A frozen screen is frustrating, but there are a few things you can try before resorting to a hard shutdown. Here is what to do, step by step.
Step 1 - Wait a moment
Sometimes your computer is processing something heavy and just needs a few seconds to catch up. Wait 30 seconds to a minute before assuming it is truly frozen.
Step 2 - Try keyboard shortcuts
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. If your computer responds, you will see a screen with several options. Click Task Manager. From there you can close any program that says Not responding by selecting it and clicking End task. If that fixes the issue, you can carry on working.
Step 3 - Try closing the active program
If Ctrl + Alt + Delete does not work, try pressing Alt + F4. This attempts to close whatever program is currently active. If the frozen program closes, the rest of your computer may start responding again.
Step 4 - Force a shutdown
If nothing responds at all, press and hold the power button on your computer for about ten seconds until it switches off completely. Wait ten seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Your computer should restart normally.
After a forced shutdown
When your computer restarts, it may take slightly longer than usual as Windows checks for any issues. Some programs may offer to recover unsaved work. If your computer keeps freezing regularly, it could be a sign of a hardware problem, low storage, overheating or a software issue that needs attention. If your computer does not restart at all, see our guide on what to do when your computer will not turn on.
When to get help
If freezing happens more than once or twice a week, do not ignore it. Frequent freezes usually point to something that will only get worse if left unresolved.