I'm working on figuring out why my computer keeps freezing and restarting so often?
I'm working on figuring out why my computer keeps freezing and restarting so often?
CPU: Ryzen 5600X
MOBO: Asus ROG strip x-570e gaming wifi
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 32GB (2x16) 3200 MT/s
GPU: XFX Merc 310 7900 XT
PSU: Seasonic 750w Platinum
Background
I assembled this system at the end of 2020, early 2021. In mid September 2025 my machine began experiencing crashes and freezes during sleep mode. Temporarily turning off sleep resolved the problem until my PC would restart on its own or freeze entirely while using the web or performing basic tasks. I tried updating drivers, refreshing the BIOS, and even switching to Windows 11. Unfortunately, without spare parts nearby and struggling through troubleshooting, I realized my CPU might be worn out. While I could browse with background games or run high-load scenarios without trouble, today the instability intensified. My PC now freezes or restarts randomly, even when a game is running, lasting anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. When it does freeze, it appears stuck on a single frame, requiring a case reset to restart.
Another problem emerged: my 2.5GB LAN port appears non-functional. Windows indicates it isn’t plugged in, even with a working cable. The same cable works when connected to the 1GB LAN port on the motherboard’s I/O. I tested other ports on the network switch and they functioned correctly. My NAS also appears through the 1GB port.
These issues prompted me to follow my friends’ advice—performing a clean Windows installation. I prepared a bootable Windows USB a few weeks ago but delayed the process. Today, attempting the install caused significant instability. The PC would freeze while loading the boot media, sometimes rebooting, other times freezing or restarting before I could complete the setup. It would then take 15–20 minutes to stabilize before freezing again on a single frame. Launching a game only extended this pattern. Even after removing my old boot SSD, stability remained elusive using the USB boot.
I also tried booting from an older SSD and still faced persistent issues. The PC remains stable in BIOS settings so far, but I haven’t encountered any crashes yet.
Given these findings, I suspect a CPU or motherboard problem, possibly compounded by insufficient power delivery. The PSU was a top-rated model, but I’m still unsure. My RAM costs are currently very high. I’m considering upgrading the PSU first and testing with an older GPU to avoid further damage.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Faced numerous difficulties launching Windows, as my PC had been off for hours. After several attempts—multiple restarts—I finally managed to boot in, though this was after a few unsuccessful ones. Recently, this has become more frequent. My computer restarted during the software download, forcing me through a series of 20-30 restarts before I could access Windows again.
I’m currently conducting a one-hour CPU and RAM test. It’s been stable for about seven minutes so far. I’ll provide an update once completed.
Test concluded without any issues found. Temperatures remained consistent, around 62°C with an air cooler in use.
Afterward, attempting a CPU-only test caused the PC to freeze after five seconds. Restarted twice and successfully returned to Windows. Restored OCCT backup. Ran another CPU test, which froze after two seconds. Restarted again but now stuck trying to log back in. Will continue testing briefly to see if freezing persists before considering the CPU+RAM test.
I modified my approach, returned to Windows, conducted a CPU+RAM test lasting around 16 minutes, then halted and proceeded with a CPU-only test, which froze after 11 seconds. I ran another test and it’s been stable for 15 minutes so far. I’m planning to keep it running for the full hour but am considering other suggestions. Could this indicate a CPU issue despite the stable results?
CPU+RAM test completed without any issues. Next, I performed a memory test at 80% for an hour with no errors. A VRAM test was attempted but caused the PC to crash and reset after 1 minute and 33 seconds. After that, another CPU+RAM test ran successfully, but when trying to start a Memory test, the PC crashed again before the test began. I recovered quickly and restarted Windows, which is now running smoothly for the memory test.
So, the pattern suggests a problem with the PC freezing during memory tests, especially when starting them. It might be worth considering replacing the CPU as the likely cause, though the 2.5GB LAN port issue remains unclear.
I came across this discussion which appears to mirror the problem I’m facing. No one has shared a fix yet, so I went ahead and purchased a replacement 850w PSU to eliminate that possibility. It should arrive today. The unpredictable crashes seem tied to low CPU usage, leading me to suspect a power delivery issue—possibly a failing capacitor on the motherboard or PSU.
The graphics card can hold a static image for a while after a crash, but I often lose connection to wireless devices right after, like when using an Xbox controller via USB dongle. Disabling C-states and SVM didn’t help. It’s possible the CPU is the culprit, though if the PSU doesn’t solve it, I might need to replace the motherboard.
In my past troubleshooting, I changed some BIOS fan curves thinking the CPU needed more cooling, but those adjustments actually increased instability temporarily and I had to undo them. The failed LAN port is also on my mind—I’ll check it once the new PSU is installed.
I’m also considering whether my RAM might be failing, though that seems less likely. I’ll update you later once I have more information after the PSU arrives.
A new PSU has arrived, but I’m conducting further tests before opening it up to test with.
First, I opened my case and inspected most of the capacitors on the motherboard; nothing appeared faulty. I also cleaned out some dust and re-seated the GPU. After a few restarts during the initial boot, I ran OCCT again—CPU+RAM test worked smoothly for 30 minutes, but the CPU test failed within 13 seconds.
Next, I adjusted my memory frequency in BIOS from 3600 to 3200. After rebooting into Windows and repeating the tests, I managed about 10 minutes of stable CPU testing before the PC crashed again. I restarted Windows and tried once more, but it crashed after just 2 minutes. It seems downclocking my memory helped stability, though it didn’t fully resolve the issue.
I suspect under-volting might be the problem, but I can’t confirm for sure.
Well, after trying the new PSU, I managed to run the CPU tests twice, but the third attempt caused it to crash after 16 minutes. The power test lasted around 19 minutes with the new PSU as well. I thought maybe the installation was damaged and reinstalling it would solve the problem. Unfortunately, the installation process was difficult—I even had a random restart about 76% through the setup. This caused the process to restart repeatedly, but the PC kept freezing during the Windows setup. I couldn’t even complete the download beyond 1% on updates.
At this stage, I’ve decided to give up and start looking for a new build. Upgrading from AM4 (which is no longer supported) to AM5 seems more logical than trying to fix individual parts. It could be the CPU or the motherboard. I had problems transferring files via USB yesterday, and it looks like my Realtek LAN port might have been damaged. Luckily, I saved most of the important data to my NAS before this issue escalated.
Maybe if I keep exploring for a year or two, I’ll check eBay for used CPUs to try and revive this build, but it probably won’t be worth it.
I also plan to conduct another test—completely removing the PC from its case and running bench tests to check for case-related issues. However, after seeing some stability improvements with a new PSU, I suspect the motherboard might have been damaged when the previous PSU started failing. Since my PX-850 is still under warranty, I’ll likely send it in for repair or replacement. It’s a shame it might have ended up destroying my current system.
Question - PC freezes after 2-30 minutes only in Windows 10 (Safe Mode and Normal)? Hi All, I encountered this problem unexpectedly and need advice on how to proceed. On Tuesday morning, upon turning on my monitor, the PC froze completely on the desktop in Windows 10 PRO. A few browsers were open in Chrome but inactive... forums. I’m facing the same situation. The BIOS works fine, the installation is smooth, yet testing in Windows often causes freezing. Nothing responds, and the system doesn’t restart or trigger a crash. I plan to check the power supply tomorrow and try a new CMOS battery, but otherwise I’m stuck with the motherboard and CPU. I’d really prefer not to upgrade unless absolutely necessary... The AM5 chipset won’t deliver significant gaming improvements from my current setup, and the memory is quite expensive.