How to Fix a Computer That Keeps Crashing

Computer crashes manifest as blue screens, sudden restarts, or complete system freezes. These failures typically stem from hardware problems, driver conflicts, or software issues that can be systematically identified and resolved.

1. Check for overheating. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and monitor CPU usage during crashes. Download HWiNFO64 to check CPU and GPU temperatures. Clean dust from vents and fans using compressed air. Ensure all case fans are spinning and heat sinks are properly seated.
2. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic. Press Windows+R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter. Select 'Restart now and check for problems'. The system will reboot and test RAM for errors. After restart, check Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) under Windows Logs > System for MemoryDiagnostics-Results entries.
3. Update all device drivers. Right-click Start button and select Device Manager. Look for yellow warning triangles indicating driver problems. Right-click problematic devices and select 'Update driver'. Visit your motherboard and graphics card manufacturer websites to download the latest drivers directly.
4. Check hard drive health. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run 'chkdsk /f /r C:' to scan for disk errors. Download CrystalDiskInfo to check drive health status and temperature. Replace any drives showing 'Caution' or 'Bad' status immediately.
5. Test power supply stability. Download FurMark and Prime95 to stress test GPU and CPU simultaneously. Monitor system during the stress test for crashes or shutdowns. Calculate your system's power draw using an online PSU calculator and ensure your power supply exceeds this by 20%.
6. Disable startup programs. Open Task Manager and click the Startup tab. Disable non-essential programs with 'High' startup impact. Press Windows+R, type msconfig, and select 'Selective startup' with 'Load startup items' unchecked. Restart and test for crashes.
7. Reset Windows to factory settings. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Click 'Get started' under Reset this PC. Choose 'Keep my files' to preserve personal data while removing installed programs. The reset process will reinstall Windows while maintaining your documents.