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HP Recommended
Product: OMEN 17.3 inch Gaming Laptop PC 17-ck0000 (2Y4A6AV)

Recently my notebook started constantly freezing up for several seconds.
If I open a game, the issue takes place every few seconds, making things effectively unplayable. In the Browser it's a little rarer, about every few minutes. During that time in the browser I can move the mouse with much lagging over the screen but  nothing else seems to work. Although I noticed that programs like discord still give me their sound output without problem even during total lockups.

 

I've installed every update for every driver and system I could find.
I've done both fast and extensive systemchecks through the HP Support Assistant, the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics and the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI tool. Every single check tells me there is no issue.

It started about a week ago and initially could be fixed with a restart but has since taken over completely. Would appreciate any help, thanks!

4 REPLIES 4
HP Recommended

@Avocado2k5,

 

Thanks for reaching out to the HP Support Community! 🎉

 

I’m here to help you troubleshoot your issue and get things back on track.

 

It sounds like a frustrating issue, especially since you've already tried updating drivers and running diagnostics. Since the system is freezing and programs like Discord can still provide sound output, it's possible that the issue could be related to hardware, software conflicts, or overheating.

 

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

 

1. Check for Overheating

  • Overheating is a common cause of system freezes, especially during gaming. If the temperatures are getting too high (usually above 90°C for CPU and GPU), your laptop may be throttling performance or freezing to prevent damage.
  • Clean the vents: Dust buildup can block airflow, so clean the vents using compressed air to ensure proper cooling.

2. Check for Software Conflicts

  • Try booting your laptop into Safe Mode (with networking) and see if the issue persists. This can help isolate whether the issue is software related. To boot into Safe Mode:
    • Press Shift + Restart from the Start Menu.
    • In the recovery options, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, and then choose Safe Mode.
  • If the freezing stops in Safe Mode, there may be a conflict with third-party software, so try disabling startup items (through Task Manager) and checking which application could be causing the problem.

3. Event Viewer Logs

  • Open Event Viewer (type event viewer in the search bar) and check for any critical errors or warnings under Windows Logs > System and Application that might indicate what's causing the freezes.
  • Look for events around the time your system freezes. This can give you a clue about the malfunctioning driver or application.

4. Memory and Storage Check

  • It could be a RAM issue. Run the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool:
    • Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter. Choose to restart and check for memory problems.
  • Run a CHKDSK scan to check for disk errors.
    • Open Command Prompt as administrator and type chkdsk /f /r to check for bad sectors and repair your drive. It might require a restart to complete.

Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

5. Reinstall Graphics Drivers

  • Even if you've updated drivers, sometimes a clean installation of the graphics driver can help. You can download the latest drivers directly from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel (depending on your GPU) and use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove all existing graphics drivers, then reinstall them fresh.
  • Intel/NVIDIA/AMD drivers might have conflicts, so using the latest version can solve that.

6. Disable Hardware Acceleration in Browser

  • Since you mentioned the issue happens in the browser too, try disabling hardware acceleration in browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox:
    • In Chrome, go to Settings > Advanced > System, and toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available.
    • In Firefox, go to Settings > General > Performance and uncheck Use recommended performance settings and then uncheck Use hardware acceleration when available.

7. Check for Malware

  • Run a full system scan using Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus to rule out any malware that could be interfering with system performance.

8. System File Corruption

  • System file corruption could be the culprit. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands:
    • sfc /scannow
    • After that completes, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

9. Perform a System Restore or Reset

System Restore will revert your computer's system files, installed applications, and settings to a previous state, but it does not affect personal files (like documents, pictures, or videos). However, any applications or programs installed after the restore point will be removed, and updates to system files and settings will be undone.

While it is generally safe, there is still a small risk of data loss if something goes wrong during the process. It is always recommended to back up important files, documents, and any other critical data before proceeding with a system restore.

 

  • If this issue started recently, try restoring the system to a point before the problem began:
    • Type System Restore in the search bar and select Create a restore point. Then, click System Restore and follow the prompts.
  •  As a last resort, you can perform a reset of Windows to restore it to its original state:
    • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC.

I’m pretty confident this will do the trick! But hey, if you run into any bumps along the way or need a little extra help, just give me a shout! I’ve got your back. 💪

 

And if this reply solved your problem (or made you feel like a tech wizard 😎), please click "Accept Solution". It helps others, and I promise I’ll do a little happy dance. 🕺 Also, if you could click 'Yes' under ‘Was this reply helpful?’—that’s like giving me a virtual high-five. 🙌

 

Thanks again for being awesome, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead! 🌟

 

Cheers,

Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee

HP Recommended

Hope you're rocking an amazing day! We just wanted to check in and see if everything is sorted. If you need any more help or just want to say hi, we're here for you - just a message away! 

 

Take care, and stay fantastic! 

 

Regards, 

Akhi_H

Akhi_H
I am an HP Employee
HP Recommended

I'm having the exact same issue with the exact same computer... everything you described started for me about 3 weeks ago and will not resolve itself. Did you find a solution? 

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