“Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” is a common error message that can appear on Windows 10 computers. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including software conflicts, driver issues, and hardware problems. When this error occurs, your computer will automatically restart, and you may lose any unsaved work.
In this article, we will discuss the different causes of the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error and how to fix it. We will also provide tips on how to prevent this error from happening in the future.
Causes of the “Your PC Ran into a Problem and Needs to Restart” Error
There are a number of different factors that can cause the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Some of the most common causes include:
- Software conflicts: Conflicts between different software programs can cause the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. This can happen when two programs are trying to access the same resources, or when one program is preventing another program from running properly.
- Driver issues: Driver problems can also cause the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Drivers are software files that allow your computer to communicate with hardware devices, such as your graphics card, printer, or network adapter. If a driver is corrupted or outdated, it can cause your computer to crash.
- Hardware problems: Hardware problems can also cause the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. This can happen if a hardware device is not properly connected if a hardware device is failing, or if a hardware device is overheating.
How to Fix the “Your PC Ran into a Problem and Needs to Restart” Error
If you are experiencing the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error, there are a few things you can do to try to fix it.
1. Restart your computer
The first thing you should try is to simply restart your computer. This can often fix the error if it is caused by a temporary software or driver problem.
To restart your computer, click on the Start button and select Power > Restart.
2. Run System Restore
If restarting your computer does not fix the error, you can try running System Restore. System Restore allows you to restore your computer to a previous state when it was working properly.
To run System Restore, click on the Start button and type System Restore. Select System Restore from the results and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Update your drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause the “”Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart”” error. To update your drivers, you can use the Device Manager.
To open the Device Manager, click on the Start button and type Device Manager. Select Device Manager from the results.
Expand the category for the device that is causing the error. Right-click on the device and select Update driver. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
4. Scan for and remove malware
Malware can also cause the “”Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart”” error. To scan for and remove malware, you can use a malware removal tool.
There are a number of different malware removal tools available. Some popular options include Malwarebytes, Avast Antivirus, and Norton Antivirus.
5. Perform a clean boot
A clean boot is a troubleshooting method that starts your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services. This can help you identify if a third-party program is causing the “”Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart”” error.
To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start button and type System Configuration. Select System Configuration from the results.
- Click on the Boot tab.
- Under Boot options, select Safe boot and click OK.
- Restart your computer.
Your computer will now start in safe mode. Once your computer has started, try to reproduce the error. If the error does not occur in safe mode, then a third-party program is likely causing the error.
To identify the third-party program that is causing the error, you can start by disabling all non-Microsoft services. To do this, follow these steps:
To disable all non-Microsoft services, follow these steps:
- Open the System Configuration utility.
- Click on the Services tab.
- Check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services.
- Uncheck all of the remaining boxes.
- Click OK to save your changes.
- Restart your computer.
Note: Disabling all non-Microsoft services may prevent some programs from working properly. It is important to know which services are safe to disable before doing so.
Here is a list of some common non-Microsoft services that you can safely disable:
- Adobe Acrobat Update Service
- Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service
- Apple Push Notification Service
- Bonjour Service
- Cisco Discovery Protocol Service
- Google Update Service
- HP Update Service
- Intel Rapid Storage Technology Service
- NVIDIA Update Service
- Realtek HD Audio Manager Service
- Realtek Update Service
- Spotify Update Service
- Windows Live Messenger Service
Warning: Do not disable services that you are not familiar with. Disabling essential services can cause your computer to become unstable or even stop working altogether.
If you are unsure whether or not it is safe to disable a particular service, you can search online for more information. There are many resources available that can help you identify and disable non-Microsoft services safely.
Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.
Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.
