If the Ctrl+Alt+Delete buttons on your computer are not responding or your computer is frozen, you’re not the only one experiencing this. The Ctrl+Alt+Dlt sequence is used to launch Task Manager or lock your laptop.
There are several methods for fixing it, but among several factors responsible for this issue are malicious software, corrupted system files, or a faulty keyboard. You don’t have to try each; just choose the one that works and unfreezes your laptop.
Why My Computer Is Frozen, And Control Alt Delete Not Working? (Causes)
If it is deadlocked, your computer can freeze or not respond when you press Control Alt Delete. The keyboard driver of your system could also be corrupted or out of date, thus demanding that you update it. You can achieve this automatically or manually.
Another reason your computer may likely freeze and the Control Alt Delete combination will not work is when a third-party software modifies your registry and changes the default value.
Solutions For Why My Computer Is Frozen And Control Alt Delete Not Working (Fixed)
1.) Update Your Keyword Driver
If your computer is frozen and the Control Alt Dlt sequence is not working, it could be that your keyboard driver has issues. If it is outdated, you have to update it auto or manually. The manual process takes time and is risky.
For people who aren’t familiar with fixing computers, I suggest that you download Driver Easy. Driver Easy automatically identifies your PC and searches for appropriate drivers to work with your computer. You then use it to update your keyboard driver.
This would prevent you from downloading and installing a bad driver, and you won’t have to stress installing the driver wrongly. The unpaid or premium version of Driver Easy allows you to download and install your drivers.
The steps for using Driver Easy are as follows:
- Firstly, download and install the driver
- Launch it and select the Scan Now button. Driver Easy then scans your PC to identify any defective driver.
- Select the Update Button beside your Keyboard to automatically download the appropriate driver for your device, then install it manually.
- At the bottom right, you will find an Update All button that automatically updates missing or outdated drivers on your laptop.
After clicking on Update All, you will be asked to upgrade. Reboot your PC, then confirm whether the issue is still there. If the problem still exists, try another method.
2.) Via Registry Editor
Changes can be made to your registry and can be modified as well through third-party software. You can fix this problem by changing the altered value to the default one in your registry through a five-step process.
3.) Check Your Keyboard Language
Check your keyboard language when your system freezes, and Control Alt Delete does not work. This solution requires that you take the following approach:
Select the Windows button + I on your keyboard simultaneously to launch settings, and select Time and Language. Then select Language on the left menu. Next, check the language on the list.
If you can’t find the appropriate language, simply select Add a preferred language to choose the required language on your computer.
When the appropriate language is listed on your list, select the desired language. You then click the up arrow key to move the language to the top.
4.) Use CMD Commands
CMD commands also help resolve computer freeze and Control Alt Delete buttons not responding on your computer. To make your system return to its former mode of operation using CMD commands, follow these steps:
Tap the Windows + R key together to launch Run.
Type cmd, then simultaneously select Ctrl, Shift, and Esc buttons to launch cmd as admin.
Then you run these four commands written below, one after the other, in the command prompt:
- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
- Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth |
- sfc /scannow
Immediately you execute these commands, exit the cmd window.
5.) Check For Keyboard
Another factor that can make you experience the Control Alt Delete, not the working scenario, is if your computer’s keyboard is bad. Try to connect this keyboard to another system or use a different keyboard to check if your keyboard is causing the problem.
6.) System Restore
System restore involves restoring your system by creating a restore point manually. Even when an emergency like the corruption of system files on your PC and the incorrect uninstallation of faulty software occurs, you can restore your windows at a preset restore date.
7.) Check Your Computer For Malware
Viruses and malware can affect your computer’s processes, preventing security processes that may likely end up harming your PC. Malware is often scripted in this manner, so you have to scan and remove them from your system.
To scan and delete malware from your computer, use an antivirus.
8.) Update Windows
Missing updates can also make your system freeze and cause the Ctrl+Alt+Dlt not to work. Some bugs can show up on your operating system and generate this issue and many other issues.
You can resolve this issue by updating Windows, and to find updates manually, take the following steps:
- Launch the Settings app by selecting the Windows + I key together on your keyboard.
- After the settings app launches, go to the Updates & Security area.
- Then select the Check for Updates option. Windows then searches for updates and downloads them in the background.
- The issue should have been fixed once you download the newest updates, and the Ctrl Alt Dlt sequence should be working back.
9.) Perform A Clean Boot
If you’ve tried all the tips above and none works, you can perform a clean boot. This troubleshooting procedure lets you manually disable startups and services to figure out harmful software.
Immediately identify this software, uninstall it, and your Control + Alt + Delete keys should start responding. This is how to go about resolving it:
- Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to launch the Run dialog. Type Misconfig and select Enter to launch your system configuration window.
- Click the Services tab, Hide all Microsoft services, and select Disable All.
- Click the Select tab and select the Open Task Manager option.
- At the Startup tab in your Task Manager, click the item and select Disabled for every startup item.
- Return to the system configuration window, then press Ok.
- Select Restart to Reboot your laptop.
Hidden Combo Keys To Fix Your Frozen Computer
Press a hidden keyboard combo to restart your video drivers and resolve the computer freeze issues. This standard shortcut can be applied anytime by pressing this key sequence, Win + Ctrl + Shift + B.
FAQs
My Computer Is Frozen, Control Alt Delete is Not Working, And I Can Not Open Any Program
If your system is frozen and the Ctrl Alt Delete keys are not working, and you can’t launch any program, use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc combination to launch Task Manager so it will close any unresponsive app.
You can also try to hard shut down your PC by pressing the Power key for seconds.
Windows 10 Freeze Ctrl Alt Del Not Working, How To Fix It?
To fix the Not Working Ctrl + Alt + Del combination on your keyboard, close unresponsive programs by force shutting down your Windows 10 or restarting it. You can also press the Esc button twice, reboot, and try the Ctrl Alt Del keys again or Use Registry Editor.
How Do You Unlock A Computer Without Ctrl Alt Delete?
To unlock your computer without the Ctrl Alt Del sequence, select the Windows + Run key together to launch the Run box. Type Control Userpasswords2 or netplwiz, then select Enter. Once the User Accounts applet launches, click the Advanced Tab.
Untick the Require users to select the Ctrl Alt Delete checkbox.
Conclusion
Your computer can freeze, and the Ctrl Alt Del key sequence may not respond if the hard drive is defective, the memory card is bad, or some other factors that I mentioned earlier, but with the solutions above, you should be able to restore your system to its normal process in no time.
A technician can also help you if you don’t have time to fix your computer.
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