In some situations, the restart process is completed after a few minutes, while in others, the process may take hours.

Why is my computer restarting so long?

Here are some of the reasons why your desktop/laptop is stuck on restarting:

Problems with the background processes – The background processes can often be unresponsive or conflict with the restart process, leading to this error. Issues with driver or installed programs – If a particular driver or program is not loading or triggering errors, the computer may restart. Pending updates, which the computer is trying to install – A computer restarts to install an update, but if the process runs into a bug, the computer will enter a restart/reboot loop. Misconfigured startup settings – Issues with the startup settings or conflicting services configured to start at boot may lead to the PC getting stuck on restarting. Malfunctioning RAM – RAM is one of the most critical pieces of hardware, and problems with it can cause restart errors.

The answer to Why is my laptop taking so long to restart? can be any of the above. Why does my computer keep restarting randomly? There are several reasons why your computer keeps restarting randomly, and the most common ones are:

Overheating – A computer automatically restarts when a certain temperature (depends on the BIOS settings but usually in the 70-100 °C range) is reached to prevent damage to components, so it’s imperative that you check for overheating. Power failure or fluctuations – If the computer (desktop) doesn’t have a stable power supply, it will keep restarting randomly. Issues with the hardware – If the RAM or CPU fails, the computer will restart without any indication. A problematic app, process, or driver causing the restart – Any of the three can trigger a restart, so you will have to check for each. Bug in the installed version of the OS – Many users reported the problem after updating the OS, which arises due to a bug in the last installed version. You could either wait for a new version or revert to the previous stable release.

Why does my computer keeps restarting before Windows loads? If the computers keep restarting before Windows loads and the logo can be displayed, it’s likely a sign of hardware failure or issues with the MBR (Master Boot Record). To identify a hardware failure, verify the various components, especially the RAM and CPU, along with the connections. Besides, a corrupt BIOS is just as likely to get a Dell computer stuck on restarting.

What do I do if my PC is stuck on restarting?

Before we head to the slightly more complex solutions, let’s try a few quick methods and see if it helps fix things when the computer keeps restarting randomly.

Turn off the computer using the power button and then turn it on. In many cases, it was a one-off thing, and force restarting the computer did the trick. Remove the external peripherals connected to the computer, as these could cause a power surge or drop. Check for overheating. Often, it goes unnoticed on desktops since the CPU may not be directly visible. Find out how to reduce overheating. Make sure the CPU fan is running. You can also manually control the CPU fan and configure it to run at a higher speed for enhanced heat dissipation. Remove any overclocking if your CPU isn’t capable of withstanding the currently set voltage.

If none of these work, let’s head to the other solutions:

1. Update the outdated drivers

Similarly, update the drivers for other devices listed here. Again, there might be a driver conflict involved, so make sure to use the keyboard and mouse while the update process is underway to fix your computer if it keeps restarting randomly. Drivers that belong to different hardware might enter into a conflict state, and that might cause the restart freeze issue, which can be done either manually, or with the help of third-party software.

2. Reinstall the corrupt drivers

Once done, verify whether the computer keeps restarting randomly or the problem is fixed. In case it’s the former, head to the following method. Disclaimer: this program needs to be upgraded from the free version in order to perform some specific actions.

3. Disable startup apps

While disabling startup apps, keep two things in mind. First, disable all third-party apps that appear in the list. Second, if any critical program or process is listed and enabled, keep it that way. This should fix the Windows 10 is stuck on restarting issue.

4. Check the RAM

A problematic RAM can often cause the computer is stuck on restarting screen problem, and the underlying cause here could be related to either hardware or software. So first, turn off the computer, remove all the memory sticks, clean them gently to remove any carbon deposits, and then reseat them firmly. Run the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostics tool if this doesn’t solve things. It helps identify issues with the RAM and automatically fixes things. SPONSORED For a more detailed investigation of RAM issues, you could run Memtest86+, an open-source tool that runs many tests on the memory sticks, even individually, and lists each problem. If the RAM is faulty, replacing it should get things running if the computer keeps restarting randomly.

5. Restart the stuck update

If the computer is stuck restarting during/after update, reinitiating the process should do the trick.

6. Run the troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, enter Control Panel in it, and then click on OK.

  2. Click on the View by dropdown menu and select Large icons from the list.

  3. Choose Troubleshooting.

  4. Select View all from the left.

  5. Click on System Maintenance.

  6. Follow the other on-screen prompts to complete the process.

  7. Once done, verify if the computer keeps restarting randomly. If yes, try the next solution.

If your computer is stuck restarting, you should try using the Windows Troubleshooter. All Windows PCs have a built-in Troubleshooter that can detect and fix problems on your PC and it’s likely to solve your problem.

7. Update the BIOS

If nothing so far has worked, and the Dell/HP/etc.. laptop is stuck on restarting, you should update the BIOS. This is an intricate and critical process, so we recommend you practice extra caution and follow the steps as it is. For more help updating the BIOS, read the instructions on the OEM’s website. The methods listed above should fix things when the computer keeps restarting randomly. Also, you may try reinstalling Windows if you are sure it’s a software-related issue. Besides, find out how to boost a Windows PC’s performance. If you know other troubleshooting solutions that might address this issue, share them with our readers in the comments below.

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