Question: Sudden Restarts | Windows Event Viewer
Question: Sudden Restarts | Windows Event Viewer
Hello everyone, I've experienced frequent system restarts over the past few months. Everything seemed normal last month, but the problem resurfaced recently. Any suggestions?
I haven't seen any blue screens, just a sudden shutdown followed by a restart. When it happens, the CPU debug light activates. After reviewing the Event Viewer, I noticed several entries:
Critical Level: Kernel-Power ID: 41 @ 18:00:50
Information Level: Kernel-Power ID: 172 @ 18:00:50
Then multiple records of
Information Level: Kernel-Processor-Power (Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Processor-Power) ID: 55 @ 18:00:51
System Details:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
CPU Cooler: MSI Mag CoreLiqiud 240R V2
Motherboard: MSI B450 Gaming Plus Max
RAM: 2x PNY 8GB DDR4-3200MHz CL16
SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVME M.2 1TB
HDD: ST1000VX005-2EZ102 (Seagate SkyHawk 1TB)
GPU: MSI Radeon RX 6650 XT
Power Supply: Cougar CMX 700W 80+ Bronze
Chassis: MSI Mag Forge 112R
Operating System: Windows 11
Monitor: PHL 242E1GJ (Philips) 144Hz
BIOS: H.50 - AMD AGESA Combo-AM4 1.0.0.4
Is it linked to particular activities? Could it happen during games or at any moment?
The number 41/63 comes from a report executed by Windows when starting up. If Windows detects that the previous startup was unexpected, it generates an event.
This doesn't necessarily indicate the cause is related to the PSU; it could involve any hardware component.
How old is the PSU? I'm just asking for clarification.
Also check Reliability History/Monitor.
It is more user-friendly, and the timeline view might show some trends.
You can pick any specific record to get more information. The details could be useful or not.
I dislike reliability history, even if PC seems fine, you can check it and discover that parts of Windows have been causing issues for a long time.
For example, I recently found one component crashing and had to remove it to prevent my perfect 10 from happening.
And some of the messages about installation failures might have worked later on.
I think the PSU is more than five years old now. It seems like a power problem because it began with a small UPS unit of 600VA that turned out to be too big for my setup. After replacing it, the issue disappeared, but then it started again after a power surge (which happens often in my area), although the restarts are now less frequent based on what I've seen. It mainly occurs when playing games, but I've also noticed it happening right away when switching to desktop view, especially after multiple restarts with the PSU.
These might have been your shutdowns....
Or the 5-year-old PSU could be reaching or approaching its End of Life, beginning to weaken and fail.
= = = =
Power down, unplug, open the case.
Clear out dust and debris.
Check visually and by touch that all connections, cards, RAM, jumpers, and case links are securely in position.
Examine with a bright flashlight for any signs of damage.
If everything looks good, proceed to replace it with another known working PSU.
Make sure to use only the cables included with the new PSU.
I maintain my case by dusting and cleaning it monthly or every two months. I have repositioned all cables and my SSD, but left the CPU untouched.
I’m planning to replace my PSU soon, in case it helps resolve the problem.