Random 100% SSD usage spikes freeze computer for 15-30 seconds


  1. Leunamh
    Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Random 100% SSD usage spikes freeze computer for 15-30 seconds


    Hey guys,

    I've been having an issue with my computer for the last couple of months where it randomly freezes (could be simply using Word or playing any game), I've been trying to find a solution but I've been unsuccesful.

    Whenever it happens, the task manager shows a 100% usage for the SSD without any real indication of what could be causing it:

    Random 100% SSD usage spikes freeze computer for 15-30 seconds-disco.png

    Debating on buying another SSD to see if that fixes it.

    Also, I found a post from 2016 with the same problem but I couldn't make Intel RST work on my PC

    Random spikes of 100% disk activity on system drive.

    Would seriously appreciate your help.

    Thanks !
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  3. steve108
    Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       New #2

    Hello Leunamh and welcome to TF ,

    I would start by check the drive's health with HD Sentinel app and any similar app Kingston offers.

    Also run sfc and dism to check for Windows system file issues:
    Run SFC Command in Windows 10

    Run "chkdsk c: /scan" to see if any drive issues are found.

    Take a look in the Event Viewer and look at Windows Reliability History View Reliability History in Windows 10 for clues when this issue happens also.

    Confirm PC BIOS and drivers are up to date from PC manufacturer website or update app.
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  4. Leunamh
    Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Hey Steve, thanks for welcoming me !

    I tried what you said but it sadly keeps happening, this is what sentinel looks like:

    Random 100% SSD usage spikes freeze computer for 15-30 seconds-test-disco.png

    Ran both commands as well (although I had done it previously), sfc /scannow did recognise some errors but nothing major, chkdsk didn't encounter anything else.

    Also took a look at the Reliability report but any "crash" are things I had already uninstalled/reinstalled so they're most likely merely a symptom.

    BIOS seems up to date as well, still can't wrap my head around it.
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  6. steve108
    Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       New #4

    Thanks for the update.

    Try Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts now to see if the problem stops.
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  7. steve108
    Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       New #5

    I would also recommend installing Sysinternals Process Explorer (free from Microsoft website) to try and find which process is causing the high disk usage spike.

    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sys...nloads/procmon
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  8. Leunamh
    Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Hey Steve, I should point out that I have already tried a clean install. This computer originally had an HDD but I upgraded to an SSD, it worked fine for some time (can't be more than 6 months) and then this started happening. Did a clean install but it kept doing it anyway (a little bit less tho).

    I stilll have the HDD and was considering running some tests to check if it happens with it but I'll be doing a full clean-up of the PC and replacing the SATA cable + thermal paste + a clean windows install on the HDD.

    Also, I downloaded Sysinternals, what should I be looking for there ?

    Thanks for the help !
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  9. steve108
    Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       New #7

    Leunamh said:
    Hey Steve, I should point out that I have already tried a clean install. This computer originally had an HDD but I upgraded to an SSD, it worked fine for some time (can't be more than 6 months) and then this started happening. Did a clean install but it kept doing it anyway (a little bit less tho).

    I stilll have the HDD and was considering running some tests to check if it happens with it but I'll be doing a full clean-up of the PC and replacing the SATA cable + thermal paste + a clean windows install on the HDD.

    Also, I downloaded Sysinternals, what should I be looking for there ?

    Thanks for the help !
    I would look at the CPU usage overall graph at the top during or after the disk spike to find the process with highest usage. If you hover over a disk spike it will tell you the process name. You can also sort the process list by disk usage.

    At the top of the app, go to the View - Select Columns and select items from Process Disk like Read and Write bytes so you can sort on those columns too if they are not currently visible.
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  10. steve108
    Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       New #8

    Good practice with Process Explorer is to configure it like I described above plus with anything else you want to watch, then have your antivirus do a manual scan and you look at Process Explorer to find where it shows your antivirus with high disk usage while it's scanning, then pause AV and look at PE, etc.

    See Display the disk activity of any process in Windows - gHacks Tech News also
      My Computer
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  12. Ber
    Posts : 1
    windows
       New #9

    Easily solved


    Leunamh said:
    Hey guys,

    I've been having an issue with my computer for the last couple of months where it randomly freezes (could be simply using Word or playing any game), I've been trying to find a solution but I've been unsuccesful.

    Whenever it happens, the task manager shows a 100% usage for the SSD without any real indication of what could be causing it:

    Random 100% SSD usage spikes freeze computer for 15-30 seconds-disco.png

    Debating on buying another SSD to see if that fixes it.

    Also, I found a post from 2016 with the same problem but I couldn't make Intel RST work on my PC

    Random spikes of 100% disk activity on system drive.

    Would seriously appreciate your help.

    Thanks !
    Hey friend!
    Today I solved the issue, it was a persistent problem.
    You have to update your kingston firmwere. That's it. Use Kingston SSD Manager
      My Computer
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  13. eLPuSHeR
    Posts : 2,935
    Windows 10 Home x64
       New #10

    Glad to hear it. Please mark thread as Solved.
      My Computer
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