Each time I complete a session of MSFS2020 and go back to desktop, The systems works properly for a a literal minute, and then freezes. After it sits for approximately 2 minutes, it automatically either restarts or shuts down.
This PC is a new build (built 7-14-2023).
Windows 10
ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E
AMD 7950X3D
GeForce RTX4090 (Founders)
64 GB 2X G.Skill DDR5 6000
Corsair 1000w PSU
LianLi Galahad 360 AIO
1TB Samsung 990Pro NVME Gen4 (OS and MSFS Install)
2TB Samsung 990Pro NVME Gen4 (Community Folder)
4K 65’’
Everything is updated driver and OS wise.
This is a MSFS box only with no other software or games (yet)
My question is posed because I am trying to determine:
If this is a general or occasional issue with some users
I would very much think this is a safe bet. If MSFS crashes to desktop, it’s a software issue. Whether msfs, or addons etc. If your machine is shutting down its a safe bet its hardware related. Have you installed the amd chipset drivers? I know you said all is up to date. I just got an update to those myself. Very important… IS your BIOS up to date?
This is perplexing as it’s not shutting down, or restarting during msfs play
To test in response to question 4… Run windows powershell as an administrator. You can do this by typing powershell in the windows searchbar. Right-click it and select run as administrator
Next run system file checker. You can copy and paste this line in (Ctrl + C to copy, Ctrl + V to paste)
sfc /scannow
if this completes successfully then try
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
if this comes up with any errors, then try
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
you can also try running OCCT to verify system stability. OCCT is more aggressive and roots out problems with hardware much faster. Run a cpu test. small data set, mode extreme, variable load type AVX512, and also a memory test, 80% ram usage. Both tests for 1 hour. have a look where your temps are. There are sensors for everything. Temps, Power usage, the works. You can also stress test your gpu with occt. Never tried that one. If you do start seeing errors with OCCT stop the test with the stop button as soon as they start showing up if they occur during the memory test. Memory, when in state of error can cause corruptions to software in use… like windows for example. Most corruptions in Windows can be repaired. System Restore is also there if not.
I had a problem with my machine shutting down. It was my own stupid fault, I’d upgraded my video card and not checked the power supply usage. It was right on the edge and gave up under heavy load.
MSFS isn’t the most stable piece of software around, but it shouldn’t crash crash, e.g. freeze. That’s almost certainly hardware. Not quite sure why it’s doing it on exiting MSFS !
I would advise you check your power supply is adequate (there are estimators online) and run some of the CPU, RAM and GPU bashing applications that are designed to flog the hardware as hard as possible. If you have sufficient power it could possibly be overheating, or maybe a hardware fault.
+1 to this, Run OCCT from the provided link, watch your temps. See your power output, its all there. This is how you make it fail so you can diagnose the problem
Thank you for the completeness of your reply. I will try to work through this as you have suggested. It’s a little over my head but I am guessing it will become more apparent after I begin using the product.
Here is an update.
I went into event viewer after I exited FS2020 and it froze and restarted.
I found errors related to Norton 360 Gaming Anti-Virus. After I uninstalled the program, I have not had any issues.
The only thing worse for a gaming computer than Norton Anti-virus is McAfee Anti-virus.
Good you were able to discover that.
A gaming system should be a gaming system - period. If you need anything more than Windows Defender, you’re going places and doing things you shouldn’t be going and doing.