Why Computer Turns off And on Repeatedly?

Why does my computer turn on and off by itself?

Some users claim that their computers repeatedly turn on and off. This mistake might be caused by a variety of factors. Some software flaws can also harm the user experience, particularly if they interfere with normal operation. Many customers have reported that their computers turn off and on at random intervals.

Sometimes the solution is simple, such as a misplaced or incorrectly connected cable in the power supply. However, there are instances in which the computer frequently shuts off and on due to unclear causes.

1. Power Supply Issues The power supply unit (PSU) might be faulty or inadequate to handle the system's power requirements. This can lead to intermittent power cycling as the PSU struggles to provide consistent power to the components.

2. Overheating Overheating due to inadequate cooling or a malfunctioning cooling system can cause the computer to shut down automatically to prevent damage. This shutdown and restart cycle may occur as the system attempts to cool down and then overheats again.

3. Hardware Malfunctions Faulty hardware components such as the CPU, RAM, motherboard, or graphics card can trigger the computer to power off and on repeatedly. Loose connections, damaged components, or incompatible hardware can all contribute to this issue.

4. Software Errors Software issues such as corrupted system files, incompatible drivers, or malware infections can cause the computer to behave erratically, including sudden shutdowns and restarts. These errors may trigger the system to repeatedly attempt to boot up, only to encounter the same issues.

5. BIOS/UEFI Problems Issues with the BIOS and UEFI firmware can lead to boot loops where the computer continuously restarts without successfully booting into the operating system. This can occur due to misconfigurations, outdated firmware, or firmware corruption.

6. Power Button or Reset Switch Problems A malfunctioning power button or reset switch on the computer case can inadvertently trigger the system to power on and off repeatedly. This can happen if the button or switch is stuck or if there's a short circuit in the wiring.

7. Electrical Issues Problems with the electrical supply, such as voltage fluctuations or power surges, can cause the computer to turn on and off unexpectedly. This can occur if the computer is not connected to a stable power source or if there are issues with the electrical wiring in the building.

Operating System Updates In some cases, problematic updates to the operating system can lead to boot loop issues where the computer repeatedly restarts after attempting to apply the update. This can happen if the update fails to install correctly or if it conflicts with existing system configurations.

How to protect data when computer keeps turning on and off

Of course, there is a chance of data loss in some instances, such as when you reset the device or upgrade your operating system. Using high-quality backup software, such as AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, to store accessible system files and data is significantly safer.

This helpful application makes it much easier to protect all of your data from files, disks/partitions, and systems. Then save them to external hard drives, local devices, the cloud, a network, or a NAS connection for a high-quality data experience. It can assist you in installing Windows on a hard drive for another computer and cloning a hard drive.

Therefore, if your computer can still run except for turning off and on, you should quickly protect your data before it’s too late.

Step 1. Open the installed AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, click "Clone" in the main interface, and select "Clone Disk".

Step 2. Choose the hard disk that you need to clone as the source disk like SSD and click "Next".

Step 3. Select the destination disk to store the data on the source disk, and then click "Next".

Step 4. Then, you can check the source and destination disk in the next window or change to "Sector to Sector clone", and click the "Confirm" button to continue if there is no problem.

Here, you can also click the "Settings" button to adjust the partition size on the destination disk or tick "4k alignment" to Optimize the performance of SSD if the target disk is an SSD drive. 

Tip: If you want to clone Windows to a smaller drive, the "Clone without resizing partitions"  button will be greyed out. Then, a Note about how to boot OS from the destination disk will pop up. Read and keep it in mind.

 Step 5. After returning to the main interface, check the pending operation and click "Apply" and "Proceed" to commit the operation.

Optional: How to boot from the destination hard disk after the disk clone?

If the disk you cloned is a boot disk, then, you’re supposed to set the destination disk as the first boot device.

1. During the startup of your PC, press a specific key continuously. Usually, it’s Del for desktops while F2 for laptops. Then, you’ll enter BIOS settings.

2. Under the boot tab, you can change the boot order for your devices. Now, set the destination disk as the first boot device with your arrow key.

After clone, you'll get a safe back up of your current disk. So, now you can concentrate on fixing computer repeatedly turning on and off without worrying about data loss.

How to fix computer turns off and on repeatedly

So, now, let’s check what makes your computer turn on and off repeatedly and solve this issue.

Fix 1. Check the power supply and cable

One of the first things you should do is inspect the power source and the state of your power supply. This is because, most of the time, the malfunctioning state of the power supply unit creates poor communication with the PC, resulting in further functional problems. The same is true for damaged connection cables.

Check the IDE and SATA cables that link the hard disk, CD or DVD, and floppy drives. Check both ends of each cable to ensure they are securely secured to the component and the motherboard.

After verifying the power supply and cable, reboot your computer to see whether the error of the computer turning on and off has been resolved.

If the power supply fails any of the power-checking tests, it is preferable to replace it. Make careful to keep the PC plugged in for 5-6 minutes after replacing the PSU before turning it on. This enables the CMOS battery to charge up.

Fix 2. Check computer temperature

You can tell if your CPU is running correctly by glancing at the current temperature it displays. Typically, the CPU temperature should range from 30°C to 55°C, or at least 65°C for high-performance users. You can monitor the temperature of your CPU with reputable third-party software such as Core Tempe or by navigating the BIOS environment.

Step 1: Turn the PC on from the main power button

Step 2: Tap on the dedicated key for BIO on your device. Check the manufacturer's information in the manuals to confirm. Here, let's use F12 as an example.

Step 3: Browse to the Performance Monitor or CPU section and check the information available.

Fix 3. Check the memory

The PC may switch off and on repeatedly owing to memory-related faults with the device. DRAMs often require steady power and processor-based assistance to store data.

That is why the machine should be shut down during the RAM holding procedure if an error occurs during the operating system or boot file-based startup. In such a case, the BIOS will restart your computer's boot process and disable the choking RAM.

Step 1: Remove the cables for the power supply and press down plus hold for 15 seconds on the power button.

Step 2: Open the CPU casing, look for RAM slots, and snap the card slips on each side. Then, gently remove them with slow and steady support.

Step 3: Use a natural rubber to clean it and use compressed air to blow out all dry dust particles/wipe away the particles with a microfiber cloth.

Step 4: With Q-tips, clean out the RAM's gold-plated parts.

Step 5: Clear out the slots with compressed air again and replace all RAM sticks and other components.

Fix 4. Check motherboard

In certain circumstances, a malfunctioning motherboard is the primary cause of abrupt PC switching off and on. You should reseat all of the components within the PC and inspect the condition, reattaching connections with renewed emphasis. Components to investigate might include power supply connections, internal data, and memory modules.

It might be useful if you disconnected and reconfigured the mouse and keyboard portions. Of course, this is a complicated repair problem for normal users, therefore it is best to enlist the assistance of more skilled professionals.

Fix 5: Disable automatic restart

Internal configurations that prevent other processes, such as the preset Automatic Restart feature, might cause the computer to switch off and on repeatedly. You should disable it to check if the problem fixes itself.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu.

Step 2: Type the word "sysdm.cpl" into the text box and press Enter.

Step 3: Under the System Properties section, choose Advanced.

Step 4: Choose Startup and Recovery next and tap on Settings.

Step 5: Disable the Automatically Restarts checkmark in the System Failure portion and press OK to confirm.

Fix 6: Update BIOS

BIOS is primarily the firmware in a computer system that facilitates the booting process. It activates the computer's components to initiate the starting sequence, hence errors in the BIOS environment might cause startup troubles.

You should reset the accessible BIOS chip to resolve the issue. In certain circumstances, this may not work if the BIOS shutdown settings were already disabled due to damage. In that scenario, you need replace the chip. You may select whether to update your BIOS over USB or not.

Step 1: Tap on your device's designated key for the BIOS function (check the manufacturer's guide). It typically varies between Del, F12, F10, F8, or F2 keys.

Step 2: Access Factory Default using the arrow keys in the shutdown window.

Step 3: Choose the Restore/Reset Settings option and confirm the next prompt.

Step 4: Save your changes and exit this menu.

Fix 7. Perform startup repair

Step 1: Switch the device on.

Step 2: After the manufacturer log comes up, press the power source button to shut it off.

Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2 in a cycle twice.

Step 4: When the third round starts, the WindowsRE or Windows Recovery Environment will open up.

Step 5: Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.

Step 6: Next, select the Startup Repair option.

Step 7: Choose your account and add the password. Then, press Continue. Wait until this finishes up.

Fix 8. Reset your PC

If the starting repair process fails, you can reset the system manually. It's beneficial since the most recent update version may not have the "computer turns on and off repeatedly" issue. But you will lose all data, so make sure you back up your disk as we mentioned before.

Step 1: Open the Windows RE and access Troubleshoot.

Step 2: Select the Reset this PC option.

Step 3: Tap the "Remove Everything" option on the next page.

Step 4: Then tap Next.

Step 5: Select the "Fully clean the drive" option > Reset. Wait for some time for this to kickstart.

To sum up

This article explains how to fix the problem of your computer going on and off repeatedly. It's preferable if you take the time to understand your system's key problems and take the required measures to resolve them, such as fixing the motherboard or RAM, deactivating automatic restarts, and installing other software updates. To avoid other issues such as severe data loss, you should comprehend and carefully follow the procedures in each solution. In this instance, utilize a user-friendly and powerful backup program such as AOMEI Partition Assistant.

In addition, if you find any data lost while fixing computer repeatedly turning on and off, AOMEI Partition Assistant can also help you recover lost data in many situations.