[Fixed] “Your PC Ran into a Problem and Needs to Restart”

If you are looking for a solution to fix the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” Blue Screen, then you are in the right place. This error may be related to system failure, which could lead to lost data or lost files.

The BSOD or Blue Screen of Death usually occurs when the computer encounters a system failure or a ran into a problem that prevents it from working correctly. Various factors, such as hardware issues, software conflicts, or faulty drivers, can cause this error. In this article, we will discuss different methods to resolve the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error.

Common Reasons for “Your Device Ran Into a Problem and Needs to Restart”

There are several common reasons why you may encounter the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error message. Understanding these causes can help you identify the appropriate troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. Here are some of the most frequent reasons behind this error:

1. Corrupted or Missing System Drivers: Outdated, missing, or corrupt system drivers can cause instability and conflicts within the operating system. Ensuring that your drivers are up-to-date and properly installed is crucial to maintaining system stability.
2. Hardware Incompatibility: Incompatible hardware components can lead to system crashes and the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Always check the compatibility of your hardware components with your system and update your BIOS to the latest version to avoid potential conflicts.
3. Memory Issues: Faulty or improperly seated RAM can cause a variety of system issues, including the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Running a memory diagnostic tool or reseating your RAM can help resolve memory-related issues.
4. Malware or Virus Infection: Malicious software and viruses can cause system instability, leading to the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Regularly scanning your system with a reputable antivirus program can help prevent and resolve malware-related issues.
5. Power Failure: Sudden power fluctuations or outages can cause system crashes and the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. A reliable power supply and surge protector can help protect your computer from power-related issues.
6. Windows Installer Service Issues: Problems with the Windows Installer Service can lead to system crashes and the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Repairing or reinstalling the Windows Installer Service may resolve these issues.
7. Overheating: Overheating components, such as the CPU or GPU, can cause system instability and the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Regularly cleaning your computer’s internals and ensuring adequate cooling can help prevent overheating issues.
8. Software Conflicts: Conflicting software, such as two antivirus programs running simultaneously, can cause system instability and the “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” error. Uninstalling conflicting software or ensuring only one antivirus program is active can help resolve these issues.

Understanding the common reasons behind the error can help you identify the appropriate troubleshooting steps and get your computer running smoothly again. Always keep your software and drivers up-to-date, maintain proper PC maintenance, and perform regular system scans to avoid encountering this error in the future.

Windows 10 Error “Your Device Ran Into a Problem and Needs to Restart” Stop Codes

Together with the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart,” it will also come with a stop code. This stop code would depend on what caused the error code. Here are some of the most common stop codes that Windows users encounter.

Windows Stop Code	Stop Error	Explanation
0x00000133	DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION	Incorrect or failed installation or uninstallation of applications.
N/A	WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR	Hardware issues and corrupted system files.
0x000000EF	CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED	Corrupt system update files and driver issues.
0xc000021a	STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED or Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart	Issues with hardware or software
N/A	MEMORY MANAGEMENT	Issues with the Video Card driver.
N/A	CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT	Issues hardware drivers, RAM, BIOS, and software conflicts.
0x0000009F	PDP_DETECTED_FATAL_ERROR	Issues with Input/Output device initialization
0x000000139	KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE	Issues with driver compatibility
0xc000021a	N/A	Winlogon.exe is corrupt, Csrss.exe file deleted, External devices interference with OS or Damaged Windows registry.

The last stop code, “0xc000021a,” is unlike the rest of the list we provided as it does not have any information other than the code itself. Here’s what the BSOD error 0xc000021a looks like:

However, depending on the version of the Windows Operating System that you have on your computer, the BSOD error stop code 0xc000021a may show a stop error message.

This is how the BSOD error stop code 0xc000021a appears on Windows XP and Vista:

To fix the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” Blue Screen, you may have to perform multiple troubleshooting steps. Today, we will discuss the easiest and most effective troubleshooting methods to fix the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” Blue Screen, including steps to recover lost data and recover lost files.

System Restore: Create and Use a Restore Point

System Restore is a valuable tool in Windows that allows you to roll back your system to a previous state, which can be helpful if you encounter issues after installing new software, drivers, or updates. By creating a restore point before attempting any troubleshooting steps, you can revert to a previous working state if needed and potentially recover data.

Creating a System Restore Point:

1. Press the “Windows” key on your keyboard and type “Create a restore point” in the search bar. Click on the search result to open the System Properties window.
2. In the System Properties window, you’ll see the “System Protection” tab. Ensure that the protection is enabled for your system drive (usually C:). If not, click on the drive and then “Configure” to enable protection.
3. Click on the “Create” button. A small window will pop up, asking you to give it a descriptive name. Type in a name that will help you remember the reason for creating it (e.g., “Before Troubleshooting BSOD”).
4. Click “Create” and wait for the process to complete. Windows will notify you once it has been successfully created.

First Method – Disconnect Any External Devices on Your Computer

Disconnecting all external devices connected to your computer may save you from fiddling with some settings in your computer. Try removing external devices such as flash drives, external hardware, and other peripherals, and leave the mouse and keyboard.

After removing all external devices, restart your computer and check if the issue has been solved.

If the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” Blue Screen has been solved by disconnecting all external devices, then one of the devices might be faulty. In this case, we suggest keeping them disconnected and replacing them with a different one.

Second Method – Boot Your Computer in Safe Mode

With the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” Blue Screen, you will not be able to reach the desktop to fiddle with some settings. In this case, you should boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking.

In Safe Mode, your computer will be in a state where it will disable all unnecessary drivers that potentially is causing the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” Blue Screen.

Once you are in Safe Mode, try to uninstall the latest applications and drivers you had recently installed before encountering the BSOD.

Here are more steps that you should do while you are in Safe Mode with Networking:

Third Method – Launch the Startup Repair

Windows 10 features a diagnostic-based tool that can repair any errors in the Windows Operating System. Follow these steps to launch the Startup Repair tool.

1. Press the “Windows” key on your keyboard and press “R.” This will open a small window where you can type “control update” in the run command window.

2. Under Update & Security, click on “Recovery” and then click on “Restart Now” under Advanced Startup.

3. After restarting your computer, it will show you the Advanced Startup screen. Click “Troubleshoot.”

4. Click on “Advanced Options” under the Troubleshoot window.

5. Under the Advanced Options, click on “Startup Repair.”

6. Wait for the Startup Repair process to complete. It may restart your computer several times and may take a while. Just wait for it to complete and confirm if the issue has been fixed.

• Check out: PC Stuck Restarting Repair Guide

Fourth Method – Run the SFC or System File Checker

Windows has a built-in tool that can be used to scan and repair corrupt or missing Windows files. Follow these steps to perform a scan using the Windows SFC:

1. Hold down the “windows” key and press “R,” and type “cmd” in the run command line. Hold down both the “ctrl and shift” keys together and press enter. Click “OK” on the next window to grant administrator permissions.

2. In the command prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” and press enter. Wait for the SFC to complete the scan and restart the computer. Once done, run the Windows Update tool to check if the issue has been fixed.

Fifth Method – Run the Windows Update Tool

New updates come with bug fixes, updated drivers, and virus definition updates that are critical to fixing any underlying issues. This includes the ones that can cause the Windows 10 Error “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” Blue Screen.

Follow these tools to launch the Windows Update Tool to get the latest updates for your system.

1. Press the “Windows” key on your keyboard and press “R” to bring up the run line command type in “control update,” and press enter.

2. Click on “Check for Updates” in the Windows Update window. If there are no updates available, then you should get a message saying, “You’re Up to Date”

3. However, if there are optional updates available, you will get a notification just like in the below screenshot:

4. Click on “View optional updates,” and you will see a list of optional updates you can install. If you see one that has something to do with your display drivers, you should let the Windows Update tool install it.

Sixth Method – Using Windows Installation Media to Fix Blue Screen Errors

If you’re unable to resolve the blue screen error using the methods mentioned in the article, you may need to use Windows installation media to repair your system. This can help address problems caused by corrupted system files and other critical errors. It can even fix windows boot issues.

1. Download the Windows installation media creation tool from the Microsoft website and create a bootable USB drive or burn it to a DVD.
2. Insert the USB drive or DVD into the affected computer and restart the system.
3. Boot the computer from the installation media by pressing the appropriate key to enter the boot menu (usually F12, F10, or Del).
4. Once the Windows installer loads, select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard input method, then click “Next.”
5. Click “Repair your computer” in the bottom-left corner of the window.
6. Choose “Troubleshoot” from the list of options on the Windows Recovery Environment screen.
7. You can now access various tools to help fix the issue, such as System Restore Tool, Run Startup Repair, and Run Command Prompt.

Seventh Method – Use System Image Recovery

System Image Recovery is a feature in Windows that allows you to restore your computer to a previous state using a backup system image. A system image is an exact copy of your entire system, including the operating system, applications, settings, and personal files. This feature can be particularly useful in data recovery when dealing with persistent BSOD errors.

If you’re experiencing persistent BSOD errors and other troubleshooting methods have failed, you can use System Image Recovery to restore your computer to a time when it was working correctly.

To use System Image Recovery, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer and access the Advanced Options screen.
2. Click on “Troubleshoot,” then “Advanced options,” and finally, “System Image Recovery.”
3. Choose your target operating system if you have multiple installations.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to locate and restore the system image backup.

Please note that you must have a previously created system image to use this feature. It’s always a good practice to regularly create system image backups to protect your data and ensure a smooth recovery process in case of issues like blue screen errors.

Eighth Method – Reinstall Windows to Resolve Persistent Blue Screen Errors

If all other methods fail to fix the blue screen error, you may need to reinstall Windows. This process will erase all data on your system drive, so make sure you have a backup of your important files before proceeding. Reinstalling Windows may help you recover data and resolve any issues related to the Windows Installer Service.

1. Prepare your Windows installation disk or USB drive with the installation media.
2. Insert the disk or USB drive into the affected computer and restart the system.
3. Boot the computer from the installation media by pressing the appropriate key to enter the boot menu (usually F12, F10, or Del).
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows. Make sure to select the “Custom (advanced)” installation type to perform a clean install.

After reinstalling Windows, you will need to reinstall all the drivers for your hardware and restore your personal files from a backup.

Remember that reinstalling Windows should be considered a last resort, as it will remove all your personal files, applications, and settings. Always try other troubleshooting methods first, such as using the System Restore Tool, adjusting Memory Dump Settings, and checking Registry Files, before deciding to reinstall Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Device Ran Into a Problem and Needs to Restart: Final Summary

In conclusion, the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” system crash can be caused by various factors. Still, with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the issue and get your computer running smoothly again. Remember always to keep your software and drivers up-to-date and maintain proper PC maintenance to avoid encountering the “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart” error in the future.