Why Does My Phone Keep Restarting and How Can I Fix It?

Why does my phone randomly restart?

Common reasons for a phone restarting by itself include hardware issues, like physical damage to internal components, software issues like low storage space, and malware infections that compromise central systems. Most of them can be resolved, usually relatively quickly and at no cost.

However, certain issues can cause a specific type of restarting problem called a boot loop, where your phone repeatedly powers off and on. This leaves the device stuck in an endless cycle which prevents you from attempting a fix, meaning you’ll likely have to go straight to an expert.

Hardware issues

If physical components of your device are damaged — perhaps after you drop your phone or it overheats in your pocket — they can cause performance issues that lead to random shutdowns and restarts.

These are some hardware-related problems that may be behind your phone restarting:

• Overheating: Phones are generally designed to shut down automatically when they overheat to prevent internal components from suffering permanent damage. If your restarting issues only happen when your device is in direct sunlight or during hot weather, this is likely the cause.

• Physical damage: Dropping your phone onto a hard surface or getting it wet beyond its water-resistance rating may lead to serious internal component damage that causes freezes and frequent restarts.

• Port debris: Unless you’re very diligent with cleaning, dust will gradually accumulate in your device's charging port and could cause charging problems that affect your phone’s power. A blockage around the power button could also be activating it repeatedly, resulting in restarts.

• Battery issues: Phone batteries degrade over time, affecting how much charge they can hold and how quickly they’re drained from regular usage. If your phone is old or overused, a failing battery could explain constant restart issues.

• Internal hardware problems: A faulty phone that was shipped to you with internal hardware damage, like a compromised CPU or motherboard, might experience frequent restarts. Older phones can also experience restart issues as internal components wear out over time.

• External accessories: Using accessories like phone cases or phone stands can result in unexpected restarts if they fit poorly and press too hard on your phone’s power button. Make sure to remove all accessories before troubleshooting a faulty phone.

Software issues

Software doesn’t just refer to the apps you download on your phone — there are also more fundamental programs like your operating system (OS) and firmware that control basic functions. If this software is broken, compromised, overloaded, or corrupted, it can slow down your Android or iPhone and cause constant restarts.

Common software-related issues that can cause your phone to randomly restart include:

• Software glitches: Corrupted system files, outdated firmware, app conflicts, and OS bugs can all cause glitches that prompt your phone to restart. However, these issues are unlikely to cause boot loops.

• Storage issues: If you’re close to maxing out your phone's storage, you may start to notice slowdowns, crashes, and even restarts. This is a result of the memory hardware struggling to perform core functions with limited storage space, and it’s normally fixed by clearing up memory.

• Outdated OS: If your device is running an outdated OS, it may result in compatibility issues with certain apps and services. Outdated software may also contain bugs and security vulnerabilities, both of which could result in restarts.

• Faulty apps: Some third-party apps — particularly those not downloaded through the official Apple App Store or Google Play Store — can be poorly configured or tested and contain bugs that can cause crashes, restarts, and other issues.

Malware

If your phone is in good physical condition and has the latest software updates, but it’s still restarting frequently, the issue could be that it’s infected with a type of malware.

Malware, including common variants like spyware, ransomware, and viruses, can constantly drain system resources and interfere with regular processes, causing a range of phone issues, including forcing restarts.

But the potential impact extends way beyond causing crashing and restarting issues, including exposing your sensitive information, compromising your finances, and leaving your accounts vulnerable to takeover attacks.

And, contrary to popular belief, it’s possible to get malware on iPhones and iPads, not just Androids. The best way to tell if you have a virus on your Android or iOS device is to use a dedicated malware scanner and removal app.

9 ways to troubleshoot a phone that restarts on its own

Because random restarts can be caused by a wide range of factors, the easiest way to resolve your issue is to rule out potential issues one by one. This process of elimination will help you narrow down the problem until you land on the right fix.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to fixing a phone that keeps restarting:

1. Update your operating system

A bug with your phone’s current OS version can cause unexpected issues, including restarts. Software bugs are often patched in new updates, so ensuring you have the latest version of your phone’s OS could fix a random restarting issue.

On iPhone

1. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.

2. If there’s an update available, you’ll see an Update Now button. Tap it, and your phone will start to update. If there’s no new update available, just make sure Automatic Updates is turned on to stay up to date in the future.

On Android

1. Go to Settings > System > Software updates.

2. If there’s an update available, you’ll see an option to download it. If not, you’ll see a message saying Your device is up to date.

2. Update your apps

Keeping all of your installed apps up to date can help prevent outdated app versions from unintentionally interfering with your phone's internal processes. You may have automatic app updates enabled but, if not, checking for and downloading any new updates in the App Store or Play Store can resolve app conflict or bug issues.

On iPhone

1. Navigate to the App Store, tap your Profile icon, and tap App Updates.

2. You’ll see a list of all your installed apps that have an update available. Tap Update All to install them all at once or tap Update on the specific app you want to update.

On Android

1. Navigate to the Play Store, tap your Profile icon in the top-right corner, tap Manage apps and device.

2. If you see a message saying Updates available, tap Update all or See details to bring all of your apps up to date at once or choose a specific app to update, respectively.

3. Clean up your storage

If your phone storage is full or almost full, apps might not run as smoothly and you might encounter regular issues with your phone crashing entirely. This happens because critical software, like your OS and built-in firmware, needs spare storage space to save temporary files and carry out tasks.

Regardless of whether you’re on iPhone or Android, your options to free up storage are roughly the same. You can:

• Delete old photos and videos.

• Delete unused apps.

• Delete any locally stored content that’s backed up online.

• Delete saved attachments in Messages or other messaging apps.

• Clear your app cache or other app data.

• Clear your browser cache.

On iPhone

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

2. Check the color-coded graphic that shows how much storage space you have remaining and an overview of what’s currently saved on your phone.

3. Scroll down and tap to Offload Unused Apps (which removes the program file while retaining saved data) or tap individual apps to Offload or Delete them.

If you’re lacking space, follow our guide to clean up your iPhone storage, including tips like using Avast Cleanup for iOS to help organize your photos.

On Android

1. Go to Settings > Storage.

2. Tap Free up space to see automatic clean-up suggestions or scroll down to delve into Apps, Images, Games, and more, removing apps or data selectively to free up space on your Android.

You can also use an app to clear your caches and junk files. Avast Cleanup for Android boosts your phone’s performance by deleting files you don’t need. It also helps you clean your photo library, find and delete apps you no longer use, and can even prolong your phone’s battery life.

4. Clean your ports

Dirt, dust, and lint can easily collect in the openings on your phone — particularly the charging port — and cause power or charging issues. Cleaning your phone, including the areas around the power button, can help keep it running smoothly.

Before cleaning your ports, turn off your phone. Then, remove any debris with a small, thin object like a toothpick. Use a gentle sweeping motion and be careful not to apply too much pressure directly in the port. Never use metal objects like paper clips as they can damage the contact points and cause lasting issues.

5. Check it’s not an external accessory

While it’s unlikely, there’s a chance that your phone is restarting because of inputs or pressure from external accessories. Battery packs, phone grips, phone stands, selfie sticks, and phone cases can all be guilty of triggering unwanted restarts if they cover your phone’s power button.

Try using your phone without accessories to see if that resolves the problem. If it does, troubleshoot each accessory by removing them individually to see which one was causing the problem.

6. Boot in Safe Mode

Some apps, particularly unofficial ones, can remain buggy even after an update. Safe Mode temporarily disables all non-essential apps, meaning it’s a great test of whether your restarting issue is being caused by something you’ve downloaded, as opposed to something more fundamental.

If booting your phone in Safe Mode solves your restarting issue, there’s a good chance a buggy or poorly coded third-party app was the cause.

Safe Mode is only available on iPhones if they’re jailbroken, which is a practice we don’t recommend, so this is an Android-only troubleshooting step. To boot into safe mode on Android, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the power button until you see the power options, or tap the Power icon in your system tray.

2. Tap and hold Power Off until the Safe Mode prompt appears, and tap OK to reboot to Safe Mode.

7. Replace your phone’s battery

All phone batteries degrade over time, and towards the end of your battery’s life cycle, it’s common to see performance issues like sudden shutdowns or restarts, even when your battery indicator isn’t in the red.

Depending on what phone model you have, replacing the battery can range in complexity. Some phones have removable batteries, and replacing them is as simple as buying a new battery from your manufacturer or a trusted third-party vendor and slotting it in.

However, most modern phones have an internal battery that is difficult to access without specialist tools or knowledge. This is the case with iPhones, for example, and the best course of action for replacing a faulty or dying battery is to go through Apple’s iPhone battery servicing process.

To get the ball rolling, book an appointment at an Apple Store or with an Apple Authorized Service Provider. They’ll run some diagnostics and determine whether you need a new battery.

Android phones with non-removable batteries have similar servicing processes. Consult your phone manufacturer’s website for the steps you should follow to get your battery replaced.

8. Do a factory reset

If none of the above steps worked, the final option to try yourself is to simply restore your phone to its original, factory settings. However, remember that doing so will completely wipe your saved data, so make sure to back up any photos, videos, files, and settings you want to recover later before proceeding.

On iPhone

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Tap Erase All Content and Settings to initiate the process.

On Android

• Go to Settings > System > Reset options > tap Erase all data (factory reset) to initiate the process.

Some Androids will have slightly different steps, depending on the model and brand. Check the manufacturer’s website for definitive information on how to factory reset your phone.

9. Get help from an expert

If all else fails, then getting in contact with an expert may be your best option. If you have an iPhone, get in contact with Apple Support or arrange an appointment at your nearest Apple Store. If you have an Android, contact your specific manufacturer’s customer support, whether that’s Samsung, Google, or another manufacturer.

You can also take your phone into a trusted third-party repair shop for an expert opinion to help diagnose and fix the issue.

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