How to diagnose hardware failures with free tools

If your PC starts to stutter, freeze, or you see blue screens for no reason, there's likely an underlying problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. With the suitable free tools and some quick checks can diagnose the source (hardware, drivers or software) without spending a euro.

In this guide we've gathered everything you need to troubleshoot issues: from built-in Windows utilities to free third-party apps, specific CPU, GPU, and memory tests, and solutions for monitor temperatures, fans, disks and networkYou'll also see options for professional environments and prevention tips to extend the life of your equipment.

Signs that indicate hardware problems

Before getting started, it's important to recognize the symptoms that often indicate a physical problem. Detect them early. shortens diagnosis time and reduces the risk of data loss.

• Applications that open or respond much slower than normal.
• Windows keeps crashing or suddenly restarting without explanation.
• Frequent system crashes or freezes when running programs.
• BSOD (blue screens of death) flashing without a clear pattern.
• Constant 100% CPU/RAM usage on the Task Manager.
• Errors when installing new software or updating drivers.

These behaviors can be caused by corrupt drivers, faulty memory, dying disk, high temperatures or even malware that mimics bugs hardware. That's why we'll also look at tools to rule out malware.

Diagnose without installing anything in Windows

Windows 10 and Windows 11 include very powerful utilities for monitoring resources, generating reports, and detecting errors. With these native functions, you can quickly isolate bottlenecks and common faults.

Performance monitor

Performance Monitor lets you monitor CPU, disk, network, and power usage in real time, and add advanced counters. Just type "performance monitor" into the Start menu search box and open it. add system counters (CPU, disk, memory, power, search index, etc.) or check the WMIC command in Windows for additional queries.

Use it to correlate power spikes with crashes: if every freeze coincides with 100% disk usage, your SSD/HDD may be full or accumulate errorsYou can create data collection sessions to review trends in greater detail.

Resource Monitor

From the same system search, access Resource Monitor. It offers a "surgical" view of the CPU, RAM, disk, and network with graphs and processes involved. It's very useful for seeing which processes are the ones that are causing the problem. strangle the disc, check I/O latencies, or detect live memory saturation.

It also exposes details that go unnoticed: ports, events, Bluetooth, Hyper-V, .NET or RAS. If you notice constant slowness, here you will see if it is due to slow disk, insufficient RAM or a misbehaving process.

DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag)

Press Windows + R, type "dxdiag" and confirm. A technical report will be generated with audio, video and DirectX component data. It is used to detect graphics/sound drivers outdated, view versions and check multimedia integrity.

Save the report in text to attach when you ask for help: DxDiag details quickly reveal incompatibilities or errors. GPU and audio drivers.

Memory Diagnostic (Windows Memory Diagnostic)

Press Windows + R, type "mdsched" and restart when prompted. This utility scans your RAM before loading Windows to find errors that cause crashes and BSOD. Save your work, because the computer will restart to run the test.

If errors appear, it is very likely that the memory module or slot is defective. In this case, rotate modules and slots to locate the stick problematic or replace the RAM kit.

Events viewer

Type "event viewer" in the Windows search engine or check the Event Viewer diagnostics in Windows 11. In "Windows Logs" > "System" you will see warnings and errors with date and time. Look for those with a yellow triangle to identify the error. origin of the incident (driver, disk, network, etc.).

When you open each event, the bottom tab details the source and the hardware involved. If you don't see any incidents, review information entries with details of the related device to reconstruct the sequence of the problem.

Check the status of the drivers

Open the Device administrator (right-click Start). Any icon with a yellow warning indicates a missing, corrupt, or incompatible driver. Right-click and choose "Update Driver" to have Windows locate the correct version or install the manufacturer's official one.

Drivers are the bridge between the system and the hardware. Generic drivers may work, but they aren't always optimal. If everything remains the same after updating, uninstall the device and restart to force a reboot. clean reinstall.

Recommended free applications and utilities

In addition to the native Windows tools, there are free applications that extend diagnostics, monitor sensors and test the stability of the System.

HWiNFO (32/64)

It is one of the most complete for inventory and real-time monitoring. It reads sensors from CPUs, GPUs, motherboards, disks, and more, with graphs, alerts, and reports in CSV/XML/HTML. It is used even in demanding environments and allows to detect anomalies before they escalate.

Pros: Huge level of detail, monitoring, and export. Cons: The amount of data can be overwhelming if you're not used to it. hardware terminologyFree for personal use; Pro version for commercial use and remote features.

HE – Hardware Read & Write Utility

Advanced, lightweight and free tool for Windows that breaks down each component to the maximum (CPU, memory, screen, storage, USB, PCI, OS, etc.). Ideal for test of performance and very fine diagnoses.

Pros: Wide range of categories and subcategories with detailed reports. Cons: Outdated interface and steep learning curve; it's user-focused. with technical experience.

JScreenFix

Useful website for fixing stuck pixels (not to be confused with dead pixels) on OLED and LCD panels; for additional diagnostics, see the Monitor testing and diagnostics in Windows. In less than ten minutes you can bring stuck pixels back to life, although it is not foolproof if the panel has a physical defect.

Pros: No installation required and works from a browser. Cons: Limited options compared to software. general diagnosis.

CrystalDiskInfo

SMART reading for HDD and SSD with temperature, hours of use, error rates and health status. It is excellent for anticipating failures and avoid data loss making backups on time.

Pros: Clear view of critical unit parameters. Cons: If you're looking for a comprehensive inventory of equipment, there are more comprehensive tools. comprehensive.

OcCT

Stress and stability suite for CPU, GPU, RAM, and power supplies. Includes monitoring and configurable temperature limits to prevent damage. The free version covers the essentials; paid editions add extras. unlimited tests, full reports and export.

Pros: Modern interface and clear graphics for interpreting system response under load. Cons: The free version limits some functions.

AIDA64 (Extreme/Engineer/Business)

Known for its comprehensive inventory and stress testing. It generates detailed reports and monitors on-screen, OSD, or LCD sensors. The Extreme version is ideal for home use, while Engineer and Business add professional capabilities (remote, reports, audit).

Pros: Full hardware coverage and system stability. Cons: Full versions are paid, and the Microsoft Store version is more limited.

Speccy

Simple utility for viewing key computer specifications (CPU, GPU, RAM, motherboard, network, OS) and temperatures. Export to XML or share snapshots to ask for help.

Pros: very clear for starters. Cons: Shallower than HWiNFO or AIDA64 for complex diagnoses.

CPU-Z / CPU-X

CPU-Z details CPU, memory and motherboard in Windows (frequencies, voltages, SPD, etc.). CPU-X is its equivalent in Linux. It is key if you did overclocking or for confirm specifications real hardware.

Pros: Accurate and lightweight data. Cons: Doesn't fully cover GPUs or sensors; that's why it's best combined with HWMonitor or similar.

Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool

Checks the functionality and stability of processors Intel, measuring real frequency, characteristics and executing CPU stress. It is used to rule out that the instability comes from processor.

Pros: Tests designed by Intel. Cons: Not suitable for AMD CPUs; use with other CPUs. general tools.

Wifi analyzer

Diagnose your wireless network: least congested channels, signal strength, details for each network, and saved reports. Very useful for ruling out outages or slowness. come from WiFi.

Pros: Quick to interpret. Cons: Focuses on WiFi; if the problem is with the NIC or router, you'll need additional network tools.

Angry IP Scanner

Scans IP ranges on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Detects hosts, latencies, ports, and services. It's useful for checking for IP conflicts, outages, and local network health.

Pros: Cross-platform and fast. Cons: It's a scanner, not a full-featured monitor. PC performance.

CCleaner

Helps with maintenance: cleans up temporary files, repairs registry items, and frees up space. It doesn't fix hardware, but it can eliminate crash-like symptoms if there are any. disk saturation or software remnants.

Pros: Basic maintenance in just a few clicks. Cons: Use it wisely; it's not a complete maintenance tool. hardware diagnosis as such.

WinDirStat

Visual map of disk usage to detect files and extensions that take up the most space. It's open source and allows you to find bottleneck due to lack of space immediately.

Pros: Very clear graphical view. Cons: Does not monitor sensors or make stress tests.

Malwarebytes (or other antimalware)

Perfect complement to antivirus to remove malware that can simulate hardware failures (CPU spikes, freezes). Run a scan to rule out infection before blaming the hardware.

Pros: High detection of adware and PUPs. Cons: Does not replace antivirus or other antivirus software. hardware testing.

Memtest86 +

A classic RAM must-have: Boot from USB and run memory scans outside the OS, detecting subtle errors that cause BSODs and crashes. If it fails, test separate modules for identify the damaged.

Pros: Test outside of Windows, very reliable. Cons: Requires time and patience. multiple passes.

FurMark

Stresses the GPU to the maximum to check stability and temperatures. Useful for detecting artifacts, freezes, or throttling of the graphics card and see thermal limits.

Pros: Puts the GPU on the ropes. Cons: Monitor temperatures and set limits; don't use it for extended periods if the system is it is not well ventilated.

Open Hardware Monitor

Open source project that reads temperatures, fans, voltages, load, and clocks from the CPU, GPU, disks, and motherboard. It exposes sensors via WMI, making it easy to use by other apps.

Pros: Free and extensible. Cons: Lacks remote monitoring; for large deployments, you may prefer enterprise Solutions.

SpeedFan

Classic for controlling fan speeds and fine-tuning curves. It helps you balance noise and temperature if your motherboard supports it.

Pros: Granular control. Cons: Variable compatibility depending on the board and sensors; requires knowing what you're using. fitting exactly.

HWMonitor / HWMonitor PRO

Clear sensor readings (CPU, GPU, SMART, batteries) with PRO option for remote monitoring and app Android. Allows you to rename sensors to better identify them. monitored components.

Pros: Simple and lightweight. Cons: The PRO version is paid and the free version doesn't include any features. remote monitoring.

Targeted tests: CPU, GPU, power supply, and battery

When symptoms point to a specific component, it is advisable to focus the tests to shorten the diagnosis time.

• CPU: Use OCCT or AIDA64 stability testing for controlled stress. Monitor temperatures with HWiNFO/HWMonitor and stop the test if temperatures exceed ~90°C. For Intel CPUs, add the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool. validate features and frequency.
• GPU: Run FurMark or OCCT stress tests. Monitor for temperature, artifacts, and performance drops. If there are errors, try using clean drivers (DDU) and verify. feeding and ventilation of the chassis.
• Power supply: With OCCT you can load the CPU and GPU simultaneously and observe stability and voltages reported by sensors. Reboots under load indicate insufficient or over-powered PSUs. degradation.
• Battery (portable): Windows offers options to check battery status from power settings and through reports. Generate a report with system tools to compare design vs. actual capacity and assess its wear.

Prevention: drivers, temperature, usage, and cleaning

Prevention is better than cure. Keeping drivers up to date, cleaning dust, and monitoring temperatures extends the life of the equipment and avoid incidents recurring.

• Update drivers from Device Manager or with official utilities (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
• Monitor temperatures with HWiNFO, HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor and clean filters/fans to improve ventilation.
• Avoid prolonged overloads (mining, non-stop rendering) if your computer is running low on hardware.
• Rethink overclocking if you notice instability and disable it to rule out its impact.

Monitoring and administration for companies

If you manage multiple teams, it's a good idea to centralize control with monitoring solutions that aggregate metrics, alert by thresholds, and generate reports automatic.

Paessler PRTG

All-in-one sensor-based platform: CPU, disk, memory, network, cloud, etc. Central dashboard, custom alerts, automated reporting, and extensibility via SNMP, WMI, APIs, or SSH. Ideal for monitor the entire infrastructure from a single site.

SysGauge

Modular interface, alert rules, historical retention, and HTML/PDF/Excel/CSV/XML/SQL reports. Free version for personal use and Pro/Ultimate/Server editions with line of commands to automate.

Nagios XI

Monitor PCs, services, OS, protocols and infrastructure with multi-user web interface, massive ecosystem of plugins and APIs to integrate with third party toolsNative installation on Linux or virtualized on Windows.

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

Focused on large-scale networks: Discover devices, monitor performance, availability, and errors with intelligent dashboards and alerts. Support for SNMP, ICMP, API, and WMI (with additional modules) for end-to-end vision.

Zabbix

Open source with distributed monitoring, agents for Windows, Linux, and macOS, templates for dozens of manufacturers, multi-tenancy, custom dashboards, and email, SMS, or instant messaging alerts. Server on Linux, no license fee.

TeamViewer Remote Management

Integrates device monitoring, networking, inventory, patching, backups, and security. Threshold policies, push notifications, and APIs for building custom consoles. Cross-platform support.

AIDA64 Business

Sensor monitoring, historical logging, stability testing, and benchmarking with OSD, dashboard, and external display visualization. Designed for auditing. remote support and reporting on Windows networks.