How to Fix a Computer That Keeps Restarting

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Computer TroubleshootingRestart IssuesWindowsMacDevice ManagementHardwarePerformanceSoftwareUser GuideRepair

Dealing with a computer that constantly restarts can be frustrating. There are many reasons why your computer might be doing this, including software issues, hardware failure, misconfigured settings, etc. This detailed guide will walk you through various steps to diagnose and fix a computer that repeatedly restarts.

Step 1: Check for overheating

A common reason for a computer to restart is overheating. The overheating protection mechanism in your system may force a restart to prevent damage. To address this:

• Make sure the computer is in a well-ventilated area, away from heat sources.
• Use compressed air to clean dust from inside the computer case, especially from the fans and heat sinks.
• Make sure all fans (CPU, GPU, case fans) are running properly.

Consider using software like Core Temp or HWMonitor to monitor your computer's temperature.

Step 2: Inspect the hardware connections

Loose or faulty hardware connections can cause restarts. To check for hardware problems:

• Turn off the computer and disconnect it from the power source.
• Open the computer case and make sure all hardware components are securely connected. This includes the RAM, hard drive, graphics card, and power connectors.
• If you recently installed new hardware, remove it and see if the problem persists after restarting.

Step 3: Update or rollback the drivers

If drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, they can sometimes cause instability. Here's how to manage drivers:

• Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager."
• Look for any devices with a yellow triangle icon. These may indicate a problematic driver.
• Right-click on a device and select "Update Driver." Follow the prompts to find updates online.
• If an update caused the problem, you may need to roll back the driver. Right-click the device, select "Properties", switch to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver."

Step 4: Scan for malware

Malware can cause a variety of problems, including restarts. To scan for malware:

• Make sure you have reputable antivirus software installed, such as Windows Defender, Avast, or Malwarebytes.
• Run a full system scan to detect and remove any malicious software.
• After removing any threats, restart your computer to see if the problem persists.

Step 5: Check for software conflicts

Conflicting software, especially those that alter system behavior such as system utilities and optimization tools, can sometimes cause restarts:

• Try uninstalling any recently installed software to see if that resolves the issue.
• To find out if third-party services are causing the problem, consider performing a clean boot. To do this:
  1. Press Win + R, type "msconfig", and press Enter.
  2. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services”, and click “Disable All”.
  3. Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager". Disable all startup items.
  4. Restart the computer. If the issue is resolved, enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.

Step 6: Check the system log

Windows maintains logs that may provide clues as to what causes the restart:

• Press Win + X and select "Event Viewer".
• Expand "Windows Logs" and click "System."
• Note any critical errors or warnings while your computer restarts.
• Errors related to drivers, hardware, or system services may provide information about the cause of the problem.

Step 7: Disable automatic restart

Sometimes, Windows automatically restarts when it encounters a system failure. Disabling it can help you see the error message, which can aid in diagnosis:

• Right-click "This PC" or "Computer" on the desktop or in File Explorer, and select "Properties."
• Click "Advanced system settings" on the left.
• Under "Startup and Recovery," click "Settings."
• Uncheck "Automatically restart" under the "System Failure" section.
• Click "OK" to apply the changes.

Step 8: Perform a system restore

If the problem started recently, you can use System Restore to restore your system back to a previous state where it was working fine:

• Press Win + R, type "rstrui", and press Enter.
• Select a restore point from before the problem started and follow the prompts to restore your system.

Step 9: Check for Windows Updates

Keeping your system updated can fix bugs and improve stability:

• Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update."
• Click "Check for Updates" and install available updates.
• Restart your computer to apply the update.

Step 10: Test the Power Supply

An inconsistent or failed power supply can cause erratic restarts:

• Make sure the power supply unit (PSU) is properly connected to the motherboard and other components.
• If you have a spare PSU, consider replacing it to see if that resolves the issue.
• Use a PSU tester or take the computer to a professional to test the power supply.

Step 11: Check for memory issues

Faulty RAM can cause the system to become unstable and restart:

• Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. Press Win + R, type "mdsched.exe", and press Enter. Restart now and check for problems.
• Alternatively, use a third-party tool like MemTest86 to perform a complete memory test.
• If errors are found, you may need to replace the faulty RAM module.

Step 12: Assess the hard drive

A bad hard drive can cause unexpected restarts:

• Check the status of your hard drive using a tool like CrystalDiskInfo or the built-in Windows CHKDSK tool.
• To run CHKDSK, open a command prompt as administrator and type:

  chkdsk C: /f /r

  Replace "C" with the drive letter you want to check. Follow the prompts to schedule the check the next time you restart.
• If critical errors are found, consider replacing the hard drive.

Step 13: Reset BIOS/UEFI settings

Incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings can cause instability. Resetting these settings to default may help:

• Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing F2, Del, or a similar key during startup).
• Look for the option to reset to default or optimized settings (often labeled "Load Defaults", "Load Optimized Defaults", etc.).
• Save and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup.

Step 14: Reinstall the operating system

If all else fails, a fresh installation of the operating system may resolve deeper software problems:

• Make sure you have a backup of all your important data before proceeding.
• Create a bootable USB drive with the installation media for your operating system.
• Boot from the USB drive and follow the on-screen instructions to install the operating system.

After reinstalling the OS, install the necessary drivers and software, and restore your data from a backup.

Conclusion

Fixing a computer that restarts repeatedly requires a systematic approach to diagnose and resolve the underlying cause. Start with simple checks like ensuring proper ventilation and secure connections, then move on to software troubleshooting, and finally hardware diagnostics if necessary. By following these steps, you can identify and fix the problem that is causing your computer to restart repeatedly.

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