When your computer gets stuck on the restarting screen, it can be frustrating. This problem is common and can be caused by anything from software updates to hardware issues. If you are dealing with a computer that won’t stop restarting, this guide will show you several ways to fix it.
We’ll cover everything from quick fixes like force shutdowns to more detailed solutions like system restores. Let’s find out how to get your computer running smoothly again.
Causes of Computer Stuck Restarting
There are several reasons why your PC might randomly restart:
- Overheating: If your computer gets too hot, usually between 70-100 °C, it automatically restarts to avoid any damage.
- Recent Windows Update: If you’ve updated your Windows operating system to a newer version, it might not be fully compatible with your computer, causing issues when restarting.
- Conflicts with Windows Update Files: Sometimes, your computer tries to install new updates while also updating old files. This can cause problems and make your computer get stuck while restarting.
- External Devices: Devices and cables connected to your computer might interfere with its ability to restart smoothly.
Best Ways to Fix a Computer Stuck Restarting
Here are the Best Ways to Fix a Computer stuck restarting:
Method 1 – Force Shutdown
If your computer keeps restarting on its own, a quick solution is to forcefully shut it down. Simply press and hold the power button for at least 6 seconds until you notice the fan has stopped. Then turn your computer back on.
This should stop the continuous restarts. If you have a desktop, you can also unplug the power cable after shutting it down. Wait for about 10 seconds before plugging it back in and turning the computer on again.
Method 2 – Check the CPU
Sometimes, your computer’s CPU can overheat without you noticing. If your computer is stuck in a restart loop, try checking the CPU fan to make sure it’s not too hot. Adjust the fan settings yourself and remove any programs that increase the CPU speed. Then, restart your computer. This should fix the problem.
If this simple fix does not work. There are other more detailed steps you can take to solve the issue. Just try them one at a time to find the one that works.
Method 3: Turn off Allperipheral and Restart the Computer
Sometimes, devices like USB drives, external hard drives, smartphones, or even keyboards and mice connected to your PC can cause restart issues. To check if this is the problem, first, shut down your computer forcefully.
Then, unplug all these devices. After that, turn your computer back on. If it starts up smoothly without restarting on its own, reconnect each device one by one. This way, you can figure out which device is causing the trouble.
Method 4 – Remove the Problematic Driver and Reinstall it
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open Device Manager.
Step 3: Look for any device marked with a yellow exclamation point. Right-click on it and choose Uninstall device.
Step 4: Confirm you want to uninstall it, then restart your computer. This should fix the issue.
Method 5 – Update Outdated Driver
When other solutions don’t work, updating old drivers is often the next step, as outdated drivers can cause Windows to get stuck on the restart screen. Here’s how to update them:
Step 1: Press Windows + X to open the Quick menu.
Step 2: Choose Device Manager from the list.
Step 3: Double-click on a category to see the devices.
Step 4: Right-click on a driver that might be old or causing problems.
Step 5: Click Update driver.
Step 6: Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will search for the newest driver that works with your device.
Step 7: Follow the instructions on your screen to update the driver.
Step 8: Do the same for any other drivers that are out of date.
Updating drivers manually can take a lot of time. To make it easier, you might want to use a tool like Advanced Driver Updater. This program scans your computer for old drivers and allows you to update them with just one click. Here’s how to use it:
Easy Way to Keep Drivers Updated:
- Download and install Advanced Driver Updater.
- Open the program and click Start Scan Now to find old drivers.
- After the scan, look at the results and update the drivers.
- If you’re using the free version, you can update drivers one by one. If you have the full version, you can update all your drivers at once. Full-version users also get a 60-day money-back guarantee and customer support.
- To update drivers, click Update Driver for individual updates or Update All if you’re a registered user.
- Restart your computer to make sure the updates take effect. This should solve the problem.
Method 6 – Start System File Checker and DISM
Sometimes your computer gets stuck restarting because of corrupted system files or disk issues. Here’s how you can fix this:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter. Wait for it to complete:
sfc /scannow
Step 3: After it finishes, type this next command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /restorehealth
Step 4: Let the command run until it’s done.
These commands check for damaged files and try to repair them, which can solve the problem of Windows getting stuck while restarting.
Method 7: Run the built-in Windows Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in tool that helps fix problems with hardware and software automatically. To address the restart loop issue, you can use this troubleshooter by following these steps:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type Control Panel and click Ok.
- Change the view to Large icons.
- Click on Troubleshooting.
- From the left pane, click on View All and then select System Maintenance from the next window.
- Follow the instructions that appear on your screen to complete the process.
- After finishing, restart your computer. This should resolve the issue with random restarts.
Method 8 – Update Windows
Sometimes, Windows might seem up-to-date but could be stuck with updates, leading to a restart loop. Here’s how to fix it:
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
Step 2: Type cmd and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open the Command Prompt with administrator rights.
Step 3: If a User Account Control window pops up, click Yes to proceed.
Step 4: In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
net stop wuauserv
Step 5: Then enter these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each one:
cd %systemroot%
ren SoftwareDistribution SD.old
net start wuauserv
This process restarts the Windows update service and should resolve the issue.
Method 9: Disable the Fast Startup
Fast Startup is designed to help your computer start quickly after shutting down, but sometimes it can cause problems when restarting. To see if it’s the issue, try turning it off by following these steps:
1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2: Type Control Panel and click Ok.
3: Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Change what the power buttons do.
4: Click Change settings that are currently available.
5: Uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended) and then click Save Changes.
Also, consider turning off unnecessary third-party apps that run in the background:
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Del.
- Click the Startup Apps tab on the left.
- Look for apps that are enabled. Select each one and click Disable.
While doing this, be careful not to disable processes you are unfamiliar with, as this could cause other issues.
Method 10 – Stop Unresponsive Processes
Sometimes, processes running in the background can become unresponsive and cause Windows to keep restarting. Here’s how to fix this:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Del to open the Task Manager.
- Go to the Processes tab.
- Find any processes that aren’t responding. Right-click on them and choose End task.
Method 11– Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot stops unnecessary programs from running at startup, which might fix the restart issue. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Step 2: Type msconfig and hit Enter.
Step 3: Go to the Services tab.
Step 4: Select Hide all Microsoft services to see only third-party services.
Step 5: Uncheck all third-party services, then click Apply and OK.
Step 6: Restart your computer to see if the problem is resolved. If it is, a third-party application or an outdated driver was likely causing the issue.
Step 7: You should remove the problematic application and update the driver to prevent future issues.
Method 12 – Perform System Restore
System Restore is a feature that lets you return your computer to a previous state when it is working correctly. To use System Restore, follow these steps:
- Press Windows + S and type System Restore.
- Click on System Restore and then choose a restore point (select a date when your computer was functioning well).
- Follow the instructions shown on your screen and complete the process.
- After finishing, restart your computer to see if the problem has been resolved.
Conclusion
We hope the steps provided help fix your computer’s restart issues. To prevent these problems in the future, keep your drivers updated.
You can use a tool like Advanced Driver Updater to schedule driver scans, backup your drivers, and avoid incompatible updates. If you have other solutions that can help fix this issue, please share them with us in the comments section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do if the PC Gets Stuck after Restart?
If your PC keeps freezing after restarting, here’s what you can do:
Reboot your computer in safe mode by repeatedly pressing the F8 key as it starts up. This will allow you to troubleshoot further.
Why Does my Computer Restart by Itself?
Your computer might restart because it’s too hot, there’s a problem with an update, or there’s a hardware conflict. Checking for these issues might help you figure out why it’s happening.
Can a Hot Computer Cause Restarts?
Yes, if your computer gets too hot, it might restart to protect itself. Make sure it’s not covered and that the fans are working right to keep it cool.
Why Does my Mac Show a Progress Bar and Restart Repeatedly?
Your Mac might be trying to fix a disk problem or finish an update. If it keeps happening, use Recovery Mode to check the disk or reinstall the operating system. Start Recovery Mode by holding Command + R when you turn on your Mac.
How Do I Fix my Computer from Continuously Restarting?
Here’s how to stop your computer from continuously restarting:
- Right-click on the Start menu and select “System.”
- Choose “Advanced System Settings.”
- In the “Startup and Recovery” section, click on “Settings.”
- Find and uncheck the box next to “Automatically restart.”
- Click “OK” and then “Apply” to save the changes.
