This page at PCMag has a number of suggestions that may help. It may be a program that is installed and running in the background such as an anti-virus program. Also try reseating the RAM. Last of all run a virus scan and malware scan.

If your Dell Inspiron 15 3515 laptop is experiencing freezing problems, it can be frustrating, but there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to diagnose and potentially resolve the issue. Here are some steps to help you address freezing problems:

1. Check for Software Conflicts: Sometimes, software conflicts or background processes can cause the laptop to freeze. Follow these steps:

   • Close any unnecessary applications running in the background.
   • Check the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) for any applications or processes that are consuming a high amount of CPU or memory. If you find any, consider closing or uninstalling them.
   • Ensure that your operating system and all software are up to date with the latest updates and patches.

2. Scan for Malware and Viruses: Malware or viruses can cause system freezes. Run a full system scan using your antivirus software to check for any threats. Make sure your antivirus definitions are up to date.

3. Update Drivers and BIOS: Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to freezing issues. Visit Dell's official website and ensure that your laptop has the latest drivers and BIOS updates installed. Pay special attention to graphics card and chipset drivers.

4. Check for Overheating: Overheating can cause a laptop to freeze. Ensure that the laptop's cooling system is working correctly and that there is proper airflow. You can also use software utilities to monitor the temperature of your CPU and GPU. If temperatures are consistently high, consider cleaning the laptop's internal fans and heatsinks.

5. Check for Hard Drive Issues: A failing or corrupted hard drive can cause freezing problems. Run a disk check utility to scan for and repair any disk errors. You can do this by opening a Command Prompt as an administrator and running the following command:

   bashCopy code

   chkdsk /f /r

6. Disable Startup Programs: Too many startup programs can slow down your laptop and potentially lead to freezing. Disable unnecessary startup programs by going to the Task Manager > Startup tab and disabling items you don't need at startup.

7. Perform a Clean Boot: Boot your laptop in a clean state to identify if third-party software is causing the freezing issue. To do this:

   • Press Win + R, type "msconfig," and press Enter.
   • In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and then click "Disable all."
   • Go to the Startup tab and click "Open Task Manager."
   • In Task Manager, disable startup items one by one and restart your laptop to identify the problematic software or driver.

8. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your operating system is up to date by installing all available Windows updates.

9. Consider a System Restore: If the freezing issue started recently, you can try using System Restore to revert your laptop to a previous state when it was working correctly.

If the freezing issue persists after trying these steps, it may be a hardware problem, such as a faulty RAM module or a failing hard drive. In such cases, it's recommended to contact Dell Support or visit an authorized Dell service center for further diagnosis and repair.

I finally found the solution. It's not ideal, but it works, and the computer stops freezing or crashing.

Go to Control Panel, Power Options, Change plan settings. Then go to Advanced settings, Processor power management, Maximum processor state, and lower the processor speed to 40%, 60%, or 70%.

This will prevent the computer from overheating and will stop it from freezing.