Question Computer automatically shuts down even when using BIOS settings.
Question Computer automatically shuts down even when using BIOS settings.
My machine has been acting strangely, restarting without warning. It’s like pressing the reset button. The system has been running smoothly for about a year until now. Initially, the restarts were sporadic—perhaps once or twice daily, or not at all. Now they happen every 15 to 30 minutes. I first noticed this while playing games (my main use), but it’s also occurred during regular tasks like web browsing. During troubleshooting, I’ve even rebooted it in BIOS. It seems to function normally during stress tests such as 3DMark, OCCT, and Cinebench without overheating. It never freezes or triggers BSODs; it just powers off and restarts again.
Specific details:
Processor: Intel i9-12900K
Graphics: Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Hero
RAM: 32GB (2x16GB) Corsair Dominator Platinum
GPU: EVGA rtx 3080
Cooling: Seasonic – PRIME TX-1000 1000W 80+ Titanium
Storage: Samsung 980 PRO SSD
What I’ve tried:
- Ran memtest86 with both RAM modules; passed consistently. One at a time, even with errors before the restart.
- Executed Cinebench without issues.
- Completed 3DMark tests smoothly.
- During stress tests (OCCT, 3DMark, Cinebench), no overheating or crashes.
- Tried Power Stability Test in BIOS; results were normal.
- RAM restarts occurred during testing, which is unusual.
Hardware changes:
- Switched to a UPS instead of the previous surge protector; no power loss events.
- Updated PSU power cable.
- Removed GPU (still causes restarts).
- Ran tests with one RAM stick at a time.
- Reconnected power cables to MB and reset buttons.
- Disconnected front panel temporarily for testing.
- Enabled/disabled XMP in BIOS; both cases led to restarts.
- Performed a full power cycle overnight; BIOS remained unchanged, suggesting CMOS battery is fine.
Software/Firmware:
- Updated Asus Hero Z690 BIOS to version 2802.
- Removed and reinstalled NVIDIA drivers via DDU.
- Windows settings adjusted: Fast Startup disabled, sleep never enabled, hard disk never turned off.
- Ran CHKDSK and SFC scans.
Event logs:
Windows Event Viewer shows a critical error: Kernel-Power Event ID 41 – Task 63. All values at "0"/false.
Thoughts on next steps:
I suspect a hardware problem since restarts happen even in BIOS. It’s puzzling that the system runs fine under heavy load—search results suggest PSU might be the culprit, yet OCCT stress test at 800+W ran smoothly without issues. I’m considering RAM failure as another possibility, but it seems odd both sticks failed simultaneously after a week of normal operation.
Any suggestions on further troubleshooting? I’m inclined toward hardware issues, especially since BIOS restarts occur there too. It’s confusing that performance remains stable during intense tasks while the system resets unexpectedly.
At times, memtest86 might not accurately reflect stability problems in your setup. Your thorough initial testing was commendable. This brings up another point.
When you performed a swap test on the DIMMS, did you only do it in the farthest slot from the CPU or also in its paired counterpart?
What I mean is that if you tested in Slot 1 (or A), you should retest both in Slot 3. If you tested in Slot 2 (or B), move to Slot 4. Don't stress about memtest86, just swap the drives and let the system operate to observe any shutdowns. If it fails with both DIMMs in the opposite slot, it's likely your memory issue.
Thank you for the feedback. The motherboard manual specifies slots as A1 - A2 - B1 - B2, with A1 nearest the CPU and B2 farthest from it. For one DIMM, the recommended slot is A2. For two DIMMs, use A2 and B2. I initially had a setup with A1, A2, B1, B2, testing each DIMM only in A2. Based on your suggestion, I plan to try using each DIMM individually in B2 and will provide an update.
I tested them both in the 4th position (B2).
The first DIMM passed 1.5 rounds of memtest86 before the system restarted. After restarting into Windows, it worked for about 15 minutes before shutting down again.
The second DIMM was run straight into Windows without testing memtest86. It functioned for roughly an hour before restarting. When it restarted, it initially turned back on and then restarted multiple times quickly before finally staying off.
I also tried turning it on and switched to Windows again.
Overall, I've tested both DIMMs together in slot A2/B2, as well as each one individually in slots A2 and B2. All five setups experienced restarts.
(Reference: A1 - A2 - B1 - B2, where A1 is nearest to the CPU and B2 is farthest from it.)
I tried power cycling the computer (and left it off overnight). CMOS battery seems good.
Asus Q-Code shows "A9" while in BIOS: Which I think is normal when you're in BIOS.
When in Windows no code is shown (meaning things are OK).
Temps and voltages look good in BIOS.
Still waiting for replacement parts to come in.
In case anyone encounters this while fixing problems, it seems the faulty PSU was swapped in with another of the same brand and model, and everything is now functioning properly.