Why Does My Computer Keep Restarting? 7 Quick Fixes That Work

Is your computer stuck in an endless restart loop? One minute you're working on something important, the next your screen goes black and Windows is booting up again. It's frustrating, disruptive, and can feel like your computer is possessed.

Here in Saskatoon, random computer restarts are one of the most common problems our tech support team sees. The good news? In most cases, these restart issues have simple software fixes that you can do yourself in just a few minutes. Based on our years of troubleshooting computers for Saskatoon residents and businesses, we've identified the 7 most common causes and their solutions.

Over 60% of unexpected computer restarts are caused by software issues like driver conflicts, malware, or Windows update problems - not hardware failures.

Why Does This Happen?

When your PC keeps restarting randomly, it's usually Windows trying to protect itself from a critical error. Rather than freezing completely or showing a blue screen indefinitely, modern Windows systems automatically restart to attempt recovery.

The most common triggers include overheating, outdated or corrupted drivers, malware infections, power supply issues, Windows update failures, and corrupted system files. Understanding which one is affecting your computer is the first step to fixing it.

Common Symptoms:

• Random restarts during normal use: Computer reboots without warning while browsing, working, or gaming
• Restart loop on startup: Computer continuously restarts before reaching the Windows desktop
• Blue screen followed by restart: Brief error screen appears then immediately reboots
• Restarts under load: Computer reboots when running demanding programs or multiple applications

Fix #1: Check for Overheating

Overheating is the number one cause of unexpected restarts we see in our TechYXE repair shop. When your computer's internal temperature gets too high, Windows automatically shuts down to prevent hardware damage. This is especially common during Saskatchewan summers or in poorly ventilated spaces.

Steps to Check and Fix Overheating:

1. Feel the air vents: Place your hand near your computer's exhaust vents. If the air is extremely hot or the fans are very loud, overheating is likely the culprit.
2. Check for dust buildup: Shut down your computer and look at the air vents with a flashlight. Visible dust blocking the vents needs to be cleaned.
3. Clean the vents: Use compressed air to blow dust out of the vents. Hold the can upright and use short bursts from 6 inches away.
4. Improve airflow: Make sure your computer has at least 3-4 inches of clearance around all vents. Don't place it directly on carpet or against walls.

After cleaning, monitor your computer for a day or two. If restarts stop, overheating was your issue. If problems persist, move to the next fix.

Fix #2: Update Your Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers - especially graphics card drivers - are a major cause of random restarts. Drivers are the software that lets Windows communicate with your hardware, and when they malfunction, your system becomes unstable.

Steps to Update Drivers:

1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows key + X and select "Device Manager"
2. Look for warning signs: Check for any devices with yellow exclamation marks or red X symbols
3. Update graphics drivers: Expand "Display adapters", right-click your graphics card, and select "Update driver"
4. Choose automatic search: Select "Search automatically for drivers" and let Windows find the latest version
5. Restart your computer: After updating, restart to apply the changes

For the best results, also visit your computer manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) and download the latest drivers directly from their support page. If you're not comfortable with driver updates, our remote software support service can handle this for you starting at just $29.

Fix #3: Disable Automatic Restart

By default, Windows is configured to automatically restart when it encounters critical errors. While this prevents permanent freezing, it also hides the actual error message that could help you diagnose the problem. Temporarily disabling auto-restart lets you see what's really going wrong.

Steps to Disable Automatic Restart:

1. Open System Properties: Press Windows key + Pause/Break, or right-click "This PC" and select "Properties"
2. Click Advanced system settings: Find this link on the left side of the window
3. Go to Startup and Recovery: Under the "Advanced" tab, click the "Settings" button in the Startup and Recovery section
4. Uncheck automatic restart: Under "System failure", uncheck "Automatically restart"
5. Click OK: Save your changes and restart your computer

Now when the error occurs, you'll see a blue screen (BSOD) with an error code instead of an immediate restart. Write down this error code and search for it online - it will point you to the specific problem causing your restarts.

Fix #4: Check Power Settings

Incorrect power settings or a failing power plan can cause unexpected restarts, especially on laptops. Windows power management issues are surprisingly common and easy to fix with a few setting adjustments.

Steps to Fix Power Settings:

1. Open Power Options: Search for "Power Options" in the Start menu and open it
2. Select High Performance: Choose the "High performance" power plan (you may need to click "Show additional plans")
3. Check advanced settings: Click "Change plan settings" then "Change advanced power settings"
4. Disable USB selective suspend: Expand "USB settings" and set "USB selective suspend setting" to "Disabled"
5. Adjust PCI Express settings: Expand "PCI Express" and set "Link State Power Management" to "Off"

These settings ensure your computer components receive consistent power and aren't being put into sleep states that could trigger restarts.

Fix #5: Scan for Malware

Malware and viruses can absolutely cause your computer to restart randomly. Some malicious software intentionally triggers restarts to avoid detection or to complete installation. Running a thorough malware scan is essential when troubleshooting restart problems.

Steps to Scan for Malware:

1. Use Windows Security: Open Windows Security from the Start menu (it's built into Windows 10 and 11)
2. Run a full scan: Click "Virus & threat protection" then "Scan options", select "Full scan", and click "Scan now"
3. Be patient: A full scan takes 30-60 minutes but checks every file on your system
4. Remove threats: If malware is found, follow the prompts to quarantine or remove it
5. Restart and test: After cleaning, restart your computer and monitor for improvements

If Windows Security finds persistent threats you can't remove, or if you want more comprehensive protection, consider our malware removal service. Our Saskatoon tech team can remotely remove even stubborn infections and optimize your system for better security.

Fix #6: Run Windows Updates

Ironically, both missing Windows updates AND faulty Windows updates can cause restart problems. Microsoft regularly releases patches that fix bugs and stability issues, so keeping Windows up to date is crucial for system stability.

Steps to Update Windows:

1. Open Windows Update: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
2. Check for updates: Click "Check for updates" and wait for Windows to search
3. Install all updates: Download and install any available updates, including optional ones
4. Restart when prompted: Let Windows restart to complete the installation
5. Check update history: After restarting, go back to Windows Update and check if any updates failed - retry these if needed

If a recent Windows update is causing the restarts (this happened with several problematic updates in the past), you may need to uninstall that specific update. Our guide on fixing slow PCs after Windows updates covers this process in detail.

Fix #7: Repair System Files

Corrupted Windows system files can definitely cause random restarts. Windows includes built-in tools (SFC and DISM) that can scan for and automatically repair these corrupted files without requiring a full reinstall.

Steps to Repair System Files:

1. Open Command Prompt as Admin: Search for "cmd" in the Start menu, right-click "Command Prompt", and select "Run as administrator"
2. Run DISM first: Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter (this takes 10-15 minutes)
3. Wait for completion: Don't close the window until you see "The operation completed successfully"
4. Run SFC scan: Type sfc /scannow and press Enter (this takes another 10-15 minutes)
5. Review results: Look for the message about whether corrupt files were found and repaired
6. Restart your computer: Restart to apply any repairs that were made

These commands work together - DISM repairs the Windows component store, and SFC uses that store to fix corrupted system files. If serious corruption is found, you may need a fresh Windows installation to completely resolve the issue.

How to Prevent Random Restarts

Once you've fixed the immediate restart problem, follow these best practices to prevent it from happening again:

• Keep your computer clean: Clean dust from vents every 3-6 months to prevent overheating. Saskatchewan's dry climate creates more static and dust than average.
• Install updates promptly: Don't postpone Windows updates for weeks. Install them within a few days of release to get stability fixes.
• Update drivers regularly: Check for graphics, chipset, and network driver updates every 2-3 months from your manufacturer's website.
• Use reliable antivirus: Keep Windows Security enabled (it's free and effective) or use a reputable third-party antivirus solution.
• Monitor temperatures: If your computer runs hot, consider improving case airflow or using a laptop cooling pad.
• Avoid pirated software: Cracked programs often contain malware that causes system instability and security risks.

When to Get Professional Software Help

While these fixes solve most random restart problems, some situations require professional software troubleshooting:

• Restarts continue after trying all these fixes
• You see repeated blue screen error codes you can't resolve
• Your computer is stuck in an endless restart loop and won't boot to Windows
• The problem started immediately after a major Windows update
• You're not comfortable running command-line tools or editing system settings

Get Expert Software Support in Saskatoon

If you've tried these solutions and your computer keeps restarting, TechYXE is here to help. Our software troubleshooting and tech support service has been helping Saskatoon residents and businesses solve complex software problems quickly and affordably.

Our software-focused tech support includes:

• Remote diagnostics starting at just $29 - we can diagnose and fix most software issues without you leaving home
• Advanced troubleshooting - we identify the exact cause using professional diagnostic tools
• Driver and software updates - we ensure all your system software is current and compatible
• System optimization - speed up your computer, remove malware, fix errors
• Same-day service available for urgent software problems
• Local Saskatoon team - real people, not overseas call centers

In severe cases where software repairs can't resolve the issue, we offer a fresh Windows OS installation service for a flat $49 - including all drivers and essential software setup. It's often the fastest way to get back to a stable, restart-free computer.

Don't waste hours fighting with an unstable computer - contact us today for fast, friendly software support that gets your PC running smoothly again!

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