Laptop freezing/hanging

Hi Justine. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

You said this may be due to Youtube. First let's look at fixes for YouTube causing freezes in WIndows 10, and since Youtube is in a browser the fixes for browsers which might help. If not then in my next post I will give you fixes to go over WIndows and hardware.

First try these fixes for Youtube freezing in WIndows 10:

https://windowsreport.com/youtube-freezes-chrome/

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/nsgt...

https://appuals.com/how-to-fix-youtube-freezing...

https://appuals.com/how-to-fix-youtube-freezing...

(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

Does this only happen in browsers? If so I'll give you more browser fixes. If not then skip down to the next post for fixes for WIndows freezing and hardware tests:

1. Clear the browser cache and cookies:

https://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/...

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-delete-cookies-...

2. Try disabling all extensions to see if this helps:

https://community.box.com/t5/How-to-Guides-for-...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-e...

3. For Edge, repair it in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Microsoft Edge > Manage > Repair, also reset in Edge Settings > Reset Settings.

For Firefox refresh it in it's Settings as shown here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/refresh-fi...

Reset Chrome here:

https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/329621...

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-reset-google-ch...

4. If that fails uninstall the browser (except Edge) in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, restart PC then reinstall browser from fresh download:

Firefox download: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Chrome download: https://www.google.com/chrome/

Edge download (to reinstall over itself):

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

WINDOWS 10 FREEZING AND HARDWARE TESTS -

Here are the fixes that work most for Windows 10 Freezing and tests to check over hardware::

1. See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s...

2. Next try everything in these best tutorials about freezing. Take your time as there are a bunch but one of them almost always works, so don't skip any:

https://www.ibeesoft.com/computer-tips/fix-wind...

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2019/03/troubl...

https://www.howtogeek.com/427550/how-to-fix-a-f...

https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/windows-10-k...

https://techloris.com/windows-10-freezes/

https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-10-fix-freezes/

https://www.easeus.com/computer-instruction/fix...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liSZYSBHNZ8

3. Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

4. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

5. If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version 1903 which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m....

Hardware tests:

6. test the memory using WIndows Memory Diagnostics: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-det...

If problems are found then test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide to test both sticks and slots:

https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/how-to-test...

7. Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics:

https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...

https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

HP and Dell have hardware diagnostics triggered by tapping the ESC or F12 keys respectively as you power on.

Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

Follow this up with a full Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

8. Stress test the rest of your hardware:

https://techguided.com/best-tools-to-stress-tes...

But remember that in Windows 10 everything depends upon the quality of the install, and Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider now or later doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

If it's the headphones then you might try updating the Sound driver From the PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads webpage for your exact model. While there check for the latest Chipset, BIOS, Sound, Network, USB3, Bluetooth and all other drivers to compare with the version/date installled for that device in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu.

If it's the latest driver then try uninstalling it in Device Manager, restart PC to reinstall it.

I tried another earphones and it seems like it was not freezing anymore. I'm going to tell you more if it is really fixed when I changed the earphones I'm using.