Windows computers keep restarting nightly

kfarrell · Jan 17, 2024

No GPO in place to do this, I have this in my event viewer. It's happening on Windows 10 and 11 computers.
Auto updates are off and do not restart is enabled for Windows update. I've paused the updates for a week to troubleshoot this. However there have been no recent updates applied anyhow. Nothing in task scheduler that I created.

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22621.2861]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\******>systeminfo |find "System Boot Time"
System Boot Time: 1/17/2024, 3:03:14 AM

C:\Users\********>

The process C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe (*******-LT) has initiated the restart of computer ******-LT on behalf of user NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM for the following reason: No title for this reason could be found
Reason Code: 0x80070015
Shutdown Type: restart
Comment:

CSharpDev · Jan 17, 2024

The event log entry you provided indicates that the restart of the computer was initiated by the wmiprvse.exe process on behalf of the NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM user, and the reason code is 0x80070015.

Here are some steps you can take to investigate and troubleshoot this issue:

Scheduled Tasks:Check the Task Scheduler for any tasks that might be responsible for triggering the restart. Look for tasks under \Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator or any other tasks that might be configured to initiate a restart.
Group Policy:Even if you don't have a Group Policy Object (GPO) explicitly configured for automatic restarts, check the local Group Policy settings on the affected machines. Look for settings under Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update that might be configured to automatically restart the system.
Windows Update Settings:Ensure that the Windows Update settings are configured according to your preferences. Open the Settings app, go to "Windows Update," and check the advanced options. Confirm that the settings align with your requirements, especially the options related to automatic restarts.
Registry Settings:Check the registry for any settings that might be causing automatic restarts. Key locations to check include:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
Windows Update Logs:Review the Windows Update logs to see if there are any entries indicating an impending restart. The logs are located in the C:\Windows\Logs\WindowsUpdate directory. Check files like WindowsUpdate.log for relevant information.
Third-Party Software:Some third-party software, including security or system management tools, may have features that initiate system restarts. Check for any installed software that might be configured to enforce restarts.
PowerShell Commands:Run the following PowerShell command to check for pending restarts:
powershellCopy code
Powershell:
```
Get-PendingRebootStatus
```
Security Software:Security software can sometimes trigger system restarts for updates or maintenance. Check the settings of any installed security software for features related to system restarts.
Windows Reliability Monitor:Use the Windows Reliability Monitor to check for critical events around the time of the restart. It may provide additional details on what triggered the restart.
Check for Pending Updates:Although you mentioned that updates are paused, double-check if there are any pending updates or installations that might be scheduled to restart the system.

After investigating these aspects, you should have a better understanding of what might be causing the unexpected restarts on your Windows 10 and 11 computers. If the issue persists, additional troubleshooting steps may be required, such as reviewing more detailed logs or consulting Microsoft support resources.

kfarrell · Jan 17, 2024

PS C:\Users\kfarrell> Get-PendingRebootStatus
Get-PendingRebootStatus : The term 'Get-PendingRebootStatus' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or
operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1
+ Get-PendingRebootStatus
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (Get-PendingRebootStatus:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

kfarrell · Jan 17, 2024

Enabled this. Everything else was disabled. As I stated, there were no updates applied recently and this is happening every night. I simply lock my computer when I leave for the day and come in the next day and it's restarted.

kfarrell · Jan 17, 2024

No recent updates.

TechnoMage2021 · Jan 17, 2024

The problem of a PC restarting from a COLD Shutdown is nothing new. I've been reading accounts of that happening as long as there have been PC Help forums, and PC's that used the ATX motherboards.

But I solved that potential problem years ago, when I started plugging my PC's into a power strip with an ON/OFF switch on it.
And, not just the PC, but the printer and speakers, too.
After a Windows shutdown, I flip the switch on the power strip to OFF and then my whole system is SAFE.

NO Power = No errant automatic start ups. No matter what the cause might be, and apparently there are many.
So just do that, and you can close this thread. Eh?

I go just one step further..... my Power strip is plugged into a UPS, for protection against power surges or outages.

Be prepared, and be protected.

Cheers mate,
TM

kfarrell · Jan 18, 2024

TechnoMage2021 said:
The problem of a PC restarting from a COLD Shutdown is nothing new. I've been reading accounts of that happening as long as there have been PC Help forums, and PC's that used the ATX motherboards.

But I solved that potential problem years ago, when I started plugging my PC's into a power strip with an ON/OFF switch on it.
And, not just the PC, but the printer and speakers, too.
After a Windows shutdown, I flip the switch on the power strip to OFF and then my whole system is SAFE.

NO Power = No errant automatic start ups. No matter what the cause might be, and apparently there are many.
So just do that, and you can close this thread. Eh?

I go just one step further..... my Power strip is plugged into a UPS, for protection against power surges or outages.

Be prepared, and be protected.

Cheers mate,
TM

I've been in IT 30 years and never had this happen. Regardless of what power source I'm using.