I am sure everyone has experienced at least one computer crash during their lifetime. When your computer crashes, it’s frustrating, to say the least. It feels like an outbreak on your privacy and security. If you’ve ever had a crash, you know that it’s hard to get back into your files, programs, and settings.
But if you’re experiencing crashes often, there could be a problem with your hardware or software. In either case, these fixes should resolve the issue.
Top 5 Reasons Why a System Might Crash
What exactly makes a PC crash? Computers crash for numerous reasons, and these random crashes are difficult and frustrating for an average user to handle. But underneath this are five possible reasons why a system might crash.
RAM and CPU Overheating
Memory is one of the most essential components in every operating system. The amount of memory used by applications is very high compared to the processing power of CPUs. This means that when you start running multiple applications at once, the processor will often have to work harder than usual to manage them all.
Although the overall performance of the computer should not suffer because of this, it can lead to overheating, due to which the system may slow down and eventually stop responding. Thus, if you notice that your system slows down after opening too many programs simultaneously, you might need more RAM.
If you see any warning signs, such as fans spinning excessively fast or temperatures rising above normal levels, check your motherboard manual to determine how much RAM you require. You can also try adding more RAM modules or installing larger capacity ones from your computer’s manufacturer.
Hard Disk Problems
As we mentioned earlier, computers use memory to store data that they read/write from hard drives. Whenever you open up new applications or launch a program, your computer needs to load the corresponding file onto its memory before working on it.
This process consumes a lot of time; thus, we must always make our computers smart enough to do everything without making them wait. When you install many programs or run heavy games, you constantly stress your hard disk.
The result is that your hard drive starts grinding away at your data, which leads to errors and other problems. To fix this problem, you first need to determine whether it’s a hard-drive problem or something else. To help you choose between the two, here’s what you need to look out for:
- Hard disk error messages: If you hear loud noises coming from your hard drive or see messages relating to bad sectors appearing on screen, it could be an indication that your hard drive needs replacing.
- Slow access times: Your hard drive might seem like it’s constantly working fine – but if you’re looking at files and folders taking ages to open or copy, then it could mean that you’ve got a slow hard disk.
Virus Infections
Another cause of computer crashes is viruses. These malicious codes are responsible for numerous security breaches across the globe. They usually attack computers through email attachments or spam links, which trick users into clicking them with the promise of free downloads or other offers.
Once clicked, the virus spreads itself quickly, infecting every part of the computer. Viruses affect almost every aspect of your operating system, including boot-up procedures, file operations, desktop settings and even memory management.
Program Crash Errors
A third possible reason for computer crashes due to software errors. Software errors occur when the code written by programmers doesn’t function properly. The result is a malfunctioning application that won’t perform certain functions.
Software errors can happen at different stages of an application’s lifecycle. Some examples include hardware drivers, video card drivers, firmware updates, etc.
Memory Issues
Lastly, another reason why a computer might crash is because of insufficient RAM. This happens when there isn’t enough space in your computer’s random access memory to allocate all of the resources needed to run your operating system and other programs.
To prevent computer crashes, you must ensure that the amount of RAM installed in your machine matches the number of applications you want to run simultaneously. It’s also important to understand that while memory will never fail, frequent usage will wear it out faster than usual. Therefore, you need to test your RAM periodically to know precisely how much it can take.
How to Fix Computer Crashes
Fixing computer crashes requires knowledge of various aspects of the computer, including the hardware, software and operating system. Below are some tips that you should follow to fix computer crashes without having to invest thousands in repairs:
- Back up your data regularly! You should back up your data as soon as new files are added to your computer before changes to existing documents.
- Check your battery. If your battery is old, it might not have enough power to start up your computer. If you notice that your laptop’s battery drains abnormally fast, replace it immediately.
- Update your Windows Operating System. Windows has several valuable features such as anti-virus protection, automatic update functionality and many more. Ensure that you always use these features whenever they become available to ensure that your computer stays protected.
- Maintain your components. Having a well-maintained machine is essential to have a reliable one. Regularly check your machine’s case to ensure everything is still running smoothly. Also, check the temperature of each component since excess heat could lead to a malfunctioning computer.
- Install proper driver software. Before installing anything on your computer, it’s essential to ensure that the program or device you’re about to install is compatible with the operating system you’re using.
- Use only legitimate apps. Avoid downloading questionable applications from third-party websites. These malicious programs may contain viruses or Trojan horses that could damage your computer—only download apps from reputable sources like Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Keep your system clean. Your computer works best when it’s free of unnecessary junk. Cleaning your hard drive at least once per month removes debris and dust particles that would otherwise clog your system. Also, remove unused partitions if you don’t plan on reinstalling Windows.
If you’re experiencing computer crashes regularly, then it’s time to get help. Contact us today!