close Improve your password security with your Windows PC From face recognition to dynamic lock, there are options you may be unfamiliar with. Are you dealing with a Windows PC or laptop that won't stop crashing? Maybe your PC is constantly freezing or displaying error messages.We know how frustrating a PC that won't work right can be. Luckily, there are some easy ways to fix a Windows PC that is consistently crashing.Today, we'll review nine easy fixes you can do at home if you have a Windows PC that won't stop crashing on you. Let's get into it. A man working on a PC (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)1. Check all of your cable connectionsWhile it might sound obvious, the first step to troubleshooting a computer that constantly crashes is ensuring everything is firmly plugged in. It's often the most overlooked step, so if you're using a desktop, you'll want to look behind your PC and ensure everything is plugged in. It would be best to try using a different electrical outlet to first rule out any electrical issues in your home.If you feel comfortable opening up your desktop PC, you can also go inside the case and ensure all your PCI connections are firmly plugged in. You'll want to ensure all your cables going to the power supply are firmly connected, and the same is true with the PCI power cables that supply electricity to the GPU and CPU. Wires coming out of a desktop PC tower (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)2. Make sure your computer isn't overheatingComputer overheating is a common cause of intermittent shutdowns and crashes. If your CPU (central processing unit), essentially the brain of your computer, or graphics card gets too hot, your computer might shut down to ensure the components aren't damaged. If you notice that your laptop or desktop is giving off a lot of heat, or in the case of a laptop, it is hot to the touch, or if you notice your fans running louder than usual, these are all signs of overheating.If your computer is overheating, the first step is to clean it thoroughly. I recommend blowing dust out of the interior fans with compressed air and keeping your PC in an area where it can receive proper airflow. If you have a desktop PC, try not to keep it under your desk. Keeping a PC under a desk can cause issues with dust build-up and lack of airflow. It's best to keep your desktop in a part of your home or office where it can receive a decent amount of airflow. A man working on a PC (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)3. Boot your PC into safe modeIf your cables are all plugged in correctly and your computer isn't overheating, it's time to boot your Windows PC into safe mode. Booting into safe mode allows you to run your PC with the necessary files and drivers turned on to make the PC run. That way, you can determine if new software or hardware conflicts with your PC, causing it to crash. While in safe mode, you can access Windows error logs and run other diagnostics to figure out what is causing your PC to crash.How to boot into safe mode (Windows 10)There are a few different ways to boot into Windows safe mode, and it is a bit different depending on whether you are using Windows 10 or 11. To start, here's how you can boot into safe mode on Windows 10 from the settings panel:Press theWindows keyClickSettings Steps to boot into safe mode (Windows 10) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)ClickSystem Steps to boot into safe mode (Windows 10) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Scroll down and clickRecoveryClickAdvanced Startup - Restart Now Steps to boot into safe mode (Windows 10) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Once your computer restarts, you'll clickTroubleshootClickAdvanced optionsClickStartup settingsClickRestart againYour computer will restart again, and this time, your computer will boot into safe mode.How to boot into safe mode (Windows 11)The process is slightly different if you use a Windows 11 PC instead of a Windows 10 machine. Here's what to do if you are using a Windows 11 PC:Press theWindows key orclick on theStart buttonWhile holding theShift key,click the power icon in the bottom left cornerWhile continuing to hold theshift key, pressrestart Steps to boot into safe mode (Windows 11) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Once your computer restarts, it will automatically boot into safe mode.4. Check the Windows logs for errorsNow that you're in safe mode, you should look at the Windows logs. You can access the Windows error logs through theEvent Viewer. Here's how to access the Windows Event Viewer:Press theWindows icon in the start barSearch forEvent Viewer Steps to boot into safe mode (Windows 11) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Open theEvent Viewer appIn the left panel, double-clickWindows logsClick eitherApplication orSystemApplicationwill show you Windows logs and errors related to applicationsSystem will show you Windows logs and errors related to the operating systemApplicationwill show you Windows logs and errors related to applicationsSystem will show you Windows logs and errors related to the operating system Steps to boot into safe mode (Windows 11) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)In both the Application and System, read through and write down theerror code for any errors when your PC last crashed.You can access the error code bydouble-clicking any error in the log.Run a Google search for any error codes that come up.5. Perform an OS updateAn outdated version of Windows can cause conflicts with both your software and even hardware components in your PC. This is a major cause of PC crashes, so you'll want to ensure your Windows operating system is entirely up to date. Here's how to run a system update on Windows:Click theWindows icon in the taskbarClick theGear (Settings) icon in the start menuClickWindows UpdatePress theCheck for Updates button Steps to perform an OS update Steps to perform an OS update (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Download and install any new updates available for your PC6. Run an antivirus scanEven if you don't own any antivirus software, you should at least run a scan with the built-in Windows Defender. Here's how to access Windows Defender and run an antivirus scan:Click theWindows icon in the taskbarClick theGear (settings) icon in the start menuClickPrivacy & Security Steps to run an antivirus scan (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)At the top, clickWindows SecurityClickVirus & Threat protectionClick theScan options button underneathQuick scan Steps to run an antivirus scan (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)SelectFull scanQuarantine any threats detected during the virus scan.Is Windows Defender enough to protect you?While Windows Defender offers robust, built-in security for Windows users, it has limitations in areas like phishing and spam protection and may not update as swiftly as some premium solutions. To stay protected from malicious links, phishing scams and ransomware, consider investing in strong antivirus software. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.7. Check the hard drive for errorsYou can use the Windows Command Prompt to check your hard drive for errors. If your hard drive has an error, you might need to perform a system restore, which we'll discuss later. For now, here's how to use the command prompt to check for hard drive errors:Click theWindows icon in the taskbarTypeCMD and open theCommand Prompt Steps to check the hard drive for errors (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Right-click on the Command Prompt box and clickRun as administratorType sfc/scannow and press enter Steps to check the hard drive for errors (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The command prompt will now check your hard drive for corrupt files and replace them. This may take some time. Once the process is complete, and you have errors that cannot be automatically replaced, you will unfortunately need to replace your hard drive and reinstall Windows.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?8. Check for issues with your RAMIssues with your PC's RAM can also cause your Windows PC to crash randomly. More often than not, if you have an issue with your RAM, you'll need to replace the RAM modules on the motherboard. This can be done at home quickly if you have the technical knowledge, but you can also go into any computer shop to get your RAM replaced for a small fee. Here's how to check for issues with your RAM on your Windows PC:At the same time, press theWindows Key + Ron your keyboardThis will execute theRunapplication in WindowsType Mdsched.exe and press enter; this will launch theWindow Memory Diagnostics repair tool Steps to check for issues with your RAM (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)ClickRestart now and check for memory problemsNow, your computer will run through a memory check, and if you encounter an issue, beware that you might have to replace your RAM.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE9. Perform a system restoreIf your PC just started crashing, you might be able to fix the issue by performing a system restore. A system restore will restore your Windows operating system to a specific date and time of your choosing. This way, you can restore your OS to a point before the crash begins and troubleshoot from there. It's important to note that when you perform a system restore, your computer will be restored as it was on the date and time you chose. This means you will lose any recent files or settings, so this should be a last-step solution in your troubleshooting process.How to perform a system restoreClick the Windows icon in the taskbarTypesystem restoreClickCreate a Restore Point Steps to perform a system restore (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Once thesystem restore wizard opens, you will see a notification telling you what the system restore will do, clicknextSelect a time and date for the system restore and clicknextClickFinishKurt's key takeawaysHaving a Windows PC that won't stop crashing can be a massive headache. Luckily, there's a lot of information out there on how to troubleshoot a PC that just won't stop crashing. I've gone over nine of the most commonly used tips to fix a crashing Windows PC, but there's other reset options out there, many of which require a higher degree of technical ability than what we've gone through today.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWhat do you find most challenging about using a Windows PC today? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? 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