My Laptop Power Cycles Unexpectedly

A laptop that restarts itself unexpectedly likely has a power supply problem.

There is nothing quite as annoying as staring at your laptop's blank screen just seconds after it indiscriminately powers itself off. It is even more annoying when it immediately powers itself back on as if nothing has happened. There are several reasons that a laptop will power-cycle unexpectedly.

Power Supply

If your laptop is restarting itself for no reason, it probably has something to do with the power supply inside of the computer. A damaged power supply might require servicing, but it may simply be overheating. You can power down your laptop and let it cool for thirty minutes to remedy this.

Battery and Power Cord

Another likely cause of frequent unexpected restarts is a loose or faulty battery. The laptop's battery needs to be securely attached to its assigned port. If the computer is being powered by a wall outlet, confirm that the entire length of the cord is intact and plugged securely into both the laptop and the wall outlet.

Software

If you have ruled out hardware as the potential problem, then you might have viruses, malware or spyware installed on your computer, causing its erratic power-cycling. Conduct a full-system scan with a reliable antivirus software and immediately remove any potential threats.

References

• Uofr: Troubleshooting Laptop Power Problems

Resources

• Foner Books: Laptop Power Adapter and Supply Illustrated How to Repair Laptop Power Cords