When a fault condition such as an open loop or shorted output occurs, the auto-restart function is activated which turns the output MOSFET off. The auto-restart circuit has a divide-by-sixteen counter, which prevents the output MOSFET from turning on again until sixteen discharge/charge cycles have elapsed. The counter effectively limits TOPSwitch®-HX power dissipation by reducing the auto-restart duty cycle to typically 2%. Auto-restart mode continues until output voltage regulation is again achieved through closure of the feedback loop.