Why Does a Computer Keep Rebooting Itself

A frequently rebooting computer can really be a frustrating experience for anyone. Common factors that cause this problem are,

• Issues with software
• Hardware malfunction
• Computer virus

Software-related issues can cause the computer to restart frequently. To check if a faulty/corrupt software is the cause, try to run the computer in 'Safe Mode'.

If your computer keeps rebooting itself, the chances of an issue with the software are remote. On the other hand, if your computer does not reboot in the 'Safe Mode', then the problem is with the software.

As the issue is related to the software, we recommend that you take the help of a programmer/technician to fix this issue.

A hardware malfunction is one of the most common reasons which leads to automatic rebooting. If you have recently added a hardware device, you need to disconnect it to check whether it is causing the computer to restart.

Also, ensure that all the cables and power sources are properly connected to the computer. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause the computer to reboot over and over again. The possibility of the RAM being the culprit is remote, as with a faulty RAM (Random-Access Memory), the computer ceases to start, or shows a blank screen.

To ensure that there is no hardware conflict in the computer, follow the path mentioned below.

Start → Search → Device Manager → Press Enter

Alternatively, you can go to the 'Device Manager' through the following path,

Start → Control Panel → Administrative Tools → Computer Management → Device manager

'Device Manager' will list all the hardware attached to the computer. A device which is not properly connected to the computer, will have one of the following against its name:

1. A yellow exclamation mark or 'Other Devices'
2. A red 'X' symbol
3. Down arrow

A yellow exclamation indicates that a device is not compatible with other hardware devices, or its drivers have not been installed. To rectify this, delete all such devices which have a yellow exclamation mark against their name, or which fall under 'Other Devices'.

Restart the computer and check if these devices have been detected by the Operating System (OS). If the problem persists, you need to download the latest drivers for these devices. You can download the drivers from the manufacturer's website.

A red 'X' symbolizes that the either the device has been removed, or the operating system is unable to detect it. Troubleshooting involves 'enabling' the device from the 'Device Manager' tool, and restarting the computer to check if the OS is now able to detect the device. If the device still remains undetected, you need to download the latest drivers.

Devices with a down arrow against their name indicate that the devices have been disabled. They can easily be enabled through the 'Device Manager' tool.

To check if your computer is rebooting continuously because of 'bad memory', you need to run a scan. Windows OS is equipped with 'Windows Memory Diagnostics', which runs a memory test on the computer. You can open this tool by following the path mentioned below:

Start → Control Panel → Administrative Tools → Memory Diagnostics Tool
Computer Virus

Another reason for the continuous rebooting of a computer can be a virus attack. It can be a possibility that the virus has tampered with your OS settings and system files.

A particular type of computer virus, known as'bar311.exe', is known to cause a frequent rebooting problem. You can detect the presence of this virus by the path mentioned below.

Start → Run → Type 'cmd' (without quotes) → Hit Enter

If your computer restarts, this virus is present in your system. It might have entered your system because of a weak, outdated antivirus software. You can remove the virus by upgrading to the latest version of the antivirus software, and running a complete scan. An updated antivirus program will also protect your system from any future invasion of viruses.

Overheating is another reason which can cause a computer to reboot on its own. The hard disk, and the processors are the components of a computer which are particularly prone to overheating. To address this issue, check whether the cooling system, and the power source of the computer is working properly.

These were some of the common causes that can cause a computer to reboot itself continuously. In the end, we would like to say that proper hardware maintenance and updated antivirus software can go a long way in preventing automatic rebooting and other issues in a computer.