How to Fix “Windows 11 Not Responding” Issue: Top Proven Solutions

Experiencing the “Windows 11 Not Responding” issue can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of important work. Freezing, lagging, or unresponsive apps and system processes are not uncommon in Windows 11, but fortunately, there are several proven solutions to help restore smooth performance.

This comprehensive guide walks you through step-by-step methods to identify the causes and fix the “not responding” issue in Windows 11 effectively.

Common Causes of Windows 11 Not Responding

Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand what might be causing the issue:

• Outdated or corrupt drivers
• Software conflicts
• Overloaded system resources (CPU/RAM)
• Corrupt system files
• Too many startup programs
• Insufficient disk space or failing hardware

Top Solutions to Fix Windows 11 Not Responding

1. Restart Your PC

While it may seem basic, restarting your computer can clear temporary glitches and restore responsiveness.

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then click on the power icon and select Restart.
• If your system is completely frozen, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown.

2. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts by starting Windows with only essential services.

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
3. Switch to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
4. Disable all unnecessary startup items.
5. Restart your PC.

3. Update Device Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers are a common cause of system unresponsiveness.

How to update drivers:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand categories (e.g., Display Adapters, Network Adapters).
3. Right-click and choose Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

4. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Tool

Corrupt system files can cause Windows to freeze or become unresponsive.

To run SFC and DISM:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type the following and press Enter: bashCopyEditsfc /scannow
3. After the scan completes, type: swiftCopyEditDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Restart your PC after completion.

5. Free Up Disk Space

Low disk space can severely affect system performance.

To clean up your disk:

1. Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
2. Select your system drive (usually C:).
3. Choose items to delete (temporary files, recycle bin, etc.) and click OK.

Alternatively, uninstall unused programs and move large files to an external drive or cloud storage.

6. Scan for Malware or Viruses

Malware infections can slow down your system or cause it to freeze entirely.

Use Windows Security:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security.
2. Click on Virus & Threat Protection.
3. Run a Full Scan to detect and remove malicious software.

7. Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly releases patches and updates to fix system bugs.

To check for updates:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Download and install any available updates.

8. Use System Restore

If your system was working fine before a recent change, System Restore can revert your PC to a previous stable state.

To use System Restore:

1. Press Win + S and search for “Create a restore point”.
2. Click on System Restore under the System Protection tab.
3. Follow the wizard to choose a restore point and restore your system.

9. Increase Virtual Memory (Paging File)

Insufficient virtual memory may cause your system to become unresponsive.

To adjust virtual memory:

1. Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Under the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance.
3. Go to the Advanced tab > Change under Virtual memory.
4. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size, select your drive, and set:
   • Initial Size: Equal to your RAM
   • Maximum Size: 1.5x to 2x of your RAM
5. Click Set > OK > Restart your PC.

10. Reset Windows 11 (as a Last Resort)

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reset Windows 11.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Click Reset this PC.
3. Choose either:
   • Keep my files (recommended)
   • Remove everything (for a clean start)

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Conclusion

Windows 11 Not Responding can be a temporary issue or a sign of deeper problems. Thankfully, by using the proven troubleshooting steps listed above, most users can resolve these errors and restore full system functionality.