It can be frustrating when your PC suddenly freezes, crashes, or an application becomes unresponsive and refuses to close. If the close (“X”) button doesn’t work and even your mouse seems stuck, don’t panic. In this article, we will walk you through a few simple but effective steps to fix a frozen PC or close an unresponsive application on your Windows system. These solutions also help prevent such problems from occurring in the future.
Let’s go step by step.
Step 1: Use Task Manager to Force Close Apps
If any software or application becomes unresponsive and refuses to close, the best way to handle this is via Task Manager.
How to open Task Manager:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escon your keyboard to directly open Task Manager. - Alternatively, right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager, or search for it using the Windows Search bar.
What to do:
- After Task Manager opens, click on the Processes tab.
- Find the application that is frozen or not responding.
- Click on it, then click End Task in the bottom-right corner.
This will immediately close the unresponsive application.
Step 2: Disable Focus Assist to Prevent Distractions
Focus Assist is a Windows feature that suppresses notifications, but it may sometimes interfere with your system performance or multitasking.
How to disable it:
- Open Settings → Go to System → Select Focus Assist.
- Turn off all the options like “Show timer and clock app”, “Hide notifications”, etc.
- Simply toggle everything Off and close the settings window.
Disabling Focus Assist ensures that your system does not unnecessarily suppress alerts or processes that could be helpful.
Step 3: Keep Your Windows Updated
Outdated system files or patches may lead to crashes and freezing issues. Ensure that your Windows OS is always up-to-date.
Steps to update:
- Open Settings → Search for Windows Update.
- If any updates are available, download and install them.
- Restart your PC if prompted.
Keeping your system updated can resolve known bugs and improve overall performance.
Step 4: Run Error Checking on Local Disk (C:)
Sometimes, disk errors can cause your PC to slow down or freeze.
Here’s how to check your disk for errors:
- Open This PC or File Explorer.
- Right-click on Local Disk (C:) → Select Properties.
- Go to the Tools tab → Under Error Checking, click Check.
- Click Scan Drive to initiate the process.
This scan may take a few minutes. If errors are found, Windows will try to fix them automatically.
Bonus Tip: Enable Automatic Maintenance
To further prevent freezing or lag issues:
- Go to Control Panel → System and Security → Security and Maintenance → Maintenance.
- Ensure Automatic Maintenance is enabled. This helps the system perform regular scans and optimizations in the background.
Final Thoughts
By following these simple but effective steps, you can quickly fix a frozen PC or close any app that stops responding. Most importantly, these settings help avoid such problems in the future.
If you frequently face freezing issues despite applying these fixes, consider scanning your system for malware, upgrading your RAM, or switching to an SSD if you’re still using a traditional hard drive.
Tags:
PC freezes, Windows unresponsive app fix, Task Manager, Windows Focus Assist, Error checking Windows, Windows update, how to fix frozen PC, app not closing, Windows tips, computer troubleshooting
Hashtags:
#WindowsFix #TaskManager #PCFreezing #TechTips #WindowsUpdate #ErrorCheck #FrozenApp #FocusAssist #Windows11 #ComputerHelp
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational purposes only. Always back up important data before making system changes or updates. If your PC continues to freeze or crash repeatedly, seek assistance from a certified technician or your device manufacturer.
