One of the most common problems that PC users face is unexpected and often unwelcome restarts. When a computer restarts unexpectedly, it can cause disruption and frustration; particularly when in the middle of an important task. Thankfully, there are a variety of steps that you can take to try to prevent your computer from restarting unexpectedly.
1. Check for out-of-date or malfunctioning drivers
If your computer restarts unexpectedly, it could be due to a malfunctioning or out-of-date driver. A driver is software that helps the hardware of your computer interact with its operating system. Out-of-date drivers can cause issues with your computer, such as unexpected restarts. To check your drivers for updating, you can use a driver updater tool, available from many tech websites.
2. Check for hardware failure
Another potential cause of unexpected restarts is hardware failure. This can happen if a component on your computer is failing—such as the power supply, motherboard, memory, or processor. If a component is failing, it could cause your computer to restart unexpectedly. To check for hardware failure, you can run a diagnostic tool, which will give you an indication of what’s causing the issue.
3. Remove any recently installed programs
If your computer has been restarting unexpectedly since you installed a particular program, then it’s possible that the program is causing the issue. To check this, you should try uninstalling any new programs that you’ve recently installed and see if this stops the restarting.
4. Update your operating system
Outdated software can sometimes cause unexpected restarts, so it’s important to make sure that you keep your operating system up to date. You can do this by enabling automatic updates for your OS, or manually by going to the settings of your computer and applying any available updates.
5. Check your antivirus and firewall settings
If you are using an antivirus program or firewall, then the settings may be causing your computer to restart unexpectedly. To check this, first ensure that your antivirus and firewall definitions are updated. Then, check the settings of your antivirus or firewall to make sure that nothing is being blocked.
6. Disable certain startup programs
Certain programs can start automatically when you turn on your computer. If these programs are malfunctioning, they can cause your computer to restart unexpectedly. To stop this from happening, you can disable these programs from starting. To do this, open your Task Manager and go to the Startup tab. Here, you can disable any startup programs that you don’t want to run automatically.
7. Reset your BIOS
In some cases, the BIOS (basic input output system) of your computer can become corrupted and this can lead to unexpected restarts. To solve this issue, you can reset your BIOS to its default settings. To do this, you will need to enter the BIOS setup on your computer and reset the settings. The exact process will vary depending on your make and model of computer, so you should consult the instruction manual for your device.
8. Check your power settings
Sometimes the issue can be caused by your computer’s power settings. If you have your PC set to ‘Hibernate’ or ‘Sleep’ after a certain amount of time, then this can cause unexpected restarts. To check this, open the Power Options in the Windows Control Panel and disable any options that could be causing the issue.
9. Check for malware
Malware can disguise itself as legitimate software and can cause all sorts of issues, including unexpected restarts. To check for malware, you can run a full system scan with your antivirus program. If it detects and removes any malicious software, then this should stop the restarting of your computer.
10. Contact a professional
If none of the above steps solves the issue, then your best option is to contact a professional. A professional technician can run more advanced diagnostics on your computer and identify any deeper faults that are causing the unexpected restarting.
By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to stop your computer from restarting unexpectedly. If the issue persists, then you should consider seeking professional help.