Identifying Issues with Frequent Random Hard System Freezes
Identifying Issues with Frequent Random Hard System Freezes
I'm experiencing unpredictable freezing episodes where the system freezes completely and becomes unresponsive, often ending with endless stuttering of the audio at the last moment. The screen usually stays frozen for most of the time, sometimes appearing distorted or turning entirely grey. A hard reset is the only solution. These occurrences happen randomly, even during light usage such as browsing or playing media. There can be periods without freezing lasting a few days or even weeks, with the longest interval reaching two months.
Since there are no BSODs, I don't have direct error messages. In the moments before freezing, I've seen these errors in the event viewer:
- The cplspcon service ended with an unspecified error.
- A Secure Boot update failed because Secure Boot is disabled on this machine. (I've since turned it back on in BIOS to see if it prevents freezing.)
The most recent freezes also showed errors in the Reliability Manager, one just before and another shortly after:
- Installation Failure: Windows couldn't install an update due to error 0x80073D02: 9NTXGKQ8P7N0-MicrosoftWindows.CrossDevice.
I've tried several steps:
- Disabling XMP profile
- Updating BIOS
- Reinstalling and updating drivers, especially the GPU
- Running MemTest86 (consistently passed)
- Performing CPU and GPU stress tests without crashes
- Running SFC and DISM scans
- Cleaning the system
I've noticed the freezing became more common after adding a second SSD. Removing it allowed me to avoid another freeze after two months. With both SSDs, the longest interruption was about a week. This suggests a possible power issue—my PSU is 550W, and there are conflicting reports about the required wattage for the RX Vega 64. Some say the GPU needs 650 or 750 watts. I'm puzzled as I can handle heavy loads and high temperatures without problems, yet my system randomly freezes during light tasks or idle periods.
I purchased this setup from a trusted local PC builder around a year ago. Based on the review dates, I assume the PSU is at least five years old.
Hardware details:
- Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B360-F ATX
- CPU: Intel Core i5 9400
- GPU: MSI AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 8GB HBM2
- RAM: 16GB (2x8GB) Corsair LPX DDR4 3200MHz, running at 2666 MHz due to CPU limits
- SSD: 1TB Teamgroup MP44L M.2 NVME
- Case: Deepcool CC560 Mid-tower case
- CPU cooler: Deepcool AG400
- Power supply: Corsair RM550X 550W 80+ Gold
- Operating system: Windows 11 Home
Some claim GPU models require 650 or 750 watts.
Yes, AMD cards consumed more power than their Nvidia counterparts.
GPU: MSI AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 8GB HBM2
Power Supply: Corsair RM550X 550W 80+ Gold
Details can be found at the provided link.
The age of your PSU is likely over five years based on the review dates.
Did you purchase this PSU secondhand?
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B360-F ATX
Updating BIOS is necessary. Check your current BIOS version and ensure CMOS was cleared after flashing to the latest update.
Use DDU to uninstall all GPU drivers (Intel, Nvidia, AMD) in Safe Mode, then reinstall manually using the newest driver from AMD's support site via an elevated command.
The PSU came from the person who sold me the system. They claimed it was working. The motherboard was also used, which is what I'm now doubting. I'm considering the two parts as the likely causes.
I'm currently using the latest BIOS. I didn't clear the CMOS, but I stopped doubting the BIOS since the issue stayed the same after flashing the newest version.
I removed my AMD and onboard Intel graphics using DDU and reinstalled the latest ones, but it didn't help. My system has frozen completely once a week for the past three weeks now. I just had another freeze this evening.