Computers should do things better and save us time and nerves. Ideally. But what if your PC just shuts down for no apparent reason? Well, a problem like this leads to a nervous breakdown. But don't worry, we're here to explain how to fix this error.
Overheating
If your PC turns off without warning, thermal issues may be at work. Typically, such problems are due to:
Careless PC use
First off, heat and your computer are a pretty bad combination. This is why you should ALWAYS keep your PC cool: Any time you neglect this rule, you are putting your computer in a sticky situation. As a result, your motherboard will shut down everything to save your machine. To avoid overheating your PC, follow these tips:
- Keep your computer away from hot places / zones.
- Let the air circulate around your PC.
- Never place your computer close to the wall.
- Do not expose your computer to direct sunlight.
- Do not use your computer in wet conditions.
- Use a cooling pad (if you are using a laptop).
- If your PC seems alarmingly hot, change the thermal paste.
Fan problems
When your graphics card fan, case fan, or processor fan is not working, they are causing overheating. Examine all fans carefully to see if any of them are defective. If your fans are dirty or dusty, take a moment to clean them - that noble act can fix the shutdown problem. Also, examine that all fans are plugged in and receiving power.
Dirt and dust
The truth is, dusty computers tend to bite the grass first. Dust, dirt, scraps of food, hair, and other things can overheat your computer by preventing proper airflow. In addition, trapped debris provides a hospitable environment for germs. Yuck!
So, you should keep your PC clean and tidy to avoid overheating and the resulting shutdown: clean your PC regularly and give up your eating near habits. You can read here how to properly clean your PC..
Hardware problems
Any faulty hardware component in your computer can cause it to turn off unexpectedly. If you recently added new hardware, remove it from the computer to make sure it isn't causing the problem.
If you haven't recently added new hardware to your computer, the next best solution is to systematically remove unneeded hardware. For example, remove your modem, network card, sound card and any other expansion cards that are not absolutely necessary for the operation of the computer. Operating the computer without these cards can help diagnose your problem.
tip : Before attempting to remove hardware, rule out hardware conflicts by checking Device Manager for errors. You can open this with the key combination [Windows] + [X] and a click on " Device Manager ". If you see an exclamation mark, an X or a question mark on one of the devices listed, there is a problem.
Driver problems
Faulty or outdated drivers can lead to random shutdowns in Windows 10. So make sure that your drivers are always up to date. You can read here how to update your drivers..
Malware infection
If your computer is acting really weird and keeps turning off spontaneously, you should scan your system as soon as possible - symptoms like this could be an indication of a malware infection. Your computer may be infected with a virus or other malware designed to shut it down under certain conditions. If your computer seems to shut down at certain times of the day while running a particular program, it could be infected.
If you think your computer might have a virus, download a free scanner. If you already have one installed, make sure your virus scanner definitions are up to date, then do a full scan.
tip : You can find out more about malware here.
Battery problems
Over time, laptops are prone to having battery problems. So, if your venerable laptop has become unpredictable and keeps shutting down without your permission, your battery could be to blame for this type of wrongdoing. So consider replacing your old battery with a new one. Make sure the new battery meets the requirements of your laptop.
UPS or surge protection failure
Are you using surge protection or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)? If so, make sure that the device in question isn't the root of the problem: plug your computer directly into the electrical outlet and see if it is working properly. If the problem seems resolved, then your surge protector / UPS is either overloaded (try just leaving your computer plugged in) or simply defective.
Insufficient power supply
If you are using resource-intensive programs or applications, you may need a power supply with a higher voltage capacity. For example, if your power adapter is 90 watts or less, this may not be enough - as a result, your PC keeps shutting down spontaneously.
The preferred power supply voltage for excessively stressed computers is between 100 W and 240 W.
Bad sleep mode
Sleep mode is a great feature - if it's working properly: It saves energy and lets you wake up your computer in a hibernation within a few seconds. However, the sleep mode in Windows 10 can become buggy and lead to sudden shutdowns instead of the expected hibernation. You can find out how to deactivate hibernation here.
Outdated BIOS
If sudden shutdowns persist, consider updating your BIOS. This process must be carried out carefully, otherwise your PC may be irreversibly damaged. Instructions for performing a BIOS update can be found here.
Software failures
Certain software problems can cause your computer to shut down suddenly. Take a closer look at the apps and programs you use. Does your computer keep turning off while a certain application is running? Do your best to find the culprit and uninstall the application in question.
But registry errors can also cause your PC to spontaneously go out. Corrupted registry keys and entries can turn your Windows into a roller coaster ride. Here you can read about how to repair your registry.
Problematic OS
If your computer continues to shut down after following each of the above recommendations, there may be an operating system-level problem. Something may have gone wrong after updating Windows.
So restart your PC and go into BIOS setup while the computer is booting. Here you can read how to start the BIOS. After you have loaded the computer in the BIOS setup, just leave it alone. If it doesn't turn off after staying idle in BIOS, your operating system installation may be corrupted. We recommend that you either roll back Windows to a previous update or delete everything and reinstall Microsoft Windows. You can find out how to restore a restore point here.