How to Fix PC Restarts While Gaming

There you are, deep in the heart of a Call of Duty: Warzone match, the final circle closing. You spot the last opponent, your finger tenses on the mouse... and suddenly, your screen goes black. The familiar hum of your PC cuts out, followed by the jarring sound of it rebooting. Your heart sinks. Another game lost not to a better player, but to a sudden, inexplicable PC restart.This frustrating scenario is a modern-day gaming nightmare, especially on PC, where the combination of high-performance hardware and demanding software creates a perfect storm for potential issues. Whether you’re exploring the vast lands of Cyberpunk 2077, surviving in Escape from Tarkov, or building in Fortnite, an unexpected restart is more than an annoyance—it’s a progress-killer. This happens because gaming pushes your computer’s components (CPU, GPU, power supply) to their limits, exposing any underlying weaknesses or instabilities that everyday use might not reveal. But don’t rage-quit just yet. This guide is your troubleshooting manual to reclaim stability and get you back to seamless, uninterrupted gameplay.

The Culprits: Why Your Gaming PC Throws a Tantrum

Before we dive into the fixes, it helps to know what you’re fighting. A PC restarting under load is almost always a hardware protection mechanism kicking in. Here are the usual suspects, in order of likelihood:

Overheating (The #1 Cause): Your CPU or Graphics Card (GPU) has a built-in safety net. If temperatures soar beyond a critical threshold (often 90-100°C), the system will force a shutdown or restart to prevent permanent, physical damage. Dusty fans, a dried-up thermal paste application, or an inadequate cooling system are the prime culprits.

Power Supply Unit (PSU) Problems: Gaming, especially with high-end GPUs, draws a lot of power. If your PSU is underpowered (wattage too low), failing, or of poor quality, it can’t deliver stable, clean power during intense moments. This causes voltage drops or spikes that the system interprets as a critical failure, triggering a restart.

Outdated or Corrupt Drivers: Your GPU drivers are the translators between your game and your graphics card. Old or buggy drivers can cause communication breakdowns that lead to system crashes and restarts, particularly with new game updates.

Hardware Instability (Overclocking): If you’ve overclocked your CPU or GPU to squeeze out more performance, you might have pushed it a little too far. An unstable overclock might seem fine until a demanding game scene asks for more, causing a crash or restart.

Faulty or Failing Hardware (RAM): Bad sectors on your RAM (memory) can cause all sorts of strange behavior. When a game tries to use a defective portion of memory, it can lead to a fatal system error and a forced reboot.

The Quick Fix (For the Impatient Gamer)

If you want one action with the highest chance of immediate success: Update your graphics drivers. Go directly to NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin Software, or Intel Arc Control, do a clean install of the latest driver, and restart your PC. This resolves a huge number of game-related stability issues.

Your Detailed Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Plan

Follow these steps methodically. The solution is likely here.Step 1: Monitor Your Temperatures.
Download a monitoring tool like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner. Start logging your temperatures, then launch a game. Play for 10-15 minutes, then check the maximum temperatures recorded for your CPU and GPU. Anything consistently above 85°C for CPU or 90°C for GPU is a red flag for overheating.Step 2: The Great Clean-Out (Fight Overheating).
If temperatures are high, power down and unplug your PC. Open the case in a well-ventilated area. Using a can of compressed air, carefully blow out dust from CPU and GPU heatsinks, case fans, and power supply vents (hold fan blades to prevent overspinning). Ensure all case fans are spinning properly when the system runs.Step 3: Perform a "Clean" GPU Driver Installation.
Don't just update; do a clean sweep.

• Download the latest driver from your GPU manufacturer’s website.
• Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Windows Safe Mode to completely remove your current driver. (This is a crucial step old residues often cause issues).
• Reboot and install the freshly downloaded driver. Select "Custom Installation" and check the box for "Perform a clean installation."

Step 4: Test Your Power Supply (PSU).
This is trickier but vital. Listen: does your PSU make any unusual clickingor coil whine, especially during gaming? Smell: is there any faintburning or ozone odor from the PSU vent? The most direct test is totemporarily swap in a known-good, higher-wattage PSU if you have accessto one. If the restarts stop, you’ve found the villain.

Step 5: Test Your RAM for Errors.
Windows has a built-in tool. Search for "Windows Memory Diagnostic" and run it. It will restart your PC and test the RAM. For a more thorough test,download MemTest86, create a bootable USB, and let it run for at least 4 complete passes. Any errors mean faulty RAM sticks.

Step 6: Reset Any Overclocks.
Enter your BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing Del or F2 during boot). Findsettings related to CPU or RAM overclocking (like XMP, EXPO, or manualmultipliers) and disable them or load default "Optimized" settings. This returns your system to factory-specified stability. Test your game. If the restarts stop, your overclock was unstable.

Step 7: Check Windows System Files.
Corrupt system files can cause instability. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: sfc /scannow. Let it run and repair any found issues. Follow up with: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This can fix underlying Windows corruption.

Step 8: Scan for Game File Corruption.
If the issue is specific to one game (like Warzone or Apex Legends), use the game client's repair function. In Steam: Library >right-click game > Properties > Installed Files > "Verifyintegrity of game files." In Battle.net or EA App, look for a similar "Scan and Repair" option.

Alternative Solution: When All Else Fails

If the problem persists across all games and you’ve tried everything, the issue might be deeper. Consider performing a clean install of Windows. This nuclear option wipes out all software-related gremlins. Back upyour data first, create installation media from Microsoft's website, and start fresh, installing only essential drivers and your game to test.

How to Prevent Future Gaming Restarts

An ounce of prevention is worth a terabyte of cure.

• Schedule Regular Cleaning: Blow out dust from your PC every 3-6 months.
• Mind Your Environment: Place your PC in a cool, open space, not in a cramped cabinet or on thick carpet.
• Invest in Quality Power: Use a good surge protector or, better yet, an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to guard against power grid sags and spikes.
• Re-paste Your CPU/GPU: Every 2-3 years, consider replacing the thermal paste on your CPU and GPU. This can dramatically improve heat transfer.
• Buy with Headroom: When building or upgrading, choose a PSU from a reputable brand(Seasonic, Corsair, etc.) with a wattage rating at least 20-30% higherthan your estimated peak system draw.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is a restart while gaming bad for my PC?
A: The restart itself is a protective measure, so it's preventing immediate damage. However, the cause of the restart (like chronic overheating or a failing PSU) can absolutely damage components over time. It needs to be fixed.

Q2: Can a bad motherboard cause restarts?
A: Yes, though less common. Faulty voltage regulators (VRMs) on themotherboard can overheat or fail under the high load of gaming, causinginstability and restarts.

Q3: Should I just disable automatic restart in Windows?
A: No! This hides the symptom but not the disease. Instead of restarting,you’ll likely get a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with a stop code, whichis actually more helpful for diagnosis. The underlying hardware issueremains.

Q4: My PC only restarts with one specific game. What does that mean?
A: This strongly points to a game bug, corrupt game files, or a specificincompatibility with your GPU drivers. Focus on Step 8 (repair gamefiles) and Step 3 (clean driver install), and check the game's forumsfor known issues.

Q5: How do I know if my PSU is powerful enough?
A: Use an online PSU calculator (from OuterVision or be quiet!). Input all your components. The recommended wattage should be your absoluteminimum; adding a 20-30% buffer is the smart play for stability andfuture upgrades.

Get Back in the Game – For Good

Tackling a PC that restarts during gaming can feel daunting, but it’s almostalways a solvable puzzle. By working through these steps—starting withthe simple drivers and cleaning, moving to temperature and powerchecks—you’re not just applying a band-aid; you’re giving your gamingrig a full health check-up. The reward is a stable, powerful system that lets you focus on the game, not on your hardware’s drama.

Found this guide helpful? Pay it forward! Share your success story (or yourown pro tip) in the comments below to help other gamers. Stuck on aspecific step? Ask away, and our community might have the answer. Formore in-depth guides on optimizing FPS, reducing lag, and building theultimate setup, explore the rest of our site. Now, go enjoy thatcrash-free gaming session you deserve!

---

Other Articles Related

How to Calibrate Your TV for Gaming
Calibrate your TV for gaming with our step-by-step guide. Optimize response time, HDR, color, and input lag for the ultimate competitive edge and visualexperience.
How to Fix PC Blue Screen While Gaming
Stop gaming crashes! Learn step-by-step fixes for the PC blue screen (BSOD)during gameplay. Troubleshoot drivers, overheating, hardware &settings for a stable system.
How to Fix PC Restarts While Gaming
Expert tips to diagnose and fix sudden PC restarts during gaming. Learntroubleshooting steps for overheating, PSU issues, driver problems, andhardware stability.
How to Fix Game Won’t Save Progress
"Troubleshoot and fix game progress not saving with our step-by-step guide. Learn how to check settings, clear cache, fix corrupt files, and solve storageissues to prevent lost saves."
How to fix PC Fans Too Loud While Gaming
Meta description: "PC fans too loud while gaming? Learn 8 simple fixes toreduce noise & cool your PC effectively. Easy, step-by-step guidefor a quieter gaming rig."
How to Fix PC Won’t Boot After Update
Struggling with a black screen or errors after an update? Learn step-by-step fixes to get your PC booting again. From safe mode to recovery tools, we'llguide you through the solutions.
How to Fix PC Stuttering in Games
Troubled by PC stuttering in games? Our guide shows you how to fix gamestuttering & lag with step-by-step solutions for settings, hardware, & drivers.
How to Fix PC Freezing While Gaming
Expert troubleshooting guide to stop PC freezing during games. Learn quickfixes for overheating, driver issues, and hardware bottlenecks torestore smooth gameplay.
How to Fix Game Crashes on Startup
Learn effective solutions to fix game crashes on startup and enjoy seamless gaming. Troubleshoot issues 
How to Fix CPU Overheating While Gaming
Learn how to fix CPU overheating while gaming with effective coolingsolutions, proper maintenance, and system optimization tips to preventdamage and boost performance.
How to Fix Warzone Dev Error
Learn how to fix Warzone Dev Error codes quickly with effectivetroubleshooting steps for PC & console. Get back to the game fast.
How to find Krampus in Phasmophobia
Searching for Krampus in Phasmophobia? Here's how to trigger the festive yetfearsome Krampus event, find his hidden sack, and survive his punishingwrath during the Christmas season.
How to Get the Shaker in ARC Raiders
Learn step-by-step how to get the Shaker in ARC Raiders, including missiontriggers and key strategies to unlock this powerful energy weapon.
How to Get a Perfect Gift in Fortnite
Learn how to gift items in Fortnite! Step-by-step guide for gifting skins,V-Bucks & more from the Item Shop. Requirements, restrictions &tips explained.