Dealing with a computer that stutters can be incredibly irritating. Whether working on an important project, gaming, or browsing the web, those unexpected lags and stutters can disrupt your workflow and diminish your computing experience.
In this article, we have discussed why your computer is stuttering and nine methods to help you fix the issue.
Below we have discussed:
Why is your computer stuttering?
Various reasons might cause PC stutters, and they are mentioned below:
- Outdated drivers
- Windows needs to be updated.
- Too many background apps are running.
- Faulty hardware.
- Malicious program affecting your PC performance.
- Using incompatible software.
Also read: Why is my computer running Windows 11 so slow?
How to fix the issue?
If your computer keeps stuttering, there are various ways to fix the issue based on what’s causing the problem.
Ensure your system meets the minimum requirements for the software
When using a demanding program like Photoshop or playing a PC game, your computer must meet certain requirements to handle the load. Your PC might freeze or lag under pressure if it can’t.
To determine if your system can support the software, visit the program publisher’s website and check the requirements. If your system is up to par, the issue is likely elsewhere.
Update Graphics card
Old device drivers often lead to slow performance, freezing, and computer stuttering. If your PC is experiencing issues like stuttering every two seconds, audio and video problems, or game lag, outdated display drivers could be the culprit.
To resolve this, updating your graphics card drivers is essential. You have the option to update them manually or automatically.
You’ll need to inspect your current drivers for manual updating, noting their model and version. Afterwards, head to the hardware manufacturer’s website and download the appropriate drivers matching your operating system.
You can also use Device Manager to update the graphics driver; here is how to do that:
Step 1: Press the Windows+X and tap on the Device Manager option in the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Find and expand the Display adapters category and right-click on the driver.
Step 3: Click on the Update driver option in the pop-up menu.
Step 4: In the new window, click on the Search automatically for drivers option.
Check out our article to know how how to update the Nvidia graphics driver
Also read: How to fix install error – 0x80070002?
Close Background apps
When numerous background apps run simultaneously, your system may struggle to perform at its best. The presence of several background applications can lead to computer stuttering.
Furthermore, the resources consumed by these background apps can cause lag in other programs or systems. To check if this is the cause of the problem, try closing the background apps and see if it resolves the issue. Here are the steps to do that:
Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc key on your keyboard to ope the Task Manager.
Step 2: In the Processes tab, locate all the background apps and processes and close them one by one by selecting them and clicking the End Task button.
Uninstall the problematic software
Consider this solution if you encounter an error after installing a specific program. It’s possible that the software isn’t compatible with your system or has glitches, leading to excessive consumption of system resources and causing the PC stuttering issue.
Check out our article to learn how to delete apps in Windows
Also read: How to fix error 0x800701b1?
Change Power management settings
Your computer has a feature allowing you to tailor your power plan to manage how it uses power. If you’ve chosen the wrong power plan, your system might not perform efficiently and could start experiencing lags. To adjust the power settings, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Search for Power Plan and click Edit power plan in the results.
Step 2: Click on the Change advanced power settings.
Step 3: Adjust the power plans and make sure they are compatible with your system hardware. You can also choose to Restore plan defaults.
Scan your Computer for malware
A malware infection can mess up your system and application files, leading to the stuttering problem on your Windows PC. If the problem continues, consider running a malware scan. You have the option to utilise the built-in Windows tool called Windows Security or install a more advanced malware removal tool.
The malware issue is that typical antivirus programs might not catch various threats, particularly those pretending to be legitimate system files or applications. That’s why having good anti-malware software becomes essential; it can spot and deal with the hidden malware on your computer.
Also read: Fix: This device doesn’t support miracast
Run SFC
If the malware removal tool detects malware on your system, there’s a good chance that some of your system files may be corrupted or damaged. In such a situation, performing a System File Checker (SFC) scan can help fix all the corrupted files. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Type Cmd in the Windows search and click on the Run as administrator option available on the right side.
Step 2: In the command prompt, type sfc /scannow to run a system scan.
Update Windows
Keeping your system in good shape requires installing Windows updates. These updates usually bring in new features, security enhancements, and improvements to your operating system. Normally, Windows updates are installed automatically whenever they’re ready. But you also have the option to check for updates and install them yourself manually.
Check out our article to learn how to update Windows 10
Reduce Thermal throttling
When a computer’s CPU gets too hot, it undergoes thermal throttling—a safety measure that reduces its speed below the normal performance level to prevent damage. This precautionary step kicks in before the computer shuts down, often causing the processor to slow down, cool off, speed up, and repeat.
This thermal throttling can result in PC stuttering every few seconds, making troubleshooting challenging. To address this, measure temperature by using stress tests like Prime 95 for CPUs or FurMark for GPUs. Thermal throttling may occur if it approaches the manufacturer’s maximum specified limit.
To fix this issue, ensure your computer is clean and the cooling system and thermal paste function properly. Regular maintenance is key to preventing thermal-related performance problems.
