Top 25 Windows Problems and How to Solve Them Without a Technician

Windows is one of the most popular operating systems in the world—but it's not without its problems. From slow performance to system crashes, users encounter a range of issues that can seem overwhelming. But the good news? Most common Windows problems can be fixed at home—no technician required.

Here are 25 of the most common Windows issues and step-by-step instructions on how to solve them yourself.

1. Slow Startup

Solution:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
Go to the Startup tab
Disable unnecessary startup programs
Restart your PC

2. Windows Update Not Working

Solution:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
If that fails, open Command Prompt as admin and type:
```
sfc /scannow
```

3. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

Solution:

Note the error code on the blue screen
Update all drivers via Device Manager
Run sfc /scannow and chkdsk /f in Command Prompt

4. Application Not Responding

Solution:

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, open Task Manager
End the unresponsive application
Reboot the computer and reinstall the app if needed

5. Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting

Solution:

Right-click on Wi-Fi icon > Network and Internet settings
Choose Network Troubleshooter
Update your network adapter driver
Disable power-saving features for the adapter

6. No Sound

Solution:

Right-click the sound icon > Troubleshoot sound problems
Ensure default playback device is set correctly
Update or reinstall sound drivers in Device Manager

7. Printer Not Working

Solution:

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners
Remove and re-add the printer
Run the Printer Troubleshooter

8. File Explorer Crashing

Solution:

Open File Explorer Options from Control Panel
Clear File Explorer history
Restart your PC
Run sfc /scannow

9. Black Screen After Login

Solution:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
Run a new task: explorer.exe
If this fails, boot into Safe Mode and perform a system restore

10. Windows Freezes or Hangs

Solution:

Clean boot Windows
Check for malware using Windows Defender
Upgrade RAM if frequently running out of memory

11. Windows Not Activating

Solution:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation
Run the Activation Troubleshooter
Ensure your Windows license matches the installed version

12. Keyboard or Mouse Not Working

Solution:

Try other USB ports
Boot into Safe Mode
Uninstall and reinstall drivers from Device Manager

13. High CPU Usage

Solution:

Open Task Manager and find the process causing spikes
Disable unnecessary startup programs
Scan for malware

14. Battery Draining Quickly (Laptop)

Solution:

Go to Settings > System > Battery
Enable Battery Saver
Reduce background apps and screen brightness

15. Windows Defender Won’t Turn On

Solution:

Check for third-party antivirus conflicts
Run Windows Defender Troubleshooter
Start services manually via services.msc

16. System Restore Not Working

Solution:

Ensure System Protection is enabled
Run in Safe Mode
Use DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

17. Recycle Bin Corrupted

Solution:

Open Command Prompt as admin
Type:
```
rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin
```
Restart your PC

18. USB Device Not Recognized

Solution:

Try another USB port
Run Hardware Troubleshooter
Reinstall USB controllers via Device Manager

19. Cannot Connect to Microsoft Store

Solution:

Reset Store via Command Prompt:
```
wsreset.exe
```
Check Date & Time settings
Run Store Troubleshooter

20. Error Code 0x80070005 (Access Denied)

Solution:

Run apps as administrator
Change permissions on target folders
Disable antivirus temporarily

21. Disk Usage at 100%

Solution:

Disable Windows Search and Superfetch:

net.exe stop "Windows Search"
net.exe stop superfetch

Check for malware
Replace faulty hard drives

22. Screen Flickering

Solution:

Update graphics drivers
Uninstall conflicting apps (like Norton or iCloud)
Switch between GPU modes if using a laptop

23. Start Menu Not Working

Solution:

Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager

Re-register Start Menu:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

24. Can’t Install or Uninstall a Program

Solution:

Use Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter from Microsoft
Boot in Safe Mode and try uninstalling
Use third-party tools like Revo Uninstaller if needed

25. Windows Running Out of Space

Solution:

Run Disk Cleanup
Delete temporary files:
```
cleanmgr
```
Uninstall unused apps and use Storage Sense

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to solve most Windows problems. With a few smart steps, you can fix everything from startup issues to crashing apps—saving time and money in the process.

Bookmark this page and share it—you never know when these quick fixes will come in handy.

````Retro-futurism````

Friday, May 30, 2025