[Solved] Windows Computer Restarts when Screen is Locked

Windows computer restarts when screen is locked is a common issue affecting many Windows users lately. The error usually occurs when the users leave their system in Sleep Mode. It appears in different forms, such as:

• Black or blue screen
• Frozen or stuck screen
• A sudden system shutdown or reboot
• Disrupted operations in Windows

Due to the error, users cannot access their system and data. Fixing this error requires an understanding of the underlying causes. Read on to learn more!

What Causes the Windows Computer to Restart When Locked

There could be several reasons behind the issue. The most common ones include,

• Improper power supply
• Buggy or damaged system files
• A corrupted peripheral or external device
• Outdated or buggy drivers
• Outdated Windows, or
• An obsolete antivirus program

How to Solve Computer Restarts When Screen is Locked Issue?

We’ve collated all the possible methods to help you overcome the situation. Some methods can be performed easily, while some might require technical expertise. Read the steps carefully to avoid further damage to your system.

1. Unplug Peripheral Devices

A problematic peripheral device/hardware, such as a printer, scanner, USB device, card reader, etc., connected to your system may cause it to restart after being locked. Remove or disconnect these devices from your system.

Then, remove the battery or unplug the computer from the wall and hold the power button for approximately 15 seconds. Reconnect the power to your system and try to restart it. If you still face issues, try the following method.

2. Boot your PC in Safe Mode

If you have tried restarting your system multiple times and are still facing the same issue, try booting your PC in safe mode and see if it bypasses the Window locking itself and shutting down error. Safe Mode helps the system start with a minimum set of drivers and software, helping users bypass the error state and access the system’s functionalities. Follow the steps given below:

• Turn off your system using the Power button (if it is ON).
• Reboot the system and forcefully turn it off when you see your PC/Laptop’s brand logo or Windows logo on the screen.
• Repeat this thrice, and you should be able to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (RE).
• There, click Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
• Click F4 to select the ‘Enable Safe Mode‘ option and then click Restart.

• Once your system restarts, it will be in Safe Mode. If the error doesn’t occur, try the following relevant methods.

3. Disable Sleep or Hibernate mode

Adjusting your power settings and disabling sleep or hibernate mode may also help you resolve the system restarting on the screen-lock issue. To do so, follow the given steps:

• Press Windows + Q or Windows + S, and you will see a search window.
• Type Control Panel and click Open when you see the result.

• Next, locate View by, and select Large Icons from the drop-down.

• Go to Power Options.

• Now, click Change plan settings.

• On the following prompt, set the ‘Turn off the display’ and ‘Put the computer to sleep’ options to Never.
• Click Save Changes.

• Now, close the Control Panel and reboot your system. Check if the problem persists.

4. Update GPU drivers

• Windows restarts when locked. The issue may pop up when your graphic drivers are outdated or buggy. You can download the latest graphic drivers either from your system’s manufacturer’s official site or do it by accessing the Device Manager, following the given steps:
• Press Windows + X to open the Start menu, locate it, and open Device Manager.

Next, go to the Display adapters category in the Device Manager window.

Expand the Display adapters category, right-click on the driver, and choose the Update driver option.

On the following prompt, select “Search automatically for drivers.”

• Let Windows find the latest drivers for your device. If available, download them.
• Close the Device Manager and reboot your system to see if the issue is resolved.

5. Update BIOS

To update your system BIOS, refer to your device’s user manual or Intel’s guide on updating the BIOS.

Note: Remember that any mistake while accessing or making changes in BIOS can cause more damage to your system and data loss. To prevent complete data loss, keep professional data recovery software handy.

6. Run SFC Scan

Sometimes, corrupted or damaged system files can also cause Windows 10 to lock itself and shut down. You can try running the SFC (System File Checker) utility. This utility scans the integrity of the system files and replaces their damaged versions with the correct ones, thus fixing the system errors. Follow the given steps to run the SFC scan.

• Go to Windows Search (Windows + S), type cmd, and select Run as administrator when you see the results.

• Press Yes if it asks for your permission.
• In the elevated window, type sfc/scannow and hit Enter.

Wait for a while and let the process complete. Ensure there is enough power supply to prevent your system from shutting down and interrupting the scanning process.

Once done, check the results of the scans and follow the prompts to resolve the issues with the system files (if any).

7. Uninstall Problematic Third-Party Software

Buggy or broken software installed on your system can also lead to Windows 10 locking itself and shutting down issues. If you’re aware of which software might be causing the problem, you can uninstall it by following the below-said steps:

• Go to Settings by pressing Windows + I and then go to Apps.

• After that, go to Apps & features and locate the problematic application.
• Next, select the buggy application/software and click Uninstall > Uninstall to confirm your action.

Further, select Yes if it prompts you to use the Yes or No option.

Let the app uninstall, and once it is done, reboot your system.

Finally, check if the issue is resolved.

8. Update Windows

If you’re running an outdated Windows, it can cause Windows to restart and shut down when locked issue. It can even lead to several other system errors, such as the blue screen of death. Therefore, ensure that all the latest Windows updates are installed on your system. To check and update the Windows, follow the given steps:

• Access Windows Settings and go to Update & Security.
• Then, go to Windows Update.
• If you see some pending updates, click Install now.

Let the updates install. Once the process is complete, ensure that you restart your system. Check if the issue is resolved.

9. Scan your PC for Malware

Lastly, it is also possible that your system might be infected by viruses or malware. If so, you can face Windows locking and shutting down issues. To check whether your system has a virus or malware infection, scan your PC with the Windows Antivirus Program following the given steps:

• Open Settings and follow Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

• Follow the next recommended prompts to start scanning your PC for malware.

If the software detects any viruses or malware on your system, scan results will appear on the screen. Accordingly, follow the instructions to eliminate the virus. Finally, restart your system and see if the issue is sorted.

Conclusion:

Other than the discussed methods to fix Windows computer restarts when the screen is locked error, some technical experts have suggested resetting all power plans to their default. It can be done using the Command Prompt utility and running the powercfg –restoredefaultschemes command. Once reset, configure the power settings again and test if the issue persists.

Further, to recover your data, use data recovery software, such as Stellar Data Recovery Professional. The software can restore the data from BSoD-affected, unbootable, or crashed Windows PCs/OS.

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About The Author

Mansi Verma

Mansi Verma is a Senior Technology Writer at Stellar®. She is a Tech enthusiast, holding over a decade of experience in technical writing. She writes guides, articles, blogs and tips on Data Recovery, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics. She loves providing DIY solutions to solve various Windows system related issues. In her spare time, she likes reading her favorite novels, and writing poetry. She is also an avid traveller.