Windows Restarting Repeatedly

Question

My computer randomly stops, gives me an error message with a QR code, & restarts repeatedly when online, but not offline. It is a brand new computer, straight out of the box, newest edition of Windows, & windows is sabotaging my work. My frustration with Windows is making me reconsider this purchase & go to Apple! How will WINDOWS fix whatever they broke?

Answer 1

Dear Jessica Kyle,

Based on your description, the issue appears to be related to a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that occurs while the device is online, accompanied by a QR code and automatic restarts. This behavior may be linked to a driver conflict, hardware instability, or a background service that activates only when connected to the internet.

To help isolate and resolve the issue, we suggest the following:

Review the QR Code and Stop Code

The QR code typically links to https://aka.ms/stopcode, which provides details about the specific error.

  If you can note the stop code (e.g., `DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION`, `MEMORY_MANAGEMENT`), it will help narrow down the root cause.
  
  **Check for Driver Updates**
  
     Open **Device Manager** and look for any devices with warning icons.
     
        Visit your laptop manufacturer’s support site to download and install the latest drivers, especially for **network adapters**, **graphics**, and **chipset**.
        
        **Disable Fast Startup**
        
           Go to **Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do**.
           
              Click **Change settings that are currently unavailable**, then uncheck **Turn on fast startup**.
              

1. Run System File Checker
   • Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: sfc /scannow
   • Follow up with: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
2. Check Reliability Monitor

Type “Reliability Monitor” in the Start menu to view a timeline of system events and crashes.

• This may reveal patterns or specific components causing instability.

1. Review Crash Dumps If you have minidump files available, we can assist in analyzing them to identify the failing module.

I hope this helps. Just kindly tick Accept Answer that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

Best regards,

Domic Vo

Answer 2

Hi Jessica Kyle,

Thank you for reaching out!

I understand this must be frustrating for you to encounter the error of Windows restarting repeatedly on a brand new computer, and I'm here to help you resolve this.

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To help us narrow down the cause and work towards a solution, please try the following initial troubleshooting steps:

1 - Scan the QR Code: Use your phone to scan it. It will take you to Microsoft’s BSOD help page. Note the stop code displayed on the screen.

2 - Check Event Viewer: Press Win + X → Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System, then look for errors that occurred at the same time as the crash.

3 - Test Network Hardware: If you’re on Wi-Fi, try using a wired Ethernet connection (or vice versa). If the crashes stop, the Wi-Fi adapter or its driver is the culprit.

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I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Please keep me informed.

Best regards,

Hendrix Vu | Microsoft Q&A Support Specialist