Thinkpad T490: Keeps freezing and crashing. High CPU usage.

Hello, my Windows 10 Laptop has been having trouble this past week. It keeps freezing and lagging the cursor. I can't identify what is causing this. I've rolled back drivers, performed system restore 2 months prior, and also did driver verifier.

Driver verifier seems to identify something, it says IRQL error, but is not clear about what it is. It causes blue screen.

I am currently running Malwarebytes scan, as I suspect I may have malware.

I also have an event file, hopefully that can be helpful in identifying the problem.

Here is the event file. I would appreciate any help in analyzing the errors.

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hi Scin. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Here is now to create a screenshot and attach it using Attach Image button in reply box: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/o...

Here are the fixes that work most for Windows 10 Freezing:

1) See if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s...

2) Next try everything in these best tutorials about freezing. Take your time as one of them almost always works, so don't skip any:

https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2019/03/troubl...

https://www.howtogeek.com/427550/how-to-fix-a-f...

https://www.ircache.net/how-to-fix-random-freez...

https://www.easypcmod.com/how-to-fix-windows-10...

https://www.softwarehow.com/fix-windows-freezing/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liSZYSBHNZ8


3) Try these fixes for High CPU usage:

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fix-high-cpu-usag...

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-10-high-c...

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/...

https://www.techbout.com/high-ram-cpu-usage-win...

4) Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

5) Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

6) If nothing else helps you can run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows in about an hour while saving your files, apps and most settings, solves many problems while also bringing it up to the latest version 1903 which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/m....

Hardware tests:

7) test the memory using WIndows Memory Diagnostics: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-det...

If problems are found then test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide to test both sticks and slots:
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/how-to-test...

8) Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics:
https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...
https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

HP and Dell have hardware diagnostics triggered by tapping the ESC or F12 keys respectively as you power on.

Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

Follow this up with a full Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

9) Stress test the rest of your hardware:
https://techguided.com/best-tools-to-stress-tes...

--------------------------------------------

But remember that in Windows 10 everything depends upon the quality of the install, and Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider now or later doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...


I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Thanks, I've done a lot of those things already.

Can you help me to analyze my event file to see what is going on?

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

If you provide the screenshot as I specified in the first step in my post. Did you read it? You provided a screenshot service that is loaded with adware. We have a screenshot tool built into Windows, and a screenshot presenter built into Microsoft Community reply boxes.


I wrote out the steps that fix those problems carefully and with a lot of thought, based on more experience in forums than almost anyone on the web. This is an interactive process. I give steps to perform, you do each one and then report back results until something works, so I know what to suggest next. If you need help performing any step, just ask back. But please do not skip any steps. We often find out the skipped step is the fix.

____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info


Last updated November 5, 2024 Views 1,336 Applies to: