This guide provides an overview of common issues in Windows 10 and 11, along with practical solutions using the system's built-in tools such as utilities, troubleshooters, advanced booting, Command Prompt, Control Panel, and up-to-date hardware drivers. Are you encountering any of these problems? Here's how to resolve them.

Table of Contents

• 1. Frozen Applications
• 2. Sluggish PC Performance
• 3. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
• 4. Hard Drive/SSD Malfunction
• 5. Mouse and Touchpad Problems
• 6. Corrupted Registry
• 7. No Sound Output
• 8. Login Issues
• 9. BIOS Problems
• 10. Non-Functional USB Ports
• 11. Display and Monitor Issues
• 12. Bluetooth Malfunction
• 13. Failure to Download or Install Updates
• 14. Sudden Wi-Fi Disconnection
• Frequently Asked Questions

1. Frozen Applications

When a Windows program becomes unresponsive, the screen freezes, and other applications may also seem stuck. This issue often arises due to overheating or memory constraints.

1. To thaw the frozen apps, launch the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl Alt Del or through the Run command Win R and typing taskmgr.
2. Right-click on the unresponsive tasks in the "Processes" tab and select "End Task." If you've managed to save your work, conduct a clean reboot.

To identify overheating issues, check for power supply problems. Examine your laptop's battery and AC adapter for any signs of swelling, which indicates it's time for a hardware replacement.

For older computers, cleaning the cooling fan might be necessary. If RAM is insufficient, consider upgrading it.

2. Sluggish PC Performance

Following closely behind frozen apps, a slow PC can make even simple tasks frustrating.

You can enhance the performance of your Windows 11 or 10 device without necessarily upgrading your RAM.

1. Swap out your current antivirus for Windows Defender, which is all the protection you need.
2. Use the Disk Cleanup tool found in the search bar to free up space by removing old Windows updates, upgrade logs, temporary files, Recycle Bin contents, and memory dump files.

3. Disable startup programs by navigating to "Settings -> Apps -> Startup." Only keep essential services like Intel Graphics Command Center and Realtek Audio driver enabled; everything else is optional.

4. Consider performing a cloud download of your Windows OS to get the latest system files from Microsoft's servers for a fresh installation. This option appears when you select "Reset PC" in "Settings -> System -> Recovery."

5. Regularly clear the cache of browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for a slight performance boost. On older PCs, consider uninstalling RAM-heavy software and games.

6. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

Blue screen errors, also known as bug check or stop code errors, are complex and frustrating. They can result from faulty third-party software, hardware issues, Microsoft code errors, or corrupted memory.

Each BSOD displays a unique stop code, such as "0x000000xyz," which can be reviewed in the Event Viewer, accessible via Win R and typing eventvwr.exe or eventvwr.msc.

After encountering a BSOD, analyze the crash dump files using Debug with Windbg. The best approach to fix these errors is through the Windows advanced startup menu (boot menu), accessed by going to "Settings -> System -> Recovery -> Advanced Startup -> Restart."

Choose from these options in the advanced startup menu:

• Uninstall Updates: Often, BSODs result from incompatible drivers or third-party software.
• System Restore: Revert the system to an earlier point when the issue was absent.
• Startup Repair: Use if BSOD is caused by boot issues.
• Factory Image Restore: Revert the PC to its original state (only for extreme cases).

Other solutions for BSODs vary based on the stop code error's origin:

• Kernel data inpage error
• Critical process died error
• WDF_violation error

In rare instances, hardware might be the culprit. Check the motherboard and power supply for specific issues.

4. Hard Drive/SSD Malfunction

Both hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) can fail due to short circuits, data corruption, physical damage, or wear and tear.

To check the health of your HDD/SSD, run the following command in an elevated Command Prompt. If the status is "OK," the issue likely stems from software errors that are easy to fix.

<code>wmic diskdrive get status</code>

For any hard drive issues, use these essential Command Prompt fixes in Admin mode:

Chkdsk

This command conducts a thorough health check of the hard drive. For targeted checks, use chkdsk C:/f/x/r or chkdsk D:/f/x/r.

You should receive a message like "Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems. No further action is required." If not, proceed to the next tool.

System File Checker

Use sfc/scannow to repair Windows-protected files and replace corrupted drivers.

DISM

Execute the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) commands in this sequence:

<code>DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /scanhealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /restorehealth</code>

For SSD users, set the Power mode to "Best performance" in "Settings -> System -> Power & battery" to avoid frequent discharging, which is harmful to SSDs.

Additionally, defragment your HDD if you have one to resolve issues from bad sectors. SSD users can use comparable optimization tools.

5. Mouse and Touchpad Problems

A mouse that lags or a touchpad that freezes unexpectedly can be quite bothersome.

For laptop touchpad issues, go to "Settings -> Bluetooth & devices -> Touchpad." Keep the Touchpad enabled even when using a mouse, and set all default sensitivity options.

Adjust your mouse settings from "Settings -> Bluetooth & devices -> Mouse." Ensure the primary button is set to "Left" and the pointer speed is comfortable. Keep all default options enabled.

For additional mouse settings, click on "Pointer Options" and choose an appropriate pointer speed.

If the mouse or touchpad isn't working correctly, fix it through Device Manager. Access it by typing Win R and entering devmgmt.msc. Select the mouse or touchpad driver, right-click for "Properties," and update or reinstall the drivers.

6. Corrupted Registry

A corrupted registry in Windows 11 or 10 can lead to DLL errors and system crashes, often resulting from frequent use.

To maintain a healthy Windows registry, perform a clean boot:

1. Open "System Configuration" from the search bar or by typing msconfig in the Run menu.
2. Go to "Services" and select "Hide all Microsoft services."

3. Disable all third-party services like Google and other apps. After restarting, Windows will boot into a clean environment.

4. To address DLL errors in the registry, use the Registry Editor. Open it via Run by typing regedit.
5. Navigate to the software causing issues and create new keys or DWORD (32-bit) values as per troubleshooting guides.

6. Most registry issues can be resolved with a simple Windows update. Additionally, use sfc/scannow and DISM.exe in Command Prompt for further protection.

7. No Sound Output

If your laptop or desktop fails to produce sound, you can't enjoy music, movies, YouTube, or join video calls. Follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Go to "Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Sound."
2. A pop-up will show the active playback device. If using headphones, sound won't come from the laptop speakers and vice versa. Also, check for wireless headphone issues.

3. Windows 11 and 10 have a built-in troubleshooter for each error. Search for "Find and fix problems with playing sound" and run it to automatically apply fixes.

4. After running the troubleshooter, audio issues should resolve. Fix driver issues by restarting audio services via services.msc in Run.

5. Disable sound effects and enhancements in "Settings -> System -> Sound -> Speakers."

6. Login Issues

The most common causes of sign-in problems in Windows are forgotten passwords or PINs. Secure storage of these credentials is crucial (consider using a password manager).

If you can't log in, check for multiple accounts on your device using netplwiz in the Run menu. Deleting unnecessary accounts can resolve login issues. Restart to confirm the fix.

To prevent future login issues, shut down from the desktop rather than the Lockscreen. For persistent login problems, use Safe mode and run Startup Repair as mentioned earlier. You can also disable "Fast startup" in "Power Options" in the Control Panel.

9. BIOS Problems

While a corrupted BIOS might necessitate replacing your computer or hard drive, it's usually a simple maintenance issue. Access the BIOS menu by pressing the boot keys (such as F2, F6, F12, or Esc) after rebooting Windows.

In the BIOS Settings menu, look for "Load defaults" (often found under "Maintenance") to reset the BIOS to its default settings.

After setting the Factory or current BIOS defaults, your Windows device will revert to its standard settings after a restart.

Note: You'll avoid BIOS issues if you're using UEFI mode.

If you encounter errors like "This PC can't run the current version of Windows" or get stuck on the BIOS boot screen, check and update the BIOS. Otherwise, avoid altering BIOS settings.

10. Non-Functional USB Ports

Sometimes, your PC or laptop may not respond properly to USB device insertion or removal. If the USB drive is fine, the USB port might be malfunctioning.

1. If there's no physical damage but the USB port isn't working, check the driver's "Properties" in Device Manager.

2. If the status reads "This device is working properly," but the port still fails, restart your computer and check again.

3. Right-click the USB driver in Device Manager to install or update the drivers.

4. Display and Monitor Issues

Issues like black screens, blank screens, haziness, or distorted views on your monitor can be resolved via Device Manager, similar to other peripherals.

Go to your monitor's driver and right-click to check its properties. If it shows "This device is working properly," you're set. If the drivers are outdated, update or reinstall them.

To prevent display conflicts, ensure a smooth power supply. Enable "Fast startup" in "Shutdown settings" from "Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options -> System Settings."

If using multiple monitors, ensure the primary and secondary monitors are correctly configured, and set the display resolution according to your screen size recommendations.

12. Bluetooth Malfunction

Bluetooth is crucial for connecting mice, touchpads, headphones, USB devices, and smart gadgets. When it stops working, it disrupts your Windows experience.

1. Go to "Settings -> Bluetooth & Devices" and ensure your Bluetooth device is paired and the toggle is on.

2. If pairing issues persist, run the Bluetooth troubleshooter from "Settings -> System -> Troubleshoot -> Other troubleshooters -> Bluetooth."

3. After running the troubleshooter, minor issues like Bluetooth radio problems should be fixed.

A simple restart should allow successful Bluetooth pairing. If issues continue, uninstall and reinstall the Bluetooth device, and check for driver updates in Device Manager.

13. Failure to Download or Install Updates

This problem often occurs when upgrading Windows versions. You might find that updates take excessively long to download or install.

1. Usually, a simple PC restart and refreshing the update screen can fix the issue. Go to "Check for Updates" to see if the glitch is resolved.
2. If updates still fail, run the Windows Update troubleshooter from "Settings -> System -> Troubleshoot -> Other troubleshooters."

3. The troubleshooter can resolve security settings, missing files, or service registration problems. Similar results can be achieved with SFC, DISM, and other file path correction tools.

14. Sudden Wi-Fi Disconnection

Wi-Fi is essential for connecting to the internet. If it suddenly stops working, you can't go online. Here's how to fix Wi-Fi issues in Windows:

1. Go to "Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center" to open the Network Connections window.
2. Disable and then re-enable your Wi-Fi connection.

3. Ensure your Wi-Fi router is functioning correctly.
4. Check if Airplane mode was accidentally enabled; you can turn it off from "Settings -> Network & Internet."
5. If your Wi-Fi doesn't appear, enable SSID broadcast and adjust other settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Windows error messages?

The most frequent error messages in Windows 11 and 10 include:

• Boot device not found
• DLL errors
• Update errors
• Security certificate errors
• Blue screen of death (BSoD) errors
• Access denied
• Slow or no Internet connection

Why does Windows 10 sometimes become unstable?

Windows 10 may become unstable due to a lack of support for advanced features like Trusted Platform Module (TPM), Virtualization-based Security (VBS), and UEFI Secure boot. Although Microsoft plans to support Windows 10 until the end of 2025, upgrading to Windows 11 can provide more stability due to its improved user interface and advanced functionalities.

How do I know if my Windows apps are faulty?

Keeping the SmartScreen filter enabled in Windows Security will alert you to any problematic downloaded apps and prevent their installation.

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.

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