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Windows Randomly Restarts or Auto Reboots

Windows automatic restarts can happen for various reasons, like installing operating system updates, driver or BIOS updates, applying system changes, or due to errors. These restarts are designed to keep your system up-to-date and running smoothly. This article will help you identify the causes and provide simple steps to troubleshoot and fix the shutdown problem effectively.

Why Does My Computer Keep Restarting?

There are a few reasons why your computer might automatically restart instead of shutting down:

  • Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent smooth communication between hardware components, leading to improper shutdowns.
  • Windows Updates: Pending or failed updates can keep your computer stuck in a restart loop.
  • BIOS Settings: Incorrect BIOS configurations might cause startup issues after shutdown.

How to Resolve Random Restarts in Windows

Before you start, you can also try to force shutdown your computer by holding the power button for a few seconds. Keep your computer unplugged and switched off for 5-10 minutes before you attempt to boot again.

Disabling Automatic Restart

Disabling automatic restart can help prevent reboot loops caused by a system failure during the shutdown process.

  1. Press Windows key + R, type sysdm.cpl and press Enter.
  2. Go to the Advanced tab.
  3. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
  4. Uncheck Automatically restart under System failure.
  5. Click OK and restart your computer to let the changes take effect.

If this doesn't resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.

Automatic restart enabled in Windows

Disabling Fast Startup

Fast startup feature allows your computer to startup faster after a shutdown. But sometimes, this feature may restart the system instead. Here's how to disable it:

  1. Search for Control Panel in the Start menu and open the app.
  2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  3. Click Choose what the power buttons do from the left pane.
  4. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  5. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) under Shutdown settings.
  6. Save changes and shut down your computer.

If disabling fast startup didn't help, proceed to the next step.

Fast startup option in Control Panel

Updating Drivers and BIOS

Outdated system drivers and BIOS are a common cause of shut down issues. Updating drivers and BIOS ensure compatibility with the latest operating system updates and fixes known issues. SupportAssist is Dell's automated tool that scans your Windows computer for driver and firmware updates, downloads, and installs them.

  1. Search for SupportAssist in the Start menu and open the app.
  2. On the Home tab, select Update Software.
  3. Click Start to check for driver and BIOS updates.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation and restart your computer if prompted.

If you don't have SupportAssist, refer to our driver update guide for alternative methods to download and install Dell drivers.

If updating drivers and BIOS didn't resolve the issue, proceed to the next step.

Start to check for driver updates in SupportAssist

Checking for Pending Windows Updates

Windows updates often resolve compatibility issues but can sometimes cause shutdown loops if not completed.

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update. Open Windows Update settings.
  2. Select Check for updates and install the available updates.

If updating the operating system is still causing the computer to restart automatically, proceed to the next step.

Check for updates in Windows update

Checking for Malware or Viruses

Malware of viruses in your computer may also cause Windows to reboot automatically. To scan your computer using Windows Defender:

  1. Search for Windows Security in the Start menu and open the app. Open Windows Security app.
  2. Select Windows Security and then Virus protection.
  3. Click Quick Scan to check for malware and viruses. To perform a deep scan, go to Scan options, choose Full Scan, and then click Scan now.

If the scan didn't find any issues and the reboot issue persists, proceed to the next step.

Quick scan button in Windows Security

Running Dell Hardware Diagnostics

Your computer might be experiencing shut down problems due to a hardware issue. A hardware test on your computer's memory, hard drive and other components helps isolate potential hardware issues.

Using SupportAssist

  1. Run the SupportAssist full system test. If SupportAssist isn't installed, follow the prompts to install the app if needed.
  2. SupportAssist will thoroughly scan your hardware, checking the CPU, system memory, hard drive, and more.
  3. Once the diagnostic test is complete, SupportAssist displays the results.
  4. If a hardware issue is detected, you may be guided to update drivers or contact Dell Technical Support for repair options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some answers to common questions that users often ask about automatic Windows restarts.

1. How can I stop Windows from restarting after a shutdown?

2. What is fast startup, and why should I disable it?

  • Fast startup is a Windows feature that speeds up boot times, but sometimes it can cause shutdown issues. Disabling it ensures a complete shutdown.

3. Can a virus cause my computer to restart instead of shutting down?

  • Yes, viruses or other malware can manipulate system settings. Run a full antivirus scan to eliminate threats.

4. Can I force shut down my computer?

  • Yes, but make sure you've saved all open files and documents first. Press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds. Use this as a last resort.

5. Why does my computer restart automatically after updates?

  • Certain Windows and driver updates require a restart for the changes to take effect.

6. Why is my laptop hotter after a failed shutdown?

  • A failed shutdown leaves the computer running, which generates heat.

7. What should I do if my computer won't turn back on after a forced shutdown?

  • Check the power connection and charger. Perform a power drain by disconnecting the power cable, holding the power button for 30 seconds, and then reconnecting it.

8. How do I check if the system files are corrupted?

  • Use the System File Checker (SFC) scan in Windows to check and repair corrupted system files. Here's how:
    • Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu and open the app as administrator.
    • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
    • The System File Checker will begin scanning all protected system files for integrity and repair any necessary files. The scan may take some time, and a progress percentage will be displayed.

9. What if System File Checker fails to repair corrupted files?

  • If SFC reports errors that it found corrupt files but couldn't repair them, use the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) to attempt repairs:
    • Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu and open the app as administrator.
    • Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter.
    • This command requires an internet connection as it may download files from Windows Update.
      DISM restore health command

10. What if none of these troubleshooting steps work?