Fix 'Your PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs To Restart' problem in Windows 10, 8 (Troubleshooting Guide)
"Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" is an error message which may appear in computers running Windows 10 or 8 OS (or Windows 8.1) for different reasons from computer to computer.
More specifically, this problem can appear after a Windows or driver update, after power failure or system file corruption, due to a virus attack or due to a memory issue.
When the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you. . (100% complete)" error message appears on the screen, the computer is unresponsive to user commands and after the percentage measurement is completed, the system restarts automatically or freezes and the only way to close and restart Windows is by using the computer's power button.
This troubleshooting guide contains detailed instructions on how to resolve the "PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs To Restart" error/problem in Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 OS.
How to fix the "PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs To Restart" Windows 10, 8/8.1 error.
Case A. Windows can Start Normally or in Safe Mode.
Case B. Windows CANNOT Start Normally or in Safe Mode.
Case A. Windows can Start Normally or in Safe Mode.
Notes:
1. Follow the solutions mentioned below only if you can login to Windows Normally or in Safe Mode.
2: If you cannot apply the following solutions in Normal Mode then Start Windows in Safe Mode.
To Start Windows 10 or Windows 8 in Safe Mode:
1. From Windows GUI or from the Login Screen: Hold down the SHIFT key and chose Power > Restart.
2. After restart, choose: Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings & click Restart.
3. At Startup Settings, press the F4 key (or the "4") to start Windows into Safe Mode.
3. If Windows can start in Safe Mode, then before applying any of the solutions below, just try to restart your computer and let Windows to start Normally. (This solution in sometimes resolves the "PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs To Restart" error).
4. Before you continue to troubleshoot the "PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs To Restart" problem, make sure that your computer is clean from viruses and malware programs. Detailed instructions on how you can do that you can find in this guide: Quick Malware Scan and Removal Guide.
5. To make your life easier you can enable the F8 – Advanced Boot Options menu – by following these instructions.
How to fix the "PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs To Restart" problem if you can start Windows Normally or in Safe Mode.
Solution A1. Modify Memory Dump setting.
Solution A2: Force Windows to Full Shutdown.
Solution A3: Start in Safe Mode -Update essential device drivers
Solution A4. Scan & Repair Windows System files.
Solution A5. Perform a System Restore.
Other Solutions to fix the "PC Ran Into a Problem…"
Solution 1. Modify Memory Dump setting
First try to modify Memory Dump setting in System Properties:
1. Press “Windows” + “R” keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type “control sysdm.cpl” and press Enter.
3. At Advanced tab click at "Start-up and Recovery" Settings.
4. Uncheck the Automatically Restart checkbox and then by using the drop-down arrow, set the "Write debugging information" to Complete memory dump.
5. Press OK twice and restart your computer.
Solution 2: Force Windows to Full Shutdown.
Perform a full shutdown of Windows in order to re-initialize Windows at boot. To do that:
1. While holding the SHIFT key down press Shutdown.
2. Power ON your computer.
3. Check if the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" problem disappears. If it does, then disable the fast start-up feature permanently.
Solution 3: Check your computer's stability in Safe mode and Update essential device drivers.
In some cases the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error can be caused due to an outdated or corrupted device driver. To troubleshoot this issue start Windows in Safe Mode and see if the error persists.
Step 1. Start Windows 8 in safe mode
1. Press “Windows” + “R” keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open System Configuration settings.
3. At Boot tab select (Check) the Safe boot option and click OK.
4. Restart your computer.
Step 2: Update essential device drivers.
If the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error doesn't appear while in Safe Mode, then you probably have a problem with a software or a hardware device driver. In this case:
A. First Try to uninstall your Antivirus Software.
B. Try to perform a clean boot and identify which service or program causes the problem.
C. Finally uninstall and then re-install some essential device drivers on your system to find out if one of them causes the problem. To do that, uninstall the following drivers in this order (one each time and then restart)
-
- Display Adapter Driver
- Wireless Adapter Driver
- Ethernet Adapter Driver
Attention: After removing a driver, perform a system restart and check if the error persists before proceeding to uninstall the next device driver. When you find which device's driver causes the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" problem, then proceed to download and re-install the latest driver version (for that device) from the manufacture's website without uninstalling the rest device drivers from your system.
– To uninstall a device driver from your system:
1. Press “Windows” + “R” keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
3. At device manager, expand Display Adapters, right-click on the installed Video adapter (e.g. AMD Radeon) and select Uninstall.
4. When the Uninstall operation is completed, remove also any software related to the uninstalled device from the installed programs (Control Panel > Programs and Features).
5. Restart your computer.
6. Install the latest driver for the uninstalled device(s).
7. Restart your computer and then check if the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" problem still occurs.
Solution 4. Scan & Repair Windows System files.
The "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error message may be due to a corrupted file system. To resolve this, use the sfc /scannow (System File Checker) command to repair Windows system files. *
* Note: The sfc /scannow command must be executed from a elevated Command Prompt in order to work properly.
1. Open an elevated command prompt (with Administrative privileges). To do that:
- Right-click at the screen's bottom-left corner and from the pop-up menu, choose “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
2. In the command prompt window, type the following command & press Enter:
- sfc /scannow
3. Wait until Windows scans and repairs system files.
4. When the System file check and repair is completed, restart your computer and check if your computer works smoothly.
Solution 5. Perform a System Restore.
Try to restore your system to an earlier working state:
1. Boot into Windows Normally or in Safe Mode.
2. Press the Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
3. Type the following command to open the System Restore utility and press Enter.
- rstrui
4. At the first screen press Next.
5. Select a previous restore point from the list* and choose Next.
* Note: To show all available restore points, check the “Show more restore points” checkbox.
6. At the last screen, review your choices and press Finish.
7. Wait until “System Restore” process is completed.
8. Restart your computer.
Case B. Windows CANNOT Start Normally or in Safe Mode.
Notes:
1. Follow the solutions mentioned below only if you CANNOT login to Windows Normally or in Safe Mode.
2. To apply the solutions mentioned below, you need to boot your system from a Windows Installation media (USB or DVD). If you haven't a Windows installation media, then you can create one directly from Microsoft.
How to fix the "PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs To Restart" problem if you CANNOT start Windows Normally or in Safe Mode.
Solution B1. Modify SATA Mode in BIOS.
Solution B2. Change SATA Mode values in registry.
Solution B3. Perform a System Restore.
Other Solutions to fix the "PC Ran Into a Problem…"
Solution 1. Modify SATA Mode in BIOS Settings.
1. Power On your computer and press the appropriate key (DEL or F1 or F2 or F10) to enter BIOS settings. *
* Note: The way to enter into BIOS Settings depends on the computer manufacturer. To Enter into your BIOS Settings, pay attention at the first screen as your computer starts and try to find a message like this:
"DEL to enter setup"
"Press ESC to Enter Setup"
"BIOS Configuration: F2"
"F10 to Enter Setup"
2. Load Default Settings (Load Optimal Defaults)
3. Then look at all BIOS screens to locate the SATA Configuration setting.*
* Note: This setting is usually found under the Advanced section and can be named (depending on manufacturer) as: "SATA Mode" or "SATA Controller Mode" or "SATA Operation" or "Configure SATA as".
4. Make sure that the SATA Mode (Type) is set to AHCI or IDE and NOT in RAID.*
* Notes:
1. Caution: If you have configured two or more Hard Drives in RAID mode, then leave this setting as is, exit from BIOS setup without saving and continue to the next solution.
2. If the SATA Mode is set to AHCI then change it to IDE. If the SATA Mode is set to IDE then change it to AHCI.
5. Save Changes and Exit BIOS Settings and try to boot on Windows.
6. If your computer doesn't boot again, then revert the SATA setting back to what it was and proceed to the next solution.
Solution 2. Change SATA Mode values in registry.
Important: Apply this solution only if you prompted in BSOD screen to search online for this error: INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE
The next solution is to modify the Windows Registry Offline as follows:
1. Boot your computer from the Windows Installation Media.
2. At Language options screen, click Next.
4. Select Repair your computer.
5. Then select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
6. At command prompt type regedit to launch the registry editor.
7. Highlight the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key.
8. From File menu select Load Hive (to load the offline registry).
9. Navigate to the disk where Windows installed on (e.g. "C:").
10. Open the system file found in "%Windir%\system32\config\" directory. (e.g. "C:\Windows\system32\config\system")
11. Type a Key Name for the offline registry (e.g. "Offline") and press OK.
12. Double-click to expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key and you should a new key under it, named with the name you typed before (e.g. 'Offline" in this example).
13. Expand this new key & navigate (from the left pane) to this subkey: *
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Offline\ControlSet001\services\msahci
* Note: If you have Window 8, Windows 10 & Server 2012, then navigate to the “StorAHCI” key
(e.g. : “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Repair\ControlSet001\services\storahci”) , because in these Operating Systems the MSAHCI has been replaced by StorAHCI.
14. At the right pane double click at Start (DWORD) and change its value data to 0 (zero). ClickOK when finish.
15. Perform the same steps and set the Start value to 0 modification to these sub keys:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Offline\ControlSet001\services\pciide
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Offline\ControlSet001\services\iaStorV
16. When you finish with the modifications, highlight the key you created before (e.g. "Offline") and from the File menu choose Unload Hive to write back the changes you made to the offline Registry.
17. Close the Registry editor, the Command prompt window and Restart your computer.
18. Enter BIOS settings and specify the SATA mode (IDE-ATA, AHCI or RAID) according your needs or leave the default settings.
19. Exit BIOS settings, remove the Windows Installation media and let Windows to start normally.
Solution 3. Perform a System Restore.
To restore your system to an earlier working state:
1. Boot your computer from the Windows Installation Media.
2. At Language options screen, click Next.
3. Select Repair your computer.
4. Then select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.
5. Select a previous working state (date) to restore your computer.
6. Wait until Windows restores your system and restart.
7. Boot to Windows Normally.
Other solutions to bypass the 'Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart' error:
1. Check and repair file system errors.
2. Diagnose your hard disk for hardware problems.
3. Diagnose your Memory RAM for problems.
4. Disconnect any external device (e.g. Storage device, Printer, etc.)
Good luck! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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Shah Mohammad Polash
October 22, 2020 @ 6:04 am
Hello
Thanks for giving a solution of this issue. I found out your site. I can fix it following your step by step guide. Keep up the great work.
Maya
January 21, 2019 @ 6:27 am
thanks for the informations in here. It helped a lot'
Muffster
January 2, 2019 @ 11:24 am
I found by pressing my power button till I hear the battery shut down completely and then pressing it up again worked. It's risky, but it worked.
Aimy
July 10, 2018 @ 3:37 pm
Thanks for the information. Problem fixed!!! Your method works great.
NDETIO
July 5, 2018 @ 7:55 am
let me checking if the pc problems is solved
bidepro
May 16, 2018 @ 8:28 pm
On my Dell laptop I used your solution1 and it worked. Havnt had the PC error window come up for a few days which was coming up a lot on startup especially. Also my laptop comes on much quicker!!
Thanks for that solution.
jeremiah masese
March 25, 2018 @ 3:14 pm
after trying the Modify Memory Dump setting solution. now my PC cannot restart completely
Anonymous
October 9, 2017 @ 12:38 am
I have a desktop with windows 8 and I tried to change the sata mode from IDE to AHCI but it only gave me two options which are IDE and Raid. I haven't used my desktop for like two years since it had a problem booting up but I solved the problem now windows 8 would start up and give me the light blue screen for a brief second and restart and keeps restarting.
lakonst
October 10, 2017 @ 12:57 pm
@Anonymous: Chance the SATA mode to IDE and Check you Date/Time settings in BIOS. Try to boot to Windows. If the problems persists perform a fresh Windows installation.
Mandlaenkosi
September 28, 2017 @ 10:30 am
I am using an ASUS A541S when i put it on sometimes it goes to BIOS page when i try to enter save changes and exit it just load and came back on BIOS page again help please. Mandla
lakonst
September 28, 2017 @ 8:01 pm
@Mandlaenkosi: See for the solution here.
Charles
September 2, 2017 @ 6:07 pm
I have a Toshiba L55-A5226 since the first week I owned it back in I think 2013 it would freeze everything and I would have to do a hard reboot. This continued on randomly through the years I have owned this computer as I was never able to find a fix. A few weeks ago It was severely acting up with the windows 10 free upgrade that I had been using since it was available. So I had used the disks I had made when I first bought it to reset to factory setting. This set it back to Windows 8. Still doing its random freezing, but now 2 weeks later it is caught in this loop. It shows the Toshiba logo, and sometimes even says preparing automatic repair. Then goes to a black screen and sits for various lengths before flashing the Blue screen saying "your pc ran into a problem and needs to restart bla bla " but it doesn't show any % as many others I have seen do. I can enter the bios but it will not bring anything up when I put the restore discs in the DVD drive. Anything I do goes right back to the Toshiba logo and back into the loop. Some times it is an hour before the blue screen message sometimes 15 seconds, but always back to the loop. I have already removed the batteries drained the power and restarted with no change. Tried the 3 quick on offs but doesn't go to anything just continues the loop.. tried the power button with the esc key that does nothing. Any suggestions would be great.
lakonst
September 3, 2017 @ 11:59 am
@Charles: First check your disk for hardware problems. .
If you disk is OK: try the following:
1. Ensure that your computer doesn't overheat. For this task you can use the CPUID HWMonitor utility. If your system is overheating, then clean your computer from dust remaining inside to avoid high temperatures and operational problems
2. Reset BIOS to default settings.
3. Perform a clean Windows 10 installation from a Windows 10 installation media (DVD or USB). If you haven't a Windows installation media, then you can create one directly from Microsoft.
4. Completely uninstall the Video Adapter driver and try to use your with the "Standard Video Adapter" driver. If the problem is solved, then probably the Video Adapter is damaged.
Good luck!
amit
August 26, 2017 @ 4:41 pm
my laptop hp440 g3 .star my pc normaly .after some time later my pc shows these command
your pc ran into a problem………
even sometime running well .no any problem shows
pls solution plz
lakonst
August 31, 2017 @ 10:01 am
@amit: If your laptop has a second graphic card then disable it. If the problem solved then the 2nd graphic adapter is damaged.
Rajesh Chaudhary
August 23, 2017 @ 3:39 am
Uh,, This usually happens in Windows 10 with outdated Windows version. When you try to sleep your laptop for 3-5 times a day, the problem begun to arise.
The solution is simple. Make sure you windows 10 is up-to-date. Make sure you've all your drivers updated as well as all your security.
I hope this is definitely help.
Lewis McConnell
August 6, 2017 @ 4:51 pm
And also i have to Change the start up Tab in BIOS menu because it keeps trying to start up as a Family controller? and when i boot up to windows i cant save the changes and then everytime i start up the pc same and same over again. Please help-thanks -Lewis
lakonst
August 7, 2017 @ 9:10 am
@Lewis McConnell: Enter in BIOS Setup and set as first boot device your hard drive. Additionally disable the secure boot and boot in Legacy Mode, not UEFI.
A&T
July 23, 2017 @ 5:12 am
I love this site. Keep posting….
Ebenezer
May 23, 2017 @ 10:14 am
Very comprehensive guides here, but my pc runs into a problem only when i connect my modem. So i dont really know which of the steps to follow
Radu Mihai
April 14, 2017 @ 11:09 am
One solution for this problem might be unistalling chrome, mozilla or whatever internet browser you use then restart the PC.
I had some problems with chrome cleanup program that was deleted (by who i dont know!) the second I downloaded it.
If doesnt work, try reset the pc and reinstall windows.
For me, none of the above worked.
Ana
March 27, 2017 @ 4:56 am
I have a Pavilion 20 and it says your PC did not start correctly so I click restart and it keeps going in a loop.
Ive tried turning it on and off but continues to do the loop. Please help!!!
lakonst
March 27, 2017 @ 9:35 am
@Ana: Try the solutions from Case B.
Yasir
March 25, 2017 @ 1:13 am
I have a dell laptop and this blue screen appears 2-3 mins after I turn on my laptop what do I do please Help
lakonst
March 25, 2017 @ 10:31 am
@Yasir: Try the solutions from Case B.
Xrystal
February 6, 2017 @ 11:51 pm
I have this Asus a6r. I don't know what I did but I just suddenly couldn't load beyond windows loading screen. I use windows xp. I tried to clean install windows 8 but it got stuck at windows logo. What I'm trying to say is,
my PC won't work beyond the windows xp start up screen and then it restarts and again the same thing. I don't know if you get what I'm trying to say.
lakonst
February 7, 2017 @ 9:40 am
@Xrystal: The hard disk may be damaged. Diagnose it for hardware problems.
Blake
January 11, 2017 @ 11:36 am
Followed this guide, no clue what sequence of events happened. But, was playing a game, closed it, opened Firefox, everything froze. I shut down the computer. When I turned it back on everything loaded slowly and would freeze if I tried to open anything. Restart again, and suddenly I start getting the error loop. Have an Asus running Windows 8 so I let it try doing its own fixes, no help, try doing a system restore, got to the end and then it said the restore failed. Safe mode wouldn't load properly either. Eventually came here, downloaded the Microsoft installer bit to a USB, followed the solutions but couldn't find msahci in the register but found the other two fine. Set values to 0 reboot to BIOS, set it to AHCI and now I'm stuck in BIOS on every reboot. Tried reseating my hard drive, but I don't think it's even registering that it's in there.
lakonst
January 11, 2017 @ 12:47 pm
@Blake: I believe that your hard disk is damaged. The hard disk recognized in BIOS? If yes, try to set the SATA Mode to IDE.
If the problem persists: Disconnect the HDD and connect it to another computer. Then diagnose the hard disk for hardware problems.
Chris Moss
December 18, 2016 @ 9:21 am
After I tried to do a factory resets on my acrer laptop.. it ran into an error and now every time I turn on the laptop, it comes on, show the acer symbol, then go to a blank screen. It does it repeatively but it never makes it to the login screen. I've tried Alt & F10 but everything there isn't working either.. could someone help?
Chris Moss
December 18, 2016 @ 10:50 am
Thanks. Maybe I should clarify a little. I have a windows 10 and does everything in that particular thread applies to it? I see mostly window 8….. Also I am able to get in with Alt & F10 and when I went to reset PC it gave me error at 52% as it was ressetting
lakonst
December 19, 2016 @ 9:59 am
@Chris Moss: I believe that the hard disk has problems.
Larry Revis
September 26, 2016 @ 6:27 pm
On my Dell laptop I used your solution1 and it worked. Havnt had the PC error window come up for a few days which was coming up a lot on startup especially. Also my laptop comes on much quicker!!
Thanks for that solution.
Ahmed
August 29, 2016 @ 10:04 pm
thanks for your help, God bless you.
AG
June 23, 2016 @ 2:21 pm
Got this error. In my case it was laptop with Windows 10 installed. The problem was the battery. The user thought that he could swap laptop batteries from his old laptop with his much newer one. To troubleshoot this, I booted the laptop without the battery installed….just AC power. Booted up fine. Hope this helps.
ace deluffi
June 8, 2016 @ 3:36 am
I have a problem in my PC when I open my PC there was an error says "your PC ran into a problem and need to restart.Well restart for you." and then I always stuck . i always use the power botton to turn off my PC . what should I do .? please help mel
lakonst
June 9, 2016 @ 9:57 am
@ace deluffi: 1. Create a Windows installation media according your OS version 2. Boot your computer from the created media 3. Choose Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore and try to restore your computer to a previous working state.
Create installation media for Windows 8.1
Create installation media for Windows 10
Don Sean
May 20, 2016 @ 6:01 pm
Note: For windows 8 users, for you to boot into safemode:
1. Turn on your computer
2. Press "windows key"+"R" key. The Run dialog box appears
3. Type "msconfig" in the space provided
4. Click the "Boot" toolbar
5. Check the "Safemode" box; when you check it, other sub-boxes are selectable, so check the Network box
5. Restart.
Don Sean
May 20, 2016 @ 5:54 pm
In order to rectify KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR, instructions given below must be followed:
1. Again press F8 key continuously while system restarts to display the Advanced Boot Options screen.
2. On Advanced Boot Options screen, select Safe Mode by pressing down arrow and press Enter to start Windows 8 computer in safe mode.
3. Once started in safe mode, log on to Windows 8 computer with the administrator account.
4. Click Desktop tile from the Start screen to go to the desktop window.
5. Once on the desktop screen, hover mouse to the bottom right corner of the window.
6. From the displayed options, click Search.
7. On the opened Search pane in the right, ensure that Apps category.
8. On the same pane, type CMD in Apps field.
9. From the displayed results on Apps window, right-click Command Prompt.
10. From the displayed advanced options at the bottom of the window, click Run as administrator.
11. On the displayed User Account Control box, click Yes to provide the administrator approval to open the command prompt.
12. On command prompt window, type CHKDSK C: /F /R command and press Enter.
13. On the displayed confirmation message, type Y to allow the Windows to check the disk the next time when the computer restarts.
14. Close the command prompt window and restart the computer to start the disk checking process.
Risan Nishori
April 18, 2016 @ 6:02 pm
The issue with these tips is that you are not accounting for the fact that the restart error is not allowing time enough to complete these "solutions"
lakonst
October 19, 2016 @ 1:32 pm
@Risan Nishori: The article is updated to include all cases.
Bashistha
February 1, 2016 @ 3:45 pm
I have sony vaio laptop. One night, i let my laptop on, listening music with earphones plugged in, only closing the lid and my laptop was also charging whole night. From that day, my laptop shows this blue screen (VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR) when i plug in or out the laptop charger. And also when i scan the hardware changes. Please help me to solve me this problem in this case.
lakonst
February 1, 2016 @ 3:53 pm
@Bashistha: While holding down the SHIFT key, click Power > Shutdown to completely power off your laptop. Then, Power on again and check if the problem persists.
If you face the same problem a) Type RSTRUI at search box to open System Restore. b) Restore your computer to a previous working state. Good luck!
Jony
January 14, 2016 @ 10:20 pm
i'm in problem " your pc ran into a problem and needs to restart." but in my acer laptop it's unable to shut down with power button. so what can i do?
lakonst
January 15, 2016 @ 6:14 pm
@Jony: In login screen hold the SHIFT key and click Power > Restart to Enter Safe Mode and try to apply the solutions provided.
Lorie Mindoro
August 21, 2019 @ 3:36 am
I have my asus laptop and I keeping seeing this blue screen I cannot find the commands because I end up seeing the BIOS page of asus. And everytime I exit it It will just end up in the blue screen errors
lakonst
August 28, 2019 @ 11:06 am
@Lorie Mindoro: To enter in BIOS on your ASUS laptop, follow these instructions: https://www.asus.com/us/support/FAQ/1008829/