PC Reboots When It is on Locked for a certain amount of time

Understanding Unexpected PC Reboots During Idle Periods: Troubleshooting and Solutions

In today’s digital landscape, a stable and reliable computer system is essential for both professional and personal use. However, some users encounter perplexing issues such as their PC unexpectedly rebooting after being idle for a period. If you’ve recently experienced this problem, you’re not alone, and there are several steps you can take to diagnose and resolve the issue.

Scenario Overview

A recent report from a PC builder highlights a common yet complex problem: the computer, after being locked and left unattended for approximately 30-40 minutes, reboots spontaneously upon return. The user noted the following specifications:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9800X3D
Motherboard: Asus ProArt X870E WiFi
RAM: 64GB Kingston Fury Beast at 6000MHz
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 5070

Despite installing Windows 11 Home (version 24H2), the issue persists, and the user has obtained a minidump file for analysis, though initial attempts to interpret the data were inconclusive.

Potential Causes of Unexpected Reboots

Unplanned reboots during idle periods can stem from a variety of hardware and software issues, including but not limited to:

Hardware Failures: Faulty RAM, power supply issues, or overheating components.
Driver Conflicts or Outdated Software: Conflicts between device drivers, especially graphics or chipset drivers.
BIOS/UEFI Settings: Misconfigured power management settings.
Operating System Problems: Corrupted system files or updates that introduced instability.
Overclocking: Aggressive overclock settings that compromise stability during low activity.

Diagnostic Steps

Analyze the Minidump File:
Use debugging tools like Windows Debugger (WinDbg) to analyze the dump file for clues about what caused the reboot. Look for patterns or specific error codes, such as DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL or PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA.
Check for Hardware Issues:
Run comprehensive memory testing using tools like MemTest86.
Monitor system temperatures to rule out overheating.
Verify stable power delivery; consider testing with a different power supply if possible.
Update Drivers and BIOS:
Ensure all device drivers are current, especially graphics, chipset, and storage drivers.
Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version,