Why Is My HP Laptop Restarting? | Fix It Fast

Guide / By

Frequent reboots on an HP laptop usually trace to driver faults, heat shutdowns, buggy updates, or power issues.

You open the lid, start a task, and the machine flashes a restart without warning. Random restarts feel scary, but they follow patterns. This guide gives quick checks and clear steps to stop the loop and protect your files. Everything here fits Windows 11 and Windows 10 notebooks from the brand.

Reasons An HP Laptop Keeps Restarting

Most repeat restarts fall into six buckets. Spot yours to skip straight to the fix.

1) Crash And Blue/Black Screen

Windows hits a stop error, logs a code, and restarts. Recent builds may show a black design, but the idea stays the same: the system protects itself and writes a dump. Microsoft’s page on troubleshooting Windows restarts outlines safe mode, driver checks, and recovery paths.

2) Heat Shutdown

Fans spin, the chassis runs hot, and the device powers off or reboots to prevent damage. Vent blockage and dust raise temps. The maker recommends clear airflow and periodic cleaning of vents to reduce heat buildup.

3) Buggy Or Half-Applied Update

A quality update or driver package can loop a reboot or crash at login. Rolling back a recent install from Windows Recovery fixes many loops.

4) Power Delivery And Battery

A failing charger, loose barrel tip, damaged USB-C cable, swollen battery, or tired cells can trigger dropouts that look like random restarts.

5) Storage Or File Corruption

Corrupted system files or a failing SSD can crash services and trigger a reboot. System File Checker and DISM often repair the OS image.

6) Memory Faults

Bad RAM crashes under load with changing stop codes. A memory test rules it in or out fast.

Fast Triage: What To Do First

  • Check the charger and cable. Try a wall outlet. On USB-C, test another rated cable and brick.
  • Look for heat. If the base is hot or the fan roars, lift the rear and let it cool for five minutes.
  • Note the timing. Does the reboot hit during games, video calls, or while idle? Patterns hint at heat, GPU, or updates.
  • Grab BIOS and drivers from your model’s download page. Skip driver packs from random sites.
  • Create a restore point so you can undo any change that backfires.

Stop The Loop And Capture The Error

The next goal is to keep the screen up long enough to read the code or driver name. Then you can fix the root cause.

Turn Off Auto Restart On Crash

  1. Press Win+R, type sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
  2. Open the Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery > Settings.
  3. Under System failure, clear Automatically restart, then OK.

Now the error stays on screen, and you can read the stop code or driver name. Microsoft’s guide to troubleshooting Windows restarts lists safe mode and recovery paths.

Open Reliability Monitor

This timeline view shows a red X for each crash and lists the faulting driver or app.

  1. Press Win+R, type perfmon /rel, press Enter.
  2. Select a red X near the restart time and read the Technical details and Faulting module.

Check Event Viewer Highlights

  1. Press Win+X > Event Viewer.
  2. Expand Windows Logs > System. Filter on Critical and Error.
  3. Look near the reboot for Kernel-Power, BugCheck, or a driver name.

Fix Heat And Airflow On The Notebook

  • Blow short bursts of compressed air through side and bottom vents (device off).
  • Raise the rear on a stand to improve intake. Avoid soft beds and couches.
  • Peek into the exhaust for lint mats. A felt-like layer means it needs a clean.
  • Follow the brand’s heat reduction tips to prevent thermal shutdowns. The official notes on reducing heat inside a laptop explain ventilation and cleaning basics.

Run Built-In Hardware Tests

Use the vendor’s UEFI diagnostics to rule out failing parts without booting Windows.

  1. Shut down. Press the power button, then tap Esc until the Startup Menu appears.
  2. Press F2 for System Diagnostics (HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI).
  3. Run Fast Test. If it passes, run Memory and Storage tests. For battery checks, run the battery test and calibration.

The official page for PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI shows how to launch tests when Windows will not start and how to calibrate the battery when readings seem off.

Repair Windows System Files

If Reliability Monitor lists Faulting module: ntoskrnl.exe or the issue began after a power cut, repair the OS image with DISM and SFC.

Run DISM And SFC (Admin Command Prompt)

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

Let each command finish. If SFC repairs files, reboot and test. Microsoft’s article on System File Checker lists outcomes and next actions; Microsoft’s DISM reference explains the image repair switches.

Driver And BIOS Cleanup

  • Open Device Manager. If a device shows a yellow icon, right-click > Update driver or roll back.
  • For graphics, use the package from your model’s download page. Generic GPU packages can misbehave on notebooks with switchable graphics.
  • Update the BIOS when the notes mention stability, power fixes, or thermal control. Keep AC power connected during the flash.

Undo A Problem Update

If restarts began right after Patch Tuesday or a driver push, remove the last change and wait for a re-release.

From Windows

  1. Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
  2. Select the latest Quality update or driver and remove it.

From Windows Recovery

  1. Hold Shift while clicking Restart.
  2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
  3. Pick Uninstall latest quality update and follow the prompts. Microsoft’s page on uninstalling an update shows each path.

Power Checks: Charger, Battery, USB-C

Power hiccups can look like restarts. Rule them out with quick checks.

  • Test with AC only. If your model allows battery removal, boot without it. If restarts stop, the battery needs service.
  • On USB-C models, use a cable and brick rated for the laptop’s wattage. Low-watt chargers throttle or drop under load.
  • Run a battery test in UEFI diagnostics. If the result says Replace or shows weak capacity, plan a swap.

Safe Mode And Clean Boot

If the machine stays stable in safe mode, a third-party driver or service is the culprit.

  1. Press Win+I > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
  2. After the restart, pick Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then select 4) Safe Mode.
  3. If stable, perform a clean boot: run msconfig, hide Microsoft services, disable the rest, and disable startup apps in Task Manager. Re-enable by halves to find the trigger.

When It’s Hardware

After you pass software fixes, stubborn restarts usually trace to RAM, storage, or thermals. This quick map helps decide the next move.

Symptom Probable Cause Try This First
Reboots under load (games, video) Heat or GPU driver Clean vents, update graphics from the model page, elevate rear
Reboots on lid open or movement Battery or loose power plug Test AC only, inspect barrel tip or USB-C cable
Crash with many different stop codes Memory instability Run UEFI memory test; reseat or replace RAM if errors appear
Crash right after updates Buggy patch or driver Uninstall latest quality update or roll back driver
Freeze then restart, disk at 100% Storage issues Run UEFI storage test; check SMART; consider a new SSD

Pro Tips That Save Time

  • Keep a cooling pad handy if you game or render on a thin notebook.
  • Use Reliability Monitor weekly to spot patterns early.
  • Delay non-critical updates for a week on mission-critical rigs, then install once early issues clear.

Why This Works

These steps match what Microsoft recommends for stop errors and unplanned restarts, and they align with the maker’s guidance on heat control and hardware tests. You start by catching the error, rule out heat and power, then repair files, roll back updates, and test components. That order narrows the field fast with minimal risk.