“My computer keeps freezing, and I do not know what else to do!” Fear not. Usually, the reason your computer keeps freezing can be tracked back to one or more common computer problems listed below.

1. Drivers - Drivers are specifically linked, one by one, to the hardware of your computer. If the hardware receives the wrong software to accompany it, things can crash, not work properly, or in some cases freeze the computer. To combat this, simply make sure you have the right driver installed. Do not upgrade just because there is a new version available. If your printer is working fine, no need to increase the chance of making it malfunction. Just as importantly, if that printer suddenly stopped working, look for a driver update.
2. Viruses – This is an obvious one but not to everyone. If your computer is behaving in a weird matter and a significant amount of programs stop working right before your computer slows and freezes, a virus might be the culprit. Download a free antivirus trial off of a reputable website so you are not completely defenseless. The same goes for spyware.
3. Hardware – Say you spilled coffee onto your computer a few weeks ago, and it seems to be fine. It might not be. Damaged hardware is certainly a reason for a broken computer. (Who would have thought?) Download diagnostics programs online so you can know if everything is working as it should. Replacing vital components of the computer might be necessary.
4. Hard Drive – If your hard drive is almost full, in some cases, it can make it seem as if you computer is freezing. Running “Disk Cleanup” and “Disk Defragmenter” can help, though it might take a while. Disk Cleanup automatically gets rid of unimportant files, freeing up space. Disk Defragmenter, in layman’s terms, puts related programs closer together so programs start faster and work faster.
5. Video Games - Many things are working hard at once to deliver the best gaming experience they can. For example, if you video card is not up to snuff it might overheat and cause damage to your computer or shut it off. Software of a video game is ever-changing, especially if it is a game in which you play online. Bugs pop up all the time all with different effects; one of those effects could be your computer freezing. Some unofficial fixes pop that you can find strewn across the Internet, but keep in mind the keyword, “unofficial.” Use with caution. Otherwise, in that case, you have to wait for the game developers to fix the game.

The reasons listed above might not prevent you from yelling, “my computer keeps freezing!” It might simply be time to invest in a new one. Brands such as Alienware, Toshiba Tecra, and Dell are certainly good places to start, but do not limit yourself to just those. First, troubleshoot with the above information.