FIX: Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart

by Matthew Adams

Windows & Software Expert

March 24, 2020

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Was there a time when you were working or playing a video game on your new Windows 10 operating system and you got the Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart error message?

Don’t be alarmed because you will see the reason why Windows is acting like this and the steps you need to take to fix this issue.

If you or a specific program deleted registry files from your System 32 folder in the Windows partition, then you will most likely get the error message Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.

If your RAM in Windows 10 device is running at a higher percentage than the operating system accepts, then you will also get this error message.

Note: The high percentage of RAM usage can be caused by a specific application that you may have installed recently.

Sometimes your PC will forcibly restart, and that can be a big problem. Speaking of these issues, here are some common problems that users reported:

• Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart stuck, frozen – Sometimes you might get stuck on this screen. If that’s so, you might be able to fix it using the System Restore.
• Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart Windows 10, 8, 7 – This issue can appear on almost any operating system, and if you encounter this issue, be sure to try some of our solutions.
• Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart every time, endless loop – Sometimes you might get stuck in the restart loop. If this happens, check your hardware and drivers.
• Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart RAM, overclock, overheating – In some instances, this issue can appear because your hardware is overheating. Be sure to clean your PC and remove overclock settings to fix this issue.

How can I fix the PC needs to restart message on Windows 10?

Solution 1 – Boot Into Safe Mode

The first thing you should do is reboot Windows in Safe Mode. To enter Safe Mode, you need to do the following:

1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Update & Security section.
   
3. Select Recovery from the menu on the left. Now click the Restart now button in Advanced startup section.
   
4. A list of options should appear. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Now click the Restart button.
5. You’ll now see a list of options. Press the corresponding key to select the desired version of Safe Mode.

Once you enter Safe Mode, check if the problem is still there. It’s possible that you might be able to fix the issue from Safe Mode, so be sure to try this method.

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this article to solve the issue.

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Safe mode is not working on Windows 10? Don’t panic, this guide will help you get past the booting problems.

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Solution 2 – Run the System File Checker (SFC)

In some cases, file corruption can cause this and many other issues to occur, and in order to fix this problem, it’s advised that you perform both SFC and DISM scans. To do that, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu. Now select Command Prompt (Admin). If Command Prompt isn’t available, you can also use PowerShell (Admin).
   
2. When Command Prompt opens, run the sfc /scannow command.
   
3. SFC scan will now start. This process will take about 15 minutes, so don’t interfere with it.

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If scannow command stops before the process finishes, fix it with this step-by-step guide.

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Once the scan is finished, check if the issue is still there. If the problem is still there, or if you couldn’t run SFC scan, it’s advised that you perform a DISM scan instead.

To do that, start Command Prompt as administrator and run the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command. The scan can take about 20 minutes, so be patient.

Once the scan is finished, check if the problem is still there. If you weren’t able to run or to complete the SFC scan, you might want to run it now.

Does it seem that everything is lost when DISM fails on Windows 10? Check out this quick guide and get rid of the worries.

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If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look on this guide.

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Solution 3 – Modify the Memory Dump Setting

Sometimes in order to better analyse the issue, it’s advised that you change memory dump settings.

If you’re getting Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart message, you can fix the problem by doing the following:

1. Press Windows Key + S and enter advanced system. Now select View advanced system settings from the list of results.
   
2. Click on the Advanced tab in the upper side of the Properties window.
   
3. Under the Start-up and Recovery topic left-click on Settings.
4. Under the System failure section you will need to uncheck the box next to Automatically restart.
   
5. Under the Write debugging information topic, click on the drop-down menu and left-click again on the Complete memory dump option.
6. Save changes and reboot your Windows device.
7. Check to see if you still have the error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.”

Solution  4 – Perform a System Restore

If you’re getting Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart message on your PC, you might be able to fix the problem by performing a System Restore.

If you’re not familiar, this tool allows you to restore your PC to an earlier state and fix various problems. To perform a System Restore, do the following:

1. Press Windows Key + S and type system restore. Select Create a restore point from the list of results.
   
2. System Properties window will now open. Click the System Restore button.
   
3. System Restore will now start. Click the Next button.
   
4. If it’s available, check Show more restore points option. Now you just need to choose the desired restore point and click Next.
   
5. Follow the steps to complete the restoration process.

Once you restore your system, check if the problem is still there.

If you want to know more about system restore points and how to create them, we’ve covered the subject extensively in this complete guide.

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If System Restore isn’t working, don’t panic. Check this useful guide and set things right once again.

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Solution 5 – Update Device Drivers

In some cases, Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart message can appear if your drivers are outdated.

This can be a problem, and in order to fix it, you need to find and update the problematic drivers.

To do that, just visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your device.

However, we recommend updating and fixing drivers with the Driver Booster 4 Free software for Windows. That supports hundreds of thousands of devices and drivers.

You can add the freeware version to Windows by free downloading it. That utility will scan for and highlight outdated drivers when you launch it.

Thereafter, you can press an Update All button on the program’s window to install the latest drivers.

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Did you know that the majority of Windows 10 users have outdated drivers? Be a step ahead using this guide.

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Solution 6 – Check for Windows Updates

If you keep getting Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart message, the issue might be the missing updates.

Microsoft is frequently releasing updates, and these updates are usually installed automatically. However, sometimes you might miss an update or two.

Even if you miss an update, you can always check for updates manually by doing the following:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to the Update & Security section.
3. Click the Check for updates button in the right pane.
   

Windows will now check for available updates and download them in the background. Once your system is up to date, check if the problem is still there.

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Having trouble updating your Windows 10? Check out this guide that will help you solve them in no time.

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Solution 7 – Select the Startup Repair Option

This is a fix if you can’t boot into the Windows login screen. When that happens, a Recovery screen usually opens from which you can select a Startup Repair option.

Alternatively, an OS recovery disc might have also come with your laptop or desktop. If it did, this is how you can fix the error with the recovery disc.

1. Insert your OS recovery disc, switch on PC and then press any key to boot from the DVD.
2. That will open Windows Setup from which you can press Next.
3. Then select the Repair your computer option.
4. Press the Troubleshoot > Advanced options buttons and select the Startup Repair option.
5. Next, select the target operating system to fix.
6. Windows will initiate the repair and then restart.

Sometimes, you can get an OS incompatibility error when your trying to run Startup Repair. Solve this problem by following the simple steps in this complete guide.

Note: In case you still have this issue, I would suggest you take the device to the store where you bought it from because it is most likely a hardware malfunction.

Now you have six ways to fix the Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart error, you can fix the issue in Windows 10.

Also, write any other issues regarding this subject below, and we will help you further with this case.

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

FAQ: Read more about Windows 10 errors

• What does it mean your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart?

This error occurs when there are corrupt system files or drivers. Other reasons for this error could be caused by a power failure or a virus or malware infection. Read our full guide to fix this problem in no time. 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2018 and has been since revamped and updated in March 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.