as a last resort, as it can potentially lead to data loss or file corruption. After the laptop shuts down, wait a few seconds and then press the power button again to restart it.

  • Check for Overheating: Ensure your laptop has proper ventilation. Overheating can cause performance issues and freezes. Clean any dust from the vents.

  • Update Drivers: Outdated or corrupted device drivers can cause instability. Keep your https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/device%20drivers updated, especially graphics drivers.

  • Run a Virus Scan: https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Malware infections can cause a variety of issues, including system freezes. Run a full system scan with a reputable antivirus program.

  • Check Disk Space: A nearly full hard drive can slow down your laptop and cause freezes. Free up some space by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to an external drive.

  • Monitor Resource Usage: Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to monitor https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/CPU, memory, and disk usage. This can help you identify which applications are consuming the most resources and potentially causing the freeze.

  • Hardware Issues: If the problem persists, it could be a hardware issue (e.g., failing hard drive, memory problems). Consider seeking professional help.