If Windows 10 doesn't work or doesn't respond, how to fix it

After 4 years of updates and new versions Windows 10 has grown a lot in terms of functionality, in terms of performance and also in terms of stability with a lower propensity to error and a better ability to repair itself in case of problems. Just think, for example, of the tools to cancel the functionality updates or the automatic execution of the troubleshooting tools, which we will discuss later. Despite this, Windows 10 is not (and never will be) free from defects, so it can happen that it stops working, that it hangs, that it restarts with error or that it does not respond to commands.
We can have several cases of these malfunctions, for example if it does not work after startup, or after logging in, or after an update, or after loading the desktop or after a few minutes of using the computer.
If, therefore, Windows 10 does not work because there are problems like these just mentioned in which the computer stops responding to mouse clicks or keyboard keys, we see here what are the best ways to solve the problem .
READ ALSO: What to do if Windows 10 freezes or slows down

1) Update Windows 10

Not everyone knows that Windows 10 is updated by Microsoft twice a year with a new version that improves the features present, adds new ones and corrects the defects found. Updating Windows 10 and making sure you have the latest version is the first way to fix computer problems.
Press the Windows + I key to open Settings, select Update and security and check for updates that may contain functionality, error corrections and patches.

1Bis) Uninstall the latest update.

In some cases, the PC may instead experience problems following one of the updates released by Microsoft. If this were the case, you can go back to the previous version of Windows 10 with a simple click, going to Settings> Update and Security> Recovery .
It is also possible to uninstall Windows updates if they cause errors although this can be more complicated to do.

1Tris) Driver updates

One of the reasons why Windows freezes or stops responding may be related to outdated hardware drivers. Drivers are software that allows the computer to operate its hardware parts. The video driver, for example, manages the use of your computer's graphics card and is responsible for what you see on the screen. Most drivers in Windows 10 are automatically updated via Windows Update, so using the automatic system update shouldn't have any problems.
If however some peripheral does not work or does not respond, then you can download drivers to install safely as explained in another article.

2) Troubleshooting program

Windows 10 comes with an integrated set of troubleshooting tools that can find and solve many of the most frequent errors that occur on the system, such as the operation of Bluetooth, the network, the printer, apps, the Start menu and several other things.
Then open Settings> Update and Security to find the Troubleshooting section where you can start one of the automatic tools for specific types of errors.

3) Scan for malware and viruses

Most problems with the Windows 10 system come from malware, which can have infected your computer by making it unstable, slow, or causing it to freeze often. If there is even the suspicion that your PC may have been affected by a virus or malware, it is absolutely advisable to do a complete scan of the files with the free program Malwarebytes Antimalware, among the best and most renowned.
If that's not enough, follow the procedure to remove malware and viruses from the infected computer.

4) SFC scan

SFC stands for System File Checker and is a tool that checks Windows files and repairs them if some of them are damaged. This tool works automatically and is a great way to repair corrupt system files which can be responsible for a variety of errors such as that of the file not found or corrupt.
To launch this SFC scan, open the command prompt from the Start menu (search for it and right-click on it to run it as an administrator) and enter the following command.
sfc / scannow
Restart your computer after the scan is complete and check if Windows is functioning properly and respond without error messages.
In another article, the guide to SFC Scannow
READ ALSO: Main reasons for Windows and PC crashes

5) Clean boot

With clean boot you can start Windows 10 with only Microsoft services running, excluding all external programs. in this way you can then uninstall and remove the programs that give error (if this is the case).
To fix Windows problems using clean boot, press the Windows + R keys together and run the msconfig command.
In the General tab, press on Selective startup and deselect Load startup items . Restart your Windows 10 computer and check if the problem has been resolved; if all goes well, then the fault of the malfunction is certainly one of the installed programs, to be identified and removed.

5Bis) Event viewer

In the case of program and application errors, the event viewer can be used to precisely identify who is responsible. Search for the event viewer from the Start menu and open it by looking for errors at the Application and System level in the Windows Logs . In another article we saw the guide to fix Windows errors from the Event Viewer.

6) Check memory

The most likely cause of an unresponsive computer is a problem with RAM memory, perhaps insufficient or damaged. To check for errors in the computer memory, you can search the Windows 10 Start menu for the memory control tool called mdsched.exe . You will then be asked whether to scan the memory immediately or after the next reboot.

7) Check disk

If the hard disk is slow or defective, a PC may not work properly and slows down its performance a lot. Disk checking is one of the basic tools of Windows and it is always worth using it to be sure there are no bad sectors or corrupt parts. To launch Windows Scandisk, open Windows Explorer, right-click on the disk drive you want to check, go to Properties and then, on the Tools tab, launch Error Checking .

8) Reset PC

If the computer should have too many problems and too many slowdowns or sudden freezes, without wasting too much time in making complicated diagnostics, Windows 10 offers the Reset PC tool, which allows you to reset Windows 10, resetting the settings and options and removing all installed programs. Instead, all files saved on the disc such as documents, photos and music will be kept.

9) Recovery console

As already explained in the guide on how to open the Windows 10 recovery console, this is the most important tool to solve problems if Windows does not start correctly and does not allow you to access the desktop and use normal tools. In the recovery console you will find the tools to reset your PC, to restore a backup, restore a previous configuration or to open the command prompt and perform manual corrections.
READ ALSO: How to Repair the Computer by yourself without going to the technician