Troubleshooting Random System Restarts After Updating Graphics Drivers and Windows
Experiencing unexpected system restarts can be both frustrating and concerning, especially after performing routine updates. If you’ve recently updated your Windows operating system and graphics drivers and your PC now randomly restarts, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll explore how to diagnose and resolve such issues, using a real-world example to illustrate the process.
Understanding the Issue
In this scenario, the user reported that prior to updating Windows and their graphics driver, their PC functioned flawlessly. Post-update, the system began restarting unpredictably while operating within Windows. To identify the root cause, they examined the Windows Event Viewer, which provided vital clues.
Event Viewer Insights
The key event recorded was:
– Event ID 41 (Kernel-Power)
– Bugcheck Code: 278
– Additional parameters indicating possible memory or driver issues
Using debugging tools like WinDbg, the user analyzed the dump files and identified a fault related to the Nvidia graphics driver (nvlddmkm.sys). This file is associated with Nvidia’s display driver modules, and failures here often point toward driver or hardware conflicts.
Troubleshooting Steps Taken
The user undertook several steps to resolve the issue:
– Reinstalled Windows entirely
– Used Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to thoroughly remove existing graphics drivers
– Installed an older, more stable version of the Nvidia driver
– Rolled back recent Windows updates
– Resecured hardware components such as RAM and GPU
Despite these efforts, the problem persisted, indicating a deeper underlying issue.
System Specifications
To contextualize the problem, here are the system specs:
– Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS PRO X rev 1.0
– Processor: Intel Core i7-14700KF
– Graphics Card: Nvidia RTX 5080 Aero SFF
– Power Supply: RM1000e
– Memory: 64GB DDR5 at 6000 MT/sec
– Storage: 2TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD
Next Steps and Recommendations
When troubleshooting such issues, consider the following:
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Update Graphics Drivers Carefully: Always obtain drivers directly from the official Nvidia website or your hardware manufacturer. Avoid beta or unstable versions.
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Check Hardware Stability: Conduct stress tests for CPU, GPU, and RAM using tools like Prime95, MemTest86, or FurMark to identify potential hardware failures.
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