When your computer suddenly stops responding and neither the keyboard nor the mouse works, it’s easy to panic. But in such “frozen” moments, staying calm is the key.

In this article, we’ll explain what you should absolutely never do when your PC freezes, as well as quick recovery techniques anyone can try right away. We’ll also cover tips and settings to prevent freezes from happening in the first place!

1. Don’t Do This! Why Holding the Power Button or Pulling the Plug Is Dangerous

When your PC locks up, you might be tempted to just hold down the power button or pull the power cord. But this is something you must never do!

Why not?

• When shutting down, a PC closes apps and system processes in a safe order.
• Forcing the power off can not only erase unsaved data, but also damage important system or app files.
• Have you ever seen “Check Disk” or “Automatic Repair” after a forced shutdown? That’s your PC checking if it survived.
• Pulling the plug is like yanking the cord out of a TV—it’s brute force. But for a PC, it can cause serious internal damage.

💡 Remember this! Holding the power button is only a last resort. Always try safer recovery methods first!

2. Don’t Give Up! Quick Fixes to Try When Your PC Freezes

Even if the screen, mouse, and keyboard look completely frozen, sometimes the system is still alive inside. Here are some tricks to try:

▶ Trick 1: Press the Shift Key 5 Times in a Row

• This checks whether the OS is still responding.
• You might hear a sound or see a small window pop up.
• If there’s a response, your system is still running, and recovery is likely!

※ If no sound plays, your volume may just be muted—go ahead and try the next step.

▶ Trick 2: Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B

• This command restarts your graphics driver.
• Many “freezes” happen because the display is stuck, not the whole PC.
• You’ll hear a beep and the screen will flicker.
• Sometimes that’s all it takes to bring your PC back!

🎮 This shortcut is also handy when games freeze or stutter.

3. If Only One App Freezes: Steps You Can Try

Sometimes it’s not the whole PC—just one app stops responding. In that case, try:

▶ Trick 3: Alt + Tab

• Try switching to another app.
• Sometimes that action alone “wakes” the system up.

▶ Trick 4: Ctrl + Alt + Del

• Opens the screen where you can launch Task Manager.
• If your mouse works, select Task Manager and close the frozen app.
• Even without a mouse, you can navigate with the Tab key.

✅ Restart or Shut Down—Which Should You Choose?

Always choose Restart! Avoid Shutdown.

• Thanks to Windows’ “Fast Startup,” shutting down doesn’t clear everything. Some errors may carry over to the next session.
• Restart, on the other hand, clears error data and gives you a clean slate.

4. Everyday Settings & Habits to Prevent Freezes

A little care in daily use can help prevent freezes altogether.

● Plug USB Devices into Rear Ports

• Front USB ports often supply weaker power.
• For high-power devices (like external SSDs), use the rear ports.

● Use USB 2.0 Ports for Wireless Mouse Receivers

• Blue USB 3.0 ports are fast, but can sometimes interfere with mice.
• Black USB 2.0 ports are more stable for wireless receivers.

● Turn Off Fast Startup

• While it speeds up boot times, it can also carry over errors.
• Disabling it often reduces freeze issues.

🔧 We’ll explain how to change this setting later!

● Run a “Health Check” on Your PC

• Over time, system files can become corrupted.
• Use Windows’ built-in tools like DISM or SFC to check and repair them.

● Check Virtual Memory If You Have Low RAM

• PCs with less than 8GB of RAM are more prone to freezing.
• Adjusting virtual memory can help.
• If you have 16GB or more, you usually don’t need to worry.

Conclusion: Stay Calm, and Your PC Will Come Back to Life

When your PC freezes, don’t rush to power it off. First try safe recovery methods.

• Use shortcuts to check system status
• Close frozen apps via Task Manager if needed
• Use Restart (not Shutdown) to reset errors

And in daily use, managing USB ports, disabling Fast Startup, and monitoring memory can prevent many problems before they happen.

Bookmark this article so you’ll be ready to act calmly when your PC freezes!