I have an ASUS ROG Strix G16 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32 GB of DDR5 memory, integrated Intel graphics, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU with 12 GB of VRAM, and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD running Windows 11. Since the day I bought it, switching between applications or windows causes a noticeable freeze lasting a few seconds. This happens with File Explorer, a media player, Photoshop, web browsers, and other programs. Once the new window becomes active, it works normally and does not appear slow.
I have already disabled animations and visual effects, updated the NVIDIA and Intel graphics drivers, installed Windows updates, changed the display refresh rate, adjusted Windows and NVIDIA settings, and disabled unnecessary background and startup programs. I have also tried both high- and low-performance power modes, and the BIOS has been updated twice. CPU, memory, and disk usage look normal during the problem. What could cause lag specifically while switching windows, and what tests could identify whether this is a driver, SSD, Windows, or hardware problem?
2 Answers
Check the NVMe drive's health and firmware with the drive manufacturer's diagnostic utility, and review its SMART data and temperature. Run a full memory test as well. It is possible for an SSD or memory problem to cause short pauses without showing constant high utilization.
You can also test in Safe Mode or with a clean boot. If window switching becomes smooth there, re-enable services and startup items in groups to identify a conflict. If it still freezes in Safe Mode or after a clean Windows installation, document the behavior with a short video and contact ASUS for warranty service.
Watch Task Manager, Resource Monitor, or Performance Monitor while the freeze is happening and look for short spikes in disk activity, GPU usage, CPU interrupts, or a process that suddenly becomes unresponsive. Also check Event Viewer for display-driver resets, disk errors, or hardware warnings.
Try a clean installation of the Intel and NVIDIA graphics drivers, and test with the laptop's integrated graphics and discrete GPU modes separately if the ASUS control software provides that option. A clean Windows installation is another useful test, but back up your files first. If the issue remains with a fresh installation and current firmware, the laptop should be examined under warranty. A defective SSD, motherboard, memory module, or graphics subsystem could cause brief system stalls even when average usage appears normal.
CPU and disk usage look fairly normal, and I have already tested both performance modes without any change. The problem has continued for roughly six or seven months, including after two BIOS updates, so I am starting to suspect a hardware or firmware issue rather than a simple power-plan setting.
The storage device is a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. I have not yet ruled it out with a dedicated health and firmware check, so that is a useful next step.