Troubleshooting issues in Windows 11 can often be resolved by following a systematic approach. This guideline covers common problems and how to address them, from basic checks to more advanced solutions.
These are often the quickest and most effective first steps for many issues.
Restart Your Device:
A simple restart can resolve many temporary glitches and free up system resources.
Go to Start > Power > Restart.
Check for Windows Updates:
Many issues are resolved through Windows updates, which include bug fixes, security patches, and driver updates.
Go to Settings > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install any available updates. Restart your PC if prompted.
Check Disk Space:
Low disk space can cause performance issues and prevent applications from running correctly.
Go to Settings > System > Storage.
Review your disk usage and consider running "Storage Sense" to automatically free up space or manually delete unnecessary files.
These steps help you understand if core system components are contributing to the problem.
Check Task Manager for Performance Issues:
If your PC is slow or unresponsive, Task Manager can identify resource-hungry applications or processes.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Processes tab and sort by CPU, Memory, Disk, or Network usage to identify culprits.
(Optional) End task for applications consuming excessive resources, but be cautious with system processes.
Run a Full System Scan for Malware/Viruses:
Malware can cause various system anomalies, including performance issues and unexpected behavior.
Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start Menu).
Go to Virus & threat protection and click Quick scan. For a deeper check, choose Scan options > Full scan.
These steps target specific types of problems you might encounter.
Update/Reinstall Device Drivers:
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common cause of hardware not working correctly (e.g., Wi-Fi, audio, display).
Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
Locate the device category (e.g., "Display adapters," "Network adapters").
Right-click on the specific device and select Update driver. Choose "Search automatically for drivers."
If updating doesn't help, try Uninstall device (do NOT check "Delete the driver software for this device"), then restart your PC. Windows will usually reinstall the driver automatically.
Run Troubleshooters:
Windows 11 includes built-in troubleshooters for various issues.
Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Select the relevant troubleshooter (e.g., "Internet Connections," "Playing Audio," "Printer," "Windows Update") and follow the on-screen instructions.
Repair or Reset Applications:
If a specific application is misbehaving, you can try repairing or resetting it.
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Find the problematic app, click the three dots next to its name, and select Advanced options.
Scroll down to the "Reset" section and try Repair first. If that doesn't work, try Reset. (Note: Resetting an app will clear its data).
Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:
These tools can check for and repair corrupted Windows system files.
Open Command Prompt as administrator (search cmd in Start, right-click, "Run as administrator").
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Let it complete (this may take some time).
If SFC finds errors it can't fix, or if issues persist, run DISM commands:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC after running these commands.
While covered in a general internet guide, here are Windows 11 specific network troubleshooting steps.
Run Network Troubleshooter:
As mentioned above: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Internet Connections.
Reset Network Adapters:
This reinstalls your network adapters and resets networking components.
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
Click Reset now and confirm. Your PC will restart.
These are more drastic steps to consider if other solutions fail.
Start in Safe Mode:
Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can help you identify if a third-party application or driver is causing the issue.
Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
Under "Recovery options," next to "Advanced startup," click Restart now.
After restarting, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After the second restart, press 4 or F4 for "Enable Safe Mode," or 5 or F5 for "Enable Safe Mode with Networking."
Perform a System Restore:
If the issue started recently, you might be able to revert your system to an earlier point in time when it was working correctly. This won't affect your personal files.
Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start Menu and open System Properties.
Click System Restore... and follow the prompts to choose a restore point.
Reset This PC:
This allows you to reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files or removing everything.
Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
Under "Recovery options," next to "Reset this PC," click Reset PC.
Choose between Keep my files (removes apps and settings, keeps personal files) or Remove everything (clean install).
If you've followed these steps and the problem persists, consider:
Consulting Microsoft Support: For official assistance.
Checking Online Forums/Communities: Websites like Reddit (r/Windows11, r/techsupport) or Microsoft Community forums can offer peer support.
Seeking Professional Help: If you suspect a hardware failure or the issue is beyond your technical comfort level.
By systematically working through this guideline, you'll be well-equipped to diagnose and resolve a wide range of Windows 11 problems.