Fix Windows 11 Reboot Loops: 8 Simple Solutions

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Picture this: you're sipping your coffee, ready to tackle the day, and your Windows 11 machine decides it's stuck in a seemingly eternal game of "Restart Roulette." If you're here, odds are you're experiencing the bane of every modern Windows user—a frustrating reboot loop that traps your PC in a never-ending cycle of misery. Breathe easy, my friend. Let’s break this cycle, diagnose the causes, and apply tested fixes to restore peace to your digital kingdom.

What’s Causing the Chaos? A Crash Course in Reboot Loops​

The road to solving this issue starts with understanding its culprits. A Windows 11 PC can reboot endlessly for a range of reasons:
  1. Power Supply Woes: Your hardware might be underpowered or deteriorating.
  2. Malware Mayhem: Viruses never sleep, and some can wreak havoc, causing constant restarts.
  3. Overheating Disasters: Your CPU or GPU could be crying for thermal relief.
  4. Corrupt System Files: A corrupted registry or system file might be twisting Windows’ arm.
  5. Faulty Drivers or Software: Recently added apps or drivers can destabilize your system.
  6. RAM Gaps: Memory problems can manifest via this frustrating symptom.
Now that we've figured out what might be wrong, it’s time to arm ourselves with knowledge and fix this beast.

Fixes to Escape the Reboot Loop 🚀

Below, we’ll break down eight practical fixes and sprinkle in some context about why they work.

Fix 1: Boot into Safe Mode

Safe mode is the detective hat for Windows users. It loads only the bare minimum of drivers and services, letting you identify conflicts effectively.
How to boot into Safe Mode:
  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
  2. Under the "Boot" tab, select the Safe Boot checkbox.
  3. Restart your PC, which will now boot into Safe Mode.
Locked out due to constant restarts? At the sign-in screen:
  1. Hold the Shift key, click the Power icon, and choose Restart.
  2. Follow the prompts: Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "Startup Settings".
  3. Hit F4 to boot into Safe Mode.
If the reboot loop stops in Safe Mode, rejoice! Your basic drivers and settings are fine, and the culprit lies elsewhere—like third-party software, malware, or recent updates.

Fix 2: Remove Recently Installed Software

New apps aren’t always friends. When they barge into your cozy PC world with corrupted files or buggy drivers, chaos ensues.
Steps to remove the troublemaker:
  1. Once in Safe Mode, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
  2. Sort by install date to quickly find recent additions.
  3. Uninstall suspicious software or newly added apps.
  4. Restart to see if the issue persists.
Pro tip: If uninstalling doesn’t help, try System Restore to roll back Windows to a previous point:
  1. Type “Recovery” in the Start menu and open it.
  2. Choose Open System Restore and follow the wizard to a pre-reboot-loop state.

Fix 3: Cool Things Down (Literally)

Overheating is a silent killer in the world of tech. Your GPU or CPU's thermal limit might trigger shutdowns to prevent hardware damage.

Tools to diagnose heat:​

  • Task Manager: Check the Performance tab for GPU temperature readings.
  • Third-party apps: Try programs like Core Temp, HWMonitor, or Open Hardware Monitor for detailed CPU heat monitoring.
Hot? Here’s what to do:
  • Turn off your computer and clean interior fans. Dust is likely the culprit.
  • Add extra cooling (e.g., more fans or apply fresh thermal paste to the CPU).
  • For laptops, consider cooling pads or better airflow.
Prevention is a long-term solution! Make sure your PC isn’t running in a sauna (ahem, poorly ventilated area).

Fix 4: Check the Power Supply

A flakey power supply (PSU) is like using a bad charger on your phone: annoying and hazardous. If your PSU struggles, your PC won’t run smoothly and might restart abruptly.
Signs of imminent PSU failure:
  • Random shutdowns and reboots.
  • Burning smells (this screams “urgent!”).
  • Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) related errors.
How to confirm or replace:
Desktop users can swap and test with another PSU if they suspect hardware problems. Laptop users? Better send it for professional repair or warranty service.

Fix 5: Hunt Down Viruses

Reach for antivirus software like it’s your Excalibur. Malware loves causing chaos, and constant reboots are often an indicator of infection.

How to start a scan:​

  1. Boot into Safe Mode.
  2. Use a trusted antivirus solution (Windows Defender or third-party options like TotalAV, Avast, or Malwarebytes).
  3. Complete a full system scan to weed out intruders.
Avoid reinstalling a system backup infected by malware. Scan thoroughly first.

Fix 6: Disable Automatic Restarts

Windows tries to dust itself off after every failure by rebooting. Lovely idea—until it loops itself silly. Temporarily disable auto-restarts to examine the underlying error more effectively.

Steps:​

  1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and click OK.
  2. Go to the Advanced tab > click "Settings" under Startup and Recovery.
  3. Uncheck Automatically Restart and hit OK.
Instead of rebooting, Windows will now show details of any error encountered (like a BSOD message).

Fix 7: Repair Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files might be steering Windows 11 into an abyss, but the trusty System File Checker (SFC) tool could fix them.
To run SFC:
  1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator.
  2. Type this command and press Enter: sfc /scannow.
  3. Wait—it’ll take a while.
Results are as follows:
  • If “no integrity violations” appear, system files are OK.
  • If corruption exists but isn't repairable, try running the command via Safe Mode.

Fix 8: Test for RAM Issues Using Diagnostics

Your PC’s RAM may be misbehaving, leading to instability and random reboots.

Steps to test RAM:​

  1. Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe, and hit OK.
  2. Choose Restart Now and Check for Problems.
  3. Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool will run upon reboot.
Errors often point to failing sticks of RAM—get them replaced or reseated if necessary.

The Last Resort: When Trouble Just Won’t Quit​

If the fixes above don’t break the loop, and your PC’s still throwing tantrums, consider these final steps:
  1. Reinstall Windows 11: Use a bootable USB (via Media Creation Tool) to cleanly reinstall the operating system.
  2. Seek Professional Help: No shame in handing your PC to experts if the fight feels overwhelming. Manufacturer repairs might also be under warranty.
  3. Consider a New Machine: If hardware struggles persist due to age or limitations, a shiny new PC might be the solution.

Key Takeaways​

The reboot loop issue in Windows 11 may have multiple causes, but with these eight fixes, you have a roadmap to escape the chaos. Always back up important files before undergoing major troubleshooting, and don’t shy away from reaching out for professional help if DIY fixes don’t suffice.
So, Windows warriors, what’s been your trickiest PC problem to date, and how did you overcome it? Share your tales in the comments below.

Source: Kurt the CyberGuy Does your Windows 11 PC keep restarting? Let’s fix that frustrating problem
 


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