Windows 10 infrequently randomly rebooting itself with no warning

Question

Windows 10 infrequently randomly rebooting itself with no warning

Anonymous

I've been having issues with my desktop PC (Windows 10) randomly restarting itself with no warning since August now. The computer is about 2 and a half years old, and this issue has never occurred before since, nor on any other computers I've owned over the past two decades. The screen will simply go black, and the computer restarts itself back to the lock screen. No blue screen or anything. When I log in, I don't get any indication or warning that Windows was shut down incorrectly, but in event viewer I notice "critical error 41" every time, as well as error 6008. Sadly, there aren't really any other logs preceding the reboot, never mind logs that could point to what the cause is. I've also noticed that it seems to fail to create dump files every time.

This has only happened so far when the computer has been left idle, it hasn't occurred while I've been actively using it. It hasn't happened too frequently, only about 3-4 times since August, but it's happened enough now that I'm starting to get worried there may be something wrong with it, and/or that this may end up happening while I'm in the middle of doing something important.

I've disabled "automatic restart after a system error" a few days ago after the latest random reboot. I've also disabled fast startup. I've downloaded Speccy and Core Temp to check the temperature of the computer, but it never really seems to exceed much more than 65c even during intensive tasks, and is generally around 30-40c when idle or just browsing the web. Unfortunately I'm not too knowledgeable with computers, and I'm not quite sure what else I can do to narrow down this issue, or what other information I should provide that could be useful in resolving this.

If anyone could help, it'd be much appreciated.

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Answer 1

Hi Uralowl. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator here to help you.

Keep Core temp in the System tray with Overheat Protection set to Hibernate if it gets above the Max temp it will calculate for your processor:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/core-temp-monito...

Blow the dust out and investigate replacing the heat sink thermal paste if it goes over Max.

See fixes here for Windows 10 random restarts:

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-computer...

https://troubleshooter.xyz/wiki/fix-computer-re...

https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/fix-computer-r...

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-wind...

Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

Test the RAM overnight to stress it with the best bootable test memtest86, following this guide:

https://www.wikihow.com/Test-PC-RAM-with-MemTest86

Run Crucial System Scanner to check the RAM is properly spec'd and configured: https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner?cm...

Test the hard drive or SSD with diagnostics:

https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...

https://mashtips.com/ssd-health-test-and-perfor...

HP and Dell have hardware diagnostics triggered by tapping the ESC or F12 keys respectively as you power on.

Best is to use the HDD/SSD manufacturer's own if there is one, otherwise use Seatools bootable long test: http://blog.nowherelan.com/2013/04/04/boot-seat...

Follow this up with a full Disk Check from the Command Prompt in Repair Mode or from bootable media: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri... if necessary from the Command Prompt at boot: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc...

If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

But remember that in Windows 10 everything depends upon the quality of the install, and Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider now or later doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is also an automated Fresh Start that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

Anonymous

I got the same problem.

Thermal problem is negative.
Bios is up to date.
Memory and HDD is checked ok.
New power supply (just in case) did not help.
installed all possible Updates from MS (1909) and Nvidia.

The only thing i did not do so far is to re-install windows...

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Answer 3

I've heard some people say this could be due to a duplicate sound driver. I did check but my computer only sees one.

Only other thing I could think of is that my HDD has been on red for quite some time now. It's not that low on storage, it was at about 150gb free of 1.79tb. I backed up a few things I didn't need any more to an external HDD and deleted them from my computer's HDD, and I now have 197gb free and it's in the blue again. I have no idea if it's even related though.

I decided to check my event viewer again, and noticed that the event details for critical error 41 were:

BugcheckCode 10

BugcheckParameter1 0xfffff80b9864e180

BugcheckParameter2 0x0

BugcheckParameter3 0x0

BugcheckParameter4 0x0

SleepInProgress 0

PowerButtonTimestamp 0

BootAppStatus 0

Checkpoint 41

SystemSleepTransitionsToOn 2

CsEntryScenarioInstanceId 0

BugcheckInfoFromEFI true

CheckpointStatus 0

It's the same every time, the only thing that every changes is the "SystemSleepTransitionsToOn". I don't know if that information will help anyone in understanding what my issue is, I did try searching myself but I'm not that tech savy and can't really find anything on this.

Answer 4

"Can't find anything else that might have changed either, I'm not finding any new programs that have been installed recently such as "Pokki". My computer did restart for an update just yesterday (cumulative update for windows 10 version 1903 for x64 based systems (KB4551762)). I'm unsure if that's related at all, nothing else has changed, and I've even mostly been keeping the PC in sleep nowadays when not in use for a prolonged period."

That's terribly frustrating.

I'm not tech savvy but I did have the same problem AGAIN after posting the above update at 8:51 p.m. And again, it was the Norton program! I did a very deep search in the c: drive and unbelievably found around 163 shortcut files and the Installer!

Interestingly, too my computer restarted for the same update as yours, but its been fine since discovering those final Norton files - the hint was the pop-up of the yellow icon on the desktop moments before it restarted.

Perhaps there may have been programs you've already removed in the recent past but some sort of hidden installer remains?

Anyways, good luck with that - this is a super annoying issue for sure and you've got my sympathies!

Answer 5

I was having this same problem: random restarts. It was particularly noticeable last night and today. I updated my Real Player and accidentally accepted Norton Anti-Virus trial download. I got rid of that but that's when all the random restarts began.

I noticed something called Start Menu by Pokki, which was installed recently (last month or so). I quickly uninstalled, and waiting to see what happens in the next few minutes/hours.

Maybe that's something that got installed in yours as well?

UPDATE: 8:51 pm

The Norton Anti-Virus Icon suddenly popped up again, so I went to Program Files(x86) and lo and behold, I found a folder which I promptly deleted.

Let's hope this was the cure!

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Windows 10 infrequently randomly rebooting itself with no warning

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