Applications freezing or crashing

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: Applications freezing or crashing. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Quick fixes to try first

1. Wait – sometimes apps just need a moment.
2. Try again – close and reopen the app.
3. Restart your computer – clears temporary issues.

Detailed solutions

If an app is frozen

Method 1 – Close via Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Locate the frozen app in the list.
3. Right‑click it and choose End task.
4. Try opening the app again.

Method 2 – Close via Alt + F4

1. Click the frozen app window to give it focus.
2. Press Alt + F4.
3. Try reopening the app.

High CPU or memory usage

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Click the Processes tab and sort by CPU or Memory.
3. Identify any process using an unusually high amount of resources.
4. Right‑click the offending process and select End task or investigate further.
5. If the high‑usage process is a background service you do not need, consider disabling it via Settings → Apps → Startup.

If an app keeps crashing

Step 1 – Update the app

1. Open Microsoft Store → Library and check for updates.
2. If the app was installed from a vendor’s website, visit the vendor’s site and download the latest version.
3. Ensure Windows itself is up to date (see “Check for Windows updates” below).

Step 2 – Repair the app

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Windows 11: Go to Apps → Installed apps.
   Windows 10: Go to Apps & features.
3. Find the problem app, click the three‑dot menu and select Advanced options.
4. Click Repair. If the issue persists, click Reset.

Step 3 – Reinstall the app

1. Open Settings (Win + I) → Apps → Installed apps (or Apps & features on Windows 10).
2. Select the app, click the three‑dot menu and choose Uninstall.
3. Reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store or from the vendor’s installer.

Step 4 – Test compatibility mode

1. Right‑click the app’s shortcut or executable and choose Properties.
2. Open the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select an earlier version of Windows.
4. Click Apply and then OK. Launch the app again.

Step 5 – Reset app data

1. Close the app.
2. Navigate to %LOCALAPPDATA%\[AppFolder] (replace [AppFolder] with the app’s folder name).
3. Delete or rename the folder to back up the data.
4. Restart the app so it creates a fresh data set.

System‑wide troubleshooting

Check for Windows updates

1. Open Settings (Win + I) → Windows Update.
2. Select Check for updates and install any available updates.

Run System File Checker (SFC)

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. Allow the scan to complete; follow any on‑screen instructions.

Run DISM if SFC does not resolve the issue

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Enter DISM /Online /Cleanup‑Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
3. Wait for the process to finish, then rerun sfc /scannow.

Check Event Viewer and Reliability Monitor

1. Press Win + X and select Event Viewer.
2. Expand Windows Logs → Application and look for error entries that correspond to the time of the crash.
3. Note the Event ID and source; search Microsoft’s knowledge base for further guidance.
4. For a visual overview, open Reliability Monitor (type “Reliability Monitor” in the Start menu) and review recent crashes.

Check for malware

1. Open Settings (Win + I) → Privacy & security → Windows Security.
2. Select Virus & threat protection → Quick scan or Full scan.
3. If you use third‑party antivirus software, run a full scan with that solution. See Antivirus alerts – what to do for guidance.

Update drivers

1. Open Device Manager (right‑click the Start button and choose it).
2. Expand categories such as Display adapters and System devices.
3. Right‑click each device and select Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
4. Restart the computer after installing any updates.

Clear the Microsoft Store cache

1. Press Win + R, type wsreset and press Enter.
2. The Store will open after the cache is cleared.

Clear browser cache or disable extensions (web‑based apps)

1. Open your browser’s settings and locate the option to clear browsing data.
2. Clear cached images and files, cookies, and site data.
3. If the problem persists, disable browser extensions one by at a time to identify a possible conflict.
4. For a full guide, see How to clear browser cache and cookies.

Office‑specific troubleshooting

Repair Microsoft Office

1. Open Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features.
2. Find the Microsoft Office installation, right‑click it and choose Change (or select it and click Change at the top).
3. Select Quick Repair first; if the issue remains, run Online Repair.
4. If you deploy Office using the Office Deployment Tool, run the installer with the /repair switch.

Additional Office resources

• For Excel or Word‑specific crashes, see Excel/Word crashing.

When to get help

• If only one app is affected and reinstallation doesn’t resolve the problem.
• If multiple apps crash, or the whole system becomes unstable.
• If you receive error messages – note the exact wording before seeking assistance.
• Open a support ticket: Open a Ticket

Still Having Issues?