PC freezes with black screen & CPU fans stays on, now crashes whenever I open File Explorer

Troubleshooting Persistent Black Screen and System Crashes on Windows 11 with File Explorer Access

Introduction

Experiencing frequent system crashes and black screens can be a frustrating ordeal for any Windows user. If your PC intermittently goes black, becomes unresponsive, and only recovers after a force shutdown—especially when opening File Explorer—you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore potential causes and solutions for such issues, drawing from common troubleshooting steps and expert insights.

Symptoms Overview

The key symptoms reported include:
– Random black screens where the mouse and keyboard become unresponsive.
– CPU fans remain active, suggesting the system is still powered.
– The system does not shut down on its own, requiring a manual power-off.
– The problem intensifies when opening File Explorer, causing the system to freeze.
– Safe Mode operation remains stable, indicating driver-related or software conflicts.

System Specifications

For context, the affected system is equipped with:
– AMD Ryzen 7 5700G APU (integrated graphics)
– 16GB RAM
– Windows 11 (64-bit), OS build 26100.4946, version 24H2
– 256GB SSD hosting the operating system

Troubleshooting Attempts

Several diagnostic and corrective measures have been attempted:
– Disabling startup features such as Fast Startup, Sleep, and Hibernate modes.
– Running system file integrity scans via SFC and DISM tools.
– Updating and rolling back AMD graphics drivers.
– Performing a clean boot to minimize software conflicts.
– Using ShellExView to disable non-Microsoft shell extensions.
– Resetting File Explorer settings.
– Attempting a Windows reset while preserving files, which failed mid-process, leading to crashes during reset.

Analysis and Recommendations

Given the complexity and persistence of the issue, consider the following advanced troubleshooting steps:

1. Check for Driver Conflicts and Hardware Issues
2. Revisit Display Drivers: Use device manager to ensure AMD drivers are properly installed. Consider using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to completely remove current drivers, then reinstall the latest stable versions.

3. Update Chipset Drivers: Updated chipset drivers can improve hardware stability.

4. Inspect Hardware Components

5. Run Memory Diagnostic: Test RAM for errors using Windows Memory Diagnostic tool or MemTest86.
6. Check Storage Health: Use SSD health monitoring tools (e.g., CrystalDiskInfo) to detect potential drive issues.
7. Monitor Temperatures and Power: Overheating