Computer Stuttering: How to Solve Your PC Freezing Up Issue

Computer stuttering or freezing can be caused due to a variety of reasons, including insufficient system resources, outdated software, malware issues, overheated CPU, etc.

Don’t worry if you aren’t sure about the actual cause yet because this article is here to assist you in the best way. Keep reading to find the details of the various PC stuttering causes and learn about the solutions that work.

Why is Your Computer Stuttering?

The computer might be stuttering due to an overheated CPU, applications running in the background, corrupted files, and malware issues. Outdated Windows or other software can cause the issue as well, along with power plan issues and not enough system resources.

– The CPU and GPU Are Super Heated

Once your CPU, GPU, or both of the given components heat up, your system starts freezing up, and its responsiveness decreases. So, the overly heated-up CPU and GPU can be a possible reason for your PC to freeze up.

– Background Applications Freezing the PC

Letting a lot of applications keep running in the background while you use your PC can lead to low computer performance. It might make you think that the mouse or keyboard isn’t working, but the issue can be the opposite.

– High Frame Rates Causing Game Stuttering

If your computer stutters while gaming, then the reason might be the high “frame” rates. Here, you’ll be able to see a large quantity of frames per second. Also, many modern games come with high “frame” rates to give gamers a realistic feel. However, if the CPU and GPU aren’t capable enough to handle such high “frame” rates, then it will freeze up your computer.

– The Wallpaper Slideshow

Who wouldn’t like to see a series of new wallpapers automatically displaying on the screen? But a wallpaper carousel does have a drawback. It consumes a lot of computer resources and slows down your PC.

So, it can be another reason for your PC to stutter.

– Outdated Windows, Software, or Drivers

Outdated Windows, applications or drivers can hinder the computer’s performance. Consequently, you’ll end up having a computer that freezes up now and then.

– Malware Issues Leading To Computer Stuttering

A malware software installed on your PC can be a reason behind PC stuttering.

– Corrupted Files

The corrupted files can cause your computer to stutter and not work properly.

– Insufficient System Resources

If you do not have sufficient enough system resources to fulfill the requirements of your applications, then it can lead to computer freezing and unresponsiveness.

– Issue With the Power Plan

If you have set a customized power plan for your PC, then even a little mistake in the said plan can cause your PC to stutter. Moreover, installing and using a new program that is unable to adjust to your customized power plan might cause the same issue.

How To Fix the Computer Freezing Issue?

The computer freezing issue can be fixed by implementing one or more solutions like cooling down CPU and GPU, shutting down extra apps, limiting frame rates, disabling, and enabling CD/DVD drive. Also, removing spammy and corrupted files can solve the problem.  

– Cool Down the CPU and GPU

The temperature of the CPU and GPU should be controlled to keep your system running at its best. So, if you think that the overly heated CPU and GPU are causing the problem, then here are the solutions:

• Ensure that the heatsinks are properly installed
• Look for the thermal paste, it shouldn’t be coming off
• Ensure that your PC has got enough airflow
• Double-check the working of cooling fans

– Shut Down the Extra Applications

You should shut down the extra applications running in the background. It will free up space for your current tasks and improve your computer’s performance.

Please feel free to follow these steps to close extra programs:

1. Press Alt + Ctrl + Del to open the “Task Manager”
2. Look for the background programs in the “Process” tab
3. Select a particular program and click on “End Task”
4. Repeat the third step for each program to close all the extra applications

– Limit the Frame Rates

Do you get frustrated while playing games because your computer stutters a lot? Then it would be good to limit the “frame” rates. You can do this by either using your GPU’s software utility or setting the “frame” rates limit inside the game.

Here, if you choose to use the game menu to set the limit, then you’ll also be able to assign lower values to the game’s graphics to avoid any further issues. It is because higher graphics values might put the graphics card in trouble. Well, the game’s graphics settings provide all such options in one place and let you decide your preferred values.

Moreover, you can enable vertical sync “v-sync” to set up the game’s “frame” rates according to the refresh rate of the monitor. It means that both the game and the monitor will have equal “frame” rates.

Here are the steps to enable v-sync on different graphics cards:

For AMD Users:

1. Go to “AMD Radeon Settings”
2. Click on “Gaming”
3. Click on “Global Setting”
4. Set the “Wait for Vertical Refresh” to “Always On”

For Nvidia Users:

1. Go to “Nvidia Control Panel”
2. Click on “Manage 3D Settings”
3. Set the “Vertical Sync” To “On”
4. Click on “Apply”

– Choose Performance Over Beauty

A beautiful desktop wallpaper refreshes your mood, but the low performance makes you anxious again. So, here you should disable the wallpaper slideshow and opt for performance over a bunch of wallpapers.

You can switch from a wallpaper slideshow to a solid color or a single image by implementing the steps given here:

1. Right-click on your desktop screen
2. Click on “Personalize”
3. Move to the “Background” section
4. Click on the drop-down list
5. Choose one of the following: solid color or an image
6. Close the Window

– Update Your Windows, Applications, and Drivers

You must update your Windows to the latest update to resolve the freezing issue of your PC.

If you don’t know whether your Windows has been updated or not, then search for “updates” in the search bar. Next, you’ll have to click on the first result. Now, a window will open on your screen showing the last time when your Windows searched for the new updates. Lastly, you’ll need to click on the button that says “check for new updates,” and any available new update will be installed automatically on your PC.

However, if you have recently updated the Windows and you have been facing the same issue since the update, then it would be better to uninstall the most recent update.

The following steps will make the un-installation easier for you:

1. Press Windows + I to open “Windows Settings”
2. Opt for “Update and Security”
3. Select “Update History”
4. Choose “Uninstall Updates”
5. Select the Windows update that might be slowing down your PC
6. Move towards the toolbar and click on the “uninstall” button
7. Follow the pop-up windows
8. Finish un-installation

But if you have installed a Windows update that doesn’t have an option to uninstall the same, then you can opt for the “Windows Recovery” option.

Furthermore, you should update your applications and the drivers, including the graphics card drivers, to fix the given issue. Also, you can install and reinstall the drivers to solve the above problem.

– Get Rid of the Problematic Software and Corrupted Files

It would be better to use a powerful antivirus or the “Windows Defender” to scan and remove any malicious software. Next, you should use the System File Checker (SFC) to find and delete any corrupted files.

A PC that is free from any malicious software and corrupted files is considered to be healthy. So, it should not stutter any more but if it still freezes, then have a look at more solutions given below.

– Ensure the Sufficiency of the System Resources

Your computer should have enough resources to fulfill at least the minimum requirements of the applications. So, it would be good to increase RAM or insert an SSD to ensure that your system has enough resources to work smoothly.

– Try Disabling and Re-enabling Your CD or DVD Drive

Disabling and re-enabling your CD or DVD drive can help you increase the PC performance. You can achieve it by implementing the steps written below:

1. Open the “Device Manager”
2. Click on the CD/DVD ROM drives
3. Right-click on the driver of the CD/DVD ROM drives
4. Choose Properties
5. Click on the tab that says “Driver” on the “Properties” window
6. Click on the button that reads “Disable Device” and confirm the act
7. Click on “OK”
8. Repeat the same steps from one to five
9. Click on the button that says “Enable Device” and confirm the act
10. Click on “OK” again

– Change Your Power Management Settings

You should set your power plan to default to allow your PC to adjust the power as per its need. Performing the said act can help resolve the PC stuttering issue. But if you don’t know enough about the “power” management settings, then follow these steps:

1. Open the “Control Panel” after searching it through the search bar
2. Opt for the “Hardware and Sound” Option
3. Select “Power Options”
4. Click on “Change Plan Settings”
5. Click on “Change Advanced Power Settings”
6. Opt for “Restore plan defaults” for every single plan and confirm the act
7. Restart your computer

– Turn Off the Notification and Action Center

Another solution that might work in your favor can be turning off the Notification and Action Center.

You can try disabling the same and check if your computer runs smoothly instead of stuttering all the time.

– Use Intel Turbo Boost and Dynamic Tick

The given technology gives a boost to the CPU’s performance and helps you in dealing with the freezing issues of your PC. So, it would be great to use the given technology and speed up your computer even while running demanding tasks.

Also, you can take advantage of the “dynamic” ticks that conserve the power of the PC when no task is running. Eventually, the power conservation won’t let your CPU heat up and the computer to stutter.

Conclusion

It is quite frustrating when your computer stutters and you can’t do anything but wait for it to be responsive again. Well, now you won’t face such a situation because you have got a lot of solutions that’ll help you in fixing the said problem.

Please feel free to read the below points to summarize this fixing guide:

• The performance of the computer can be increased by updating the Windows, software, and drivers.
• You should run an anti-virus to keep your PC healthy and improve its performance.
• Having enough system resources, zero extra applications in the background, and a cool CPU and GPU can eliminate PC freezing.
• Limiting the “frame” rates can prove to be helpful in avoiding games stuttering.
• You should disable your desktop wallpaper carousel to free up space and avoid PC stuttering.

Give a try to the above solutions to have a PC that never stutters again and gives you a smooth game bar experience.