Device powers down unpredictably, then restarts as though recently powered on
Device powers down unpredictably, then restarts as though recently powered on
I've been dealing with this problem for a few days now, it popped up without warning. Suddenly my girlfriend's computer would shut down as if it had just been turned off, but all the fans, RAM, and internal lights stayed on. Usually it turns back on like it just restarted, though sometimes it stays black and needs a forced restart.
Details: B550M PRO-VDH WIFI CPU, Ryzen 5 5500 GPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX1060, Thermaltake Smart700W PSU. The PSU we received is brand new, and we thought it might be the issue, but it's still happening. A memory diagnostics test showed no problems, and online fixes suggested a new PSU would help—though that didn't work for us. Anyone know what might be causing this?
I faced a similar problem with my setup previously. The main issue was that my GPU (a 980 TI) had a faulty VRM, which led the PSU to shut down because it was consuming excessive power—enough to pose a fire risk. If you're dealing with this, consider running a benchmark or stress test on another GPU or APU. Avoid using an outdated PSU, and check your card and motherboard for visible damage.
Based on my observations, the GPU didn't have time to warm up since it would crash quickly when under stress. If your GPU can handle the load, the problem might lie elsewhere. Have a great night and wish your girlfriend's PC gets fixed soon.
It might be a RAM problem too... (what's the RAM situation?) The PSU could be brand new, but it seems to be in poor condition—it might lead to problems later. Avoid PSUs labeled with "smart"—they’re risky. The GPU is outdated, which could also cause issues. Are the BIOS and chipset drivers current?
I meant whenever you were running a game or doing another GPU-heavy task. That could point to the GPU, though it's less likely now. The PSU might still be the culprit, but I wouldn't replace it until you've checked all other possibilities. As @Mark Kaine mentioned, it could be a RAM issue—try testing the system with one module from your existing setup and then with another kit. Edit: also disable XMP in the BIOS.
The CPU and MOBO have all been purchased recently. We made some improvements to her older configuration, swapped out the graphics card and largely updated the rest so the BIOS should be current. The RAM is brand new, just 16 gigabytes. However, it seems the new power supply unit might have been the problem—unfortunately it was costly. We plan to try swapping the GPU with one from my current system soon.
We recently ran a memory diagnostic test, but no issues were detected. Interestingly, after the test ended, the computer automatically switched to the "Pro series" splash screen without prompting us to restart. This happened again when the machine powered off, as it would also go to that screen and require a restart. Regarding the RAM, should we try swapping the slots to see if it resolves the problem? Or test one RAM at a time to check for consistency? Also, thanks for your assistance—this has been quite frustrating.
This situation is quite unusual and it's hard to understand why it's happening. The hanging RAM suggests a possible memory problem. For testing, try your system with just one RAM stick and install it in slots A1 and B1. (The slot layout may vary by motherboard model—just place the RAM in the first slot of each color group.) Repeat this with another RAM module. It might take some time, but fixing it will make everything function properly! Also, consider resetting the BIOS according to your motherboard's instructions. I hope you resolve this!