Why is my mining software crashing or restarting?

Understanding Common Causes of Mining Software Crashes

Mining software instability can stem from multiple sources, and identifying the root cause is essential for maintaining consistent hash rates and profitability. One of the most frequent triggers is overheating of GPU or ASIC hardware. When components exceed safe thermal thresholds, the system may force a shutdown or restart to prevent permanent damage. Monitoring tools like HWInfo or MSI Afterburner can help track temperature in real time. If GPU temperatures consistently exceed 85°C, thermal throttling or crashes are likely. Ensuring proper airflow, cleaning dust from heatsinks, and reapplying thermal paste may resolve this issue.

Another common culprit is insufficient power delivery. Mining rigs, especially those with multiple GPUs, demand stable and adequate power. Using a power supply unit (PSU) that does not meet the total wattage requirements or has failing rails can lead to sudden shutdowns. A PSU operating near its maximum capacity may trigger over-current protection. To verify power stability, check for PSU wattage ratings versus total system draw. It is advisable to use a PSU with at least 20% more capacity than the rig’s peak consumption and to use high-quality, modular units from reputable brands.

Driver and Software Compatibility Issues

Outdated or incompatible drivers are a major cause of mining software instability. Using outdated GPU drivers—especially on NVIDIA or AMD cards—can lead to memory leaks, kernel panics, or application crashes. Always ensure you are running the latest stable driver version optimized for mining, such as NVIDIA’s 522.06 or AMD’s Adrenalin 22.5.1. Some miners prefer older, more stable versions known for better performance under load.

Equally important is matching mining software to your hardware and operating system. For example, using T-Rex Miner on a system with unsupported GPU architectures can cause immediate crashes. Always download mining software from official sources and confirm compatibility with your GPU model. If using Windows, ensure you have the correct Visual C++ Redistributables and .NET Framework installed. On Linux, confirm that your kernel version supports the mining daemon and that necessary libraries like OpenSSL are present.

Memory and VRAM Instability

Mining places extreme stress on GPU memory, and unstable VRAM is a leading cause of crashes. Overclocking VRAM too aggressively can result in memory errors, manifesting as screen artifacts, driver timeouts, or complete miner failure. To test VRAM stability, run a memory stress test using tools like memtestCL or OCCT. If errors appear, reduce the memory clock incrementally until stability returns.

Additionally, insufficient GPU memory (VRAM) can cause crashes when mining algorithms with high memory requirements, such as Etchash or KawPow. For instance, Ethereum Classic mining requires at least 4GB of VRAM, and cards with less may fail during DAG generation. Always verify that your GPU meets the minimum VRAM requirements for the chosen algorithm. You can also reduce the DAG size by adjusting parameters like --dual-mode off in some miners, though this may affect profitability.

Configuration File Errors

Misconfigured miner settings are a frequent but often overlooked cause of crashes. Incorrectly formatted config files—such as missing commas, extra brackets, or invalid parameters—can prevent the miner from launching properly. Always validate your configuration using a JSON validator if applicable. For example, in GMiner, a missing quotation mark around a pool URL will cause immediate failure.

Common misconfigurations include:

• Specifying a non-existent mining pool or incorrect port
• Using unsupported intensity or thread values
• Enabling features like API monitoring on a port already in use
• Forgetting to set the wallet address or worker name

To troubleshoot, start with a minimal configuration and gradually add parameters. Use the --debug or --log flag to generate detailed logs. These logs often reveal the exact line or setting causing the crash. For example, a log entry like Connection refused on port 4444 indicates a pool connectivity issue, not a software defect.

Operating System and Background Process Conflicts

Mining software can conflict with background applications or system settings. Antivirus or firewall software may flag miner executables as malicious and terminate them. Add the miner folder to your antivirus exclusion list and disable real-time scanning for that directory. On Windows, disable Windows Defender’s Controlled Folder Access if it blocks write operations.

Power management settings can also interfere. Windows power plans set to 'Balanced' or 'Power Saver' may throttle GPU performance or cause driver resets. Switch to 'High Performance' mode. On Linux, ensure that CPU frequency scaling is set to 'performance' using cpufreq-set -g performance.

Background processes like browser tabs, streaming software, or other GPU-intensive applications can consume resources and destabilize the miner. Close unnecessary programs. Use Task Manager or htop to monitor CPU, RAM, and GPU usage. If system memory usage exceeds 90%, consider adding more RAM or reducing the number of concurrent processes.

Hardware Failures and Degradation

Even with optimal settings, underlying hardware issues can cause persistent crashes. Failing capacitors, damaged VRMs, or degraded memory chips on the GPU may not be immediately visible but can cause intermittent crashes under load. Inspect your cards for physical signs of damage, such as bulging capacitors or burn marks.

A faulty PCIe riser or motherboard slot can also lead to instability. Try moving the GPU to a different riser or slot to isolate the issue. Use a powered riser with a stable 12V supply, as unpowered ones may cause voltage drops. Test each GPU individually to identify if one specific card is triggering system-wide crashes.

Memory degradation over time, especially in GPUs used for long-term mining, can lead to increasing error rates. Run extended stress tests lasting 12+ hours to observe stability. If one GPU consistently fails while others remain stable, it may be nearing end-of-life and should be replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is typically due to thermal buildup or memory degradation over time. Initially, temperatures are within limits, but as heat accumulates and cooling becomes less effective, components exceed thresholds. Monitor temperature trends over time and ensure fans are operating at appropriate speeds.

Can using too many GPUs on one motherboard cause crashes?Yes. Exceeding the motherboard’s PCIe lane capacity or power delivery limits can cause instability. Most consumer motherboards support up to 6–8 GPUs reliably. Ensure your BIOS supports multi-GPU setups and that you are using PCIe bifurcation correctly.

Why does my miner restart when I remote into the rig?Remote desktop tools like RDP can cause GPU driver resets, especially on Windows. Use headless mode solutions such as Parsec, TeamViewer, or VNC, or switch to a Linux-based mining OS like HiveOS or RaveOS to avoid driver conflicts.

Is it safe to leave a crashing miner running unattended?No. Repeated crashes can cause file system corruption, DAG generation errors, or hardware stress. Investigate and resolve the root cause before resuming unattended operation. Use monitoring tools to receive alerts when crashes occur.