Question about PC freezing problem - I've tried all possible solutions.
Question about PC freezing problem - I've tried all possible solutions.
I've been dealing with this problem for over a year now. After searching the internet for months without success, I finally decided to restart my Windows... but the issues persist. There are two main problems with my system—one that doesn’t really hinder performance and another that’s quite bothersome. The less troublesome one is straightforward, but I’ve never seen it and couldn’t find any information about it online. My Windows login page displays two accounts, both with my name. One is the usual account I’ve used for a long time, while the other requires a username and password instead of a PIN. Even though I’ve tried it, I haven’t been able to use it. Checking my users folder or the Windows list only shows my normal account. Despite this, I log in normally and everything functions correctly.
The more disruptive issue is what’s been causing me significant frustration. At completely random times, my PC freezes in a peculiar way. All videos load, but if I’m in the middle of one, the audio continues for a few minutes. All my apps and the Start menu remain active, yet they fail to load new content. For example, opening Settings only displays blank screens where the settings should appear. Once this happens, I can’t shut down or restart via the Start menu. The Ctrl-Alt-Delete shortcut also stops working. The only solution is to power off the PC completely with the power button.
Then, when I shut it down, I often wait a few moments before restarting it. Once the BIOS prompts, it displays a blank black screen (the monitor is on, but Windows doesn’t load). If I turn it off and back on a few times, it usually works again. Sometimes it prompts me to troubleshoot or reset Windows, but I usually skip those steps since the troubleshooter didn’t find anything. Eventually, it returns to normal. I’ve experienced this multiple times within 40 minutes, and there have been periods where I used my PC for over five hours without any problems. I haven’t found anyone else with the exact same issue despite searching for months.
After this crash happened twice last night, I finally decided to reset my Windows. I’ve been using the same version since it was released, so I thought this might be the solution. It took a few hours, and all my installed programs were wiped clean—what a hassle! But this time, it worked. Even though it reset everything, I still faced the same problems. I’m at a loss about what’s causing this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’ve been using this site for troubleshooting for a very long time, but this is the first time I’ve actually needed help. I’ve been building and troubleshooting PCs for over 20 years, and this is the first time I’ve seen something like it.
I’ve already tried basic checks: memory test, temp checks, disk checks, Event Viewer (only showing Kernel Power 41), power settings, and set RAM to default instead of 3000Mhz. Nothing has resolved the issue or made it clearer.
My specs:
- Ryzen 5 3600
- 16 GB DDR4 Vengeance LPX RAM
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super
- ASUS Tuf Gaming X570 motherboard
- Various drives, including a Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500GB
My initial response was the first I sent, and it really grabbed my interest. I understand your concern. Did you use a USB stick for the Windows refresh? Were drivers updated online during the process, or was it mainly based on the USB code? (How much of a full system restore did Windows undergo? Including ASUS and/or Nvidia website drivers?)
I attempted to resolve the issue by following the standard Windows reset process, which included downloading a fresh Windows installation. I also handled drivers individually, updated GPU drivers via GeForce Experience, and recently changed the BIOS settings. I’m still waiting to see if these changes will help, as it’s been about five years since my last driver updates. I only update drivers when they’re essential for particular devices, and I’m unsure if a dedicated tool exists to list or select the appropriate drivers beyond the obvious ones like GPU.
I understand the need for a fresh setup.
For the main components—chipset, network, GPU—I stick to the newest drivers first.
Then I check the manufacturer’s site for BIOS and GPU updates.
I don’t know a single place that covers everything, but the device manager will let me know if something seems off.
With so many possible causes, I want to be sure the latest drivers will help avoid problems.
Your situation definitely raises some questions.
It appears you've already navigated several challenges, yet some persistent concerns remain. Let's tackle these matters step by step:
The duplicate user account on the login screen might stem from a corrupted profile or a minor system glitch. After resetting Windows, the duplicate account could still appear due to leftover data. Creating a fresh account and moving your files might help resolve this.
The random system freezing and boot problems could indicate hardware or driver-related issues. Despite checking memory, temperatures, and disk health, the problem continues. It may point to a hardware configuration or driver conflict.
To address this, ensure all drivers are current—especially motherboard chipset, GPU, and essential drivers. Download updates from the manufacturer's site.
Verify that all hardware connections are secure, including RAM, GPU, and power supplies. Sometimes loose connections lead to intermittent failures.
Keep your motherboard BIOS updated, as newer versions can improve compatibility and stability.
Utilize system monitoring tools to track performance, temperatures, and resource usage. This can reveal patterns behind the freezes.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consider testing individual hardware components or seeking professional diagnostics. Given the ongoing nature of the problem, expert help could be crucial to pinpoint and fix the root cause.
A simple reset doesn't resolve the problem of corrupted software after a full system wipe if you transfer files to a new drive. A different hardware problem might stem from a short caused by a frozen component during installation (something I experienced). Additionally, updated BIOS might be necessary.
I'm pleased to share that after updating the BIOS and installing all available drivers, I've managed to stay crash-free for a week—this is the longest time I've had without issues in over a year.