Why Does My Laptop Keep Running Into A Problem?

Repeated crashes come from heat, bad drivers, corrupt files, or failing parts; start with updates, clean vents, and run built-in tests.

What the message means

When a laptop shows error screens or restarts by itself, the system hit a stop it could not pass. On Windows, that often looks like the line “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.” On a Mac, you may see “Your computer restarted because of a problem.” The root can be a flaky app, a driver that misbehaves, heat, storage errors, worn cables, or bad memory. The trick is to read the clues and rule things out in a steady order.

Laptop keeps running into a problem: quick checks

Start with fast checks that catch many repeat crashes. Do these before deep fixes.

Symptom	Likely cause	Quick test
Fans spin hard; case feels hot; shutdowns during games or video	Heat build-up or dust in vents	Run on a hard surface; blow out vents; watch temps with your maker’s tool; does it calm down?
Crashes after a new update or device	Driver or BIOS/firmware conflict	Unplug the new gear; roll back the driver; check your maker’s driver page for a newer build
Blue or black error screen with a stop code	Low-level driver, disk, or memory fault	Note the code; boot to safe mode; run file and memory checks
Restart loop during boot	Corrupt system files or failing startup app	Boot to safe mode; disable startup apps; run repair tools
Crashes only on battery	Weak battery or power draw spikes	Test on the charger; try a different outlet; check battery health
Locks up when a device is attached	USB device or cable fault	Remove the device; try a new cable or port; update its driver

Windows users can start with Microsoft’s guide to stop code errors. Mac users can check Apple’s help for kernel panics. Both pages line up with the steps below.

Set the stage before deeper fixes

Power, heat, and airflow

Plug the laptop into wall power for all tests. Place it on a hard surface so vents can breathe. Clear dust with short bursts of air from the side of the vents, not deep inside. If fans roar under light use, close heavy apps and retest. Heat can make every other fix look wrong, so clear it first.

Updates and drivers

Run system updates. Then check your maker’s driver page for BIOS or firmware and for graphics, Wi-Fi, and storage drivers. If a crash started right after an update, try the previous driver and watch for repeat issues.

Backups and a restore point

Copy your needed files to an external drive or a cloud folder. On Windows, create a restore point so you can step back if a driver rolls the wrong way.

Why my laptop keeps running into a problem during startup

A boot loop hints at a broken driver, a bad update, or disk errors. The goal is to start in a trimmed state, repair system files, and bring services back one by one.

Windows: safe mode and core repairs

Enter safe mode

Hold Shift while selecting Restart from the power menu, then pick Troubleshoot → Startup Settings → Restart → Safe Mode with Networking. In this mode, only basic drivers load.

Repair system files

Open an admin Command Prompt and run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

DISM pulls clean components; SFC replaces damaged files. Microsoft documents both tools in its guide to System File Checker.

Check the disk

Still in safe mode, open an admin Command Prompt and run:

chkdsk C: /scan

For deeper checks on next boot, use chkdsk C: /f. Save work first.

Trim startup items

Open Task Manager → Startup apps. Disable anything you don’t need, then reboot in normal mode. If the loop stops, re-enable items one at a time to find the trigger.

macOS: safe mode and basics

On Apple silicon, shut down, then hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears. Pick your disk, hold Shift, choose Continue in Safe Mode. On Intel, hold Shift after the chime. Safe mode loads only core parts and clears caches. If the Mac runs here, remove login items and third-party kernel extensions, then reboot. If the message returns, run Disk Utility → First Aid on your startup disk.

Fixes when a PC ran into a problem error appears

When stop codes keep popping up, capture details, then move through a short list of tests. Aim to change one thing per pass so you can pin the cause.

Grab the stop code and event trail

Write down the stop code text, such as CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED or VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE. After the reboot, open Event Viewer and the Reliability Monitor to see the failure path and any driver names that failed. A steady pattern points to the next step.

Read the trail in Reliability Monitor

Open the Start menu and type reliability. Pick Reliability Monitor. You’ll see a day-by-day chart with blue “i” info icons and red “X” stops. Click a red mark and read the faulting module, the time, and the app or driver name. If one item repeats across days, that’s your lead.

Roll back or pick an optional update

If a driver line shows up around each stop, roll it back in Device Manager, then test. If the crash ends, wait for your maker to post the next build. You can also try Windows Update → Optional updates to find a vetted driver from the vendor.

Sleep and hibernate quirks

Some laptops trip on Modern Standby or old hibernate files. If errors happen after opening the lid, set the power plan to Better performance, turn off fast startup for a while, and clear the hibernate file with powercfg /h off. Retest lid closes and dock undocks.

BIOS update safety tips

Only flash the file that matches your exact model and board revision. Keep the charger plugged in and stop all apps. Don’t interrupt the process. After the update, load the default BIOS settings once, then set your boot order again if needed.

macOS extras

Reset NVRAM or settings

On Intel Macs, start up and hold Option+Command+P+R for one cycle. On Apple silicon, use the normal startup and change the setting in System Settings. This clears display and boot data that can confuse drivers.

Apple Diagnostics

Disconnect gear, then hold D at startup. The test looks for memory and logic board faults. Note any reference codes. If it reports a power or memory issue, test again after reseating parts or removing third-party RAM.

Clean startup on macOS

Open System Settings → General → Login Items. Remove tools that inject helpers into the system. Move apps to the Applications folder and update them from the App Store to get signed builds that match your OS version.

Targeted tests that catch common faults

Memory

Bad RAM can crash even a clean system. Use Windows Memory Diagnostic (Win+R, type mdsched) or a trusted bootable tester. Look for any error count above zero. Replace the stick that fails, then retest.

Graphics

Crashes during games often trace to graphics drivers or heat. Use the maker’s clean-install tool for NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, then install the latest stable build. Cap frame rates to cut heat spikes and test again.

Storage

Open your SSD tool from the maker and read SMART health. If reallocated sectors or media wear jump, back up and plan a swap. On spinning disks, run a vendor tool to scan for weak blocks.

USB and docks

Pull all USB gear and docks, then add them back one by one. Faulty hubs and cheap cables cause resets more than you’d think.

Use vendor help to speed things up

Many makers bundle tools that log temps, fan curves, and drive health. They also post driver hotfixes and BIOS updates tied to model numbers. A patch on that page can stop a week of chasing ghosts.

Fix method	When to use	Steps (short)
Clean reinstall of a driver	Crashes tied to graphics, Wi-Fi, sound	Use vendor clean tool;