'Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart'

What Is This Error?

The "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" message is Windows' user-friendly way of displaying a Blue Screen error. Instead of showing you the technical details, newer versions of Windows show this simple message with a percentage counter, then restart your computer. The problem is that it doesn't tell you what's wrong or how to fix it.

This error can be caused by driver conflicts, corrupted Windows files, hardware problems, or recent Windows updates that didn't install correctly. The automatic restart makes it hard to troubleshoot, but we can disable that feature and get to the root cause.

Quick Fix: Disable Automatic Restart

First, let's stop Windows from automatically restarting so you can see the actual error message. Right-click on This PC or My Computer and select Properties. Click Advanced System Settings on the left, then click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Uncheck "Automatically restart" under System Failure. Click OK twice.

Now when the error happens, you'll see the actual error code and any file names mentioned. Write these down or take a photo with your phone - this information is crucial for fixing the problem.

Detailed Fix Steps

Method 1: Check Recent Changes

Think about what changed recently. Did you install new software, update drivers, or install Windows updates? The crash likely started right after that change.

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter
2. Click "View installed updates" on the left
3. Look at recent updates and uninstall any that were installed right before crashes started
4. For software, uninstall recent programs from the main list
5. Restart and see if the problem is resolved

Method 2: Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads Windows with only essential drivers. If your PC works fine in Safe Mode, you know it's a driver or software problem, not hardware.

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery
2. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now
3. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
4. Press 4 or F4 to start in Safe Mode
5. If your PC runs fine in Safe Mode, the problem is likely a third-party driver or program

While in Safe Mode, you can uninstall problematic drivers or software. Pay special attention to antivirus programs, VPN software, and RGB/gaming peripheral software - these often cause conflicts.

Method 3: Run Startup Repair

Windows has an automatic repair tool that can fix boot and stability issues.

1. Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now
2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair
3. Follow the prompts and let Windows diagnose and repair issues
4. This process can take 15-30 minutes

Method 4: Update or Roll Back Drivers

Driver problems are the most common cause of this error. Here's how to fix them:

1. Boot into Safe Mode (see Method 2)
2. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
3. Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks
4. Right-click your graphics card under Display Adapters and select Properties
5. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver if available (this undoes recent driver updates)
6. If Roll Back isn't available, click Update Driver > Search automatically
7. Repeat for network adapters and any other critical hardware

Method 5: Check for Corrupted System Files

Corrupted Windows files can cause repeated crashes. Here's how to repair them:

1. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking
2. Right-click Start and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)
3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
4. Wait for the scan to complete (15-30 minutes)
5. If corruption is found, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
6. Restart your computer normally

If That Didn't Work

If you're still seeing this error, try these additional steps:

• Check your hard drive health with CrystalDiskInfo. A failing drive can cause crashes.
• Test your RAM using Windows Memory Diagnostic (press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe).
• If crashes started after a Windows update, try uninstalling the latest feature update: Settings > System > Recovery > Go back.
• As a last resort, back up your files and perform a clean Windows installation.