My Screen is Frozen - Quick Solutions

A frozen screen means your device has stopped responding - nothing happens when you click, tap, or type. The screen might show the same thing and won't change.

Don't worry - this is common and usually easy to fix!

Fix 1: Wait a Moment

Sometimes your device is just thinking really hard about something. Give it 30 seconds to a minute - it might unfreeze on its own.

Fix 2: Close the Program (Computer)

If just one program is frozen (like your internet browser), you can close it:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete (all at the same time)
2. Click "Task Manager"
3. Find the frozen program in the list
4. Click on it, then click "End Task"

The program will close and you can open it again.

Fix 3: Force Close the App (Phone/Tablet)

If an app is frozen on your phone or tablet:

iPhone/iPad:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the home button on older iPhones)
2. Find the frozen app
3. Swipe it up to close it
4. Open it again

Android:

1. Press the square button (or swipe up) to see your open apps
2. Find the frozen app
3. Swipe it away to close it
4. Open it again

Fix 4: Restart Your Device

If the whole screen is frozen, restart your device:

Computer:

• Hold the power button for 10 seconds until it turns off
• Wait 30 seconds
• Turn it back on

Phone/Tablet:

• Hold the power button for 10-20 seconds until it turns off
• Wait 30 seconds
• Turn it back on

Don't worry: Restarting won't delete anything - it just turns your device off and on again.

Fix 5: Unplug and Plug Back In (If It's Plugged In)

If your device is plugged into something (like a charger or computer), try unplugging it and plugging it back in. Sometimes the connection causes problems.

Your screen might freeze because:

• Too many programs or apps are open at once
• A program is doing something complicated and needs time to think
• Your device is running out of memory (storage space)
• There's a problem with a specific program or app
• Your device needs updating

To avoid your screen freezing:

• Don't open too many programs or apps at once
• Close programs you're not using
• Keep your device updated
• Restart your device regularly (at least once a week)
• Don't let your device get too full - delete things you don't need

If your screen keeps freezing:

• Regularly (more than once a day)
• After you've tried all these fixes
• And it's making your device unusable

It might be a more serious problem. Don't worry - we can help! Call us on 0808 123 2820 and we'll:

• Diagnose the problem
• Fix it remotely if possible
• Or arrange for you to bring it in for repair

Q: Will I lose my work if I restart?
A: If you were typing something and didn't save it, you might lose it. But most programs save automatically these days. If you're worried, try the other fixes first.

Q: Is a frozen screen a sign of a virus?
A: Not usually. Freezing is more often caused by too many programs open or a problem with a specific app. But if it happens a lot, it's worth getting it checked.

Q: How do I know if it's frozen or just slow?
A: If it's slow, things will still happen - just slowly. If it's frozen, nothing happens at all, no matter how long you wait.

If you're stuck or worried about trying these fixes, we're here to help. Call us on 0808 123 2820 and we'll guide you through it or fix it for you.