How to Use and Troubleshoot Reliability History in Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

Windows 10 includes a useful tool called Reliability History. It helps you monitor your computer’s performance and track errors or issues over time. This tool is especially handy for identifying problems that may cause your system to crash or slow down.

Using Reliability History can help you keep your PC stable and running smoothly. It provides a timeline of events, showing when programs or hardware have failed. Understanding how to use and troubleshoot this feature is simple once you follow the right steps.

In this guide, you will learn how to open Reliability History, interpret its data, and fix common problems related to it. Whether you are new to Windows or just want a clear walkthrough, this article will help you get started.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions and tips for making the most of Reliability History in Windows 10.

Quick Note: What You Need Before Starting

Make sure your Windows 10 PC is up to date with the latest updates installed. This ensures Reliability History works correctly.
You need to have administrative rights on your computer to access and use Reliability History.
Ensure your system’s “Problem Reports and Solutions” service is running. This service collects the data used by Reliability History.
It is helpful to have a basic understanding of Windows Event Viewer, though it is not required.

How to Open Reliability History in Windows 10

To start using Reliability History, you first need to open the tool. Follow these simple steps:

Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard to open the search bar.
Type Reliability Monitor or View reliability history in the search box.
Click on the result that says View reliability history. This will open the Reliability Monitor window.

The Reliability Monitor will display a graph showing your system’s stability over time. Each day has a stability index score from 1 to 10, where 10 means very stable and 1 means many problems.

Understanding the Reliability History Interface

Once the window opens, you will see a simple graph with days or weeks on the X-axis and a stability score on the Y-axis.

Red X icons: These mark failures such as application crashes or hardware problems.
Yellow warning signs: These indicate warnings, such as application hangs or minor issues.
Blue information icons: These show successful updates or installs.

Clicking on any of the icons will provide detailed information about the event. This helps you identify what caused the problem on a specific day.

Troubleshooting Common Issues Using Reliability History

Step 1: Identify Recent Failures or Crashes

Look for red X icons on the timeline. Click on them to view details about which program or hardware failed. This helps you understand if a particular app is causing trouble.

Step 2: Check for Patterns

If you notice the same application or driver failing repeatedly, it may need updating or reinstalling. Consistent errors can point to outdated software or corrupt files.

Step 3: Use Windows Update

Many issues are resolved by installing the latest updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Installing updates can fix bugs that cause crashes.

Step 4: Run System File Checker (SFC)

If you suspect system files are corrupt, running the System File Checker tool can help. Here’s how:

Press Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete. It will automatically fix corrupted files if any are found.

This step is important because corrupted system files can cause the errors shown in Reliability History.

Step 5: Check Event Viewer for Advanced Details

For more detailed troubleshooting, open Event Viewer:

Press Windows key + X and select Event Viewer.
Navigate to Windows Logs > Application or System.
Look for error entries that match the date and time of failures shown in Reliability History.

Event Viewer provides more technical information which can help advanced users diagnose the problem.

Alternative Ways to Access Reliability History

You can open Reliability History by typing perfmon /rel in the Run dialog box (press Windows key + R to open Run).
For an automated approach, use third-party tools that analyze Windows reliability data, but ensure they are from trusted sources.

FAQs About Reliability History in Windows 10

Q: Why is my Reliability History empty or not showing data?

A: This can happen if the “Problem Reports and Solutions” service is disabled or if your PC was recently reset. Ensure the service is running by typing services.msc in Run, then locate the service and start it if needed.

Q: How far back does Reliability History keep data?

A: Typically, it stores data for about 28 days. After that, older entries are automatically removed to save space.

Q: Can I export or save the Reliability History report?

A: Yes. Click on Save reliability history on the right sidebar to save the report as an XML file for later review or sharing.

Q: Does Reliability History fix problems automatically?

A: No. It only reports issues. You must take action based on the information it provides.

Q: Can I clear Reliability History data?

A: Yes. Clearing the data resets the history. To do this, open the Reliability Monitor, click View all problem reports, and then choose to delete specific reports or all data.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and still face issues, consider the following options:

Use the Windows Troubleshooter by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Perform a system restore to revert your PC to an earlier stable state.
Consult Microsoft’s official support page for Reliability Monitor: Microsoft Reliability Monitor FAQ.
If problems persist, contacting a professional technician or Microsoft support may be necessary.

Conclusion

Reliability History in Windows 10 is a powerful tool for tracking system stability and diagnosing errors. By learning how to access and interpret its data, you can quickly identify and fix common issues that affect your PC’s performance.

Remember to keep your system updated, monitor error patterns, and use built-in troubleshooting tools like SFC and Event Viewer for deeper analysis. If problems continue, don’t hesitate to seek advanced help or use system restore options.

With these steps and tips, you can maintain a more stable and reliable Windows 10 experience.