Is there anything more frustrating than when your Lenovo laptop is constantly freezing? We don’t think so!
Lenovo laptops are extremely popular and have become one of the most common brands for professionals and casual gamers alike. But when your laptop starts to freeze up out of nowhere, it can really put a spoke in the wheel of your entertainment and productivity.
Luckily, we’ve got a list of problems (and solutions) that will help you pinpoint your issue and fix it up before you can say ‘System Restore.’ So, let’s get right into the potential causes and helpful fixes to restore your Lenovo laptop to its former glory.
What Causes A Lenovo Laptop Freezing Issue?
Before you can fix a frozen Lenovo laptop, you’ll first need to find the underlying issue that is causing it to hang. Remember, there’s a difference between a frozen laptop and an unusually slow laptop, so you’ll also want to make sure that you know exactly what the problem is before you start troubleshooting.
If your laptop is simply slow, you may want to check out our guide on how to fix slow laptops. But, if you’re sure it’s a freezing issue, then let’s get to work on diagnosing exactly what’s going on with your device.
Hardware issues
Like any other device or laptop, your Lenovo laptop is unfortunately susceptible to hardware failures. Over time, dust and debris can start to build up inside your device, which leads to blocked air vents and obstructed cooling fans. In turn, this reduces your laptop’s ability to stay cool, which can cause components like the CPU and GPU to overheat.
In more severe cases of hardware failures, your laptop may automatically freeze or shut down to prevent damage that can be caused by overheating. Of course, a faulty CPU or motherboard could also be some of the underlying causes when your Lenovo laptop freezes.
Outdated operating system
Windows Operating System (OS) constantly receives updates to improve the performance, stability, and security of your Lenovo laptop. Of course, we’re all guilty of ignoring these updates from time to time. But, if you neglect them for too long, then your Lenovo laptop is more likely to experience freezing problems.
Windows updates usually include bug fixes and patches that address system issues. This means that by keeping your Windows system up to date, you can ensure that your laptop is running smoothly. Plus, it reduces the risk of your Lenovo laptop freezing.
Malicious software issues
Malware and viruses can wreak absolute havoc on your Lenovo laptop. These malicious programs can eventually slow your system down and cause software conflicts, as well as install unwanted toolbars, browser extensions, or applications that can cause Lenovo laptop freezes.
Background apps
Most modern laptops are built for multitasking, which means your Lenovo laptop should be able to juggle several apps at once. While multitasking is super convenient, it can also strain your system’s resources. This is particularly true if your laptop has limited RAM or an older processor.
When too many programs or apps are running in the background, it uses up the available memory and processing power, which can lead to slower performance and (in some cases) freezing.
Outdated software and drivers
Lenovo drivers and software work as a bridge between your laptop’s operating system and hardware. But when these components are outdated, some compatibility issues may start to pop up. In turn, your system can malfunction and crash or freeze.
Unresponsive sites
When you’re browsing the internet, it’s not uncommon to come across sites that freeze or are unresponsive. If this happens, it’s likely that a website’s scripts or content are straining the CPU or RAM on your Lenovo laptop. This can make it seem as if your device is freezing. However, this is usually a browser-related issue rather than an issue with your laptop.
Overheating
Have you ever heard the fans of your Lenovo laptop going crazy? That’s because they’re working overtime to keep your laptop and its components cool. Still, overheating is a pretty common issue – especially when you’re gaming or doing other power-heavy tasks.
When your laptop’s internal temperature rises quickly, the system may start to throttle its performance to prevent any heat-related damage to the system. And, if the cooling system is clogged with dust or the thermal paste inside the laptop has degraded, it’s likely that overheating is the cause of your Lenovo laptop freezing.
Insufficient RAM
RAM plays an important role in your laptop’s performance because it temporarily stores data for running applications and programs. If your Lenovo laptop has insufficient RAM, you may notice that it starts to freeze or that the performance has dipped. It’s important to remember that heavy apps and multitasking can exhaust the available RAM pretty quickly, which means freezing is much more likely.
12 Ways To Fix A Lenovo Laptop Freezing Issue
1. Install the latest Windows update
In some cases, your Lenovo laptop will automatically scan for updates and alert you when there is an update available. However, you can also manually check for updates to make sure that your operating system is updated to the latest version.
2. Update Lenovo drivers
If you find your Lenovo laptop freezing more often, it may be time to check that the drivers are up to date. Make sure you’re checking for updates regularly, including for components like graphics, chipsets, and network adapters. You can use a tool like Lenovo Vantage or Lenovo System Update to ensure all of your drivers and BIOS are up to date.
3. Try a factory reset
Resetting your Lenovo laptop to its factory settings is a pretty drastic move, so you should only do this when it’s absolutely necessary. This step is usually only recommended when all of the other troubleshooting methods have failed to fix Lenovo laptop freezing.
A factory reset erases all of the data on your laptop and reinstalls the operating system to its original state (as it was when you booted up your laptop for the first time). If you need to restore the device to its factory settings, be sure to back up any important data or files to avoid losing them.
4. Update flash memory modules
Some new RAM modules may require you to update Lenovo drivers so that they can function optimally with your laptop’s hardware and OS. Ideally, you should check Lenovo’s website or the RAM manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers.
Additionally, you should also make sure that the new RAM modules are compatible with your laptop’s specifications.
5. Clean out your PC’s registry
The Windows registry is a database that stores configuration settings for different software and hardware components. Over time, this registry can become cluttered with unnecessary entries which can lead to performance issues in your Lenovo laptop.
You can optimize your system’s performance and potentially fix freezing spells by using a tool like CCleaner to help clean up the registry and remove temporary files.
6. Try Lenovo Safe Mode
Booting or starting your laptop in Safe Mode means that your device will only load the most essential drivers and services. This can help to bypass any third-party software that might be causing conflicts and, ultimately, freezing.
If your laptop runs smoothly in Safe Mode, then it’s highly likely that a third-party application is causing these issues.
7. End some programs
If you have too many programs running at once, you may be overloading your laptop’s system. To fix this, you’ll need to open Task Manager to find any resource-draining applications and close those that aren’t necessary.
You can also disable some startup programs to reduce the potential burden on your system. If your system is frozen, you can access Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and choosing ‘Task Manager’ from the menu.
8. Free up disk space
A full C: drive can directly impact your laptop’s performance, which leads to freezing issues. To fix this, you’ll need to uninstall any unused programs, delete unnecessary files, and use the built-in Disk Cleanup feature to free up some disk space. You’ll want to make sure that there is at least 10 – 15% of space on your C: drive for your Lenovo laptop to function properly.
9. Clean the temp folder
The temp folder stores temporary system files that are generated by different programs and processes. Over time, these system files build up and can cause conflicts, so you’ll want to clear the folder as often as possible.
10. Do a malware scan
Malware and viruses are annoying at the best of times, but especially when they’re causing your laptop to freeze or stop responding altogether! To get around this, you can perform a virus scan with reliable antivirus software that will remove any malicious threats to your PC.
You should also keep your antivirus software up to date to make sure it’s keeping your laptop protected at all times.
11. Perform a system restore
System Restore is a feature on all Lenovo laptops that allows you to restore your computer to a previous version or point in time when it was last functioning correctly. So, if your laptop is experiencing freezing more often or other troubleshooting methods have failed, then a System Restore may be your last hope!
12. Replace faulty hardware
If all of our other software-related fixes fail, it may be time to assess your hardware. When you’re dealing with a faulty motherboard, CPU, or RAM, it could be time to replace these components to give your laptop a little nip-and-tuck.
Luckily, you can easily find all of the hardware you need with PC International. And, if you’re unsure of what your device needs, our team is qualified to give you the professional help you need.
FAQs
Will a Lenovo System Update help to fix freezing?
A Lenovo System Update will automatically update drivers and your laptop’s software. So, if these are the root issues behind your frozen laptop, then a System Update may help. However, if it doesn’t stop your laptop from freezing, then you may need to go back to the drawing board and try one of our other fixes.
How can I determine if the freezing is caused by software or hardware issues?
To figure out whether your laptop is freezing because of a hardware or software issue, you’ll want to try booting your device in Safe Mode. If your laptop continues to freeze in Safe Mode, it’s usually because the issue is caused by hardware issues. But if your laptop runs smoothly, then the problem may be caused by software or driver conflicts.
Can I use third-party cleaning tools to optimize my laptop’s performance?
While some third-party tools like CCleaner are safe to use to boost your laptop’s performance, you should always use these tools with caution. To avoid unintentionally downloading malware, you’ll want to make sure you’re using well-known, reputable tools.
Conclusion
When your computer freezes, it may seem all too easy to reach for the power button and shut your laptop down. But this won’t address the root of the issue, so it’s not likely that your problem will simply go away.
Luckily, with this comprehensive guide, you’ll be able to troubleshoot your problem and spruce up your Lenovo laptop in no time.
References:
https://starlabs.com.sg/laptop-news/how-to-fix-lenovo-laptop-hanging-or-freezing-issues/
https://toptechbeast.com/why-does-my-lenovo-laptop-keep-freezing/
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-to-do-if-your-laptop-freezes
