How to Fix Unexpectedly Crashing Windows Computers?
The latest Windows OS offers improved performance, enhanced security, modern UI design, and many more amazing features. Despite these features, sometimes you may encounter unexpected crashing issues on your Windows computers. Such unexpected crashes can be frustrating and disruptive, especially when they occur during important work, gaming sessions, or online meetings. If your Windows PC crashes randomly or you face a frozen screen, a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), or an unexpected system shutdown, don’t worry.
Fortunately, several online solutions are available to help you resolve the Windows keeps crashing issue. In this article, we’ll explore the common reasons behind these issues and different methods on how to fix unexpectedly crashing Windows computers. We’ll also check reliable ways to recover data lost after sudden shutdowns or system failures. Let’s get started!
Common Reasons for Unexpectedly Crashing Windows Computers
Understanding the exact reason why your Windows computer crashes unexpectedly helps you find adequate fixes. Some main causes include:
Outdated or Incompatible Device Drivers
If the device drivers, such as graphics cards, sound devices, and network adapters, installed on your Windows PC are outdated, corrupted or incompatible with the current OS version, they can lead to system instability and frequent crashes.
Overheating of CPU or GPU
Excessive heat can cause sudden system shutdowns or restarts to protect internal components. Even issues like dust, poor ventilation, faulty cooling fans, or dried thermal paste can raise the temperature of your device’s components beyond safe limits.
Faulty or Insufficient RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) plays an important role in running applications smoothly. If your device RAM gets defective or lacks memory, it can cause applications to crash, system freezes, and unexpected issues like Windows keeps crashing.
Malware or Virus Infection
Malicious programs like viruses or malware can interfere with system processes, damage files, consume excessive system resources, and create security vulnerabilities. These infections even cause Windows PC crashes randomly, slow performance, or complete system failure.
Failing Hard Drive or SSD
Storage devices with bad sectors or file system errors, which generally happen due to continuous usage for a long time, can cause data corruption and system crashes. With time, their performance and reliability may degrade and cause frequent freezes, slow boot times, or sudden shutdowns.
How do I Fix Unexpectedly Crashing Windows Computers? [Quick Methods]
Now that you are familiar with different reasons for why your PC crashes unexpectedly, it’s time to check some ways to resolve and avoid the issue.
Method 01: Update Device Drivers
Outdated drivers prevent your computer from communicating with hardware components such as graphics cards, sound cards, printers, and network adapters. To fix Windows crash issues by updating device drivers, follow the below steps on your PC:
- Press the Windows + X keys, go to Device Manager.
- Look for the devices showing an outdated warning icon.
- Right-click on that device and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers.
For better results, install these drivers from the manufacturer’s official website. Avoid using unreliable third-party driver updater tools, as they may install incorrect drivers.
Method 02: Check for Overheating Issues
As mentioned above, overheating components on your Windows computer are also one of the main reasons why it shuts down unexpectedly. Overheating is common in laptops, gaming PCs, and systems with poor ventilation. To avoid this:
- Clean dust from the fans and air vents of your PC regularly.
- Maintain proper airflow around the system.
- Avoid running heavy tasks for long periods without cooling.
- Use cooling pads for laptops.
Method 03: Scan and Repair Corrupted Files
Sometimes, due to unexpected system shutdowns, malware infections, or power failures, etc., system files become corrupted and lead to unexpected crashes. Corrupted files can destabilise the operating system and cause frequent crashes.
Here’s how to scan system files using System File Checker (SFC):
- Firstly, launch Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait till the scanning completes.
- If issues persist, run the DISM tool: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
Once done, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 04: Scan for Malware and Viruses
These malicious programs can damage system files, interfere with drivers, consume system resources, and create security vulnerabilities. To scan your PC against viruses or malware, you have to:
- Perform a complete scan on your computer using Windows Security (Defender)
- Avoid installing software from unauthorised sources
- Install reliable antivirus software on your computer.
Method 05: Inspect Power Supply or Battery Problems
Unexpected system crashes or restarts can be due to an unstable power supply or a failing device battery. Here’s how to fix it:
- Tighten the power cables and adapters connected to your Windows PC.
- Replace damaged chargers or weak batteries.
- Avoid using cheap or incompatible power accessories.
Additional Information: How to Recover Data from Unexpectedly Crashing Windows Computers?
Although the above methods are very helpful in fixing unexpected system crashes, they sometimes lead to data loss issues. When you find any file deleted from your Windows computer due to sudden shutdowns or unexpected crashes, it’s important to immediately proceed with data recovery. You can check previously created backups or use third-party Windows data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery Standard to restore your lost files. It is a trusted tool designed to help you recover data lost or deleted due to accidental deletion, system formatting, virus attacks, or even unexpected crashes.
The Stellar Data Recovery Standard tool is a popular, user-friendly Windows data recovery software allowing you to recover data from hard drives, SSDs, and many other internal or external storage devices. It supports recovery from formatted drives, deleted files, corrupted partitions, and unbootable systems caused by crashes. The software is compatible with all Windows versions and does not require advanced technical knowledge.
Here’s how to recover files from an unexpectedly crashing Windows computer using this amazing Windows data recovery software:
Step 1: Firstly, download and install Stellar Data Recovery Standard on a healthy drive or another computer. Launch the software once installation is complete.
Step 2: From the homepage, select the type of file you need to restore or choose “All Data” and click Next to continue.
Step 3: Choose the folder drive, partition, or external storage device where the deleted file was earlier stored and click Scan to begin scanning.
Step 4: After the scan completes, preview the recoverable files to verify their integrity. Select the file you want to restore and click Recover to save it to a secure location different from the original drive.
Note: Saving recovered files on the same storage device may overwrite deleted data and make further data recovery more complex.
Wrapping Up
Unexpected Windows crashes can put you in trouble, especially if it happens while working on any important file. Whether the issue is related to hardware, drivers, software conflicts, overheating, or system corruption, there’s always a chance to fix it. Go with the aforementioned fixes one by one to understand how to fix unexpectedly crashing Windows computers.
Moreover, if these crashes lead to stressful data loss situations, use Windows data recovery software such as Stellar Data Recovery Standard to recover your lost data effectively. Acting quickly and using trusted recovery software can help ensure that your valuable data remains safe and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does my Windows computer keep crashing unexpectedly?
Unexpected system crashes generally happen due to outdated drivers, overheating hardware, corrupted system files, malware infections, or faulty RAM.
Do outdated drivers really cause Windows crashes?
Yes, incompatible or corrupted drivers are one of the most common reasons for Windows crashes and system instability.
How can I fix Windows crashes caused by software conflicts?
Perform a Clean Boot, uninstall recently installed programs, and remove conflicting third-party applications to fix system crashes caused by software conflicts.
