Is your Windows 11 PC frequently restarting? Let's resolve this annoying issue.
If your Windows 11 PC restarts automatically, don't worry, we have these 8 solutions.
A Windows 11 boot loop can be extremely frustrating, causing your computer to become unproductive as it repeatedly restarts without loading the login screen. This is a critical technical issue that requires immediate attention.
The Windows 11 boot loop issue can be caused by several factors. Therefore, how can we diagnose and resolve it to restore your computer's functionality and enable you to resume work?
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What causes a Windows 11 PC to keep restarting?
A Windows 11 PC can get stuck in a reboot loop due to various reasons such as power supply issues, malware infection, overheating, or faulty hardware drivers. To resolve this issue, you can check for these possible causes and take the necessary steps to fix them.
Fix #1 - Boot your PC in safe mode
To determine if the default Windows 11 settings and drivers are causing the issue with your PC, you should boot your computer in safe mode. If your PC is in safe mode and no longer experiences the restart loop, this means that the problem is not related to the default settings and drivers. This allows you to focus on other potential sources of the issue, making it easier to troubleshoot. To boot in safe mode, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time
- Type msconfig in the box
- Press OK
- Under Boot Options, click the Safe Boot checkbox
If your computer is restarting and making it difficult to follow these steps, you can also follow them at the sign-in screen.
- Hold the Shift key while clicking the Power icon
- Select Restart
- Your PC will restart
- After your PC restarts, you will be presented with a Choose option; click it.
- Select Advanced Options
- Select Startup Settings
Upon restarting your PC, you will be presented with a list of options. Choose 4 or F4 to start your PC in safe mode. If you require internet access while in safe mode, select option 5 or press F5.
Fix #2 - Remove any new software
If your PC is automatically restarting after installing a new app, uninstall the app and observe your PC. If the problem persists, it's possible that the app has corrupted your system settings. To resolve this issue, you must restore the system. To perform a system restore, follow these steps: first, restart your PC in safe mode, and then follow the steps.
- Open the Control Panel
- Search the Control Panel for Recovery
- Select Recovery
- Choose Open System Restore
- Click Next
- Your computer will automatically restart after you click on your hard drive and select finish.
Fix #3 - Make sure your computer isn't overheating
An overheating laptop or desktop may automatically shut down to protect critical hardware components, which can cause a Windows 11 PC to get stuck in a restart loop. If you notice your desktop or laptop is producing more heat than usual or feeling hot to the touch, you may have an overheating issue.
To monitor the temperatures of your CPU and GPU in Windows 11, you don't need any additional software as some temperature readings are built-in. Here's how to check your hardware temperatures:
- Open the Task Manager
- Click the second tile, Performance, on the left-hand side of your screen
- You can check your GPU temperature by clicking on it.
To check your CPU temperature without installing any additional software, you can manually go into the UEFI/BIOS. Alternatively, there are many free-to-use apps developed by manufacturers to measure your CPU temperature, such as Core Temp, HWMonitor, or Open Hardware Monitor.
Viewing your PC's stats, including CPU and GPU temperatures and loads, is possible when you open one of the monitoring tools. If your CPU or GPU is running too hot, cleaning the components can help remove dust. For custom-built desktops, adding more exhaust fans to the case can improve airflow and cooling. Persistent overheating, especially in older laptops, may indicate that it's time to consider upgrading your machine.
Fix #4 - Check for issues with your PC's power supply
If your computer won't restart or turn on, it could be due to a failing power supply unit (PSU). A faulty power supply can cause a blue screen of death error, shut-offs, and restart loops. In severe cases, you might even smell a burning scent or witness smoke coming from your PC's power supply exhaust vent. If you have a laptop with PSU issues, you cannot send your computer to a repair shop or the manufacturer for repair.
If you own a desktop PC, you can easily modify it if you have a pre-built PC. To check if dust build-up is affecting your PSU, turn off and unplug your computer before opening the case. If your PSU fails, you need to buy and install a new one.
Fix #5 - Scan your PC for viruses
Other viruses and malware frequently cause a PC to crash or restart repeatedly. The simplest solution is to use robust antivirus software. Discover my top 2025 antivirus protection options for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
To run an antivirus application on a PC that is stuck rebooting and won't start in normal mode, you may need to boot in safe mode. Here's how to do it with Windows 11.
- Press and hold the Shift key at the sign-in screen when your computer restarts.
- Click Power
- Click Restart
After booting in safe mode, your computer will become more stable, enabling you to perform an antivirus scan.
Fix #6 - Disable automatic restart
To disable automatic restart in Windows 11, follow these steps: 1. Open the Windows 11 command prompt. 2. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and press Enter. 3. Identify the device that is causing the system failure. 4. Type "powercfg /deviceenablewake [device name]" and press Enter to enable the device. 5. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and press Enter to confirm that the device is now enabled. 6. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and press Enter to confirm that the device is now enabled. 7. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and press Enter to confirm that the device is now enabled. 8. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and press Enter to confirm that the device is now enabled. 9. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and press Enter to confirm that the device is now enabled. 10. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and press Enter to confirm that the device is now enabled. 11. Type "powercfg /devicequery wake_armed" and
- Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard
- Type sysdm.cpl and click OK
- Select the Advanced tab
- Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings
- Under System Failure, uncheck the box Automatically restart
- Click OK
Disabling automatic restarts will prevent the restart loop problem.
Fix #7 - Repair your system files
Your PC keeps restarting due to an issue with your Windows 11 system files. If you suspect a corrupted system file is the cause, you can easily fix it using the Windows Powershell's System File Checker (SFC). This built-in tool will scan your system files for corruption or any other changes and automatically replace any modified files with the correct version. To run the SFC command, follow these steps.
- Open the Windows Powershell (or Command Prompt)
- Type in sfc /scannow
- Press Enter
- Rewritten sentence: Please provide me with the new version of the sentence.
If your Windows system files are intact, a message will appear after the scan stating, "Windows Resource Protection did not detect any integrity breaches." However, if the message says, "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to repair some of them," you should attempt to run SFC again in safe mode.
Fix #8 - Check for RAM issues in the command prompt
Your PC may restart itself due to insufficient RAM, which can cause instability in Windows 11. To check for RAM-related issues, use the built-in Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 11. Here's how to do it:
- Press the Windows Key and R
- Type mdsched.exe in the text box
- Click OK
- Select Restart Now and Check for Problems
The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool will check for RAM-related issues upon PC restart. If an error is detected, record the error code for reference and fix it online.
Kurt's key takeaways
If your Windows 11 PC is constantly restarting despite performing fixes at home, it may be best to send it to a repair shop or back to the manufacturer. If you are also experiencing a system slowdown and random restarting, it may be time to invest in a new laptop. However, I would recommend trying to fix the problem first before buying a new machine.
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