4 Quick Solutions for SSD Freezes Up on Windows 10/11

Does your SSD freeze on Windows 10/11? It's irritating, but let's handle this problem with the right approach and apply the right solutions. Four quick solutions in this guide can help you to solve it.

What you should do when your SSD freezes up on Windows 10/11. Does change cluster size without formatting can fix this issue? Do you know the reasons why SSDs freeze up? Four common factors can lead your SSDs to freeze up. You may have connected with the wrong SATA port, as your PC contains different SATA ports. Another reason could be AHCI mode is not enabled. The third reason is the lack of 4K alignment, as well as if your SSD is physically damaged, it can cause this issue. In this article, EaseUS Software will unfreeze and fix the SSD in four different ways.

4 Solutions for SSD Freezes Up Windows 10

In this section, we present four different solutions to liberate your SSD from the clutches of freezing-up errors on Windows 10/11 systems. Each method contains a specific aspect of the problem and proper instructional steps, ensuring a tailored resolution to your SSD's issue.

Solution 1. Check If the SSD Is Connected Proper Port

SATA ports facilitate data transfer, with three types available: SATA I, SATA II, and SATA III. To optimize SSDs' high-speed capabilities, connect them to SATA III ports, transferring up to 600MB per second. Mismatched connections, like SSDs on SATA II ports, can cause speed issues and glitches. To address "SSD freezes up," verify the SSD's connection to the correct port.

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Solution 2. Enable the AHCI Mode

AHCI is the modern mode for memory devices, unlocking SATA benefits like faster data exchange with SSDs and HDDs and hot swapping. Activating AHCI enhances file access speed and overall PC performance significantly.

Follow the steps to enable the AHCI Mode:

Step 1. Launch Registry Editor. Simply type "regedit" in the "Run" box and hit "Enter."

Step 2. When you see a popup, click "Yes."

Step 3. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorV." Once you're in the "iaStorV" section, double-click the "Start" entry and modify its value to 0.

Step 4. Access "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorAV\StartOverride," then open the "0" entry and change its value to 0.

Step 5. Proceed to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci" and edit the "Start" entry by changing its value to 0.

Step 6. In the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci\StartOverride" section, open the "0" entry and set its value to 0.

Step 7. Exit the Registry Editor, restart your PC, and access the BIOS. For the initial restart, consider booting Windows in safe mode.

Step 8. Inside the BIOS, locate the SATA settings and find the memory device mode. Switch this to AHCI mode, save your changes, and reboot your PC.

Step 9. After your PC reboots, Windows will commence the installation of SATA drivers. Once the installation completes, a further restart will be prompted. Complete that step to enable AHCI mode on Windows.

Solution 3. 4K Align SSD

Lack of 4K alignment, SSD will also freeze up. In this part, we'll help you check if your SSD is 4K aligned or not. If not, we'll give tools and a guide on how to 4K align an SSD.

Stage 1. Check Whether the SSD Is 4K Aligned

You have to check whether the SSD is 4K aligned or not. If the SSD hard drive isn't correctly aligned to the 4K standard, its performance may suffer, potentially leading to the SSD freezes-up issue.

Follow the steps:

Step 1. Hit the Windows+R buttons to open the "Run" box. Type "msinfo32" and press "Enter."

Step 2. Under the "System Summary" menu, click "Components." Under its menu, click "Storage" and then choose "Disk."

Step 3. Locate the "Partition Starting Offset" on the right-hand side and check if the value is divisible by 4096. Then the disk is 4K aligned.

If you find your SSD is not 4K aligned, please apply the below solution in stage 2.

Stage 2. Run 4K Alignment

Welcome to the critical phase of 4K alignment. This process can significantly enhance your SSD's performance. Meet EaseUS Partition Master, a vital asset for effortless alignment. This tool contains a user-friendly interface and impeccable compatibility. This tool caters to users of varying technical proficiency levels, ensuring a smooth experience for beginners and experts alike. Its interface is designed to guide you through the alignment process seamlessly.

So, download EaseUS Partition Master and follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to "Toolkit" and choose "4K Alignment".

Step 2. Select the disk you want to align. Click the "Start" button.

Solution 4. Replace SSD with a New One

If, unfortunately, all solutions fail or your SSD is physically damaged. There is no way except to replace an SSD with a new one. So, after acquiring a new SSD, your first concern would be saving data and programs. No worries, in this situation, EaseUS Partition Master can help you replace the freezing SSD with the new SSD without any data loss because EaseUS Partition Master has a disk cloning feature that can breathe new life into your system by saving and transferring all your data from your old SSD/HDD to new one.

Let's explore how this essential tool and its cloning feature can be used to clone disks:

Step 1. Select the source disk.

• Click the "Clone" from the left menu. Select the "Clone OS Disk" or "Clone Data Disk"  and click "Next".
• Choose the source disk and click "Next".

Step 2. Select the target disk.

• Choose the wanted HDD/SSD as your destination and click "Next" to continue.
• Read Warning message and confirm "Yes" button.

Step 3. View the disk layout and edit the target disk partition size. 

Then click "Continue" when the program warns it will wipe out all data on the target disk. (If you have valuable data on the target disk, back up it in advance.)

You can select "Autofit the disk", "Clone as the source" or "Edit disk layout" to customize your disk layout. (Select the last one if you want to leave more space for C drive.)

Step 4. Click "Start" to start the disk cloning process.

This tool has other functions. See them from the list below:

• Check SSD health and temperature
• Clone SSD to larger SSD
• Clone SSD with bad sectors
• Upgrade HDD to SSD
• Test SSD read/write speed

Don't hesitate to download this tool to approve the performance of your SSD and manage your SSD well.

Why Does an SSD Freeze Up Windows 10

If you experience the frustration of an SSD freezing up on Windows 10/11, understanding the root causes can pave the way for effective solutions. In this section, explore possible reasons that lead to this mysterious issue:

Misplaced SATA connection: If your SSD is connected to the wrong SATA port, it can lead to freezing up.

AHCI mode is not enabled: The absence of AHCI mode activation can slow your SSD's performance.

Your SSD is not 4K aligned: If your SSD is not properly 4K aligned, it could also cause it to freeze.

Physical SSD damage: Physical damage can also bring about the dreaded freezing issue.

Please don't forget to share this article with others in order to help them and they can quickly get rid of this frustrating and irritating issue.

Conclusion

When you face the SSD freezing issue on Windows 10/11, you can apply the above four solutions to unfreeze your SSD. Simultaneously, learning about freezing causes is also important to apply the right and relevant solutions. With this article's help, you will now understand its freezing causes and solutions. Kindly share this article with others, as this can help them tackle this issue.

SSD Freezes Up FAQs

SSD freezing up can be annoying, especially when you are busy with a project or game. Read the FAQs below if you have more queries/questions about SSD freezes.

1. Why does my SSD keep freezing?

Your SSD can be frozen due to incorrect SATA connections, disabled AHCI mode, or improper 4K alignment. Identifying the root cause is essential for applying the right solution.

2. Can a faulty SSD cause freezing?

Yes, a malfunctioning SSD, whether due to physical damage or internal issues, can lead to freezing problems.

3. How do I fix my SSD from crashing?

First, analyze the underlying issue. It could be 4K alignment, AHCI mode, or connection errors to fix a crashing SSD. Follow the steps outlined in our guide to apply appropriate solutions.