pc randomly restarts when playing games

Question

When i am playing games on my pc my monitors will randomly go black and then my pc restarts. This doesn't happen very often but when it does it is very annoying. There is also no error message or warning that this will happen.

Answer 1

my gpu and cpu rarely go above 85 and even when they do my game doesn't crash or restart my pc. I just recently got and installed a new psu into my pc and there is no signs of that being related to the restarts. i have the newest nvidia drivers and i do not overclock. i used furmark for about 15 mins and it did not restart my pc or crash. Also on furmark ruinning it on 4k 8x MSAA my temps did not go above 70. i updated my bios a few months ago, or should i update them again? i cant replicate the problem so it is hard to test what will crash it.

Answer 2

Hello Puggy54

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

The random black screens and restarts during gaming are typically caused by hardware or software instability. Here's a step-by-step guide to diagnose and resolve the issue:

1. Check for Overheating

• Why: Overheating components (CPU/GPU) trigger automatic shutdowns to prevent damage.
• How:
  • Use HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or similar software to monitor temperatures while gaming.
  • Safe max temps: CPU ≤ 90°C, GPU ≤ 85°C.
  • Fix: Clean dust from fans/radiators, reapply thermal paste, or improve case airflow.

2. Power Supply Unit (PSU) Issues

• Why: An insufficient, aging, or faulty PSU can’t handle peak power demands during gaming.
• Check:
  • Ensure your PSU meets the wattage requirements of your GPU/CPU.
  • Test with a higher-wattage, known-good PSU if possible.
  • Listen for coil whine or unusual noises from the PSU.

3. GPU Driver/Software Issues

• Why: Corrupted or outdated drivers can cause crashes.
• Fix:
  • Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode to remove GPU drivers.
  • Install the latest drivers from NVIDIA/AMD/Intel’s official site.
  • Disable overclocking tools (e.g., Afterburner) temporarily.

4. Test Hardware Stability

• GPU Stress Test: Run FurMark or Heaven Benchmark to check for crashes/artifacts.
• RAM Test: Use MemTest86 for 4+ passes to rule out memory errors.
• CPU Test: Use Prime95 or Cinebench to stress-test the CPU.

5. Windows/Software Checks

• Event Viewer: Check for critical errors (e.g., Kernel-Power 41) around the crash time.
  • Press Win + X → Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System.
• System File Checker:
  • Open Command Prompt as admin and run:
• Disable Overclocking: Reset BIOS to default settings if CPU/GPU/RAM is overclocked.

Disclaimer: If you are going to modify BIOS Settings, please back up all your personal files first to ensure you do not lose data.  

6. Update Firmware/BIOS

• Outdated motherboard BIOS can cause instability with newer hardware.
• Check your motherboard manufacturer’s site for updates (caution: BIOS updates carry risks).

7. Physical Hardware Checks

• Reseat Components: Unplug and reconnect GPU, RAM, and PSU cables.
• Test with Minimal Hardware: Remove non-essential components (e.g., extra RAM sticks, peripherals) to isolate the issue.

If the issue persists, we recommend you Consult a technician if you suspect motherboard or capacitor issues.

Let me know your findings after testing these steps!

Best Regards,

William.Y | Microsoft Community Support Specialist