16.04 icons disappear and crashes

[paulbrook]

I have Ubuntu 16.04 (running on HP Spectre x360 15-ap012dx). Quite recently the following problem has occurred:

Every so often (maybe every 30 minutes at this point), the WiFi goes, the bar that has all my icons disappears, and also the bar that has volume and WiFi and clock etc. also disappears. Things also freeze and I have to hard restart.

Could anyone suggest a fix?

[CelticWarrior]

I would try a recent release instead of the ancient 16.04.

[Autodave]

It is shutting itself down probably to protect itself. My first guess would be that it is overheating. Try blowing the dust out of the vents and make sure that the vents are not being blocked when you are using it.