The PC restarts unexpectedly even after rebuilding.
The PC restarts unexpectedly even after rebuilding.
I've been dealing with this problem for a few months now. After a complete rebuild, the issue keeps returning.
I recently put together a new PC in December. This wasn't my first build, so I'm not unfamiliar with assembling one.
However, here are the details of what's happening:
The computer tends to restart unexpectedly, especially when idle—like during low activity, web browsing, or just sitting on the desktop. When gaming under heavy load, it performs well for about 12 hours. But if I leave it at the desktop, I can return and see it restarting again. All power settings are set to maximum, no sleep mode, monitor off, HDD not powered down, and the system remains active. I notice a delay before it restarts, even though I can't interact with the browser or apps. The key that signals an impending restart appears when I press the WIN key while typing something. Videos and audio continue to play, then the machine restarts shortly after.
Since it restarts without any BSOD, I don’t see crash logs. Instead, I get system error messages about improper shutdowns from the kernel power 41.
Initially, the problem was rare but became daily, especially during gameplay or when connected to the internet. I learned it might be due to incompatible RAM. It turned out the 32GB sticks weren’t compatible with my motherboard. I bought new, fully listed and EXPO approved RAM, but the issue persisted.
I then explored power supply concerns. The power output wasn’t consistent, which made frequent restarts more likely—especially during gaming. Eventually, I combined the PSU with an EVGA 1000G and still faced the same problem. I replaced the motherboard after about ten days of no inquiries, thinking it was the main issue.
Next, I investigated the PSU further. Power fluctuations made the computer unstable, leading to more frequent restarts while gaming. I tried powering down the system and checked if turning off ReSize BAR helped. I didn’t understand what that setting did, so I disabled it in BIOS. It worked briefly, but the problem returned shortly after.
After a full rebuild, I reinstalled Windows, reduced RAM to 2x 16GB, and kept the PC idle for a while before it restarted again. I looked into other solutions, like disabling EXPO, adjusting RAM speed, resetting RAM slots, and checking drivers.
I also tried changing the CPU settings, but nothing resolved the issue. The GPU on my other machine works fine, so I focused on the CPU. It passed all stress tests.
Despite testing everything, I’m still stuck. The only components that haven’t changed are the GPU and CPU. The GPU functions properly elsewhere, and the CPU performed well under load. I’ve built many systems before and never encountered this exact scenario—even after swapping parts.
If there’s a simple fix online, I’ve tried it already.
I adjusted power settings to high performance mode, kept the monitor off, disconnected the HDD, and changed other options. I also reinstalled DDU drivers, chipset drivers, and Windows twice after the rebuild.
Temperatures stayed normal or low—around 40°C during idle and 60°C during maximum gaming.
After replacing all parts except the GPU and CPU, the PC still restarted. I’ve tested stress levels on the CPU, but I’m at a loss.
I built this system many times over the years and have never faced such a problem, even after swapping components. Diagnosing it feels like a challenge with no clear answers. Not to mention that replacing the CPU was unnecessary.
Back to original specs. Everything else remains unchanged except the GPU and CPU. The GPU is working well on another machine. I’m still unsure what’s causing this issue.
If there’s a straightforward fix available online, I’ve already tried it.
Hopefully your CPU wasn't harmed during those times when Asus was dealing with x3D chips.
It seems like you've put in a lot of effort, but there aren't many things I can suggest. The most practical approach might be to remove as much hardware as possible while still allowing the PC to boot. For instance, if you disconnect certain components—like an ODD...disconnect, other HDDs, PCIe WiFi card, etc.—you could check if any of these devices are causing issues. Also, make sure to update the BIOS even after replacing a new motherboard.