Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system is currently the most popular operating system in the world today which is being used in businesses and homes. It was first released in 2015 and is the successor to Windows 8.1. Although this is a solid performing operating system there are instances when certain issues can occur. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the windows 10 is not restarting issue.
Before performing any of the troubleshooting steps listed below you should first shut down your computer completely. Once shut down you should proceed with starting it again then do a restart.
There are several factors that can cause this problem ranging from a buggy software update to a corrupted system file. Listed below are the recommended troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
How to Fix Microsoft Windows 10 Is Not Restarting
Run the power troubleshooter
The first thing you will need to do in this case is to run the power troubleshooter. This is a useful tool that allows you to check for and repair and power related problems that you might encounter with Windows 10.
- Type Troubleshooting in the search bar.
- Select Troubleshooting settings and click on System and Security.
- Click on Power and click on Run the troubleshooter
- Follow the onscreen steps.
- Restart your computer.
Check if the Windows 10 not restarting issue still occurs.
Do a clean boot
A clean boot will start Windows with only the minimum required drivers and programs. This will allow you to check if the problem is caused by a conflict with another software or process.
- Hold the Windows Key and press R.
- Type msconfig and click OK in the Run dialog box.
- Choose the Services Tab, then put a check on Hide All Microsoft Services and select Disable All.
- Click Apply, and Click OK. This prompts you to restart; choose Restart Later.
- Hold the Windows Key and Press R.
- Type msconfig and click OK.
- Choose Start Up and select Open Task Manager.
- At the last field called Start-Up Impact disable all the ones with High Impact.
- Reboot your system and it will start up in the clean boot mode.
Try to check if the restarting issue still occurs. If it doesn’t then problem could be caused by a software installed in your computer. Start by enabling one service at a time in the same manner and stop when the issue comes back. You should uninstall the service or application that is causing the problem.
To undo the clean boot
- Open Start.
- Search for msconfig and click the top result to open the System Configuration experience.
- On the General tab, select the Normal startup option.
- Click the Services tab.
- Check the Hide all Microsoft services option.
- Click the Enable All button.
- Click the Startup tab.
- Click the Open Task Manager link.
- On the Startup tab, select each item and click the Enable button.
- Close Task Manager.
- Restart your computer.
Disable Intel Management Engine
One factor that can cause this problem is a bug in the Intel Management Engine. To check if this is the culprit, you should try to turn this off.
- Right-click on the Start and open Device Manager.
- Navigate to System devices and expand this section.
- Right-click on the Intel(R) Management Engine Interface and choose Disable device from the contextual menu.
- Shut down your PC and start it again.
- Try restarting it again
Check if the issue still occurs.
Run a malware scan
If your computer is infected with a malware then there’s a possibility that this is what’s causing the problem. Try scanning your computer for any presence of malware.
- Go to https://www.malwarebytes.com/antimalware/.
- Download the free version.
- Save the installation file to your computer.
- After the download is complete, double-click the file to begin installing Malwarebytes.
- Follow the instructions on the installation screen. Make sure Enable free trial of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO is unchecked.
- Make sure the computer is connected to the Internet.
- Open Malwarebytes.
- Malwarebytes will generally prompt you to download and install any available updates when you open the program. To check for and install updates manually, click the Update tab, then click Check for Updates.
- On Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware screen, click the Scanner tab. The Scanner window will open.
- On the Scanner window, select one of the first two options: Perform quick scan which is recommended in most cases or Perform full scan which is selected if a quick scan has not solved your problem.
- If Malwarebytes detects a threat, it will place the suspicious file in quarantine. After the scan is complete, click the Quarantine tab and review the threats Malwarebytes detected: To permanently delete a malware program, select its name and click Delete.
- After the scan is complete and you have addressed any threats placed in quarantine, click Exit to close Malwarebytes.
Check if the restarting problem still occurs.
Disable the antivirus
There’s a possibility that the antivirus program that you are using is causing this problem. To check if this is the culprit, you should try to disable this.
If you are using Windows Security
- Select Start – Settings > Update & Security – Windows Security – Virus & threat protection > Manage settings
- Switch Real-time protection to OFF.
If you are using Avast
- Search for the Avast icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Avast shields control.
- Locate the options to disable the program – the options are to disable it for 10 minutes, an hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently (until you yourself turn it back on). Select whatever option suits you best and use it to disable the program.
If you are using AVG
- Search for the AVG icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Temporarily disable AVG protection.
- Choose how long you want AVG to be turned off and whether you want AVG to disable its Firewall too.
- Click on OK to disable the antivirus program.
If you are using McAfee
- Search for the McAfee Antivirus icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Exit.
- You should see a dialog box warning you that McAfee‘s protection will be turned off. Click on Yes in this dialog box to disable the antivirus program
If the problem does not occur then you should uninstall your antivirus program and replace it with another one.
Reset your computer to factory settings
This will bring back your computer to its original factory settings and is usually performed if the issue is caused by a buggy update or corrupted system files.
- Click on Start
- Open Settings.
- Choose Update & Security.
- Choose Recovery from the left pane.
- Click Get started under the “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10” section.
Check if the Windows 10 is not restarting issue still occurs.
Perform a clean install of Windows 10
If the above steps fails to fix the problem then you should reinstall Windows 10 on your computer.
- Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10startfresh
- Download and launch the Windows Refresh Tool
- Review and Accept the License Terms to continue the process.
- Select the files you want to keep. If you want to keep your personal files, select the “Keep personal files only” option.
- If you want to remove all files, select “Nothing”. It’s best to select Nothing but make sure you have already made a backup copy of your personal data.
- Click Install to start the clean installation. The process is automatic, however in case you change your mind, you can cancel the process while the Windows 10 Setup dialog window is still shown.