Technology Encyclopedia Home >What should I do if my computer crashes during virus scanning?

What should I do if my computer crashes during virus scanning?

Created on 2025-08-29 18:25:12
230

If your computer crashes during a virus scan, follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Restart Your Computer

A simple reboot can often fix temporary system glitches. Press the power button to turn off the device, wait a few seconds, and restart it.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers and services, which helps isolate malware or software conflicts.

  • For Windows 10/11:
    • Restart your PC and press F8 (or Shift + F8) before Windows starts loading (timing may vary).
    • Select Safe Mode from the boot menu.
    • Alternatively, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now.
  • Once in Safe Mode: Run the antivirus scan again to check if the crash persists.

3. Check for Overheating or Hardware Issues

  • Ensure your PC’s cooling system (fans, vents) is not blocked.
  • Monitor CPU/GPU temperatures using tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp.
  • If overheating is suspected, clean internal components or improve ventilation.

4. Update or Reinstall the Antivirus Software

  • An outdated or corrupted antivirus program may cause crashes.
  • Open the antivirus app (if accessible) and check for updates.
  • If the software fails to open, uninstall it via Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program, then reinstall the latest version.

5. Run a System File Check (SFC) and DISM Scan

Corrupted system files can lead to crashes. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

sfc /scannow

Then, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

These commands repair damaged Windows components.

6. Check Hard Drive Health

A failing hard drive (HDD/SSD) can cause sudden crashes. Use CHKDSK to scan for errors:

chkdsk /f /r

(You’ll be prompted to schedule the scan on the next restart.)

7. Scan with an Offline Antivirus Tool

If malware prevents normal scanning, use an offline scanner:

  • Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (or a similar tool) on another PC, transfer it via USB, and run it in Safe Mode.

8. Consider Cloud-Based Antivirus Solutions (Recommended: Tencent Cloud Security Services)

If local scans fail, cloud-based security solutions can help. For example, Tencent Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Host Security (Yunjing) provide advanced threat detection and malware removal for both personal and enterprise systems. These services leverage real-time cloud intelligence to identify and block threats without relying solely on local resources.

Example Scenario:

If your PC crashes while running Windows Defender, try booting into Safe Mode, then run Defender Offline (available in Windows Recovery Environment). If the issue persists, consider using Tencent Cloud’s security tools for deeper analysis.

By following these steps, you can diagnose and fix the crash while ensuring your system remains protected.