If your HTC phone keeps restarting unexpectedly, there are a few potential causes and solutions you can try. Restarting can be frustrating, but don’t worry – in most cases it’s an easy fix.
Quick Overview of Main Causes
These are some of the most common reasons an HTC phone may keep restarting:
- Software crash or glitch
- Overheating
- Faulty power button
- Outdated software/apps needing update
- Too many apps running in background
- Low storage space
- Faulty battery
- Water damage or other hardware issue
When Does it Restart?
Pay attention to when and how often your HTC restarts. This can help pinpoint the cause:
- Randomly restarts while using – Likely a software glitch or crash
- Restarts during resource-intensive tasks – Could be overheating or too many background apps
- Frequent regular restarts – Potential faulty power button or battery issue
- Only restarts when charging – Possible battery or charging port issue
How to Troubleshoot an HTC That Keeps Restarting
Try these troubleshooting steps in order to identify and resolve what’s causing the restarts:
- Check for overheating. An overheated phone will restart to cool down. Make sure there’s ventilation around your phone and close any resource-heavy apps.
- Update software and apps. Outdated apps and OS could be the issue. Install any pending updates.
- Restart in Safe Mode. This disables third-party apps and services to determine if they are the cause.
- Wipe cache partition. Clearing the cache and data may fix software crashes or glitches.
- Factory reset. If other steps don’t work, a full reset often resolves persistent software issues.
- Check for water damage. Look for water indicators or corrosion inside the SIM card slot. Water damage can cause electrical shorts and restarts.
- Test with a new battery. A worn out or malfunctioning battery can lead to random restarts, especially if the issue only occurs when unplugged.
- Update or replace power button. If the restarts seem linked to the power button, this may need replacing.
- Contact HTC support. For hardware defects or unresolved issues, the manufacturer can provide further troubleshooting.
1. Check for Overheating
One of the most common reasons an Android phone keeps restarting is overheating. The internal components like the CPU and battery can heat up during resource-intensive tasks like gaming, streaming video, or using GPS. If the phone gets too hot, it will automatically reboot as a safety precaution to avoid damage.
Here are some tips to prevent overheating restart cycles:
- Close any apps using a lot of processing power like 3D games or video calls.
- Make sure the phone has proper airflow and is not covered.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure which can heat the battery.
- Turn down screen brightness to reduce energy use.
- Disable background syncing and notifications temporarily.
You may also consider a third-party cooling case or clip-on fan if overheating seems to be an ongoing issue.
2. Update Software and Apps
Another common culprit is having an outdated OS or apps. Software bugs and incompatibilities in old versions can sometimes cause rebooting or freezing.
Go into Settings > System > System updates and install any available OS and security updates. You can also manually update individual apps in the Play Store. Clear old update files as well after updating.
Be sure to update essential system apps like WebView and Google Play Services which may be linked to restarting problems if not current.
Common Software Issues That Cause Restarting
- Outdated OS – Can have performance issues, bugs
- Old app versions – May be incompatible with current Android OS
- filled up storage – Lack of space can disrupt system functions
- Too many background apps – Overloads RAM and processor
- Third-party apps – Poorly designed apps crash easily
Keeping your software updated eliminates many common conflicts and instabilities that lead to random restarts.
3. Restart in Safe Mode
Restarting your HTC in safe mode is a useful troubleshooting step to determine whether third-party apps are causing the restarting problem.
Safe mode loads Android using only the essential system apps and services. This disables any apps you downloaded and installed.
If the phone runs stably in safe mode, then a buggy or conflicting third-party app is likely causing the restarts in normal mode. You’ll have to figure out which app is the culprit and uninstall it.
To restart in safe mode:
- Press and hold the Power button to turn off your phone.
- Once it’s powered back on, press and hold the Power button again.
- When the reboot menu appears, tap and hold “Restart in Safe Mode”.
- Use the phone and see if the restart issue persists.
- Exit safe mode by rebooting the phone normally.
4. Wipe Cache Partition
Wiping the cache partition can clear out corrupted data that may be causing system instability and restarts. The cache contains temporary system files and app data that can become damaged over time.
Here’s how to wipe the cache partition:
- Power off your HTC completely.
- Press and hold Volume Down + Power until recovery mode boots up.
- Use volume buttons to highlight “Wipe cache partition” and press Power to select it.
- Follow prompts to perform the wipe, then Reboot when finished.
This process will not delete personal data but may require reconfiguring some settings afterwards.
5. Perform Factory Reset
If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting without success, a factory reset is the ultimate software-level solution. This completely erases and reinstalls the operating system and default apps.
Factory reset deletes all your data and customizations, so backup important files first. You’ll have to reinstall apps and set up accounts afterwards as well.
To factory reset:
- Go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset
- Tap Reset phone and then Erase everything
- If prompted, enter your passcode or draw pattern to confirm
- The phone will reboot into recovery and erase everything, then restart itself.
Factory resetting your HTC essentially gives you a fresh start if software issues were causing random restarts.
6. Check for Water Damage
Liquid damage is another hardware factor that could be causing restarting. Water getting inside the phone can short circuit components or corrode metallic parts.
Carefully inspect the SIM card slot, headphone jack, charging port, and back cover for any of these signs of water exposure:
- Red water indicator or corrosion inside SIM slot
- Fogginess or water droplets under lens
- Rattling or other sounds from inside phone
- Distorted speakers or microphone
- Unresponsive touchscreen
If there are any indications of water damage, you’ll need to have the phone professionally repaired or replaced. Water can cause ongoing issues like random restarting even if the phone initially seems to function.
7. Test with a New Battery
An old or dying battery that can no longer hold a proper charge is a very common source of restarting problems. This tends to happen when the battery has worn out after a couple years of heavy use.
A faulty battery also has trouble providing stable voltage required during demanding tasks. As it struggles to supply consistent power, the phone reboots itself over and over.
You can rule out battery issues by swapping in a brand new HTC battery and seeing if problems persist. Only use an official replacement battery that is designed for your specific HTC model.
If a new battery fixes the restarting, you can keep using the replacement. Otherwise, the problem is likely hardware related.
Signs of a Failing Battery Causing Restarts
- Battery drains very quickly
- Restarts only when unplugged
- Phone feels warm or hot
- Random shutdowns in addition to restarts
- Unable to power on without being plugged in
Again, sudden restarts primarily when on battery power indicate the battery can no longer maintain voltages required during demanding usage.
8. Update or Replace Power Button
If your HTC keeps restarting repeatedly at regular intervals, the power button itself could be defective and sending erroneous reboot signals.
This tends to happen when the power button gets stuck internally or damaged from constant pressing and usage over time.
First update the Software+Hardware in Device Settings which occasionally resolves power button issues. If problems continue, the power button mechanism will need to be disassembled and cleaned or replaced entirely.
Contact HTC support to arrange professional repair for any suspected power button defects triggering random restarts.
Signs of Power Button Failure
- Frequent repetitive restarts
- Difficult, unresponsive power button
- Powering on without pressing button
- Getting stuck in reboot loops
If the restarts seem to happen on a regular timer of every 10, 30, or 60 minutes, a hardware defect with the power button itself is often the reason.
9. Contact HTC Support
If you still can’t resolve the restarting problem after trying all the above troubleshooting, you’ll need to contact HTC support for further assistance.
Technical experts can help diagnose any underlying hardware faults that may be causing the issue.
They have special tools and tests to identify problems like:
- Damaged motherboard
- Faulty power ICs
- Glitched CPU
- Corrupted memory
- Dislodged internal connectors
Support can also arrange advanced replacement or repair service if needed. Provide as much detail as possible about the restarting patterns and troubleshooting steps you’ve tried.
You can contact HTC support through:
- Online chat on their support site
- Facebook and Twitter messaging
- Phone call
Repair or replacement services may carry fees outside of warranty, but are often less expensive than buying a brand new phone.
Conclusion
Random unwanted restarts are always frustrating to deal with. But in most cases, the cause can be isolated with some diligent troubleshooting using the steps outlined here.
Begin with easier software fixes like cooling the phone, updating the OS and apps, wiping the cache partition, or factory resetting if necessary.
If issues continue, look at potential hardware defects like water damage, a faulty battery, or defective power button.
Contact HTC support if you need additional assistance diagnosing and resolving what’s making your phone keep restarting.
With the right troubleshooting approach, you should be able to get your HTC phone running stably once again.
