1. High CPU Usage
Symptoms: Server performance is slow, applications are unresponsive, and Task Manager shows high CPU usage.
Solutions:
- Use Task Manager or Resource Monitor to identify the process causing high CPU usage
- Check for malware or viruses using up-to-date antivirus software
- Update or roll back problematic drivers
- Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to check for memory issues
- Use Performance Monitor to analyze CPU usage over time and identify patterns
2. Memory Leaks
Symptoms: Server becomes slower over time, available memory decreases steadily, and restarting temporarily resolves the issue.
Solutions:
- Use Resource Monitor to identify processes with increasing memory usage
- Update or patch applications known to have memory leak issues
- Use tools like RAMMap or VMMap to analyze memory usage in detail
- Implement regular server restarts as a temporary workaround
- Consider using Memory Dump analysis for persistent issues
3. Slow Network Performance
Symptoms: File transfers are slow, network applications are unresponsive, and users complain about laggy connections.
Solutions:
- Use Network Monitor or Wireshark to analyze network traffic
- Check for bandwidth-hogging applications or users
- Verify and update network driver versions
- Test network cables and hardware for faults
- Use
netsh commands to reset Windows networking components:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
4. Active Directory Replication Issues
Symptoms: Domain Controllers are not syncing, users experience login issues, and Group Policy is not applying consistently.
Solutions:
- Use
repadmin /showrepl to check replication status
- Verify network connectivity between Domain Controllers
- Check DNS settings and ensure they are correctly configured
- Use the Active Directory Replication Status Tool for detailed diagnostics
- Review event logs for specific error messages related to AD replication
5. Disk I/O Performance Problems
Symptoms: Slow file access, long application load times, and high disk queue length in Performance Monitor.
Solutions:
- Use Resource Monitor to identify processes with high disk activity
- Check disk fragmentation levels and defragment if necessary (for HDDs)
- Verify RAID configuration and health if applicable
- Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo to check disk health
- Consider upgrading to SSDs for improved I/O performance
6. Windows Updates Failing
Symptoms: Updates fail to install, error messages during update process, or updates stuck at a certain percentage.
Solutions:
- Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Clear the Windows Update cache using the following commands:
net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
net start wuauserv
net start bits
- Check system and application event logs for specific error codes
- Ensure sufficient disk space is available for updates
- Try manual download and installation of updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog