Plugging in ethernet cable causes computer to restart automatically.

The computer has been running fine for the past 2 years, and normally does not have any problems running without ethernet (or if cable is plugged in before booting up the PC).

This issue started occurring randomly when a whining noise started being heard in headphones. Reinstalling realtek audio drivers fixed this.
After this plugging in headphones or ethernet cable leads to an immediate restart. The strange thing is that I have a separate pair of headsets, and they don't lead to any restarts.

Any ideas what could be causing this issue?

I am trying to resolve this by updating Windows drivers to the latest version. Will update whether this resolves the issue.

The static noise in headphones resumed after some days. Reinstalling Realtek audio did not fix it.
I tried the following:
▪︎Installed the latest Windows/Nvidia drivers - did not solve the issue.
▪︎Used DDU to remove previous Nvidia/audio drivers but the whining/static noise was still heard.
▪︎Reset windows. Installed audio and Nvidia drivers.

After all this was done, the restart issue was not seen anymore though the static noise has not been solved.
The noise was heard with various devices which function fine when used with phones or laptops. This leads me to believe there is some issue with the port itself.

I eliminated the case shorting from the equation, by breadboarding the components separately (placed mobo on newspaper, connected everything outside the case). The static noise was still present.

Ultimately I worked around this by getting a cheap USB sound card, though the audio quality is not as good. But it serves my purpose for now.

If the USB sound card stops working, I might get a Pcie sound card (available on Amazon for ~1k).

>Checking power leaks and earthing is an exercise I don't want to get into, as it sounds like an extensive undertaking. And there are easier alternatives available to me.

>Will try cleaning the ports with isopropyl alcohol

TEUser2K1 said:

What motherboard is this specifically, wondering possibility of testing with device having SPDIF port.

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It's quite an old motherboard, Gigabyte H61M-S1. Don't think the port is present.

lockhrt999 said:

Having other accessories like pen drive near to 3.5mm jack can insert noise into audio signal. Keep electric stuff/cables away from 3.5mm jack and the headphone cable.


Checking earthing is easy. Take any 2 pin appliance like AllOut or mobile charger and plug it in socket diagonally. If it works then it means your earthing is fine.

View attachment 118121

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Looks like earthing is fine, diagonally plugging in Allout was working.

When I had breadboarded the mobo, I had removed any extra pen-drives/cables. But still the noise was heard.