Computer keeps locking up while watching videos

Question

While watching online videos the computer starts to lock up about 5 minutes into the presentation.

Answer 1

Welcome Bill Donovan to the Q&A forum.

From what you shared, your Windows 11 computer keeps locking up while you are watching online videos and after about 5 minutes it transitions into a presentation screen.

This behavior might be caused by Windows 11 treating online video playback as idle time when there’s no keyboard or mouse input. As a result, screen saver, lock screen, or power‑saving features may still activate and interrupt playback, making the system appear to lock up. Please try the following methods to see if they help.

1. Screen saver settings

Open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen > Screen saver

Set Screen saver to None

Uncheck On resume, display logon screen

2. Power & sleep (workaround)

Open Settings > System > Power & sleep

Set Screen off to Never or a longer time

Set Sleep to Never or a longer time

3. Temporarily disable browser extensions to check whether any of them are interfering with video playback.

Additional tip: Using full‑screen mode might also help, as it better indicates ongoing activity and reduces idle detection during playback.

Please let me know how it goes!

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Answer 2

• Disable Hardware Acceleration: Open your browser (Edge or Chrome) > Settings > System and performance > OFF "Use graphics acceleration when available"
• Reset the Graphics Driver (Keyboard Shortcut): Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B.
• Update Windows: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates "Look for KB5084597"

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if same issue, Uninstall/Remvoe this update (KB5079473)