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My Windows 11 PC Hard Freezes for about 30 seconds to a minute when I play certain games.

Kevin Tyler 5 Reputation points
2025-12-01T09:11:32.5666667+00:00

Whole PC Freezes on me when I'm playing a more demanding game, won't crash or anything just hard freezes for anywhere between 15 seconds and a minute. I have no idea what to do about it, pc's in great condition and great specs, do I need to replace something major to fix it? I've updated all my drivers, and made sure I'm not missing any updates.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Gaming
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  1. Anonymous
    2025-12-01T16:48:08.1366667+00:00

    Dear Kevin Tyler,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum.

    I understand how disruptive this can be, especially with a well-maintained system and up-to-date drivers and updates. We will work through some steps to identify and resolve this issue:

    1.Check Event Viewer for clues:

    • Right-click Start button > select Event Viewer.
    • Expand Windows Logs > System.
    • Then looking for warnings or errors around the freeze timestamps.
    • Note any recurring sources like Kernel-Power, Display, or driver names, and reply with details.

    2. Disable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling:

    • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
    • Select System > Display > Graphics.
    • Under Default graphics settings, turn off Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.

    3. Disable Fast Startup:

    • Right-click Start button > Power Options.
    • Select Choose what the power buttons do.
    • Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
    • Uncheck Turn on fast startup > Save changes.
    • Restart your computer.

    4. Disable background apps:

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then end all unnecessary tasks before gaming.

    If the issue persists, you could check your RAM/GPU. You could try to power off, unplug, remove or reinsert.

    Please let me know if these steps could help. If you have any further issues, I'm here to assist.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".  

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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-01T09:11:40.5766667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    If your Windows 11 PC is experiencing hard freezes while playing demanding games, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to identify and potentially resolve the issue:

    1. Check for Updates: Ensure that your Windows operating system and all drivers, especially graphics drivers, are up to date. Sometimes, compatibility issues can cause freezes during gaming.
    2. Monitor System Performance: Use tools like Windows Performance Monitor to check how your system performs while gaming. This can help identify if any specific resource (CPU, GPU, RAM) is being maxed out during gameplay.
    3. Memory Dumps: If the freezes occur frequently, consider generating a memory dump file when the issue happens. You can do this by holding down the right Ctrl key and pressing the Scroll Lock key twice. This file can be analyzed to determine the cause of the freeze.
    4. Check Event Logs: Review the System and Application logs in the Event Viewer for any errors or warnings that coincide with the times of the freezes. Look for specific Event IDs that might indicate hardware or software issues.
    5. Hardware Check: Although your PC is in great condition, it might be worth checking the hardware components. Ensure that your cooling system is functioning properly, as overheating can lead to performance issues.
    6. Game Compatibility: Some games may have known issues with certain hardware configurations. Check the game developer's website or forums for any patches or updates that may address freezing issues.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to consider further diagnostics or consult with a professional to determine if any hardware replacements are necessary.

    References:

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