It can be very annoying when your phone suddenly restarts or turns off by itself without warning. Here are some quick answers to common questions about random phone restarts:
Is it normal for my phone to restart randomly? No, random restarts are usually a sign of an underlying issue that needs troubleshooting.
What causes random phone restarts? Potential causes include software bugs, old OS versions, bad apps, overheating, faulty hardware, and low storage space.
How do I fix random restarts? Try updating your OS and apps, deleting problematic apps, freeing up storage space, factory resetting your phone as a last resort.
Will replacing the battery fix it? Maybe, if the battery is old and unable to hold a proper charge. But other hardware issues could still cause problems.
Identifying the Cause of Random Restarts
Pinpointing exactly why your phone keeps restarting randomly can be tricky, since there are a number of potential culprits. Here are some of the most common causes of spontaneous phone reboots and how to identify them:
Software Bugs
Like all tech devices, smartphones can suffer from pesky software bugs that lead to glitches and crashes. If a core system app or OS feature has a bug, it can cause the whole phone to spontaneously restart or turn off. These bugs usually occur after major OS updates or app updates.
You can suspect a software bug if the random restarts started happening right after you updated your OS or installed a certain app. Checking tech forums and seeing if others are complaining about restarts on the same OS version or app can help confirm it’s a wider bug.
Outdated Operating System
As smartphones age, the OS can become outdated since developers roll out newer versions. Running an outdated OS makes your phone more vulnerable to bugs and performance issues. An old OS that is no longer supported may start spontaneously crashing or rebooting.
Check what version of Android or iOS your phone is currently running. If it is more than 2 major versions behind the latest available version, the outdated OS could be the issue.
Problematic Apps
Apps that are buggy, broken, or drain system resources excessively can sometimes cause instability that leads to random reboots. If you’ve installed any new apps recently before the restarting started, that may point to a problematic app.
Try updating all apps to their latest version. If the problem persists, uninstall any new apps one by one and see if that fixes it. Also remove any unofficial apps or APKs that could be infected with malware.
Overheating
Excessive overheating can force a phone to shut down and restart as a protective measure. If your phone feels abnormally hot before rebooting, overheating may be the culprit.
Severe overheating usually only occurs while doing processor-intensive tasks like gaming, navigation, or recording 4K video. Make sure your phone has proper ventilation and is not covered. Avoid prolonged intensive use if it seems to overheat easily.
Low Storage Space
Insufficient storage space can lead to unstable performance and restarts. Having too little storage essentially starves your phone of the space it needs for temporary system files and caches.
Check how much free internal storage you currently have – anything below 150-200MB could potentially cause issues. Try deleting apps, photos, and videos to free up storage space.
Faulty Hardware
Defective or failing hardware components like the battery, RAM, or internal memory can lead to random reboots, crashes, and other glitches. Hardware issues tend to worsen gradually over time.
If your phone is more than 2 years old and the restarts are progressively getting worse, faulty hardware may be likely. Seek professional phone repair to diagnose and replace any defective components.
How to Prevent Random Phone Restarts
Once you have identified the likely cause behind your phone’s spontaneous restarts, you can take the appropriate steps to prevent it from continuing:
Update Software
Make sure your phone’s OS and all apps are updated to the latest available versions. Updates fix bugs and optimize performance. Go to Settings > System > System update to check for any pending OS updates.
Also open the Play Store/App Store, tap the hamburger menu icon, and select My Apps & Games > Updates to update apps. Updating may resolve any software-related restart issues.
Uninstall Problem Apps
If you suspect a particular app is causing instability, uninstall it and see if the random restarts stop. Reinstall the app later to confirm – if the issues resume, that app needs to be removed permanently.
Also uninstall any apps you don’t really need to simplify your phone’s workload. Too many intensive apps running simultaneously can potentially lead to crashes.
Restart in Safe Mode
Booting your phone in safe mode launches it with only the essential apps and services. This lets you isolate whether any third-party apps are linked to the random restarts.
If the restarts do not occur in safe mode, a problematic app is likely the issue. You can then systematically uninstall apps one by one until the culprit is found.
Clear Cache and Temporary Files
Clearing cached data and temporary system files helps free up storage space and removes any corrupt files that could be causing stability issues.
Go to Settings > Device care > Storage > Clean now. Tap Cached data and Temporary files to clear them out and get your phone running smoother.
Perform a Factory Reset
If all else fails, performing a full factory reset can eliminate any software issues causing random restarts. This will erase all your data and apps and revert your phone to its out-of-the-box state.
Make sure to fully backup your phone before resetting it. Then choose Settings > General > Reset > Factory data reset. Just remember you’ll have to reinstall apps and restore data after the reset process completes.
Replacing the Phone’s Battery
An aging or faulty battery that is unable to hold a proper charge can also be the reason behind random phone shutdowns and reboots. Replacing the battery may be necessary if:
- Your phone battery is more than 2-3 years old
- You notice significantly decreased battery lifespan
- Phone randomly turns off with 30-40% battery remaining
- Phone feels abnormally hot when battery is low
Before replacing the battery:
- Check battery health in Settings – a battery that shows significantly reduced maximum capacity needs replacement.
- Try testing with a different battery if possible – if the issue stops, your battery is faulty.
- Reset your phone and update software to see if it resolves a battery related restart problem.
If you need to replace the battery, consult an authorized service center – do not attempt to replace it yourself and risk damaging your phone. Geniune OEM batteries give the best performance and longevity.
When to do a Factory Reset vs Replace the Phone
If random restarts persist after trying all troubleshooting steps, you may need to factory reset the phone or replace it entirely. This table summarizes when each option is recommended:
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Phone is less than 2 years old | Factory reset |
| Reboots started after a software update | Factory reset |
| Reboots linked to a specific app | Factory reset |
| Phone hardware is more than 2-3 years old | Consider replacing phone |
| Issues are gradually worsening over time | Consider replacing phone |
| You’ve already attempted factory reset before | Consider replacing phone |
Conclusion
Random and spontaneous phone restarts can stem from various software faults or hardware defects. Identify potential triggers like OS updates, new apps, overheating issues or low storage space. Try updating software, uninstalling apps, clearing cache/data and performing factory resets to fix software-related restart issues.
For older phones with deteriorating hardware, replacing the battery or the entire phone itself may be needed. Backing up data before troubleshooting or replacing your phone is highly recommended to avoid losing your files and information.