If you're using Windows 10, you've probably experienced apps freezing or becoming unresponsive at some point. Fortunately, there are several easy solutions to fix this issue. This guide will walk you through some effective troubleshooting steps to help you get your apps back on track.

1. Force Close the Frozen App

When an app stops responding, the first thing you should try is to force it to close. This is usually the quickest fix.

Steps:

1. Press "Ctrl + Alt + Del" and select "Task Manager".

2. In the Task Manager, locate the unresponsive app.

3. Right-click on the app and select "End Task".

4. After closing the app, restart it to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Check for System Updates

Windows 10 frequently releases updates that address bugs and known issues. An app might not be responding due to bugs in the system itself. Keeping your system up to date can help fix these problems.

Steps:

1. Click the Start menu and select "Settings".

2. Go to "Update & Security" and click "Check for Updates".

3. Install any available updates and restart your computer.

Regularly checking for system updates will help prevent compatibility issues caused by outdated software.

3. Repair the App

If the issue is with a specific app, you can use Windows 10's built-in repair tool to fix it.

Steps:

1. Open the Start menu and select "Settings".

2. Go to "Apps" and find the problematic app under "Apps & Features".

3. Click on the app, then select "Advanced Options".

4. In the new window, click the "Repair" button.

4. Disable Unnecessary Startup Items

Sometimes, too many background processes and startup items can slow down your system, causing apps to respond more slowly. Disabling unnecessary startup programs can help free up system resources.

Steps:

1. Press "Ctrl + Shift + Esc" to open Task Manager and go to the "Startup" tab.

2. Right-click on unnecessary items and select "Disable".

3. Disabling unneeded startup programs can help improve system performance and reduce app responsiveness issues.

5. Clean Up System Junk Files

Temporary files, cache files, and other junk files can take up disk space, slow down your system, and cause apps to run slowly or freeze. Regularly cleaning these files can help resolve the problem.

Steps:

1. Press "Windows + S" and search for "Disk Cleanup".

2. Select the drive to clean (usually C:).

3. Choose the file types to delete and click "OK".

4. Click "Clean up system files" and confirm the action.

Cleaning up junk files helps free up space and boosts system performance.

6. Update Graphics Card Drivers

If an app freezes during graphic-intensive tasks (like gaming or video editing), outdated graphics drivers could be the culprit. Updating your graphics drivers may resolve the issue.

Steps:

1. Download and install the "Driver Sentry" software. It will automatically detect your current graphics driver version and find the latest update for you.

Download

2. Open Driver Sentry and click "Scan".

3. If an update is available for your graphics driver, click "Upgrade".

4. If other hardware drivers need updating, click "Repair Now".

5. After the updates are complete, restart your computer to apply the new drivers.

7. Use System Restore

If none of the above methods work, you can try restoring your system to an earlier point when everything was functioning correctly. Just make sure to back up your important files before performing a system restore.

Steps:

1. Open "Settings" and click on "System Information".

2. Find "System Protection" and select "System Restore".

3. Choose a restore point (preferably an earlier date) and click "Next".

4. Follow the prompts to restore your system. After the process is complete, check if the issue is resolved.

There are several reasons why apps might stop responding on Windows 10, but with these solutions, you can easily troubleshoot and restore normal functionality. If you encounter any issues related to drivers, Driver Sentry can help you detect and fix them quickly.

See also:

7 Ways to Fix Windows 10 Stuck on Restart Screen

7 Ways to Fix Disabled Audio Devices on Windows 10

How to Manage Network Adapter Drivers in Windows 10

Download 802.11n Wireless LAN Card Driver for Windows 10