Since upgrading to Windows 11 about a year ago, my computer has started freezing once or several times a day. I use an AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT with two monitors connected through DisplayPort to a TESmart dual-monitor KVM switch. The problem seems especially likely to happen during Zoom calls or when VS Code is open and the computer wakes from a long screensaver session. The displays become completely frozen, but audio continues normally, so I can still hear a meeting in progress. Occasionally the screen recovers on its own, but usually I have to restart the computer. After rebooting, toggling the graphics adapter off and back on in Device Manager restores everything until the next freeze. Windows, drivers, and other software are up to date. I'm considering bypassing the KVM for a week to test it, followed by a clean Windows installation if necessary. Are there other troubleshooting steps I should try first?
1 Answer
The combination of audio continuing while the display is frozen, recovering after toggling the adapter, and problems around screensavers strongly suggests an AMD display-driver timeout or a display-handshake issue. The KVM and Windows sleep states could both be contributing. Before reinstalling Windows, bypass the KVM temporarily and see whether the system remains stable. Also disable the screensaver for testing, then use AMD Cleanup Utility from Safe Mode and install a stable driver with the minimal or driver-only option. If the freezes disappear when the monitors are connected directly to the GPU, the KVM, cables, or its DisplayPort handshake is the likely culprit.
That lines up with what I was thinking. I’m going to remove the KVM from the setup and run the computer that way for about a week to see whether the freezes stop. It’s inconvenient, but it should help separate a GPU-driver problem from an issue with the monitors or KVM.