I'm at my wits' end with my PC shutting down unexpectedly at certain times. It seems to happen on specific websites and during certain parts of games, almost like the computer decides when it wants to restart. I can leave it running for hours, but as soon as I try to access these problem areas, it shuts off. I've been troubleshooting, and I suspect I need to change my BIOS battery, but I'm not convinced that's the root of the issue. I've also tried swapping out the RAM, and it didn't help. Just to clarify, overheating isn't the issue either.
5 Answers
It sounds frustrating! Have you considered that a fresh install of Windows might help? Sometimes, software issues can cause weird shutdowns. Do you get any error messages or blue screens before it restarts?
I tried reinstalling Windows multiple times, but no luck.
You mentioned needing a new BIOS battery—those can definitely cause some hiccups. It's worth replacing and then testing again to see if the issues persist. Let us know how it goes!
I’ll replace it and follow up. Thanks!
Isn't it possible that the BIOS battery wouldn't affect the system once it’s booted up? Shouldn’t everything load into RAM by then?
Had a similar issue with bad RAM. You might want to check if the shutdowns happen during memory-intensive tasks. Try running the Windows memory diagnostics. Just hit Win + R and enter 'MDSCHED' to schedule a scan. If it detects an issue, it could point to faulty memory.
I’m honestly not sure if those websites or game parts are demanding a lot of memory, but I’ll check and run the diagnostic. Thanks for the tip!
I ran the test and it didn’t find any issues with the memory.
Could be a failing CPU too! Have you monitored your CPU temps? If you're overclocking, that could lead to stability issues as well. Disabling any overclock settings and running your system at stock speeds might help you isolate the problem.
Also, make sure to check for any firmware updates for your SSD, as some recent models can cause weird issues like random shutdowns. Plus, consider the possibility of power supply problems if you keep experiencing these sudden blackouts.
I don't get any error messages—it just goes black and reboots. Sometimes I do see "automatic repair" pop up after it restarts a few times.