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10 Tech How-To

Fix Windows 10 Freezing, BSOD & Restart Issues

Guide 10-8926 · Updated · Step by step

Windows 10 freezing, showing a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), or restarting on its own are symptoms of the same underlying problems—failing hardware, corrupted system files, or driver conflicts. You can fix most of these issues by running a few built-in Windows tools in a specific order, starting with Safe Mode and ending with a system reset if nothing else works. This guide walks you through the exact steps to diagnose and repair each cause, so you can get back to a stable system.

Why Windows 10 Freezes or Restarts Unexpectedly

These three symptoms—freezing, BSOD, and random restarts—are closely related. A freeze happens when the system stops responding, often because a driver or hardware component is stuck. A BSOD occurs when Windows detects a critical error it cannot recover from, and it stops the system to prevent data loss. A restart after a BSOD is the default behavior, so many users see the screen flash and then the PC reboots before they can read the error code.

Common underlying causes include:

  • Overheating: Dust-clogged fans or dried thermal paste can cause the CPU or GPU to overheat, triggering a shutdown or freeze.
  • Faulty RAM: A bad memory stick can cause random crashes, freezes, and BSODs with different error codes.
  • Corrupted system files: A failed update or a virus can damage critical Windows files.
  • Driver conflicts: An outdated or incompatible driver, especially for graphics or network hardware, is a frequent culprit.
  • Failing hard drive or SSD: Bad sectors or a dying drive can cause the system to hang or crash.
  • Power supply issues: An insufficient or failing PSU can cause random restarts under load.

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode to Isolate the Problem

Safe Mode loads Windows with only the essential drivers and services. If the system does not crash in Safe Mode, the issue is likely a third-party driver or a startup program. If it still crashes, the problem is probably hardware or a core Windows component.

  1. If Windows will not boot normally, force a restart three times in a row—turn the PC on, wait for the Windows logo, then hold the power button until it shuts down. On the third attempt, Windows should enter the Automatic Repair screen.
  2. On the Automatic Repair screen, click Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  3. After the restart, press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode, or 5/F5 for Safe Mode with Networking (needed if you want to download drivers).

Once in Safe Mode, observe if the freezing or BSOD occurs. If it does not, proceed to Step 2. If it does, skip to Step 4 (hardware diagnostics).

Step 2: Run System File Checker and DISM

Corrupted system files are a common cause of instability. Windows has two built-in tools to repair them.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. This scans and repairs protected system files. It can take 15-30 minutes.
  3. If SFC finds errors but cannot fix them, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This repairs the Windows image that SFC relies on. After it finishes, run sfc /scannow again.

If these commands complete without errors, the system files are likely fine. Move on to checking drivers.

Step 3: Update or Roll Back Drivers

Outdated or buggy drivers are the most common software cause of BSODs and freezes. The most likely culprits are graphics, network, and chipset drivers.

  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand categories like Display adapters, Network adapters, and System devices.
  3. Right-click each device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. Repeat for all critical devices.
  4. If the problem started after a recent driver update, right-click the device, select Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver.

If you suspect a specific driver, you can also check the BSOD error code. Common ones include:

  • IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL – often a driver or RAM issue.
  • PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA – often RAM or storage driver.
  • VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE – graphics driver or GPU hardware.

Search the exact error code online to find the specific driver, but be cautious of fake driver download sites—always use the manufacturer’s official website or Windows Update.

Step 4: Test Hardware Components

If software fixes do not work, the problem is likely hardware. The two most common culprits are RAM and the hard drive/SSD.

Test RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic

  1. Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
  2. Choose Restart now and check for problems. The test runs automatically and may take 20-30 minutes.
  3. If errors are found, you need to replace the faulty RAM stick. To identify which one, test each stick individually by removing all but one and running the test again.

Check Your Drive with CHKDSK

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (as in Step 2).
  2. Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter. You may need to schedule it for the next restart.
  3. Restart the PC. CHKDSK will scan the drive for bad sectors and attempt to recover data.

If CHKDSK reports many bad sectors or hangs, the drive is likely failing. Back up your data immediately and replace the drive.

Step 5: Check for Overheating and Power Issues

Overheating is a common cause of freezes and restarts, especially on older or heavily used PCs. Download a temperature monitoring tool like Core Temp or HWMonitor (free, reputable) and check your CPU and GPU temperatures while idle and under load. If temperatures exceed 90°C (194°F) for the CPU or 85°C (185°F) for the GPU, you likely have a cooling problem.

  • Open the case and clean dust from fans and heatsinks with compressed air.
  • Ensure all fans are spinning and not blocked.
  • If the CPU heatsink is old, consider reapplying thermal paste.

Power supply issues are harder to diagnose without specialized equipment. If your PC restarts only when playing games or doing heavy tasks, the PSU may be failing or underpowered. A reputable PSU from a known brand with enough wattage for your components is essential—do not skimp on this part.

Step 6: Disable Automatic Restart to See the BSOD

By default, Windows restarts immediately after a BSOD, so you never see the error code. Disable this to read the message and search for a fix.

  1. Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Go to the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
  3. Uncheck Automatically restart under System failure. Click OK.

Next time a BSOD occurs, the screen will stay up. Note the error code (e.g., 0x0000007E) and the driver name if shown. Search for that exact code to find targeted solutions.

Step 7: Reset Windows 10 as a Last Resort

If none of the above fixes work, a full reset can eliminate any remaining software issues. This reinstalls Windows while giving you the option to keep your personal files.

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
  2. Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
  3. Choose Keep my files (but back up your data anyway) or Remove everything.
  4. Follow the prompts. This can take an hour or more.

If the system still crashes after a clean reset, the problem is almost certainly hardware—likely the motherboard, CPU, or PSU. At that point, consider professional repair or replacing the component.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Windows 10 freeze but not restart?

A freeze without a restart often points to a driver hang or overheating. The system may become unresponsive because a driver is stuck waiting for hardware that never responds. Check the Event Viewer (under Windows Logs > System) for error events around the time of the freeze—they often name the faulty driver. Overheating can also cause a freeze as a protective measure before a full shutdown.

How do I read the BSOD error code?

The BSOD shows a stop code like CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED or a hexadecimal code like 0x000000EF. Write it down and search for it online. The code tells you the general category (memory, driver, file system), but the exact cause often requires further investigation. You can also use the Reliability Monitor (type “reliability� in Start) to see a timeline of crashes with details.

Can a Windows update cause BSOD loops?

Yes, a faulty Windows update can cause repeated BSODs, especially if the update conflicts with a driver. If you suspect a recent update, boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the update via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. You can also use System Restore to revert to a point before the update.

Why does my PC restart when playing games but not otherwise?

This is a classic sign of an overheating GPU or an insufficient power supply. Games push the GPU to its maximum, drawing more power and generating more heat. Check GPU temperatures with a monitoring tool—if it exceeds 85°C (185°F), improve cooling. Also, ensure your PSU has enough wattage and is not old or failing.

Is it safe to keep using my PC if it keeps freezing?

It is risky. Frequent freezes can corrupt files, and a failing drive or PSU can cause data loss or even damage components. Back up your important data immediately, then work through the fixes. If the problem is overheating, continuing to use the PC can shorten the lifespan of the CPU or GPU.

What should I do if nothing works?

If you have tried all the software fixes and hardware tests, and the problem persists, the issue may be a failing motherboard or CPU. These are difficult to diagnose without swapping parts. Consider taking the PC to a reputable repair shop for diagnostic testing. If the system is older, it may be more cost-effective to replace it.

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General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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