How to Fix Android Phone That Keeps Restarting Randomly

The Problem

Your Android phone is restarting on its own â sometimes mid-call, during gaming, or even when it is just sitting idle. Random restarts are frustrating and disruptive, but they almost always have a fixable cause.

This guide covers every reason your Android phone keeps restarting and gives you step-by-step solutions from the simplest to the most effective.

Why Does an Android Phone Restart Randomly?

Random restarts on Android are caused by one or more of the following:

Overheating: The phone shuts down automatically to prevent hardware damage
Faulty or dying battery: Voltage drops cause sudden shutdowns that look like restarts
Corrupted app: A buggy app crashes the system and forces a reboot
Low storage: Less than 1 GB of free space can cause system instability
Software bug: A recent Android update may have introduced instability
Hardware damage: A damaged power button or loose battery connection

Quick Fixes (Start Here)

1. Charge Your Phone Fully

A battery that cannot hold a stable charge will cause random shutdowns that mimic restarts. Before troubleshooting further:

Charge your phone to 100% using the original charger
Use it normally and observe if restarts continue
If it restarts only at certain battery percentages (e.g., 30% or 50%), the battery is likely failing

2. Free Up Storage Space

Android needs at least 1-2 GB of free internal storage to run stably.

Go to Settings â Storage
Check how much free space is available
Delete unused apps, large videos, and clear app caches
Move photos to Google Photos to free up local storage

3. Remove or Update Recently Installed Apps

If the restarts started after you installed a new app, that app is likely the culprit.

Think back to when restarts began
Go to Settings â Apps
Uninstall any app installed around that time
Update all remaining apps via the Google Play Store

4. Boot Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables all third-party apps and runs only the core Android system. This is the fastest way to confirm if an app is causing the restarts.

Press and hold the Power button
Tap and hold the Power Off option on screen
When prompted, tap Safe Mode to confirm
Use your phone in Safe Mode for 30-60 minutes
If restarts stop – a third-party app is the cause
Restart normally and uninstall apps one by one to find the problem

5. Clear the System Cache

A corrupted system cache can cause random instability. Clearing it is safe and does not delete personal data.

On most Android phones:

Power off your phone completely
Hold Power + Volume Down (varies by manufacturer) to enter Recovery Mode
Use volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Cache Partition
Press Power to confirm
Select Reboot System Now

Advanced Solutions

6. Update Android System

Samsung, Google, and other manufacturers regularly release patches that fix stability bugs.

Go to Settings – Software Update (or System – System Update)
Tap Download and Install
Let the phone restart and apply the update

7. Check for Overheating

If your phone is hot before each restart, overheating is the cause. To address it:

Remove the phone case immediately to allow heat to escape
Stop charging while using resource-heavy apps
Go to Settings – Battery and check for apps with abnormal battery usage
Avoid using the phone in direct sunlight or hot environments

8. Reset App Preferences

Resetting app preferences restores all disabled apps and cleared permissions without deleting any data.

Go to Settings – Apps
Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner
Select Reset App Preferences
Tap Reset to confirm

9. Factory Reset (Last Resort)

Back up all photos, contacts, and files before proceeding. This erases everything.

Go to Settings – General Management – Reset
Tap Factory Data Reset
Review what will be deleted, then tap Reset
Enter your PIN if prompted, then confirm
Set up the phone as new and monitor for restarts before restoring apps

When to Suspect a Hardware Problem

Consider visiting a repair shop or contacting your manufacturer if:

Restarts occur even after a factory reset
The phone was recently dropped or exposed to water
The battery swells or the back cover bulges
The Power button feels loose or sticks when pressed

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it safe to use my phone in Safe Mode long-term? A: Safe Mode is for diagnostic use only. It disables many useful features. Use it temporarily to identify the problem, then return to normal mode.

Q: Will clearing the cache partition delete my photos or contacts? A: No. Clearing the cache partition only removes temporary system files. Your personal data, apps, and settings are not affected.

Q: My phone restarts at exactly 30% battery every time. What does that mean? A: This strongly suggests a failing battery that cannot deliver stable power below a certain charge level. Replace the battery as soon as possible.

Q: My phone is only 6 months old – can the battery already be bad? A: Yes, especially if the phone has been charged frequently with non-original chargers or exposed to high temperatures. Batteries can degrade faster under these conditions.