Today, a PC is still the best way to get the full gaming experience. Most gamers are PC gamers which allows them to play online multiplayer games together.
However, When a PC restarts by itself, you don’t get the chance to save your game progress. Also, you can’t’ enjoy your game if you are always thinking about the next reboot. This issue is quite frustrating, but we’ve put together a step-by-step guide on why PC restarts while gaming and how to resolve it.
Why Does My PC Restart While Gaming?
While playing games, many factors can cause the PC to restart automatically. Some of these reasons can be:
- Presence of Malware/virus on the PC.
- Graphics card incompatibility.
- Power supply unit failing to deliver sufficient power to CPU/GPU.
- Outdated game version.
- Outdated Graphics card driver.
- Misconfigured PC power settings.
- PC overheating issues.
Fixing PC Restarting Problem While Gaming
PC rebooting itself in the middle of a game can be an annoying experience that dramatically affects your gameplay, especially if this happens randomly. Our step-by-step process will help you eliminate the causes of such abnormal PC behavior.
We’ll also discuss disabling Windows automatic restart feature. So without further delay, here are the six methods to fix PC restart while gaming issues.
Method #1: Updating Graphics Card Driver
The quickest way to fix automatic restart is to update your graphics card driver:
- Click on the Start button on the desktop and go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Now click on Check for Updates and select your graphics card along with the manufacturer’s name.
- Click on the Update option next to your manufacturer’s graphics card.
Method #2: Updating the Game
If the PC restarts while playing a particular game, try updating it to its latest version. The latest patch can fix the bugs in the game, causing the PC to go haywire. If the problem persists, reinstall the game with a valid copy.
Method #3: Scanning for Malware
Viruses or malware can get into the PC software through online activities, resulting in an automatic PC restart. So, if you have antivirus software, use it to scan and get rid of the malware. Also, try updating the antivirus as well for extra protection.
Method #4: Checking Graphics Card Compatibility
In today’s day and age, PC games use strong visuals and animations and require incredible support from the system they are played on. A graphics card that can’t handle these content-rich games quickly malfunctions and leaves you stranded.
Therefore, it’s best to invest in a high-quality graphics card to get the best gaming experience.
Method #5: Checking PC Power Supply Unit
A lot of modern PC games need more than 500 watt PSU. So, maybe your PSU fails to deliver enough juice to the graphics card. Your PC can restart as a safety feature to compensate for that lack of power.
Before replacing your PSU, try to adjust your computer power settings and see if this makes a difference.
- Do a quick Right-click on the Start Menu and click on Control Panel.
- Now go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options and expand Processor power management.
- Under Minimum processor state, set the On battery and Plugged In values to 5%.
- Finally, apply the changes and exit the Power menu.
If your PC still restarts, we recommend testing your power supply unit and replacing it if needed.
Method #6: Troubleshooting PC Overheating Issues
Most computer games tend to use up a lot of CPU & GPU resources, which is why playing them for too long can cause your PC to overheat. Overheating can lead to a problem with the PC hardware or software, resulting in automatic restarts to protect itself from further damage from the heat.
The best way to monitor CPU temperature is by using software like HW monitor. It will start reading the thermal data from your CPU every time you use it. If the readings continuously blow out of proportion, either buy a CPU cooler or service your PC.
To clean your PC, open the CPU case lids and filters and use a can of compressed air to blow out the dust inside the PC, including the CPU fan. Next, use a soft toothbrush to clean the fan blades gently. Finally, clean the card slots and close the CPU case.
Your PC must have a good cooling system. Some PCs have a heat-sink fan to help cool down the CPU. However, they can still overheat due to long playing hours. Therefore, monitoring CPU temperature should be your number one priority, especially if you are playing for hours and want to avoid damage to the processor.
Turning Off the Windows Automatic Restart Feature
Apart from overheating and other issues, the restart problem can be caused by active Windows Automatic Restart settings.
To disable the setting, type View advanced system settings in the Search box. Click the Settings button in Startup and Recovery option, uncheck Automatically Restart, and press OK twice to apply the changes.
Summary
In this guide about PC restarts while gaming, we’ve discussed why you are experiencing the issue and how to prevent regular system reboots. We also discussed fixing the problem by adjusting Windows power and restart settings.
Hopefully, you have used the information provided in this guide to fix the causes of your PC restarting while gaming. Now, you can play your favorite game without worrying about your PC giving up on you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your PC hardware can malfunction due to its age and may not support the intense demand from modern games. However, you can take your PC to a repair company instead of buying a new one. They can further investigate and replace the damaged parts or upgrade them for less price than a new PC.
If you play your games for long hours, you need a stock or third-party CPU cooler. Otherwise, your PC may perform a thermal restart as CPU temperatures can shoot to dangerous levels, resulting in CPU damage.
