PC randomly turns off and back on again after a few seconds (or minutes sometimes)

Troubleshooting a Recurring PC Shutdown Issue: A User’s Experience

In today’s digital world, encountering technical difficulties with your computer can be both frustrating and perplexing. One user recently shared their struggle with an unusual problem where their PC randomly shuts down and then restarts, often leaving them puzzled about the root cause. Here’s a deeper look into the issue and the steps taken to resolve it.

The Problem

About three days ago, I began experiencing a troubling issue with my computer. Out of the blue, it started shutting down and restarting without the usual Windows reboot screen. Instead, I was greeted with a blank screen, similar to when the system is powered off completely. This inconvenience typically occurred shortly after booting up — within ten minutes, though occasionally it took longer, up to an hour.

When I tried to turn the PC back on by pressing the power button, it often remained unresponsive for several seconds to even minutes. To my surprise, it would eventually power on by itself without any input from me.

Initial Diagnoses

Concerned, I examined the situation further. Using HWMonitor, I checked the system temperatures and found them within normal ranges. All the fans were operational, indicating that cooling was not an immediate concern.

With these observations in mind, I suspected that the issue could stem from a malfunctioning power button in my case or a possible fault in the power supply unit (PSU). Given the seemingly random nature of the shutdowns, I leaned more towards the latter option being less likely.

System Specifications

For reference, my PC is now approaching its five-year mark and has never been overclocked. Here are the main specifications:

  • CPU: Intel i5 4690K
  • GPU: ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 970
  • Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC Mate
  • Cooler: NZXT Kraken x61
  • Power Supply: Seasonic M12II Evo 520W
  • RAM: 4×4 GB HyperX DDR3 @ 1866MHz
  • SSD: Kingston 250GB
  • HDD: 1TB WD Blue

Seeking Help

I reached out to the Reddit community for advice, hoping to pinpoint the issue. Many people responded with their experiences and insights, which I greatly appreciated. If you’re dealing with similar symptoms or have suggestions to offer, your input would be invaluable.

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One Comment

  1. Thank you for sharing detailed information about your issue. Random shutdowns and restarts can stem from various hardware or software problems. Based on your description and system specifications, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

    • Check the Power Supply: Since your PSU is around 5 years old, it might be failing or providing inconsistent power. Consider testing with a known good power supply if possible or using a PSU tester.
    • Inspect for Overheating or Hardware Failures: Although HWMonitor showed normal temperatures, verify that all cooling components are functioning correctly. Check for loose cables or dust buildup that could cause overheating.
    • Test Memory Modules: Run a memory diagnostic tool like Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86 to check for RAM errors, which can cause instability.
    • Update BIOS and Drivers: Ensure your motherboard BIOS and all device drivers are up to date, as outdated firmware/software can cause unpredictable behavior.
    • Power Settings and Windows Events: Review Windows Event Viewer for critical errors or warnings around the times of the shutdowns. Adjust power plan settings to prevent rapid power state changes.
    • Hardware Monitoring: Use additional hardware diagnostics tools to test the CPU and motherboard for faults.

    If after these steps the problem persists, replacing the

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