Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with avoiding resource blockages and hang states are described. One example computer-implemented method for a computing system includes determining that a first process is waiting for a resource and is in a blocked state. The resource that the first process is waiting for is identified. A blocking process that is holding the resource is then identified. A priority of the blocking process is compared with a priority the first process. If the priority of the blocking process is lower than the priority of the first process, the priority of the blocking process is increased. In this manner the blocking process can be scheduled for execution sooner and thus release the resource.