First Checks for Any Windows 11 Problem

Before changing services, editing the registry or resetting Windows, work through these basic checks:

1. Restart the PC. Use Start > Power > Restart rather than shutting down and turning it back on.
2. Install Windows updates. Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
3. Check optional driver updates. Open Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
4. Disconnect unnecessary devices. Remove non-essential USB drives, docks, printers and accessories while testing.
5. Check free storage. Open Settings > System > Storage.
6. Record the exact error. Save the error code, message and what happened immediately before the fault.
7. Run the relevant troubleshooter. Open Get Help and search for the problem, such as “audio troubleshooter” or “Windows Update troubleshooter”.

Windows 11 Is Slow or Unresponsive

Check Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Open Processes.
3. Select the CPU, Memory or Disk column to sort by usage.
4. Identify the process using an unusually high amount of resources.

Do not end unfamiliar Windows processes at random. Close an application normally first, then restart the PC if the process remains stuck.

Disable unnecessary startup apps

1. Open Settings > Apps > Startup.
2. Turn off applications that do not need to launch automatically.
3. Restart and compare performance.

Free up storage

Open Settings > System > Storage and review temporary files, installed apps and large files. A nearly full system drive can slow updates and general Windows performance.

Run a security scan

Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and run a scan. Unexpected high CPU, memory, network or disk usage can be caused by unwanted software.

Check hardware limits

Windows 11 requires at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, but minimum hardware may feel slow with several apps open. An SSD and additional memory can make a substantial difference on compatible systems.

Windows 11 Update Problems

Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

1. Open the Get Help app.
2. Search for Windows Update troubleshooter.
3. Run the diagnostic and follow its recommendations.

Check the basics

• Restart the PC.
• Confirm the internet connection is stable.
• Make sure the date, time and time zone are correct.
• Free sufficient storage space.
• Temporarily disconnect unnecessary external devices.
• Install current manufacturer drivers where appropriate.

An update caused the problem

When a fault began immediately after an update, open:

Settings > Windows Update > Update history

Check which update was installed. Where Microsoft provides the option and the problem is serious, use Uninstall updates. Do not remove security updates without a clear reason.

Repair Windows Update without deleting apps

Some current Windows 11 systems provide:

Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update

This reinstalls the current version of Windows while preserving apps, files and settings. The option may not be available on every managed device or Windows build.

Windows 11 Wi-Fi Not Working

1. Check that Wi-Fi is enabled and Airplane mode is off.
2. Restart the PC and router.
3. Forget the network, then reconnect with the correct password.
4. Try another website or device to determine whether the fault affects the PC or the whole connection.
5. Open Get Help and run the network troubleshooter.
6. Install the latest network driver from Windows Update or the PC manufacturer.

Forget and reconnect to the Wi-Fi network

1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
2. Select Manage known networks.
3. Select the affected network and choose Forget.
4. Reconnect and enter the password again.

Use Network reset as a later step

Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.

Network reset removes and reinstalls network adapters and resets their settings. You may need to reconnect to Wi-Fi, recreate VPN settings or reinstall networking software afterwards.

Windows 11 Bluetooth Not Working

1. Confirm Bluetooth is enabled in Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
2. Charge the Bluetooth device and move it closer to the PC.
3. Turn Bluetooth off and on again.
4. Restart both devices.
5. Remove the device from Windows and pair it again.
6. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter in Get Help.
7. Install current Bluetooth drivers.

If Bluetooth has disappeared entirely, check Device Manager and the PC manufacturer’s support page. The wireless adapter may require a driver or firmware update.

No Sound or Distorted Audio in Windows 11

Check the selected output device

1. Select the speaker icon on the taskbar.
2. Open the output-device selector.
3. Choose the intended speakers, monitor, headset or Bluetooth device.
4. Check the volume and mute state.

Run the audio troubleshooter

Open Get Help, search for audio troubleshooter and run the diagnostic.

Update or roll back the audio driver

Open Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers. Update the audio driver. When sound stopped immediately after a driver or Windows update, check whether Roll Back Driver is available in the device properties.

Bluetooth connects but has no sound

Open Settings > System > Sound and confirm that the Bluetooth device is selected under Output. Remove and pair the device again if necessary.

Screen Flickering, Wrong Resolution or Black Screen

Screen flickering

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

• If Task Manager flickers with the rest of the screen, the display driver may be the cause.
• If Task Manager remains stable while another app flickers, an incompatible application may be responsible.

Install the latest display driver from Windows Update or the graphics-device manufacturer. When the issue started after a driver update, consider rolling back that driver.

Wrong screen resolution

1. Open Settings > System > Display.
2. Under Display resolution, choose the option marked Recommended.
3. Check the scale setting and display-driver installation.

Black screen

Try these in order:

1. Press Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and check whether the security screen appears.
3. Disconnect unnecessary displays, docks and USB accessories.
4. Check monitor power, input selection and cables.
5. Start Windows Recovery Environment if Windows will not display or start correctly.

Apps Crash, Freeze or Will Not Open

Repair or reset the app

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find the affected app and open Advanced options when available.
3. Select Repair.
4. Use Reset only if repair does not work, because reset can remove the app’s stored data and settings.

Update or reinstall the app

Install updates from Microsoft Store or the app publisher. When necessary, uninstall the app, restart Windows and install a fresh copy from the official source.

Microsoft Store problems

• Open Microsoft Store and install available Library updates.
• Sign out and back in.
• Press Windows key + R, run wsreset.exe and allow Microsoft Store to reopen.
• Repair or reset Microsoft Store through Installed apps where available.

Windows 11 Search, Start Menu or Taskbar Is Not Working

1. Restart the PC.
2. Install pending Windows updates.
3. Open Task Manager, select Windows Explorer and choose Restart task.
4. Sign out and back in.
5. Run DISM and System File Checker when Windows components appear damaged.

Repair Corrupted Windows System Files

Use Microsoft’s built-in DISM and System File Checker tools when Windows features fail, errors recur or the system becomes unstable.

1. Search for Command Prompt.
2. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
3. Run the following command and allow it to finish:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Then run:

sfc /scannow

Restart the PC after the scans complete. These tools repair Windows components and protected system files; they do not fix every driver, hardware or third-party application problem.

Windows 11 Will Not Start

Windows Recovery Environment includes Startup Repair, System Restore, Startup Settings, Uninstall Updates, Command Prompt and other recovery tools.

Open Windows Recovery Environment

When Windows still opens, use:

Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now

You can also hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart.

If Windows repeatedly fails to start, the PC may enter recovery automatically.

Try Startup Repair

In Windows Recovery Environment, select:

Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair

Try Safe Mode

Use Startup Settings in Windows Recovery Environment to enter Safe Mode. If the fault disappears in Safe Mode, a startup app, third-party service or driver may be involved.

When to Use System Restore, Reset or Reinstall

Back up before recovery

Copy important files to external or cloud storage before resetting or reinstalling. Also save passwords, licence details, encryption recovery keys and any specialist drivers.

For a clean installation, follow our Windows 11 USB installation guide.

Windows 11 Home or Pro: Does Troubleshooting Differ?

Most everyday troubleshooting steps are the same in Windows 11 Home and Pro. Both editions use Windows Update, Get Help, Device Manager, Windows Security, recovery tools, DISM and System File Checker.

Pro adds business and management features, but upgrading to Pro will not normally fix slow performance, Wi-Fi, sound, update or driver problems. Diagnose the actual fault before changing edition.

Frequently Asked Questions