This page is centered on discovering the reasons behind why your computer freezes when playing games and provides solutions to fix PC freezing issues while gaming on Windows 10/8/7.
If your computer is unexpectedly freezing while gaming on Windows 10, 8, or 7, don't panic. Browse through this page, and you'll discover dependable solutions to enhance your computer's performance and ensure a seamless gaming experience.
Recently, I have upgraded my Windows 10 from 32-bit to 64-bit, and since then, my games are randomly experiencing freezing issues. The game becomes unresponsive, with the sound looping (a very short segment, resulting in a buzzing noise), and sometimes it resumes after a couple of seconds, whereas other times it remains frozen.
The same issue occurs with several different games, and not specifically during resource-intensive moments. Why do my games keep freezing, and how can I resolve this problem? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!!
As per numerous gamers, it can be utterly frustrating when their computer repeatedly crashes while playing games. So, how do you address this issue and ensure your computer runs swiftly and smoothly during gameplay?
Let's determine what is causing your computer to freeze and how to resolve this issue right now.
In fact, there are numerous factors that can cause your computer to run slowly or become unresponsive. Here's a list of primary reasons that might lead to game freezing in Windows 10/8/7:
Since there are various factors that can cause game freezing on your computer, the solutions may also differ. It doesn't matter if you're not entirely sure which factor is responsible for freezing your computer.
Follow the steps below, and you'll have your computer running smoothly for gaming in no time.
4 Quick Fixes for SSD Freezing on Windows 10/11
Is your SSD freezing on Windows 10/11? It can be frustrating, but let's tackle this issue with the right methods and apply effective solutions.
In this section, we'll provide some quick tips to assist you in preventing and resolving computer freezing issues while gaming on Windows 10/8/7.
Don't use a regular computer or a business notebook to play games, especially massive online games.
It's an efficient method to terminate programs that are consuming high CPU and RAM resources, thereby relieving your computer when it becomes unresponsive.
This method also applies when your PC freezes while playing games. Here are the steps:
Step 1. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to open Task Manager.
Step 2. Click on "Task Manager" and navigate to the Processes tab.
Step 3. Identify the running programs that are using high CPU or memory, select them, and click "End Task."
Please note that if you don't mind losing your progress in the game, you can also opt to close the running game. Following this, you can restart your PC and resume playing games on it.
Please note that an unstable network connection or very low bandwidth can indeed cause gaming lag. Here are some steps you can take: 1. **Check Your Internet Connection**: Ensure your internet connection is stable. If you're on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to the router or switching to a wired connection for better performance. 2. **Restart Devices**: Restart your router and modem, as well as your gaming device, to refresh the network settings. 3. **Close Background Apps**: Close any unnecessary applications or programs running in the background, as they might be consuming bandwidth. 4. **Limit Bandwidth Usage**: If other devices on the same network are also using the internet, ask them to pause activities that consume high bandwidth, like streaming or downloading. 5. **Update Firmware and Drivers**: Keep your router firmware and gaming device drivers up to date for optimal performance. 6. **Use Quality of Service (QoS)**: If your router supports it, enable QoS settings to prioritize gaming traffic over other internet usage. 7. **Contact Your ISP**: If the issue persists, contact your internet service provider to check for any outages or issues with your plan. 8. **Consider a Faster Plan**: If your current plan doesn't provide sufficient speed for gaming, consider upgrading to a higher-speed package. 9. **Use a Gaming Accelerator**: Some gaming-specific software can optimize your connection for smoother gameplay. 10. **Game at Off-Peak Hours**: Try gaming when network traffic is typically lower, such as late at night. By implementing these suggestions, you should see an improvement in your gaming experience.
Step 1. Ensure that the internet connection cables are properly connected.
If so, try replacing the internet connection cable and reconnect it securely to your computer.
Step 2. If you're using WiFi, ensure that your Router is functioning properly.
You can also lift the limitation on network bandwidth for your gaming PC. If the router is outdated, replace it with a new one.
Step 3. Check the bandwidth of your network, and if it's low, upgrade to a higher one.
Applies to: <em>Resolve the "PC freezes while gaming" or "game freezing on Windows 10" issue caused by low hardware performance.</em>
Please note that occasionally, when your computer hardware devices are incompatible with your games, it can lead to freezing issues while playing games on your PC.
Hence, it's crucial to keep all hardware devices on your PC up to date. Check out the options available to you in this regard.
If the CPU chip is old or incompatible with your current computer motherboard, the computer's performance will be compromised. Here's what you can do:
Step 1. Check and purchase a new CPU processor that is compatible with your computer.
Step 2. Back up your computer data and OS. (Optional)
If you're concerned about data loss and system crashes after upgrading your CPU, you can rely on dependable Windows backup software like Todo Backup for assistance.
Step 3. When you receive the new CPU, use appropriate tools to remove the old one and securely install the new processor onto your PC.
Upgrade graphics card
Primarily, the graphics card is the second most crucial hardware that determines whether your computer can run games smoothly. If the graphics card is incompatible or too old, it will negatively impact the gaming performance of your PC.
Here are the steps in English: 1. Identify the text you want to translate. 2. Copy the text or write it down. 3. Open a translation tool, such as Google Translate or Microsoft Translator. 4. Paste or type the text into the translation tool's input field. 5. Select the source language (the language the text is originally in) if not automatically detected. 6. Choose the target language (the language you want the text translated into). 7. Click on the "Translate" button or press Enter. 8. Review the translated text for accuracy and context. 9. Make any necessary adjustments if the translation is not precise. 10. Save or copy the translated text for your use. Remember that machine translations may not always be perfect, so consider consulting a human translator for important or professional documents.
< strong > Step 1. < /strong > Purchase a new graphics card or a gaming graphics card (with higher performance).
Step 2. Uninstall the current graphics card:
Navigate to Device Manager > Display adapters > Right-click on your current graphics card and select "Uninstall device."
Step 3. Install the new card.
Step 4. Download and install new graphics card drivers.
You can download the drivers from the graphics card manufacturer's website and install them on your PC.
If the computer's hard drive is aging or running out of space, the computer will slow down when running programs, particularly when gaming.
Well, the best solution here is to upgrade that old hard drive by migrating your operating system and installed games onto the new SSD. Here's how you do it:
< strong >1. Purchase and Prepare a New SSD< /strong >
Step 1. Purchase a new SSD with a larger storage capacity than your old hard drive.
Step 2. Install the SSD in your computer and initialize it with the same partition style as your OS disk.
Open Disk Management > Right-click on the unallocated SSD volume and select "Initialize Disk" > Choose "MBR" or "GPT".
< strong >2. Migrate Operating System with Games to New SSD< /strong >
To accomplish this, you'll need the assistance of a professional Windows migration tool. We recommend trying the software Todo Backup.
3. Set Up PC and Games Running from SSD Translate to English: 3. Configure PC and Games to Run from SSD
Step 1. Install the SSD on your PC, restart it, and press F2/F8/Del to enter BIOS.
Step 2. Access the Boot menu and set the SSD as the primary boot device in the Boot Priority section.
Step 3. Save all the changes and run from the new SSD.
Please note that if your computer has low memory, it can affect gaming performance. The ideal solution is to expand the memory capacity by adding new memory cards.
Step 1. Purchase a new memory stick; it must have the same capacity as your current memory stick.
Step 2. Install the memory stick in your computer.
When the computer reaches a high temperature, its performance will decrease. As part of the computer's self-protection mechanism, both the CPU and graphics card will operate at a reduced speed if the device becomes overheated.
So, how to prevent overheating issues on your computer? Here are two things you can do:
1. Clean computer dust
When a computer or laptop has been in use for an extended period, dust accumulates inside, settling on various hardware components within the system.
With too much dust, the computer will easily overheat.
2. Check if the Fan Is Running
If the fan doesn't work, the computer will also overheat, as will the CPU, GPU, motherboard, and other components.
Therefore, you need to ensure that the fan is functioning correctly. If it isn't, inspect its power cable for any issues. Alternatively, you can replace the fan with a new one to maintain proper cooling for your computer.
The above 5 tips primarily focus on assisting you in upgrading hardware components to address freezing issues on your Windows PC. However, it's important to understand that software problems can also cause your PC to freeze while gaming.
Follow the subsequent tutorials to comprehensively optimize your computer's performance for seamless gaming and program usage.
Applies to: Resolving the issue of "Computer freezes while playing games in Windows 10" by updating software configurations on your PC.
Here are 4 tips to assist you in resolving software issues on your PC, ensuring a flawless gaming experience: 1. **Update Your Drivers**: Outdated drivers can often cause conflicts and errors with software, including games. Make sure to update your graphics card, sound card, and any other relevant drivers to the latest versions provided by the manufacturers' official websites. 2. **Run a System Scan**: Malware and viruses can significantly impact your PC's performance. Use a reputable antivirus software to perform a full system scan and remove any potential threats that could be interfering with your game's performance. 3. **Check for Software Conflicts**: Some applications running in the background might conflict with your game, causing issues. Close unnecessary programs before launching the game, and consider disabling startup items that may not be essential. 4. **Verify Game Files**: If you're encountering issues specifically with a particular game, verify its integrity through the game's launcher or platform (e.g., Steam, Epic Games Store). This process checks and repairs any corrupted or missing files. By following these steps, you'll create an optimal environment for gaming on your PC.
When the system C drive becomes cluttered with unnecessary junk files, it can negatively impact your computer's performance. To effectively clean these files, you'll need to utilize specialized tools to assist you.
Here, we recommend trying CleanGenius – a small yet powerful tool for Windows.
Step 1. DOWNLOAD and install Partition Master for free and launch it on your Windows PC.
On the suite, hover your mouse on "PC Cleaner", click the Download icon to install and launch the tool CleanGenius.
Step 2. On CleanGenius, select "Cleanup" on the main screen, and click "Scan" to initiate scanning.
Step 3. When the scanning process completes, select the useless large files and click "Clean" to remove them.
Step 4. When CleanGenius finishes cleaning the files you selected, click "Done" to complete the process.
If the system or game drive is running out of storage space, you may also encounter slow performance while playing games. To address this issue, you have two main options to consider:
Option 1: Transfer and Save Large Files to an External Hard Drive
It's a method to free up disk space on the target drive. To accomplish this, you'll need to have an external hard drive with sufficient space available.
Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to your PC.
Step 2. Open File Explorer and locate the large files on your PC.
Step 3. Copy and cut those large files and save them to your external hard drive.
Option 2. Expand System C (Game Drive)
Another approach you can attempt is to increase the free space on your current system C drive or game drive. This ensures that your computer games have adequate space to load images and save game caches, resulting in a seamless gaming experience.
Professional partition manager software - Tools like Partition Master with its Resize/Move feature can extend your system drive with just a few simple clicks.
Please note that if you use Windows 10 on your computer, you might encounter freezing issues while playing games when the Windows 10 Update Assistant is downloading and installing a new update.
To prevent this, we recommend disabling Windows 10's automatic updates. Follow these steps:
Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run box.
Step 2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
Step 3. Locate and double-click "Windows Update".
Step 4. Choose "Disabled" for the Startup Type. Click "Apply" and "OK" to save the settings.
Sometimes, when your computer's operating system does not meet the hardware requirements of a game, you may experience difficulty playing it smoothly.
Here, we have two tips for you: 1. Improve Communication: Effective communication is key in any relationship. Make sure to listen actively, express your thoughts clearly, and show empathy towards your partner's feelings. Regularly checking in and asking how they are doing demonstrates care and understanding. 2. Practice Quality Time: Dedicate time solely for each other, free from distractions like phones or work. Engage in activities you both enjoy, whether it's a dinner date, a walk in the park, or simply having a deep conversation. This helps strengthen your bond and creates shared memories.
1. Install games compatible with your operating system on your computer.
2. Upgrade your computer's operating system and CPU if needed to meet the game's requirements.
For example, if the game requires Windows 10 and your operating system is Windows 8 or something earlier, you can try upgrading your Windows OS to Windows 10 to make it compatible.
Step 1: Click on the "Start" menu and then select the "Settings" tab.
Step 2: Click on "Update & security".
Step 3: In the left pane, select "Windows Update" and click on "Check for updates."
Step 4. If a new update is available, click "Install Now."
Ensure that you have an active Internet connection and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
On this page, we primarily concentrated on identifying the causes that lead to your computer freezing while gaming and provided solutions to eliminate this issue from your PC.
For a quick solution, if your computer freezes while playing games, you can first disable and end the tasks of running programs that are utilizing high CPU usage.
To thoroughly resolve this issue and ensure your computer runs games smoothly, you should follow the recommendations above to upgrade both your hardware components and software configurations.
Note that, to prevent unintended file loss or OS crashes, or if you want to save valuable game clips, we recommend backing everything up to an external storage device with the assistance of a reliable backup tool like Todo Backup.