Troubleshoot Windows 11: Fix Endless Reboot Loop with These 8 Solutions

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Picture this: you’re finally ready to tackle that mountain of work, or maybe kick back with a streaming marathon. You power up your PC, and then—bam! It restarts. Then it restarts again. And again. Frustration doesn’t begin to cover it when your Windows 11 device is trapped in an endless reboot loop. But before you launch your keyboard out the window, let’s break this down and restore some sanity to your computing life.
If your PC is rebooting like a hyperactive child on a trampoline, the underlying causes can vary. Overheating, faulty drivers, malware, power supply issues, or even corrupted system files could be at play. Whatever’s driving your PC bonkers, a little troubleshooting magic can usually bring peace back to your digital sanctuary. Let’s turn the chaos into calm with eight expert fixes tailored for this issue.

1. Boot Your PC in Safe Mode

Sometimes, your PC just needs a simpler environment to figure its life out. Safe Mode strips down your system to its essentials, running only critical drivers and settings. If the reboot loop disappears in Safe Mode, congratulations—now you know there’s a software or driver issue to solve.

How to Boot in Safe Mode:

  • Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
  • Under the "Boot" tab, check the Safe Boot option and restart.
If you’re stuck in a loop and can’t get to the desktop:
  1. At the login screen, hold the Shift key while clicking the Power icon, then select Restart.
  2. From the restart menu, select Startup Settings > Safe Mode (Option 4 for regular Safe Mode, or Option 5 if you need networking).
In Safe Mode, your PC becomes a simpler, tamer beast—perfect for narrowing down issues.

2. Remove Recent Software

Did you recently install an app or driver just before your PC started playing the restart game? That could be your culprit. Some poorly made software (or malware masquerading as software) throws entire systems into chaos.

How to Uninstall Problematic Software:

  1. Boot into Safe Mode (see above).
  2. Open the Control Panel.
  3. Navigate to Programs > Uninstall a Program.
  4. Find and uninstall the most recently installed programs.
Still no luck? Perform a System Restore by:
  • Entering the Control Panel, selecting Recovery > Open System Restore, and rolling back to a point before the trouble started. It’s like a time machine for your PC’s sanity.

3. Check for Overheating

If your PC feels like a stovetop burner, overheating may be tripping automatic restarts to save its components. Thanks to power-hungry CPUs and GPUs, this is a common issue, especially in older laptops or poorly ventilated desktops.

How to Monitor Temps in Windows 11:

  1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
  2. Click Performance on the left-hand menu.
  3. Look at the GPU temperature (CPU temps require third-party tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp).
If things are heating up:
  • Dust out your fans and vents (carefully!).
  • Consider adding cooling solutions, like case fans or even upgrading your thermal paste.
Persistently hot machines may signal that it’s time for an upgrade. Yes, even PCs have expiration dates.

4. Investigate the Power Supply (PSU)

The unsung hero (or villain) of your PC’s hardware, the power supply can cause all sorts of mischief when it begins to fail. A faulty PSU might lead to random restarts or worse—blue screens and outright shutdowns.

Symptoms of a Dying Power Supply:

  • Burnt smells (never a good sign).
  • Unstable power surges.
  • Restarts happening only when running demanding apps or games.
Desktop users: Check for dust build-up in your PSU. If it’s fried, you’ll need to replace it with a compatible unit. Laptop users: This isn’t exactly DIY-friendly, so calling a manufacturer or repair shop might be your best bet.

5. Run an Antivirus Scan

Malware loves to ruin a good day by hijacking system processes and enacting reboot loops. A solid antivirus tool can sweep your system for intruders.

Steps to Scan in Safe Mode:

  1. Boot your PC in Safe Mode.
  2. Run your antivirus program and perform a Full Scan. If you don’t already use antivirus software, it’s time to grab a trusted solution like Bitdefender or Avira.
Remember, prevention is the best cure. Keep that Windows Defender (Windows Security) on point or invest in third-party antivirus software to secure your system.

6. Disable Automatic Restarts

Automatic restart settings trigger whenever your PC encounters a system error. Convenient? Maybe. Annoying when you’re trying to troubleshoot? Most definitely. Disable this feature to give yourself a breath of troubleshooting room.

How to Disable Automatic Restarts:

  1. Hit Windows Key + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Under the Advanced tab, find Startup and Recovery and click Settings.
  3. Uncheck Automatically Restart.
While it won’t solve the issue directly, disabling automatic restarts allows you to spot what’s causing the crash—like a cryptic error message.

7. Repair System Files

Windows 11 system files can get corrupted over time, potentially kicking off a restart cycle. The System File Checker (SFC) tool is your built-in squad for file integrity repairs.

How to Run SFC:

  1. Open Command Prompt (as an administrator) or Windows Powershell.
  2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
Once complete, the tool will let you know if any files were fixed—or whether more in-depth diagnostics are needed.

8. Check for RAM Issues

Forgetting RAM is like ignoring your car’s engine—it’s critical for smooth performance. Faulty memory can cause bizarre PC behavior, including random restarts.

How to Test RAM:

  1. Hit Windows Key + R, type mdsched.exe, and press Enter.
  2. Choose the option to Restart Now and Check for Problems.
  3. Look out for RAM errors during the test.
Detected errors often mean the RAM stick needs replacing. Consult your PC’s specifications before buying new modules.

Key Takeaways

Addressing a Windows 11 boot loop isn’t rocket science—it’s methodical troubleshooting. Start simple—Safe Mode, uninstall software, check for overheating—and escalate to hardware and power issues as needed. Still stumped? Sometimes, a professional repair or last-ditch system reinstall is your best bet.
Got your PC back in working order? High-five! Or maybe it’s time to share your own frustrating tech horror story. What’s the worst PC crash you’ve survived? Let WindowsForum know in the comments below!

Source: Fox News Does your Windows 11 PC keep restarting? Let's fix that frustrating problem
 


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