Have you ever been deep into a game when suddenly your PC shuts down and restarts? It’s frustrating, right? You’re not alone—and more importantly, there are real, fixable reasons behind it.
Let’s break it down simply, so you can get back to smooth gaming without worrying about your rig giving up on you.
Why Does My PC Restart When I Play Games?
Your computer usually restarts during gaming due to overheating, power supply failure, driver conflicts, GPU/CPU stress, or software issues like malware or corrupted game files.
Don’t worry—below is a full checklist and simple solutions.
Real Talk: Common Reasons Your Computer Restarts While Gaming
1. Overheating (Thermal Shutdown)
When gaming, your CPU and GPU are working overtime. If cooling isn’t good enough, your system will auto-restart to protect hardware.
How to Check:
- Install free tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp.
- Watch CPU/GPU temps. If it’s above 85°C consistently, that’s a red flag
Fix:
- Clean your fans and vents.
- Reapply thermal paste if it’s an old build.
- Upgrade cooling (e.g., add more case fans or a better CPU cooler).
2. Power Supply Unit (PSU) Can’t Handle the Load
If your PSU is too weak or faulty, it might crash under load during intense games.
Signs:
- PC restarts only during high-end games.
- You added new hardware (e.g., a GPU upgrade) recently.
Fix:
- Use a PSU calculator (outervision.com is good) to check if yours is strong enough.
- Consider upgrading to a reliable PSU from brands like Corsair or EVGA.
3. Graphics Driver Conflicts
Outdated or corrupt GPU drivers can cause crashes and system reboots.
Fix:
- Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to clean old drivers completely.
- Reinstall latest drivers from NVIDIA or AMD official sites.
4. RAM or Motherboard Problems
Unstable RAM can crash games and reboot your system. Sometimes it’s also motherboard-related.
Fix:
- Run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool or MemTest86.
- Try reseating your RAM sticks or testing one stick at a time.
- Update your motherboard BIOS if needed.
5. Corrupt Game Files or Software Conflicts
Sometimes, the game itself is broken—or there’s malware interfering.
Fix:
- Verify game files (e.g., through Steam).
- Run a full malware scan using Malwarebytes.
- Uninstall unnecessary background software that could conflict.
6. Windows or BIOS Settings
Windows power settings, BIOS, or even auto-restart after crash can play a role.
Fix:
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options, and set everything to “High Performance”.
- Disable automatic restart on system failure:
- Right-click This PC → Properties → Advanced system settings → Startup and Recovery → Uncheck “Automatically restart”.
Advanced Troubleshooting
If all the basics fail:
- Run Event Viewer: Check Windows logs for specific errors at the time of the crash.
- Check for BlueScreen (BSOD) Logs using a tool like BlueScreenView.
- Stress test your GPU/CPU using tools like FurMark and Prime95 (watch temps!).
What You Should Ask Yourself
- Did I recently change any hardware?
- Am I only crashing in one game or all games?
- Is my PC restarting or crashing to desktop?
- Have I cleaned my PC in the last 6 months?
Preventative Tips
Keep drivers and Windows updated.
- Use a surge protector to avoid sudden power loss.
- Monitor temps regularly.
- Don’t overclock unless you have excellent cooling.
- Install games on an SSD to reduce read errors.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve done all this and still face the issue, it might be:
- A failing motherboard, bad capacitor, or even short circuits in the case.
- A local repair technician with diagnostic tools can pinpoint the exact fault.
Final Thoughts
You clicked this page to know why your computer restarts when gaming, and hopefully, now you have clear answers, tools, and solutions. No jargon, no fluff—just real help.
Gaming should be fun—not stressful. If you found this helpful, bookmark it for future troubleshooting, or share it with a friend who’s been rage-quitting lately.
