How to Fix a Computer That Restarts by Itself

Stop automatic computer restarts with these proven troubleshooting steps. Fix overheating, driver issues, and hardware problems causing random reboots.

1. Check for overheating issues. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and monitor CPU usage while checking if your computer feels unusually hot. Clean dust from vents using compressed air and ensure all fans are spinning. Download HWiNFO64 to check CPU and GPU temperatures — anything above 80°C under load indicates overheating.
2. Disable automatic restart on system failure. Right-click This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings > Settings under Startup and Recovery. Uncheck 'Automatically restart' under System failure. This will show you the actual Blue Screen error message instead of immediately restarting, helping identify the specific problem.
3. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic. Press Windows+R, type 'mdsched.exe', and press Enter. Select 'Restart now and check for problems'. Your computer will restart and test RAM for errors. After completion, check Event Viewer (Windows+X > Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System) for MemoryDiagnostics-Results entries.
4. Update critical drivers. Open Device Manager (Windows+X > Device Manager) and look for devices with yellow warning triangles. Right-click each problematic device and select 'Update driver'. Focus especially on graphics, chipset, and network drivers. Download latest drivers directly from manufacturer websites rather than using generic Windows drivers.
5. Check power supply stability. Download and run FurMark to stress-test your graphics card while monitoring for unexpected restarts. If restarts occur during high power draw, your PSU may be failing. Check all internal power connections are secure and consider testing with a PSU tester or multimeter if available.
6. Scan for malware and corrupted files. Run a full system scan with Windows Defender or your antivirus software. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run 'sfc /scannow' to check for corrupted system files, followed by 'DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth' to repair Windows image corruption.
7. Reset BIOS to default settings. Restart your computer and press F2, F12, or Delete during startup to enter BIOS setup (key varies by manufacturer). Navigate to Exit menu and select 'Load Setup Defaults' or 'Reset to Default'. Save changes and exit. This eliminates unstable overclocking or incorrect hardware settings as the cause.