Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time?

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

The motherboard is your computer system’s most crucial component and is the system’s backbone.

The motherboard serves as the main part that connects all the hardware components. But just like all other components, it’s not immune to faults or problems. One of the common issues is the random restarting of your motherboard. As motherboards need some compulsory components to work, this issue is not directly related to motherboards alone.

This article will explore why your motherboard keeps restarting and how you can diagnose and resolve this issue. We will discuss troubleshooting tips with step-by-step guides. So, stay tuned to resolve your issue.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time?

It’s because of a faulty or bad PSU, faulty RAM, incorrect front panel connections, an old and dying CMOS battery, a faulty or dead GPU, storage device failure, CPU overheating, incorrect cable connections, faulty bios settings, a faulty capacitor, and a dead or dying motherboard. 

Faulty or Bad PSU

The PSU is the powerhouse of your PC. It delivers the current to the motherboard, distributing it among all the components. The power for each component, including the motherboard, is specific. Exceeding or falling below this value results in such restarting power issues. 

A faulty or bad PSU can lead to power fluctuations on your motherboard. When a component is not getting the required power, it shuts down or stops working. As a result, your motherboard restarts to resume normal power. However, the defective PSU will repeat the power fluctuations, causing your motherboard to restart repeatedly. 

  • How To Fix It?

To fix the problem, you have to diagnose it first. If your PSU starts and turns off suddenly and its fans stop, it may be due to a failing PSU. You must replace it as soon as possible to avoid more serious issues. 

If your PSU is not turning on when you press the power button, it is either dead or has a broken connection. Try to replace the power cable. 

But if your PSU starts and restarts with your motherboard, it might supply fluctuating voltages. You will also need to replace your PSU in that case.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Faulty RAM

A faulty RAM means RAM that can’t function properly with your PC. Either it is dying or creating issues like overheating. A faulty RAM doesn’t support the PC and may lead to no display and frequent restart issues. 

  • How To Fix It?

To resolve this issue, you have to identify the faulty RAM. If you are using multiple RAMs, then remove all the sticks. Add the sticks one by one and turn on the computer. This way, you can identify and remove the faulty RAM stick from the system. 

Moreover, if all RAMs are fine and showing the same error, try to change the RAM order in a channel. Shuffle the RAMs in the channels. It may help to resolve the issue. Note that all your RAMs must have the same hertz in one channel. Otherwise, they won’t match the frequency. 

Lastly, see the seating or placement of all the RAMs. If any RAM is not seated properly, it will prevent your PC from turning on, and your motherboard will restart while beeping. In short, if you have faulty RAM, replace it with the new one.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Incorrect Front Panel Connections

Front panel connections are the connections for the switch, power LEDs, USB ports, and restart switch. If you accidentally connect these connections wrong, you will face this restart error as each connection specifically delivers power or restarts the computer system. Manipulation of these connections may lead to disturbances in the overall system.

  • How To Fix It?

To fix this issue, you have to connect the connections to their respective sockets. Open your PC and clear your motherboard. Now look for the sockets with labels including “Power, LED, Restart,” etc. Once you find the pins with these labels, match the plugs with the pin labels and connect them.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Dying CMOS Battery

The CMOS battery gives power to your BIOS firmware, which is the core for booting your computer system. If your CMOS battery is dying or dead, your PC won’t be able to boot up properly. A dying CMOS battery won’t be able to properly support the motherboard, so it will restart repeatedly.

  • How To Fix It?

Your only option is to replace this old and dying CMOS battery with a new one. Just open your PC case and navigate to the CMOS battery. Extract the battery using a screwdriver, place the new one, and push it until it’s locked.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Faulty or Dead GPU

A GPU functions as display rendering and enhancement hardware. If any issue occurs in the GPU, it may not be able to function properly, which can lead to display issues as well. But, if the GPU is faulty and has a short circuit or physical damage, your motherboard will recognize it as a faulty connection, and then it will restart itself to avoid further current damage. 

  • How To Fix It?

First, you must confirm that the issue is with your GPU, not any other component. To ensure that, use the same GPU on another PC. If it causes the same issue, your GPU is faulty, but if it doesn’t cause the error, you have to look for other possible causes.

Storage Device Failure

Storage devices include hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). Failure of these drivers, primarily due to physical damage or a short circuit, may cause your motherboard to keep restarting. As motherboards detect these harmful voltage surges, they restart the system to eliminate the risk and the error. These errors are not common but have simple solutions. 

  • How To Fix It?

To confirm the issue, you can connect your HDD or SSD using external cases. If the PC cannot detect these devices, they are at fault. You must replace them immediately to avoid any other component damage.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

CPU Overheating

Your PC uses thermal throttling to protect components during overheating. This overheating is mostly related to the CPU. If your CPU is defective or old, or your CPU cooling system is malfunctioning, your PC will implement thermal throttling and restart when your CPU becomes overheated. 

  • How To Fix It?

You might be thinking, “Why not disable thermal throttling?” Disabling thermal throttling leads to component damage due to overheating. Your system won’t be able to turn off or restart your PC when the component’s temperature exceeds bearable limits. The best solution is to upgrade your CPU’s cooling system.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Incorrect Cable Connections

The motherboard requires separate power to function. This power is provided by a PSU using 8 or 24-pin connectors. If you have accidentally placed the wrong side of the connector or the wrong connector, then your PC will not be able to draw the required power. Then, you might face this frequent motherboard restart problem.

  • How To Fix It?

Unplug the PSU connectors and make sure you place the right connectors. If you are unsure about the connectors, follow the user manual on the manufacturer’s website.

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Faulty BIOS Settings

BIOS is a program used to boot up your computer system after you provide it with power. If your BIOS settings are messed up, your PC will have booting issues. The BIOS is crucial to running all system settings from Hertz Management on the device. One of the major possibilities is that your BIOS is outdated, which is why it is causing issues. 

  • How To Fix It?

If your PC is constantly restarting, you won’t be able to access the BIOS. In this case, you must use your motherboard’s CMOS button. That will clear all the settings in your BIOS and convert them to default. Locate the button, often labeled “CLR_CMOS.” Press the button while your motherboard is not turned on but has power. Now turn on your PC. Hopefully, your issue is resolved. 

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Faulty Capacitor

Capacitors are part of most PC components, including the motherboard. The primary function of a capacitor is to store power for some time. It prevents sudden power failures on the circuit board due to voltage fluctuations. But if any capacitor becomes bad or faulty, it also causes serious issues. 

  • How To Fix It?

Motherboard capacitors can be replaced using a soldering iron. However, only a professional can handle this as it requires precisely reading the capacitor value and replacing it with a new one. 

Why Does My Motherboard Keep Restarting All The Time? Fixed | cpugpunerds.com

Dead or Dying Motherboard

Sometimes, you are using an old motherboard that is about to expire. Such motherboards cannot deliver peak performance as they cannot communicate with the hardware. Some old motherboards are so faulty that they don’t even turn on. 

  • How To Fix It?

In such cases, you must replace your old motherboard with a new one. But also ensure your power supply will be enough to support your new motherboard. Most old components, like the CPU, GPU, and RAM, can be used on the same old PC.

Does The Motherboard Emit Specific Error-Indicating Beeps?  

Yes, “POST beeps” (Power-On Self-Test beeps) can be made by motherboards during the starting process to let you know if something is wrong. These beeps are a monitoring tool that shows problems with the hardware. But the beep codes can be different based on who made the motherboard and what model it is.

Beep Code Description
One Short Beep Memory refresh timer error
Two Short Beeps Parity error
Three Short Beeps Main Memory error
Four Short Beeps System Failure
Five Short Beeps Processor Error

Different patterns and lengths of beeps can mean different mistakes, like problems with the RAM, picture card, CPU, or other parts. The number and order of beeps can give important information to help find the problem.

Conclusion

If your motherboard keeps restarting, there are several possible causes to remember. These include a bad or broken PSU, bad RAM, the wrong connections on the front panel, a dead CMOS battery, a bad or broken GPU, a broken or useless garage tool, a hot CPU, the wrong cable connections, bad BIOS settings, a broken capacitor, or a dead or dying motherboard.

To fix the problem, you need to figure out what’s wrong. If it’s the PSU, you might want to update it. Faulty RAM can be found by taking out and testing each RAM stick or changing the order of the sticks in the channels. If the connections on the front panel are wrong, you can fix them by putting the switches and plugs in the right places on the motherboard. When a CMOS battery dies, it must be replaced with a new one.

You could try a broken GPU on another PC to figure out what’s wrong and, if necessary, replace it. If a storage device fails, you might need to replace the broken hard drive or stable-country force. 

If the CPU gets too hot, the CPU cooling machine may need to be upgraded. By making sure the strength connectors are in the right place, wrong wire connections can be avoided. If the BIOS settings are wrong, the CMOS button on the motherboard can be used to return to the factory settings.

If a bad capacitor causes the problem, it’s best to seek help from a professional. Lastly, if the computer is dead or dying, you may want to replace it with a new one to ensure it works with all the other parts.

Don`t copy text!