Why Your Laptop Restarts Automatically (Most Common Causes)
Before fixing the issue, understand why it happens:
If your laptop keeps restarting randomly, it can be frustrating and disruptive.
Overheating (most common)
Faulty RAM or loose RAM connection
Battery or power adapter issue
Corrupted Windows update
Faulty drivers
Virus or malware
PSU or motherboard issue
System automatically restarting on crash (enabled by default)
By understanding the causes, you can address the issue of a laptop that keeps restarting randomly.
Now let’s fix it step by step.
If your laptop keeps restarting randomly, follow these proven fixes.
FIX 1: Turn Off “Automatic Restart” on System Failure
This is the first and simplest fix.
Steps:
Search “Advanced System Settings”
Click Startup & Recovery – Settings
Uncheck Automatically Restart
Click OK
Now the laptop won’t restart instantly after crashing — it will show an error message you can diagnose.
FIX 2: Check for Overheating (Very Common in Old Laptops)
Overheating = automatic shutdown or restart.
Signs Your Laptop Is Overheating:
Fan always running loud
Laptop body becomes extremely hot
Restarts during gaming or heavy tasks
Laptop slows before restarting
How to Fix It:
Use compressed air to clean cooling vents
Keep laptop on a hard surface (not bed/sofa)
Apply new thermal paste (if old laptop)
Use a laptop cooling pad
If the laptop restarts only during gaming → overheating is the reason.
FIX 3: Update or Roll Back Faulty Drivers
Faulty drivers — especially GPU/Chipset — can cause restart loops.
Steps:
Right-click Start → Device Manager
Update these drivers first:
Display adapter
Network adapter
Chipset
If restart started after a driver update →
Right-click driver → Roll Back Driver
FIX 4: Run Memory Diagnostic (RAM Issues)
Faulty RAM = laptop restarts randomly, freezes, or shows blue screen.
Run RAM Test:
Press Win + R → mdsched.exe
Choose Restart and check for problems
Also check physically:
Remove RAM
Clean gold contacts
Reinsert firmly
Test with one RAM stick at a time
If the laptop works with one stick → the other is faulty.
FIX 5: Check Battery & Charger Health
If the laptop restarts when unplugged, battery is the issue.
If it restarts when plugged in, charger or power brick is the issue.
Fix:
Try another charger
Remove battery and run on charger only
Check for swelling battery
Replace battery if very old (3–5 years)
FIX 6: Scan for Malware That Forces Restart
Some malware restarts your system to avoid detection.
Do this:
Full scan with Windows Defender
Also use:
Malwarebytes
HitmanPro
Remove detected threats
After cleaning, your laptop may stop restarting.
FIX 7: Repair Corrupted System Files
Corrupt files = Windows crashes = automatic restart.
Run these commands:
1. Run SFC
sfc /scannow
2. Run DISM
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart the laptop — many users see instant improvement.
FIX 8: Undo a Faulty Windows Update
If the restarting started after a Windows update:
Steps:
Settings → Windows Update
Update History
Uninstall latest quality update
Or use:
System Restore (if enabled)
FIX 9: Check Power Settings & Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup often causes restart loops.
Turn it off:
Control Panel → Power Options
Choose what power buttons do
Uncheck Turn on fast startup
Also:
Set High Performance mode
Disable USB selective suspend
FIX 10: Last Option — BIOS Update / Reset
Outdated BIOS can cause system instability.
You can try:
Reset BIOS to default
Update BIOS from the manufacturer site
Perform BIOS update carefully — incorrect update can damage system.
FINAL TIP: When to Suspect Hardware Failure
If none of the fixes worked, the issue may be:
Faulty motherboard
Damaged power IC
Failing SSD
Loose internal connection
Burnt VRM components
A technician can diagnose hardware faults quickly.
Final Words
A laptop restarting randomly is annoying — but 90% of the time you can fix it at home with the steps above. Just follow them one by one, and you’ll easily find the real cause.
