If your Windows 11 computer is experiencing unexplained issues such as frequent crashes, slow performance, and apps not functioning properly, it can be a sign that something is wrong in the background. To properly diagnose issues and find out more details about system errors and other software problems going on, you can consult your device’s error logs. They’re stored within a built-in tool called Event Viewer.
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When Should You Check Error Logs?
You don’t need to check the error logs for every small issue, as some of them are normal occurrences, but there are times when it’s good to look:
- If your screen suddenly goes black or you get a blue screen, the logs can show what triggered it.
- If the same program crashes often, the ‘Application’ log can show you what’s going wrong.
- If your Windows shows random error messages, the logs often contain more detail about them.
How to View Error Logs in Windows 11
Step 1: Type ‘Event Viewer’ in the search bar.
Step 2: Click on the Event Viewer app to open it.
Step 3: Expand the ‘Windows Logs’ tab.
Step 4: Go through the ‘System’ and ‘Application’ logs first.
Step 5: Look for red or yellow icons. Yellow means ‘Warning’ and red means ‘Error.’
Step 6: Click an event to read it.
Once you’ve opened the event, you can see details like the date and time to help determine what the error was. If you had a system update or installed a new app around that time, it could be that they caused the error.
The error log should also contain an ‘Event ID’. This is a specific identifier for a type of error that occurred. You probably won’t know what they mean so it’s best to Google the specific error code to find a solution. Some of the most common error codes are listed below.
Common Error Log Messages
- Event ID 10016 – This error means a program tried to use system settings that it didn’t have permission for. You don’t need to do anything about it.
- Event ID 41 – This means your computer didn’t shut down properly. Either it crashed, restarted, or lost power. Try rebooting the system again to fix it.
- Application Error – This means a specific app crashed. The log should show which one and when. If the app is then giving you problems, try restarting it or uninstalling it and then reinstalling it.
- Disk Error – This means your Windows system had trouble reading from or writing to your hard drive. This could be a sign of hardware problems and you will need a technician if it keeps happening.
- Kernel-Power – This is often linked to power issues or sudden shutdowns. If it happens more often, it might be worth checking your hardware or power supply.
