Common problems in Windows
The following is a list of common problems encountered in Windows, along with common troubleshooting first steps:
Computer is running slowly: There are many issues that could make a computer run slowly. Troubleshooting can involve multiple steps, many of which should be performed on a regular schedule to proactively prevent problems from happening. The first step should almost always be to reboot the computer. This step can fix a large percentage of problems reported by end users. If rebooting does not resolve the problem, check that there is sufficient processing power, disk space, and RAM to support the OS, hardware, software, and intended use of the computer. For example, video editing may require a relatively more powerful computer, a large amount of free hard drive space, and lots of RAM. Check system event logs for errors. Research any error codes found using the Microsoft knowledge base or an internet search to see if there is a known solution to the problem. Run an antivirus and anti-malware scan. Use Windows Update and OEM updates to ensure the system is up to date. Remove temporary and unneeded files and software. Check the software and services that load at startup for potential problem sources. Reboot the computer into Safe Mode to see if the computer performance improves. Unplug peripherals and turn off network connections to eliminate these as sources of the slow down. If the OS is Windows 11, use the System Troubleshoot tools found at Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
Computer is frozen: Power off the computer. Wait 30 seconds to drain residual power and clear any potentially corrupted data held by RAM. Boot up the computer again and check system event logs. If the system does not boot, go to the BIOS settings and boot into Safe Mode to gain access to the event logs. Research any error codes found. If the root cause cannot be determined, run the same checks as listed above for “Computer is running slowly”.
Blue screen errors: If the blue screen provides an error code or QR code, record this information in order to research the root cause of the issue and possible solutions. Power off the computer, wait 30 seconds, then boot the computer again. If the system does not boot, go into the BIOS settings to boot into Safe Mode. Obtain system event logs in the Windows Event Viewer and research any error codes found there. If the root cause cannot be determined through event codes within the logs, then run the same checks as listed above for “Computer is running slowly”.
Hardware problems: Check the hardware OEM’s website for updates to drivers, firmware, and software management consoles. If this does not resolve the problem, check the system Device Manager to see if the device has been disabled or is not recognized. Additionally, check system event logs and research any error codes found. If the root cause cannot be determined, then run the same checks as listed above for “Computer is running slowly”.
Software problems: Go to the software manufacturer’s website to check for software patches or updates. If the problem continues after updating the software, check the application event logs and research any error codes found. If the root cause cannot be determined, then run the same checks as listed above for “Computer is running slowly”.
Application is frozen: End application processes in Task Manager. Restart application. If the problem persists, reboot the computer and try to run the application again. If the issue is still not resolved, then follow the instructions listed above for software problems.
A peripheral is not working: Check to ensure the peripheral is on and is receiving sufficient power, especially if the item is battery powered. Check cables to ensure they are attached securely. If the item is connected through USB, try a different USB port. If the device connects through Bluetooth, check to ensure that Bluetooth is active on both the computer and the peripheral. Reboot the computer to see if the system can reconnect to the device. Inexpensive, high-use peripheral devices experience high failure rates, especially keyboards and mice. Swap the peripheral for a working replacement to see if the problem was the peripheral itself, or perhaps an error in how the computer is detecting the peripheral. If the problem persists with the replacement peripheral, check the system Device Manager to see if the device has been disabled or is not recognized. Check the event logs for any errors. Visit the OEM’s website to look for updates to drivers, firmware, and/or software management consoles, if available. Run a Windows Update as well.
Audio problems: Check audio volume. Run the Windows audio troubleshooter. Check speaker cables, plugs, jacks, and/or headphones. Check sound settings. Update or repair audio drivers and sound card firmware. Check to ensure the active and default audio devices are the desired audio devices. Turn off audio enhancements. Stop and restart audio services in Task Manager. Restart the computer. Research if specific audio CODECs are needed for audio media. If audio is not working in a browser, ensure the browser has permission to use the system audio and/or microphone.
Top comments (2)
This is a solid checklist. From my real experience, Event Viewer has helped me the most, especially for random freezes and blue screens — the error codes usually point to driver issues. Also, cleaning startup apps makes a huge difference. Many slow Windows PCs I fixed became fast just by disabling unnecessary startup programs.
I agree — Windows has become unnecessarily heavy.
On a fresh boot with just Edge open, you’ll see 90+ background processes and ~40–45% RAM usage doing basically nothing. That’s not efficient.
Bluetooth doesn’t always terminate cleanly on shutdown. Drivers (especially Wi-Fi) can be unreliable. And ironically, Teams often runs better in the browser than in the official app.
Forced updates, limited user control, and a 30–40 GB OS footprint on a “512 GB” SSD make it worse.
Windows feels bloated — and it’s good someone finally said it.