Windows 11 is the most capable version of Windows yet, but no operating system is without its quirks. From sluggish performance to update errors to Wi-Fi that mysteriously drops, certain problems come up again and again. This guide covers the ten most common Windows 11 issues and gives you practical, step-by-step fixes for each one.
1. Windows 11 Running Slowly or Feeling Sluggish
A slow Windows 11 PC is usually caused by one of three things: too many startup programmes, insufficient RAM, or a drive that is nearly full.
Fix startup programmes: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, go to the Startup Apps tab, and disable anything you do not need launching at boot. Right-click and select Disable on any non-essential items.
Check RAM usage: In Task Manager, open the Performance tab and check your memory usage. If you are consistently using over 80% of your RAM, adding more memory is the most effective upgrade possible.
Free up drive space: Go to Settings > System > Storage and click Temporary Files. Select all the categories offered and delete them. Also check for large files you no longer need using the Storage Sense section.
2. Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting
Intermittent Wi-Fi drops are often caused by Windows aggressively managing the network adapter’s power to save battery.
Fix: Open Device Manager (right-click Start), expand Network Adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Properties. Go to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click OK and restart.
If the problem persists, open an elevated Command Prompt and run: netsh winsock reset followed by netsh int ip reset, then restart your PC.
3. Windows Update Stuck or Failing
Updates that get stuck downloading or fail to install are a common frustration. Before trying complex fixes, try the built-in troubleshooter first.
Fix: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters and run the Windows Update troubleshooter. If that does not resolve it, stop the Windows Update service and clear the update cache. Open an elevated Command Prompt and run these commands in order:
net stop wuauservnet stop bits- Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution and delete the contents (not the folder itself)
net start wuauservnet start bits
Then try running Windows Update again.
4. Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
A BSOD is Windows crashing due to a critical error. The stop code shown on the blue screen tells you where to look. Common culprits include faulty RAM, outdated drivers, or failing storage.
Fix: Note the stop code and search for it specifically — common ones include MEMORY_MANAGEMENT (RAM issues), DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (driver conflict), and CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED (system file corruption).
Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool (search for it in the Start menu) to check your RAM. Run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair corrupted system files. Check Device Manager for any devices with warning symbols and update their drivers.
5. Apps Crashing or Not Opening
If a specific app crashes repeatedly, the fix is usually repairing or resetting it through Windows Settings.
Fix: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, find the problematic application, click the three-dot menu, and select Advanced Options. Use the Repair button first — this attempts to fix the app without deleting your data. If repair fails, use Reset, which returns the app to its default state.
For apps installed via traditional installers rather than the Microsoft Store, try uninstalling and reinstalling from scratch. Also check whether Windows itself needs updating, as app compatibility issues are often resolved through Windows updates.
6. Sound Not Working
Audio problems are surprisingly common after Windows updates and are usually caused by the wrong output device being selected or a driver issue.
Fix: Click the speaker icon in the system tray and check which audio device is selected as output. If you have speakers or headphones connected, make sure Windows has selected them and not some other device.
Right-click the speaker icon and select Troubleshoot Sound Problems for an automated diagnosis. If the troubleshooter cannot resolve it, go to Device Manager, find your audio device under Sound, Video and Game Controllers, right-click, and select Update Driver. If the driver is already current, try selecting Uninstall Device and then restarting — Windows will reinstall the driver automatically.
7. Taskbar or Start Menu Not Responding
A frozen taskbar or Start menu that will not open is usually caused by the Windows Explorer process crashing or hanging.
Fix: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Scroll down in the Processes tab to find Windows Explorer. Right-click it and select Restart. The screen may flicker briefly and the taskbar will reload.
If this is a recurring problem, run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to check for and repair corrupted system files. Also ensure Windows is fully up to date, as Microsoft has released multiple patches addressing Start menu and taskbar reliability.
8. Printer Not Working
Windows 11 changed how it handles printer drivers, which caused compatibility issues with many older printers initially. Most have since been resolved through Windows Update.
Fix: Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners. Remove your printer and add it again — Windows will fetch the latest driver automatically. If detection fails, visit your printer manufacturer’s website directly and download the latest driver for Windows 11.
Also try running the Printer troubleshooter from Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters. It can automatically detect and fix many common print spooler and driver issues.
9. Windows 11 Not Waking from Sleep
A PC that will not wake from sleep — requiring a hard restart — is typically caused by driver or power management conflicts.
Fix: Open an elevated Command Prompt and run powercfg /lastwake to see what last woke your PC, and powercfg /sleepstudy for a detailed sleep analysis report.
Update your chipset, graphics, and network adapter drivers as these are the most common culprits. In Device Manager, check the Power Management tab for your network adapters and disable Allow this device to wake the computer if you do not need wake-on-LAN functionality.
10. High CPU or Disk Usage at Idle
If your PC’s fans are running at full speed or Task Manager shows near-100% CPU or disk usage even when you are not doing anything, a background process is consuming resources unexpectedly.
Fix: Open Task Manager and click the CPU or Disk column header to sort by usage. Identify the top process. Common culprits include Windows Update (running in the background — usually resolves itself after the update completes), Antivirus scans (schedule these for off-hours), SysMain/Superfetch (can be disabled via Services if causing persistent high disk usage on SSDs), and Search Indexing (reduce its scope in Indexing Options in the Control Panel).
If MsMpEng.exe (Windows Defender) is consuming significant CPU during a full scan, schedule scans for times when you are not using the PC — open Windows Security and configure the schedule under Virus & Threat Protection settings.
Getting a Fresh Start
If multiple issues persist and you cannot trace the cause, Windows 11 includes a Reset this PC option under Settings > System > Recovery. You can choose to keep your personal files while reinstalling Windows, giving you a clean operating system without losing your documents. This resolves the vast majority of persistent software-related issues and leaves you with a fresh, reliable system.
For the best possible foundation, start with a properly licenced copy of Windows. GetRenewedTech offers Windows 11 Pro for £18.99, giving you the full feature set including advanced troubleshooting and management tools.
