Computer randomly shuts down and turns back on by itself

jxg123sk · Nov 26, 2014

Lately my computer has been randomly shutting down and turning on by itself without warning. I can be doing anything and it can happen. For example, I can browse the internet and it would randomly shut down and back on, or I can be playing a game and it shuts down and back on. I monitored my cpu temp while playing the highest it reaches is 50 degrees. I ran the FurMark test for my GPU and the highest it reached 76 degrees, the computer also turned off the first time I tried to run it but im sure it was just one of the random moments. I ran memtest86 to see if my RAM was the cause but it passed the tests which mean't it was fine. I looked up multiple forum posts and a lot of people say it can be the PSU or the MOBO? I am running Windows 7. I recall this issue many months ago but it only happened once and never again but now its happening more frequently. What can be the problem? Can it be the PSU? The MOBO? A virus?

My Parts
GPU: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 660 Ti WINDFORCE 2X OC Edition 2048MB
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Quad-Core Processor 3.4 GHz
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 GA-Z77X-UD3H
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
SSD(Windows boot): Samsung MZ-7TD250BW
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX 600

Does anyone know what the problem may be? I am at a loss right now I need all the help I can get!

jxg123sk · Nov 26, 2014

Actually just played a game of League of Legends and the computer turned off and on about 5 times in a row then remained on for the rest of the game and the CPU remained at a constant 38 degrees and the GPU at 40 degrees.

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

bumping for visibility

Math Geek · Nov 27, 2014

is it a blue screen like a memory dump or simply turning off and rebooting? how old is the case the parts are in?

it's possible the case has a bad power/reset switch that is randomly activating. i have seen this before with older and cheap cases. try booting the pc with the case open and then unplugging the power switch from the mobo. if the pc stops rebooting, then you know it is the switch. if it still does it, have to rethink it but this is the easiest and a free solution to try first.

always work from the easiest, cheapest solution

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

Math Geek :

There is no blue screen or anything like that it just simply turns off and 1 second later turns back on. The case is about 1 year and a half old it is the Corsair Carbide 300r. Can you write out the step by step of booting it?

Math Geek · Nov 27, 2014

just meant to turn it on like normal. once it is on, disconnect the power switch leads from the mobo. you can usually follow the wires from the front of the case behind the switch to where it goes on the mobo. most of the time it is on the bottom of the mobo but can be just about anywhere. unplug the wires and go about normal pc use and see if it reboots again. hopefully it will not and you'll know it is the switch. they can be replaced pretty easy if you have an old case sitting around to take it from.

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

Math Geek :

Oh I see what you mean, I just disconnected them and typing it from the computer as we speak. If it happens ill update the post.

Math Geek · Nov 27, 2014

my fingers are crossed hoping it's such a simple problem.

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

Math Geek :

Hmmm so far still hasn't shut off but the computer has stayed on for a while before it happened again so still keeping them crossed! I played a full 45 minute game with no hiccups.

Math Geek · Nov 27, 2014

give it some time. if you get brave try plugging the power switch back in but leave the reset switch unplugged and see if it still does not reboot. then of course go the other way and plug in the reset but leave off the power switch.

this will narrow down which switch is bad so you know which to replace.

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

Math Geek :

Still going strong. Played through 2 games now one more and I will slowly put the power on switch in fingers crossed!

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

Math Geek :

Just plugged in the power switch we'll see how it goes.

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

Math Geek :

It was too good to be true. Sadly it began turning off and back on by itself. Any other ideas? Im leaning towards the psu

jxg123sk · Nov 27, 2014

Math Geek :

So now my computer completely shut off and won't turn back on. I press the power button and everything turns on for a second but then immediately turns off. I now believe the PSU is the problem. I will be purchasing a replacement tomorrow and see how it goes.

Math Geek · Nov 28, 2014

the psu is the next logical problem. just be sure you get a psu that will run what you have. newegg has some real good deals on corsair and antec psu's right now for their black friday sale.

jxg123sk · Nov 28, 2014

Math Geek :

Just purchased a corsair cx750m and so far looking good my computer actually turned on now and has had no hiccups so far. I think the psu may have just gone bad but now it seems okay!

Math Geek · Nov 28, 2014

too bad it wasn't just the switch. at least a psu is not the most expensive item you could have to replace.

hope it works out for you

jxg123sk · Nov 28, 2014

Math Geek :

It seems to have been solved im relieved thank you for the suggestions!

zahalkiel · Aug 7, 2017

Its funny cause a dieing psu was actually my first thought as this has started happening to me and all of my parts except my psu are reasonably new.
Well,
gpu 2 yrs old
ram 6 months old
motherboard 3 yrs old
case 3 yrs old
cpu 3 yrs old
psu almost 10 yrs old!

It's been a great psu in that respect. Corsair GS800. I guess I can live with a 10 yr old psu dieing. None the less replacing the psu is a pain in the ass and I'm hoping a few little fiddles I did have fixed it...

zahalkiel · Aug 11, 2017

Well pc hasnt shut off for a few days now after doing it once a day for a week or so. I cleaned my pc (which was filthy asf) did a windows update and cleared a few pup malwares that were under quarantine and it seems to be ok now. Must of been the malware id say??

Computer randomly shuts down and turns back on by itself

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