What Am I Using?
Computer freezing or not responding?
Check whether one app is stuck or the whole device stops responding. Find safe ways to recover your work and document the freeze.
Can you still switch to another app?
Wait briefly. Try switching to another open app using your usual keyboard shortcut or taskbar.
Device and operating system
Isolate the frozen app
One stalled app can leave the rest of the device usable.
- Wait if the app is actively saving, importing or exporting. Close it normally if possible and save work in other apps.
- If it remains stuck, use your system’s app monitor or force-quit control for that app. Reopen with a small file and note the trigger.
Record the freeze and reduce the workload
A device-wide freeze can involve resource pressure, hardware or a driver.
- Note whether the display froze, sound continued or the computer restarted. Give it time if an update is visible.
- After recovery, back up important files. Compare light use with the activity that triggered the freeze and report repeatable patterns.
Record the timing and activity
A short stall can be investigated without forcing a restart.
- Note the app, task and time. Check whether backup, sync or updates were running.
- If freezes become frequent, copy those observations and ask device support where to find relevant system logs.