(8 Top Recommendations) What to Do When a Computer Keeps Restarting

Some software issues can significantly affect the user experience, especially because they ultimately impede functionality. One problem that many users have noticed, for example, is that their computers turn off and on again at random intervals of a few seconds.

Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as a loose or incorrectly inserted power cable. However, there are also instances where an internal software problem causes the computer to repeatedly turn on and off. In this article, you'll learn about both scenarios and the available solutions for each.

What could cause a computer to repeatedly turn on and off? When a computer experiences constant restarts, it can be due to several reasons. Here are some common causes: 1. **Power Issues**: Unstable power supply or a faulty power adapter can lead to frequent reboots. Check if the power cable is properly connected, try using a different power outlet, or replace the power adapter. 2. **Overheating**: Excessive heat inside the computer might trigger an automatic shutdown mechanism. Clean the internal dust, ensure the cooling fans are functioning properly, and confirm that the computer has adequate ventilation. 3. **Hardware Failure**: Defective RAM, hard drive, graphics card, or other internal components can result in repetitive startups. Check these components individually or run diagnostic tests. 4. **Operating System Issues**: Damaged system files, virus infections, or driver conflicts can cause this problem. Try starting your computer in Safe Mode, update or roll back drivers, or perform a system restore. 5. **BIOS/UEFI Issues**: Incorrect BIOS or UEFI firmware can lead to startup issues. Updating the motherboard's BIOS/UEFI to the latest version might resolve the problem. 6. **Software Conflicts**: Incompatible applications or background processes might conflict with the system, causing restarts. Review recently installed software and uninstall any potentially problematic programs. 7. **Power Management Settings**: Certain power management settings might cause the computer to shut down under specific conditions. Check the power options settings and ensure no settings are triggering the issue. If none of these solutions work, professional hardware diagnosis and repair may be necessary.

Of course, before fixing the problem, you should understand the cause to avoid applying the wrong solution to the main issue. In the context of a computer randomly turning on and off, the primary culprits are usually loose connections among the following components:

• GPU and monitor.
• PC and power supply.
• Power supply and monitor.

There are other possible explanations, as follows:

• Damaged electronic components.
• BIOS failure.
• Power supply unit issues.
• Faulty system or cooling fans.
• Memory issues.
• Monitor or display defects.
• Malware or a virus in the boot sector.

You might also be interested in: Laptop Turns On Then Off Immediately

How to Solve the Problem of a Computer Repeatedly Restarting

If your computer is repeatedly turning on and off, here are some of the most useful steps to resolve the issue.

1. Solution 1: Check Power Supply and Cables
2. Solution 2: Check Computer Temperature
3. Solution 3: Inspect Memory
4. Solution 4: Examine the Motherboard
5. Solution 5: Disable Automatic Restart
6. Solution 6: Update the BIOS
7. Solution 7: Run Startup Repair
8. Solution 8: Reset Your Computer

Fix 1: Check the power and cables

First, you should inspect the condition of the power source and the power adapter. Quite often, issues with the power adapter can lead to poor connectivity with the computer, giving rise to more functionality problems. Likewise, if the connecting cables are faulty, this can also result in such issues.

If the power supply fails any of these tests, it's best to replace it. After installing a new PSU, make sure the computer is plugged in for about 5-6 minutes before turning it on to charge the CMOS battery.

Fix 2: Check your computer's temperature

You can tell if your CPU is running normally by checking its current temperature. Generally, a CPU should run between 30° and 55° Celsius, and for high-performance usage, it shouldn't go above 65°. You can check your CPU's temperature using reliable third-party software like Core Temp, or by accessing your BIOS system.

Step 1: Press the main power button on your computer case to turn it on.

Step 2: Press the special key on your device to enter BIOS. Check your manufacturer's documentation for this information. Here, we'll use F12 as an example.

Click the dedicated key to load the BIOS.

Step Three: Look in the “Performance Monitor” or “CPU” section for your readings.

Solution 3: Check your memory

Sometimes, a computer will reboot repeatedly because of problems with the memory in its devices. DRAM typically requires a steady power and processor supply to hold data.

As a result, if there is a failure during the RAM load, or if there is a problem initializing the operating system or boot file, the computer will shut down. In such cases, the BIOS will restart the boot process and prevent the faulty RAM from running.

So, first try a full power cycle, and then clean the RAM slots and sticks properly.

Step one: Unplug the power cord, and hold down the power button for 15 seconds.

Step two: Open up your computer case, locate the RAM slots, and gently press down on the little levers on either side of the slot to release the RAM. Then, carefully and evenly lift the RAM out of the slot.

Step 3: Clean with natural rubber, then blow away all dry dust with compressed air and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Use a microfiber cloth to wipe.

Step 4: Use the cotton swab to clean the golden fingers on the RAM stick.

Step five: Blow out the slots again with compressed air, and put your memory and other components back in.

Solution 4: Check the motherboard

In some cases, a faulty motherboard can be the primary reason for a computer's sudden shutdown and restart. You should unplug and reseat all components inside your computer, and carefully inspect their condition. Reconnect power cables, internal data cables, and memory modules, among other parts.

If possible, try disconnecting and reconfiguring the mouse and keyboard components. This might be a complicated fix for the average user, so it's best to seek assistance from a more experienced technician during this process.

Fix 5: Disable Automatic Restart

Sometimes, a setting on your computer might be configured in such a way that it is interfering with another function (such as a scheduled automatic restart). Try disabling it to see if the problem goes away on its own.

Step 1: Open the Start menu.

Step 2: Type “sysdm.cpl” in the text box, and then press Enter.

Step 3: Under System Properties, click Advanced.

Step 4: Next, click on "Startup and Recovery," and then click on "Settings."

Click on "Settings".

Step 5: Uncheck "Automatically restart" under "System failure," and click "OK."

Fix 6: Update the BIOS

BIOS is the firmware responsible for booting up the computer system. It initiates the startup sequence among the components inside the computer, so issues with the BIOS can lead to boot-related issues.

Here, you should reset the available BIOS chip to fix the problem. If the shutdown settings in BIOS previously failed to work due to damage, then it might not function correctly in this situation. In this case, you need to replace the chip. You can opt to update BIOS using USB or not.

Step 1: Press the key that boots your device into BIOS. This is usually Del, F12, F10, F8, or F2. Check your manufacturer's guide if you're not sure which one it is.

Use the arrow keys in the Shutdown window to highlight Factory Defaults.

Step 3: Select the “Restore/Reset Settings” option, and confirm the next prompt.

Step 4: Save your changes and exit the menu.

Fix 7: Run Startup Repair

You can use Windows RE to run Startup Repair, which can fix certain kinds of system startup issues.

Step one: Turn on the device.

Step 2: As soon as you see the manufacturer's logo, press the power button again to turn it off.

Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2 twice.

Step 4: When the third restart occurs, Windows RE (or the Windows Recovery Environment) will open.

Step 5: Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 6: Next, choose the "Startup Repair" option.

Step 7: Choose your account and enter your password. Tap “Continue.” Wait for the setup to finish.

Fix 8: Reset This PC

If the Repair option doesn't work, you can simply reset your system, which can be helpful because the problem might be with the latest update.

Step 1: Boot into Windows RE and go to Troubleshoot.

Step 2: Choose the “Reset this PC” option.

Step 3: On the next page, click the “Delete All Content” option.

Step 4: Tap “Next.”

Step Five: Select the “Fully clean the drive” option, and then click “Reset.” Wait for the process to begin.

Expert Tip: How to Backup Your Computer and Protect Your Data In the digital age, the data on your computer is invaluable. Whether it's work files, cherished photos, or personal information, losing them can be devastating. Therefore, regularly backing up your computer and protecting your data is crucial. Here are some practical tips to help you achieve this: 1. **Choose a Backup Method**: - **External Hard Drive**: Purchase a large external hard drive and use software like Time Machine (for Mac) or Windows Backup (for Windows) for regular backups. - **Cloud Storage**: Utilize services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to automatically sync and back up your files. - **Network Attached Storage (NAS)**: If you have a significant amount of data, consider investing in a NAS device, which allows for private cloud storage on your local network. 2. **Set Up Automatic Backups**: Ensure your backup system is set to automatic so that new files are backed up immediately as you save them. 3. **Encrypt Backups**: Encrypt your backup data to protect sensitive information. Many backup tools offer built-in encryption features. 4. **Multiple Backups**: Rely on more than one backup method. Combining external hard drives with cloud services provides additional security. 5. **Regularly Check Your Backups**: Periodically verify the completeness and currency of your backups by attempting to restore a few key files. 6. **Protect Backup Devices**: Store your backup devices securely, away from fire, water damage, or other physical harm. 7. **Antivirus and Malware Protection**: Keep your operating system and antivirus software updated to prevent data corruption. 8. **System Images**: In addition to file backups, create system images to restore your entire system in case of a complete computer failure. 9. **Extra Copies for Critical Files**: For particularly important files, consider keeping additional copies in different geographic locations as a failsafe. 10. **Know the Recovery Process**: Make sure you understand how to recover data from your backups when needed. Familiarity with this process beforehand can save valuable time. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your computer data is well-protected and easily recoverable in the event of an unexpected issue.

Of course, there's always the risk of data loss when resetting or upgrading an operating system, which is why it's safer to have high-quality backup software, like Todo Backup, with available system files and data.

With the help of the Todo Backup Home tool, it's much easier to protect all your files, disks/partitions, and system information. Then, save them to an external hard drive, local drive, cloud, network, or NAS connection for a high-quality data preservation experience. It can help you install Windows 10 on another computer's hard drive and clone the disk as well.

In addition, you can use it to create an image of an SD card. With the free version, you can use advanced backup features, such as enabling scheduled backups and other options.

Features:

• Potent cloud support to save all system backups.
• Different backup versions like full backup, incremental backup, and differential backup.
• Suitable for file, system, partition, and disk backup.
• Quick backup and recovery process with simple clicks.
• Install Windows 10 from one PC to another.

Here's how to back up your computer.

On the main screen, tap Select Backup Content.

Step 2: Click on Operating System in one of the four available categories.

Step 3. Todo Backup will automatically select your system partition; you just need to choose a backup destination.

Step 4. You can choose to save the backup file on a local disk or a NAS.

Step 5. Once the backup is done, you can right-click on the backup task from the left panel to check its status, recover, open, or delete the backup.

Bottom line

This article will discuss how to address issues with a computer that is constantly turning on and off. It's recommended that you take the time to understand the main problems affecting your system and take necessary steps to fix them, such as repairing the motherboard or RAM, disabling automatic restarts, and performing software updates.

You should learn the steps of each solution and perform them carefully to avoid additional issues, such as severe data loss. In this case, you can use a user-friendly and powerful backup software, like Todo Backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if my motherboard is faulty?

Here are some signs of motherboard failure to watch out for:

• The computer system is abnormally overheating.
• Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) appearances occur.
• The CPU randomly restarts.
• The computer fails to start up properly.
• Frequent system errors, crashes, or freezing.
• Overall performance degradation.
• The system fails to recognize specific hardware.
• Components exhibit insufficient data transfer speed or power.

2. How do I know if my power supply is problematic?

Common signs of a malfunctioning computer power supply include:

• The computer case is emitting additional noise.
• The system crashes randomly.
• PC components are failing consistently.
• Blue screen crashes occur at random.
• Case fans continue to spin even when the computer is turned off.