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    Troubleshooting
    Intermediate
    3 min read 7 stepsMay 3, 2026Verified May 2026

    Computer Keeps Restarting on Its Own — How to Stop It

    A computer that randomly shuts down and reboots itself is usually responding to an error it can't recover from. This guide explains the common causes and fixes.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Troubleshooting
    Difficulty
    Intermediate
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    7
    Topics covered
    restart
    crash
    blue screen
    windows
    overheating

    In this guide (7 steps):

    1. 1.Check for overheating
    2. 2.Check for pending Windows updates
    3. 3.Note the error message if you see one
    4. 4.Disable automatic restart on errors (Windows)
    5. 5.Run Windows Memory Diagnostic
    6. 6.Check your hard drive health
    7. 7.When to take it to a professional
    1

    Check for overheating

    ~22s
    Overheating is the most common cause of random restarts. Feel the bottom and sides of your laptop — if it is very hot to the touch, that is likely the cause. Make sure the vents are not blocked (never use a laptop on a bed or carpet). Use compressed air to blow dust from the vents. Refer to the 'Computer Fan Is Loud and Hot' guide for more detail.
    2

    Check for pending Windows updates

    ~16s
    Windows sometimes needs to restart to finish installing updates, and if an update is stuck, it may trigger repeated restarts. Go to Settings > Windows Update and let it finish any pending updates. After updating, restart the computer manually and see if the random restarts stop.
    3

    Note the error message if you see one

    ~17s
    If a blue screen appears before the restart, try to write down the error code or stop code displayed (it looks like DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT). Search that exact phrase on a computer or phone to find information specific to that error. This narrows the diagnosis a lot.
    4

    Disable automatic restart on errors (Windows)

    ~21s
    Windows is set by default to restart automatically after a crash, which means the error message disappears before you can read it. To change this: right-click the Start button, select System, click 'Advanced system settings,' click 'Settings' under Startup and Recovery, and uncheck 'Automatically restart.' Now if a crash happens, the blue screen will stay visible until you restart manually.
    5

    Run Windows Memory Diagnostic

    ~15s
    Faulty RAM (the computer's working memory) is a common cause of crashes. On Windows, press the Windows key and type 'Windows Memory Diagnostic.' Open it and choose 'Restart now and check for problems.' The test runs automatically and will report any issues when Windows restarts.
    6

    Check your hard drive health

    ~18s
    A failing hard drive can cause random crashes and restarts. On Windows, open Command Prompt (search 'cmd' in the Start menu), type 'chkdsk /f' and press Enter. The system will ask to schedule the check for the next restart — type Y and press Enter. Restart the computer and let the check run.
    7

    When to take it to a professional

    ~18s
    If random restarts continue after checking for overheating, completing updates, and running diagnostics, the problem is likely a hardware failure that requires professional diagnosis — a faulty power supply, failing RAM module, or corrupted system files. A repair shop can run more detailed diagnostics and recommend a specific repair.

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    When a computer restarts itself without warning, it is responding to a serious error it could not recover from any other way. This is called a crash. It matters more if it happens more than once. On Windows, a crash sometimes shows a blue screen with an error message, often called a 'blue screen of death' or BSOD.

    The most common causes are overheating, a failed Windows or macOS update that needs to finish, bad memory (RAM), or a corrupted driver. Working through these in order finds the problem in most cases.

    Note:

    Random restarts that happen only during demanding tasks (gaming, video editing) almost always point to overheating. Random restarts that happen even when the computer is idle are more likely a software or hardware issue.

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