Apps Not Responding Error in Windows 10/11 – Complete Fix Guide [2025]

Introduction

Imagine you are working on an important project or filling out an online form and suddenly the app freezes—an irritating popup appears on the screen: “Apps Not Responding.” This situation is very common and almost every Windows user must have faced it at one time or another.

This problem occurs in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, whether it is MS Word, the Chrome browser, a game, or any heavy software. But there is no need to worry, because in this blog we will see in detail why “apps not responding” happens and how to fix it step-by-step.

In this guide you will find: –

Common reasons for apps not responding
Step-by-step solutions (basic to advanced)
Fixes for both Windows 10 and Windows 11
Prevention tips so that the problem does not happen again
FAQs in which common doubts of users will be cleared

Why Does the “Apps Not Responding” Error Occur?

1. System Overload

If your PC’s RAM or CPU usage becomes high, then the apps do not get time to respond.

2. Outdated Drivers

If your PC’s RAM or CPU usage becomes high, then apps do not get time to respond.

3. Corrupted System Files

Apps can also freeze if there is corruption in the system files in Windows.

4. Malware/Virus

Unwanted processes run in the background on an infected PC, which prevents apps from responding.

5. Low Disk Space

If your C: drive is full, the system cannot find space for temporary files, which results in the “Apps not responding” error.

6. Software Bugs or Updates

If your C: drive is full, the system cannot find space for temporary files, which results in the ‘Apps Not Responding’ error.

Step-by-Step Fixes for “Apps Not Responding”

Now let’s come to the main part—solutions. Here each step is explained in detail.

1. Restart Your PC

First basic solution → Restart. This clears the RAM and resets the background tasks.

Restart button in Windows to fix Apps Not Responding issue — Click on Restart button to quickly fix **Apps Not Responding** error in Windows.

2. Use Task Manager to Close Frozen Apps

Steps: –

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Select the stuck app → End task.

Task Manager End Task option highlighted to fix Apps Not Responding error — Use Task Manager End Task option to close unresponsive apps in Windows.

3. Update Windows & Apps

Always keep Windows updated.

Steps: –

Settings → Update & Security → Check for updates.

Windows Update screen to fix system issues and Apps Not Responding error — Updating Windows can resolve performance issues and Apps Not Responding errors.

4. Update Drivers

Outdated drivers → system crash.

Steps: –

Device Manager → Right-click device→ Update Driver.

Device Manager Update Driver option to fix Apps Not Responding issue in Windows — Updating drivers from Device Manager helps fix Apps Not Responding and performance issues.

5. Run SFC & DISM

Steps: –

Open CMD (Admin)
Type: sfc /scannow
Then run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

CMD SFC scan command running to fix Apps Not Responding issue in Windows — Using SFC scan in Command Prompt helps repair corrupted files causing Apps Not Responding issue.

6. Scan for Malware

Steps: –

Run Windows Security → Full Scan.

Windows Defender scan running to fix malware causing Apps Not Responding issue — Windows Defender scan helps detect and remove malware that may cause Apps Not Responding errors.

7. Increase Virtual Memory

Steps: –

Control Panel → System → Advanced → Increase virtual memory.

Windows Virtual Memory settings to fix Apps Not Responding issue — Increasing Virtual Memory helps improve performance and reduce Apps Not Responding errors in Windows.

8. Reinstall the Problematic App

Steps: –

If only one app crashes → uninstall → reinstall.

Windows Apps and Features uninstall screen to fix Apps Not Responding issue — Removing problematic apps from Apps & Features can resolve Apps Not Responding errors in Windows.

9. Perform a Clean Boot

Steps: –

Run → msconfig
Selective startup → Disable unnecessary services

MSConfig clean boot settings in Windows to fix Apps Not Responding issue — MSConfig Clean Boot helps disable unnecessary startup programs that may cause Apps Not Responding errors.

10. Check Disk for Errors

Steps: –

Run CMD → chkdsk /f /r.chkdsk /f /r.

11. Disable Startup Programs

Steps: –

Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable heavy apps.

12. Upgrade Hardware

If everything fails → upgrade RAM or install SSD.

Preventive Tips to Avoid “Apps Not Responding” Error

1. Regularly Update Windows & Apps

👉 Always keep your system and applications on the latest version to avoid bugs and crashes.

2. Use SSD Instead of HDD

👉 SSD makes the system fast and helps apps run smoothly.

3. Avoid Cracked or Pirated Software

👉 Cracked software contains bugs and malware, which make the system unstable.

4. Keep Antivirus Active & Updated

👉 Regularly scan with a reliable antivirus so that viruses/malware do not slow down the system

5. Don’t Overload System with Heavy Apps

👉 Do not run unnecessary heavy programs at once; otherwise, RAM/CPU gets overloaded.

6. Maintain Sufficient Free Disk Space

👉 Keep at least 20–25% space free in the C: Drive; otherwise, Windows will not have space for temporary files.

7. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

👉 Keep only essential programs enabled in Startup so that boot is fast and the system is not overloaded.

8. Clean Temporary & Junk Files Regularly

👉 Keep deleting cache, temp, and junk files using a tool like Disk Cleanup or CCleaner.

9. Monitor Background Processes

👉 Check with Task Manager to see if unnecessary apps are running in the background and using RAM.

10. Upgrade RAM for Better Performance

👉 If you do a lot of multitasking, then upgrading RAM is the best solution, especially for Windows 10/11.

Real-Life Example

Chrome and Excel were freezing repeatedly in a user’s system. When checked, it was found that 100+ startup services were running in the background. The problem was solved after a clean boot and increasing virtual memory.

FAQs – Apps Not Responding

Q1. What does “apps not responding” mean?

Ans: –When the app is not able to communicate with Windows, the system shows “Not Responding” status.

Q2. Does this problem occur more in Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Ans: – It occurs in both, but due to Windows 11 being optimized, it is a little less.

Q3. What is a quick fix?

Ans: – Task Manager → End Task and Restart.

Q4. What should be done if all steps fail?

Ans: – Windows Repair / Fresh Installation is the last option.

Q5. Will installing SSD reduce “Apps Not Responding”?

Ans: – Yes, SSD makes the system fast, and the freeze issue is reduced.

Q6. Do apps freeze due to low RAM?

Ans: – Yes, if RAM is low, then apps can hang or appear not to be responding during multitasking.

Q7. Does antivirus play a role in this issue?

Ans: – Yes, sometimes heavy antivirus scans in the background slow down apps.

Q8. Can outdated drivers also be the reason for this problem?

Ans: – Absolutely, outdated graphic or storage drivers are common causes of “Not Responding.”

Q9. Do apps freeze due to system overheating?

Ans: – Yes, high CPU/GPU temperature can slow down performance and cause apps to crash.

Q10. If a single app is repeatedly not responding, should I uninstall it?

Ans: – Yes, if the app is corrupt or bugged, then reinstalling/uninstalling it is the best solution.

Conclusion

“Apps Not Responding” is a frustrating issue that every Windows user faces. But if you follow the step-by-step solutions—restart, update, driver fix, SFC scan, malware check—it gets easily resolved. If the problem still persists, a hardware upgrade or a fresh Windows install is the last option.

👉Now you have got the full fix guide for the “apps not responding” error. Make your PC smooth and fast by following this guide.

🔗 Additional Help: Microsoft Official Support – Fix apps not working in Windows

Apps Not Responding Error in Windows 10/11 – Complete Fix Guide [2025]

Introduction