4 Quick Solutions to Fix Frozen SSD on Windows 10/11 (UTF-8)

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Sherly 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

What should you do when your SSD freezes on Windows 10/11? Can changing cluster size without formatting fix the issue? Do you know why an SSD can freeze? There are four common factors that may lead to this problem. It could be that you connected the SSD to the wrong SATA port, since your PC has multiple different SATA ports. Another reason is that AHCI mode is not enabled. The third one is unaligned 4K, and besides, physical damage to the SSD can also cause freezing. In this post, tools Software will show you 4 methods to unfreeze and fix the SSD.

< a id="1" name="1">4 Ways to Fix SSD Freezing in Windows 10

In this section, we will present four distinct solutions to help you address the issue of an SSD freezing error on your Windows 10/11 system. Each method offers detailed steps tailored to a specific aspect of the problem, ensuring a customized solution for your SSD's predicament.

Solution 1: Check if the SSD is connected to the correct port

SATA ports are used for data transfer and come in three types: SATA I, SATA II, and SATA III. To fully leverage the high-speed performance of an SSD, it should be connected to a SATA III port, which allows for data transfer rates of up to 600 MB/s. Connecting an SSD to an incompatible port, such as SATA II, can lead to speed issues and malfunctions. To address the "SSD freezing" problem, ensure that the SSD is correctly connected to the appropriate port.

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Solution 2: Enable AHCI mode

AHCI is a modern mode for interfacing with memory devices that unlocks the benefits of SATA, such as faster data exchange with SSDs and HDDs and hot-plugging. Enabling AHCI can significantly increase file access speeds and overall PC performance.

Please enable AHCI mode by following these steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor. Type “regedit” into the Run window, then press “Enter.”

Step 2. Click “OK” when you see the pop-up window.

Step 3: Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorV”. Once you're in the “iaStorV” section, double-click on “Start” and change its value to 0.

4. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorAV\StartOverride and open the “0” entry, then change its value to 0.

Step 5: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci, and edit the Start entry, 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 computer, and enter BIOS. You might want to boot Windows in Safe Mode for the first restart.

Step 8. In the BIOS, find the SATA settings and look for the disk mode. Change this setting to AHCI, save the changes, and restart your computer.

Step 9. After the restart, Windows will begin installing the SATA drivers. Once this is done, you'll be prompted to restart again. Upon completing this step, AHCI mode will be enabled on your Windows installation.

Solution 3: Align SSD to 4K

Without 4K alignment, an SSD may also get stuck. In this part, we will help you check whether your SSD is 4K aligned. If not, we will provide tools and guides on how to align SSD with 4K.

Step 1: Check if the SSD is 4K-aligned

You need to check if the SSD is 4K aligned. If the SSD is not properly aligned to the 4K standard, its performance might be affected, which could lead to freezing issues with the SSD.

Follow the steps:

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R to open the "Run" dialog box. Type in "msinfo32" and press Enter.

Step 2: Under the "System Overview" menu, click on "Components." In the sub-menu, click on "Storage," then select "Disks."

Step 3: Check the value under "Partition Start Offset". If it can be divided by 4096 without any remainder, then your disk is 4K-aligned.

If you discover that your SSD is not aligned, refer to the second method for a fix.

Step 2: Run 4K alignment

Welcome to the crucial stage of 4K alignment, which can significantly boost your SSD performance. Let's introduce you to the powerful tool called Partition Master, which provides essential support for effortless 4K alignment. With its user-friendly interface and excellent compatibility, it ensures a smooth experience for users of all levels, whether you're a novice or an expert. The interface is designed to guide you seamlessly through the alignment process.

So, download the tool Partition Master and proceed as follows:

Step 1: Click on "Toolbox" and then choose "4K Alignment".

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

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Solution 4: Replace the SSD with a new one

Unfortunately, if all the solutions fail, or your SSD is physically damaged, there is no other option but to get a new SSD. So, after getting a new SSD, the first thing you would worry about is saving your data and programs. Don't worry, in this case, the Partition Master tool can help you replace the frozen SSD with a new one without losing any data. Because the Partition Master tool has the disk cloning feature that can save all the data on your old SSD/HDD and transfer it to the new disk, injecting new life into your system.

Let's explore how to use this essential tool and its cloning feature to clone a disk:

Step 1: Select the source disk.

From the left menu, click "Clone." Choose "Clone system disk" or "Clone data disk," then click "Next." Select the source disk, then click "Next."

Step 2: Select the target disk.

Select the desired HDD/SSD as the target disk and click “Next” to proceed. Read the warning message and confirm by clicking the “Yes” button.

Step 3: Look at the disk layout and edit the target disk partition sizes.

When prompted that all data on the target disk will be erased, click “Continue” (make sure to back up any important data on the target disk beforehand).

Here, you can choose to “Automatically adjust the disk size,” “Clone as the source disk,” or “Edit disk layout.” (If you want to allocate more space for C drive, choose the last option.)

Click “Start” to begin cloning the disk.

This tool has other features. See the list below:

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

Don't hesitate to download this tool to check your SSD's performance and take good care of your SSD.

Why Does a Solid State Drive Cause Windows 10 to Freeze?

If you're experiencing SSD freezing issues while using Windows 10/11, understanding the root cause can help you find an effective solution. In this section, we'll explore the possible reasons behind this mysterious problem:

SATA connection error: Freezes can occur if your SSD is connected to the wrong SATA port.

AHCI mode not enabled: SSD performance might be reduced if AHCI mode is not enabled.

Your SSD is not 4K-aligned: If your SSD is not properly aligned with 4K sectors, it might also cause freezing.

Physically Damaged SSD: Physical damage can also lead to awful freezing issues.

And please share this article with others to help them quickly get rid of this frustrating and annoying problem.

Conclusion

When you encounter SSD freezing issues on Windows 10/11, try the four methods above to unfreeze your SSD. It's also crucial to understand the reasons behind the freezing to apply the right and relevant solutions. With the help of this article, you now know the causes of SSD freezing and how to fix them. Share this article with others as it can help them resolve the issue as well.

"Frequently Asked Questions about SSD Freezing Issues"

An SSD freezing can be frustrating, especially when you're in the middle of a project or game. If you have more questions about why your SSD might be freezing, check out the FAQ below.

Why does my solid state drive frequently freeze?

Your SSD might freeze due to an incorrect SATA connection, disabled AHCI mode, or improper 4K alignment. Identifying the root cause is crucial for applying the right solution.

< strong > 2. Can a faulty SSD cause a computer to freeze?

Yes, a malfunctioning SSD, whether due to physical damage or internal issues, can cause freezing problems with your computer.

3. How to fix my SSD drive crash issue?

First, identify the underlying issue. It could be a 4K alignment problem, an AHCI mode issue, or a faulty connection causing the SSD crash. Follow the steps in our guide to apply the corresponding solutions.