How do I stop Opera from freezing?

Answered by John Hunt

If you’re experiencing issues with Opera freezing or crashing on your Windows PC, here are some steps you can take to try and resolve the problem:

1. Update the Opera browser: Outdated software can sometimes cause stability issues. Make sure you have the latest version of Opera installed by going to the Opera menu, selecting “About Opera,” and checking for updates. If there are any updates available, follow the on-screen instructions to install them.

2. Check Opera Extensions: Browser extensions can sometimes conflict with Opera and cause freezing or crashing. Disable all extensions and see if the issue persists. If the browser works fine without the extensions, try enabling them one by one to identify the problematic one. Remove or update any extensions causing issues.

3. Reset Opera to a default state: Resetting Opera to its default settings can help resolve any conflicts or corrupted settings that may be causing the freezing issue. To do this, go to the Opera menu, select “Settings,” then click on “Advanced” and choose “Browser.” Scroll down to the “Reset settings” section and click on “Restore settings to their original defaults.” Follow the prompts to reset Opera.

4. Completely uninstall and reinstall Opera: If none of the above steps work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall Opera. This will remove any corrupted files that may be causing the freezing issue. To uninstall Opera, go to the Control Panel, select “Programs and Features” (or “Add or Remove Programs”), find Opera in the list of installed programs, and click on “Uninstall.” Once Opera is uninstalled, download the latest version from the official Opera website and reinstall it.

5. Check for conflicting software: Sometimes, other software installed on your PC can conflict with Opera and cause freezing or crashing. Try temporarily disabling any antivirus or firewall software and see if the issue persists. If the problem goes away, you may need to adjust the settings of your security software to allow Opera to run properly.

6. Check system requirements: Ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements to run Opera smoothly. If your system is outdated or doesn’t meet the recommended specifications, it may struggle to run the browser smoothly, leading to freezing issues.

7. Clean up your PC: Over time, accumulated junk files, temporary files, and other clutter can affect the performance of your PC and cause browser freezing. Run a disk cleanup utility to remove unnecessary files and free up disk space. Additionally, consider running a reputable antivirus or anti-malware scan to check for any potential threats that could be impacting browser performance.

These steps should help you troubleshoot and resolve the freezing or crashing issues with Opera. Remember to restart your computer after making any changes to ensure that they take effect. If the problem persists, you may want to consider reaching out to Opera’s support team for further assistance.