How to Fix High Hard Faults Per Second Error in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Experiencing high hard faults per second in Windows 11 can slow down your computer significantly. This issue usually relates to how your system handles memory and virtual memory. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can follow to reduce or fix this error.

In this guide, we will explain what causes high hard faults and how you can troubleshoot it step-by-step. No advanced technical knowledge is required, making it easy for anyone to follow. Let’s get started with the basics.

Understanding and fixing hard faults can improve your PC’s performance and reduce lag. It’s important to address this issue to maintain a smooth Windows experience.

Follow the steps below carefully, and you’ll learn how to manage your system memory more effectively.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before diving into the fixes, make sure you have the following ready:

Administrator access on your Windows 11 PC, as some changes require admin rights.
Your system should be up-to-date with the latest Windows updates installed.
Close all unnecessary applications to make troubleshooting easier and more accurate.
Ensure you have backup of important data just in case any system changes cause issues.

Step 1: Understand What Hard Faults Are

Hard faults happen when your computer tries to access data in the RAM, but it is not there. Instead, the system reads data from the hard drive or SSD, which is slower. This process is called paging, and when it happens too often, it causes high hard faults per second.

When your PC runs out of physical RAM, it uses virtual memory on your disk. If virtual memory is not set up correctly or your RAM is insufficient, hard faults increase, causing slower performance.

Step 2: Check Your Current Memory Usage

Before making changes, check how your memory is being used:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Click on the Performance tab.
Select Memory on the left side.
Look at the memory usage and available memory.

If your memory usage is close to 100% or you have very little available memory, that could be causing the hard faults.

Step 3: Increase Virtual Memory (Paging File) Size

Virtual memory acts as additional RAM by using space on your hard drive. Increasing the paging file size can help reduce hard faults.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type sysdm.cpl and press Enter to open System Properties.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Under Performance, click Settings.
In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab.
Under Virtual memory, click Change.
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
Select your system drive (usually C:).
Choose Custom size.
Set Initial size and Maximum size in MB. A good rule of thumb is to set it to 1.5 times your installed RAM for initial size and 3 times your RAM for maximum size. For example, if you have 8 GB RAM, set initial size to 12288 MB and maximum size to 24576 MB.
Click Set, then OK to save changes.
Restart your computer to apply the new settings.

This adjustment helps Windows manage memory more effectively and reduces reliance on physical RAM.

Step 4: Close or Limit Memory-Heavy Applications

Some applications use a lot of memory, causing frequent hard faults. Closing or limiting these applications can improve system performance.

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Go to the Processes tab.
Look for applications using high memory (check the Memory column).
Right-click and select End task for apps you don’t need running.

Alternatively, avoid running multiple heavy applications at the same time to reduce stress on your RAM.

Step 5: Add More Physical RAM (Advanced Option)

If you regularly experience high hard faults and slow performance, your PC might not have enough physical RAM. Adding more RAM is a hardware upgrade that can significantly improve performance.

This step requires purchasing compatible RAM modules and installing them in your computer. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, seek professional help.

Step 6: Run a Memory Diagnostic Test

Sometimes faulty RAM can cause unusual memory behavior, including high hard faults. You can check your RAM health using the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool:

Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
Choose Restart now and check for problems.
Your PC will restart and run the memory test automatically.
After the test, Windows will display results when you log back in.

If errors are found, your RAM might need replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What exactly are hard faults in Windows?

Hard faults occur when the system cannot find the needed data in RAM and must fetch it from the slower storage drive. This can slow down your computer if it happens frequently.

Is a high hard fault rate always a problem?

Not always. Some hard faults are normal during regular operation. However, consistently high hard faults per second indicate insufficient RAM or misconfigured virtual memory.

Can updating Windows fix hard faults?

Yes, updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can help with memory management.

Will adding more RAM completely fix high hard faults?

Adding RAM usually helps reduce hard faults significantly, but proper virtual memory settings and closing unnecessary apps are also important.

Can third-party software cause high hard faults?

Yes, poorly optimized or memory-hungry software can increase hard faults. Monitoring and managing applications can help.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still face high hard faults per second, consider the following options:

Reset Windows 11: This can fix underlying system issues but make sure to back up your data first.
Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support website for expert help.
Consult a professional technician: There might be hardware issues beyond simple fixes.

Conclusion

High hard faults per second in Windows 11 can cause slowdowns but are usually fixable with a few simple steps. Understanding how memory and virtual memory work is key to resolving the issue. Start by checking your memory usage, increase virtual memory if needed, and close unnecessary apps.

For more persistent problems, consider adding more RAM or running diagnostics. Remember, keeping your system updated and managing your applications wisely helps maintain smooth performance. With patience and the right approach, you can reduce hard faults and enjoy a faster Windows 11 experience.