My Windows 11 PC is crashing unexpectedly two or three times a day, but I never see a BSOD. I can provide the system specifications and system log details if needed. What steps should I take to identify whether the cause is a driver, Windows update, GPU instability, hardware fault, or power problem?
4 Answers
A driver or GPU-related conflict could be responsible. Try disabling hardware acceleration in applications that use it, and make sure the GPU is not overclocked. Even if the system was previously at stock settings, testing with a modest GPU downclock can help reveal instability.
Check Windows Update, including the section for optional or additional updates. A recent cumulative update can sometimes cause stability problems, so compare the crash timing with recently installed KB updates and consider rolling back a problematic one if appropriate.
Look in Event Viewer under Windows Logs > System and filter for WHEA-Logger events. Those entries can point to hardware or power instability. If there are no WHEA events, investigate the power path, especially the PSU, cables, surge protection, and the power coming from the wall.
Start by checking whether Windows created any crash dumps in C:WindowsMinidump. If the folder contains files, copy and compress them so they can be analyzed. If it is empty, configure Windows to create small memory dumps for future crashes.
The system was already running at stock settings, but I started downclocking the GPU to see whether the crashes stop over the next few days.