There’s nothing quite as frustrating as when your computer freezes. One moment you’re cruising through your tasks, the next, you’re stuck in the digital equivalent of quicksand. The cursor doesn’t budge, the keyboard becomes unresponsive, and all your unsaved work hangs in the balance. With our work taking place almost completely on our devices, it can be quite distressing when nothing you input makes any difference. So, what to do if your computer freezes? Let’s delve into some practical steps you can take to help you save your work and get you back on track asap.

Step 1: Don’t Panic

First things first, don’t panic. When your computer freezes, it’s easy to let frustration take hold. However, it’s important to remember that in most cases, the issue can be resolved without any permanent loss of data.

Clicking around obsessively as you wait for a response can do more harm than good, giving your system even more to think about while trying to sort itself out. If it does come back from freezing quickly, you’ll also likely find you’ve accidentally made some strange additions to whatever you were working on.

Holding down the off button is also not the first thing you should do. We get it, we all do crazy things when we panic. But there are a couple more things you can try if your computer freezes before jumping the gun and going for a reset.  

Step 2: Give it a Moment

Sometimes, your computer might just be busy processing a heavy task, creating a temporary freeze. Before you take any drastic measures, consider waiting for a few minutes to see if the problem resolves itself.

Step 3: Try the Simple Solutions

If your computer remains frozen after a short wait, give it at least a minute or so, and try some simple solutions. If it’s a web browser or a specific application that is frozen, try to close it.

 On Windows, press ‘Ctrl + Alt + Del‘ and select ‘Task Manager‘, then find the unresponsive application and click on ‘End Task‘.

On a Mac, you can use ‘Command + Option + Esc‘ to ‘Force Quit‘ the application.

Even if you’re not sure what the issue is, using these commands and getting to the task manager on your device will allow you to see if there is any task using a large amount of memory being taken up by any specific task. Try ending that one and see if it makes a difference.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

If the simple solutions don’t work, you may need to restart your computer. This can often clear out any issues and get things running smoothly again.

The safest way to do this on Windows is to press ‘Ctrl + Alt + Del’ and select ‘Restart’. On a Mac, press ‘Control + Command + Power Button’.

If all else fails, you may need to do a hard reset by holding down the power button until your computer turns off, then turn it back on again. Try to avoid doing this if you can though.

Step 5: Start in Safe Mode

This is where things start to get a little more complicated. If your computer continues to freeze even after a restart, try starting it in Safe Mode. This will load your computer with only the essential programs and services. If your computer doesn’t freeze in Safe Mode, the issue is likely related to a software or driver.

On Windows, after restarting the computer:

1. At the sign-in screen, hold down the Shift key and click Power, then Restart.
2. After the computer restarts, it should load a different screen to normal. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then Startup Settings and Restart.
3. After the computer restarts, a list of options should appear. Press F4 to start the computer in Safe Mode.

On a Mac, after restarting, immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.

1. Release the key when you see the login screen.
2. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.
3. You should see ‘Safe Boot‘ in the menu bar, indicating that your Mac is in Safe Mode

Step 6: Check for Overheating

Overheating can cause your computer to freeze as a protection measure. Make sure your computer’s cooling system is functioning properly and that it’s not covered in dust.

Step 7: Scan for Malware

Malware can often cause a computer to freeze. Use a trusted antivirus program to scan your computer for any potential threats and remove them if found.

Step 8: Consult a Professional

If none of the above steps work, you likely need a bit more heavy lifting than what a quick Google search can provide. Here at Novo IT, we have years of experience in dealing with all sorts of IT issues. Whatever is making your technology freeze we can diagnose the issue for free and offer a competitive price in getting it fixed.

Conclusion

A frozen computer can be a source of frustration, especially when it becomes a recurring issue. By following these steps, you can often get your digital companion back on its feet. Remember, the key is to stay calm and methodically troubleshoot the issue, getting in touch with us pros if it looks like it won’t be a quick fix.