Very strange Windows 11 Explorer Freeze


Emciel

New member
Local time
1:07 AM
Posts
4
OS
windows 11
I’ve been dealing with a strange issue over the last week or so. Apologies for the lengthy explanation.

Initially noticed after exiting a League of legends game, my windows explorer was no longer responding. I could not move any windows, or click on any options, but I am able to still alt+tab along with open programs through the windows key.

Restarting explorer through task manager does nothing. Weirdly enough, turning off and on my keyboard/mouse would occasionally give me control over the top window.

This issue continues to occur if restart, and will occasionally occur on a cold boot, but I can usually get explorer to work for a period of time shutting fully down and back on.

After going through all the steps I can think of and find online. I’ve updated my drivers, I’ve updated my bios, ran SFC and DISM, memtest, nothing comes up as an issue.

Last night I did a clean install of Windows 11 on my Gen4 WD NVME, downloaded all security updates, downloaded and installed latest GPU driver.
System seemed to be stable while idle with 0 issues. Restarted multiple times, shutdown and back on, all booting back to a responsive system.

I decided to plug my gen 3 Samsung NVME back in to start installing a few programs, only for Explorer to then again begin to freeze the same way. Huzzah! The drive must be the issue yeah? Well, I unplugged the Samsung drive, booted my system only to be frozen right from the get go.

I’m at a COMPLETE loss. This system has been stable for the last year without really any issues.
Temperatures for the CPU and GPU all seem normal (idle 30-40c typically).

Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed.

My next thought is to do another Windows install and do more stress testing without plugging in my Samsung drive?
Then potentially swapping out the motherboard?

Windows 22H2(build 22622.2283)
Specs

13700k w/contact frame

360mm AIO

Asus rog z690-E

Corsair Vengence DDR5 CL6000

ROG strix 3090 oc

WD black SN850x nvme

Samsung 970 evo plus nvme
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
I decided to plug my gen 3 Samsung NVME back in to start installing a few programs, only for Explorer to then again begin to freeze the same way. Huzzah! The drive must be the issue yeah? Well, I unplugged the Samsung drive, booted my system only to be frozen right from the get go.
Your troubleshooting steps are spot on. But have you considered your issue is not hardware but software. Plug the original drive in and run from a clean boot to see if the issue exists. If it doesn't happen in clean boot, a software conflict is causing the problem. If that be the case, Brinks' tutorial can help you find which one.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4652
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26100.4061
Your troubleshooting steps are spot on. But have you considered your issue is not hardware but software. Plug the original drive in and run from a clean boot to see if the issue exists. If it doesn't happen in clean boot, a software conflict is causing the problem. If that be the case, Brinks' tutorial can help you find which one.
Totally worth a try! Though I’m skeptical, this happened on a fully clean install of W11 with just the 2 nvmes and no non OS software running. I will report back after I attempt this though!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
Your troubleshooting steps are spot on. But have you considered your issue is not hardware but software. Plug the original drive in and run from a clean boot to see if the issue exists. If it doesn't happen in clean boot, a software conflict is causing the problem. If that be the case, Brinks' tutorial can help you find which one.
Okay, clean boot with the drive has allowed me to start and restart a few times now and immediately access my task bar and both nvmes. Which, when attempting to boot with the 2nd drive last night immediately gave me trouble.

I’ll continue to test and trouble shoot this evening when I’m home from work. Appreciate the suggestion!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11

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