What to Do When Your Computer Freezes

Nothing stops your flow like a frozen screen 😤 Whether you’re writing an email, browsing the web, or halfway through a report when your computer locks up, it’s panic time.

At Ballarat Tech Help, we’ve seen it all: spinning wheels, stuck screens, apps that won’t respond. The good news? You can usually fix it and avoid it happening again.

Here’s what to do when your computer freezes.

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1. Stay Calm and Wait a Moment

The issue: Sometimes, your computer is just temporarily overwhelmed.

The fix:

• Give it 30–60 seconds. A sudden freeze can clear on its own.
• If you were opening something heavy (like a large file or update), patience might be all it needs.

Don’t start clicking wildly that can make things worse.

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2. Try to Close the Problem App

The issue: Usually, it’s just one program causing the freeze.

The fix:

• On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and look for any program marked “Not Responding.” Click and choose End Task.
• On Mac, press Cmd + Option + Esc to open the Force Quit window and close the frozen app.

This can restore your computer without a full reboot.

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3. If Everything Is Frozen, Try a Soft Restart

The issue: If even the mouse or keyboard won’t respond, it’s time to reboot.

The fix:

• On laptops or desktops, hold the power button for 5–10 seconds to force a shutdown.
• Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.

💡 Important: This may cause unsaved work to be lost so try Steps 1–2 first.

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4. Keep It from Happening Again

The issue: Frequent freezes are often a sign of deeper problems.

Prevention tips:

• Run regular updates (Windows/macOS and software)
• Restart your computer weekly
• Avoid running too many heavy apps at once
• Use antivirus tools to check for malware

Also, make sure your computer has enough RAM for what you use it for especially if it’s an older model.

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Still Freezing? Let Us Help.

If your computer freezes often, it could be a hardware issue, overheating, or even a failing hard drive. That’s where we come in.

At Ballarat Tech Help, we help locals:

• Identify what’s causing the freeze
• Upgrade outdated parts like RAM or HDD
• Clean and cool laptops properly
• Get back to smooth, reliable computing

📞 Call Ballarat Tech Help today before your screen locks up again.