Solved Why does Windows 11 keep pausing for 20 seconds?


sunnyrio

Banned
Local time
10:12 AM
Posts
54
OS
Windows 11
I have frequent pauses of 20 seconds in Windows 11 (no matter what I'm doing), which get more often the longer the computer has been running. The mouse drops to 2 fps, and clicking things or typing does nothing (although the keyboard does buffer). After 20 seconds it goes back to normal and I often see the taskbar refresh.

In the event viewer all I can see that looks odd is Windows Logs, Security, Audit success, up to 30 in 1 second, but not always corresponding to the pause times.

Also Windows Logs, Application, Warning, Perflib, three in a row occurring every 10 minutes (but my pauses are more often than that).

Please advise as to where to even start looking to diagnose this problem, as it's driving me insane!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
It would help if you would complete your computer profile in your forum user profile so we can know what we are dealing with.
When did problem start? Did you upgrade from 10 to 11? If so, when? We have to determine a place to start troubleshooting so begin by seeing if you have the issue in a clean boot state. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    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
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Not sure if you intended to, but you're coming across as arrogant. I didn't include more information as I didn't know which information you'd need.

The problem has been around a while, probably around the same length of time I've had 11 (upgraded from 10). But it could be any number of other programs I've installed or changes I've made.

I'll have a go at a clean boot tomorrow as I'm sick of computers just now and want to go play games! By the way, your link doesn't save info on what is currently enabled, so that would make a big mess of my machine. I will take screenshots first so I know what to put back on!

P.S. I don't mean to be rude, but that bright red text begging for points? Come on.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Not sure if you intended to, but you're coming across as arrogant. I didn't include more information as I didn't know which information you'd need.
It's not arrogant or even could be construed as such, it helps immensely if it's known what hardware you're using. It's a basic question tbh and something that is the very minimum required to start to formulate a diagnosis. If you phoned a garage to say my car is misfiring or won't start I guarantee they'd ask you what make and model you have.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Beta, 11 Dev, W11 Canary
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware M15 Ryzen Edition R6
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900HX
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070 8GB GDDR6
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    1 x Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
It's red because black text does not show if a viewer uses dark mode. It's not begging for points either. I could care less about points. It's a way of showing folks how they can acknowledge a post that has helped them. We try to help people the best we can but can't please everyone.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    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
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
???
Of any problems I've ever had with Windows in over 25 years of using the OS I can;t say this has ever been one of them.

Chances are - your computer might not have sufficient RAM or have very slow non SSD type of disks,

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
I have experienced lag in keyboard and mouse output while my antivirus software is scanning my computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
    Antivirus
    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)
It's not arrogant or even could be construed as such, it helps immensely if it's known what hardware you're using. It's a basic question tbh and something that is the very minimum required to start to formulate a diagnosis. If you phoned a garage to say my car is misfiring or won't start I guarantee they'd ask you what make and model you have.

It certainly can be construed as such, it sounded like I was being called stupid for not giving relevant info, when I didn't know what info out of 50 billion things would be needed for this particular problem. When I phone my garage he could ask me all sorts of questions, I'm not going to start the call by giving him everything when only 2 of those things are what he needs. The make and model may have nothing to do with it, he might want to know how old the plugs are, how old the battery is, how often I drive it, when I last filled up with fuel, etc.

It's red because black text does not show if a viewer uses dark mode. It's not begging for points either. I could care less about points. It's a way of showing folks how they can acknowledge a post that has helped them. We try to help people the best we can but can't please everyone.

You could make it smaller. And who uses dark mode? Probably 1 in 100.

Everyone ticks things they like anyway, it's a Facebook thing.

???
Of any problems I've ever had with Windows in over 25 years of using the OS I can;t say this has ever been one of them.

Chances are - your computer might not have sufficient RAM or have very slow non SSD type of disks,

Cheers
jimbo

I've never seen it either, even working on a thousand computers in two jobs for 11 years.

It has 64GB dual channel of the fastest DDR4 available. And it's a Ryzen 3900XT (24 core) and does it when nothing is running and the task manager shows everything idling.

I have a brand new WD NVME 1TB, that isn't it. The computer is very fast 90% of the time, then it sticks, looking like it's waiting for some hardware that's timing out. But I'm not aware of any hardware that isn't working.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Is the keyboard and mouse wireless? I have had interference from other wireless devices that caused screwy issues with the mouse/keyboard hanging. Perhaps a bad wireless receiver?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
    Antivirus
    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)
I have experienced lag in keyboard and mouse output while my antivirus software is scanning my computer.
I have AVG, but I don't think it's doing a scan every 3 minutes, and for 20 seconds. The interface for it is abominable, I have no idea what it scans and when.

The keyboard and mouse are basic wired USB things.

It's not just the input, I can see everything on the screen that should be moving grinds to a halt, then when it's finished messing about, I see the taskbar refresh then it's ok again.

I wonder if it could be startallback? I've never seen this problem mentioned in their forum though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
I have AVG, but I don't think it's doing a scan every 3 minutes, and for 20 seconds. The interface for it is abominable, I have no idea what it scans and when.
I have Avast and a full scan takes my computer over 2 hours to complete. At different stages of the scan, keyboard and mouse lag occur on one of my computers, but not on others.

USB drivers and port conflicts could be causing some problems. I'd try another keyboard and mouse to see if the problem continues.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
    Antivirus
    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)
It was happening all day every day. I worked it out. Startallback was a choice in the right direction. Uninstalling that didn't help, so I thought what else would cause Explorer to refresh? John's background switcher. Changing the wallpaper, although not a big deal for Windows 10, apparently really frightens the screwed up reprogrammed for no reason Windows 11. So I made it change the wallpaper less often.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
I'm happy you have it sorted out. New and improved isn't always "improved" seems like.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Personal Build
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700x
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VI AMD X370
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
    Sound Card
    On board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) AOC E2752Vh 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SSD M.2 and SATA
    Cooling
    Air cooling
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech M705 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps Download | 10 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Firefox Beta
    Antivirus
    Windows Security???
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family
    Macrium Reflect (Paid)
    eM Client
    Adobe Acrobat DC (Subscription)

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