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Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

So, you were working on an important presentation or project, and suddenly your Computer Randomly Shuts Down.

This problem is irritating and can be a warning as well. Therefore, we must resolve the Computer randomly shuts down the problem.

It can be due to different things such as malfunctioned hardware, malicious software, improper settings.

In this article, we will different methods catering to different causes, so that, none of you go from here without finding a solution to their problem.

What Will I Learn?💁 show

Computer Randomly Shuts Down: Methods To Fix

1. Solve the driver issue

Your graphic card driver can be the reason behind this problem. Not only the random shut down of computer but the Blue Screen of death is also caused due to the malfunction of the graphic driver. 

Therefore, we are going to discuss two fixes here.

1st Fix: Update the driver:-

The first thing that we are going to do is to update the graphic driver. To do that, you need to be obedient to the following steps:-

Step 1: Launch the Device Manager by either searching it out from the start menu or by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Device Manager” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down

Step 2: From the appeared window, expand Display Driver, then right-click on your driver, select Update Driver from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down

This will update your driver.

Finally, you should restart your computer to get things back on track, and hopefully, your computer will not shut down randomly.

2nd Fix: Reinstall the driver:-

If the above-mentioned methods didn’t work then you should perform this technique. In this, we will first remove the driver and then reinstall it.

To do that, we are going to use the following steps:-

Step 1:  Launch the Device Manager by either searching it out from the start menu or by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Device Manager” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: From the appeared window, expand Display Driver, then right-click on your driver, select Properties from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 3: On the properties window, go to the Details tab, and copy the first entry from the value section.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 4: Now, close the properties tab, right-click on your graphic card, and select Uninstall Device.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 5: Now paste the copied graphic card value in any of your browsers and download it.

Finally, restart your computer and hopefully, your computer will not shut down randomly.

Note: If you have two graphic drivers, then you should perform the above-mentioned methods on both of them.

2. Turn off the Sleep Mode

Sleep Mode was introduced to save your PC’s battery life and maintain the health of the battery. Even though it is a great inclusion but sometimes, you may experience your computer getting shut down instead of getting into the sleep mode. 

This happens when you have an aging battery and the optimization is not perfect leading to your computer getting shut down instead of sleep.

To fix that, we are going to turn the sleep mode off.

Step 1: Launch Settings by either searching it out from the start menu or by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Settings” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: Click on System from the appeared window.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 3: Now, you need to go to the Power & Sleep tab from the list placed at the left side of your window and then set both On battery Sleep and Plugged in Sleep to Never.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Now, you will not experience random sleep and hopefully, random shut dows as well.

3. Disable the Fast Startup

Fast Startup as a concept is fresh and good, as it aims to increase the booting speed of your computer. But if we consider the implementation, then we must say that sometimes it can have a bad aftereffect. Therefore, in this section, we will try to disable the fast startup.

To disable fast startup in Windows 10, you need to follow the prescribed steps:-

Step 1:  Launch Settings by either searching it out from the start menu or by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Settings” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: Click on System from the appeared window.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down

Step 3: Now, you need to enter the Power Options windows, by going to the Power & Sleep tab from the list placed at the left side of your window and then click on Additional Power Settings.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 4: In the Power Options window, click on “Choose What power button does” from the left side of the window. 

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 5: Then click on “Change settings that are currently available”, finally, disable the fast startup from the Shutdown settings and click on Save Changes.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Hopefully, it will solve the Computer Randomly Shuts Down issue.

4. Change the Power Settings

Your computer randomly shutting can also be due to wrong Power Settings. In this section, we are going to change it a little, and let’s see if it fixes your problem or not.

To do that, you need to follow the prescribed steps:-

Step 1:  Launch Settings by either searching it out from the start menu or by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Settings” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: Click on System from the appeared window.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 3: Now, you need to enter the Power Options windows, by going to the Power & Sleep tab from the list placed at the left side of your window and then click on Additional Power Settings.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down

Step 4: Click on Change plan settings from the selected plan settings.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 5: From the appeared Window, click on Change advanced power settings.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 6: Because of the click the “Power Options” settings will get launched. From there you need to expand, Hard Disk> Turn off hard disk after and change it to Never, and Processor Power Managment> Minimum Processor state and change it to 0.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Finally, save the setting and restart your computer to eliminate the Computer randomly shut down problem.

Note: If you are on a laptop then you have to change both on battery and plugged in settings.

5. Manage CPU Temperature

CPU overheating is one of the most common reasons according to many users. When you run a hefty game or a high-quality video editing software on your PC then it gets heated up to an extent where its CPU can’t withstand, therefore, in order to save the CPU from being malfunctioned your Shuts down.

Therefore, we recommend you to download the Core Temp application. This application allows the users to check the temperature of all the CPU cores. As you can see in the image below.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Here are the few things that you need to do after knowing that your CPU is running on a high temperature:-

  • Close all the enormous applications, such as video editing software, high graphics games, etc.
  • Clean your CPU fan and make sure that it is completely exposed and not blocked by a wall or something too opaque. 
  • Try a motherboard with better VRM.

6. Uninstall Heavy Applications

This goes hand in hand with the previous point. If you dealing with the CPU overheating issue then you might want to uninstall the heavy applications such as high-graphic games or a video or photo editing software. 

To uninstall any application in Windows 10, you need to follow the following steps:-

Step 1:  Launch Settings by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Settings” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: Click on Apps from the appeared window.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 3: Now, under the installed app section, select the app you want to delete, and then click Uninstall.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Restart your computer and hopefully, your “Computer randomly restarting” problem will get eliminated.

7. Windows Update

Microsoft is pretty regular with its update but your Windows updates can cause random shutdowns for two reasons. In this section, we are going to discuss both of them.

1st Reason: Outdated Windows:-

Sometimes, the problem can be because of the latest update that you have downloaded. As it may have some kind of bug that causes this problem and Microsoft released has another update in order to fix the bug.

Or you may not have updated the window in a while and the latest software are not compatible with your outdated window. Therefore, both of this problem has a single solution that is to update the window.

To update Windows 10, you need to follow the prescribed steps:-

Step 1:  Launch Settings by either searching it out from the start menu or by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Settings” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: Click on Updates and Security from the appeared screen.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down

Step 3: Now, click on Check for Updates and make sure that you are on Windows Update.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Afterward, your computer will get updated and hopefully, your problem will be solved.

2nd Reason: Improper download of updates:-

Sometimes, your computer doesn’t update properly because of the improper download of the update package. Therefore, in this section, we will delete the improper updates and then redownload it.

To do that, you need to be obedient to the prescribed steps:-

Step 1:  Launch Settings by either searching it out from the start menu or by right-clicking on the start menu and select “Settings” from the appeared list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: Click on Updates and Security from the appeared screen.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 3: You need to make sure that you are on the Windows Update tab and then click on View update history.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 4: Click on Uninstall updates.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 5: All the updates were listed there, select the latest update, and then click on Uninstall.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Afterward, you need to update the OS by the steps mentioned above.

8. Check your Harddisk’s health

One of the biggest reasons for the shutdown problem is the health of the hard disk that you are using. 

If you are system shuts down and you are not able to start then the chances of your harddisk being malfunctioned are high. Therefore, in this section, we will check your harddisk’s health and see whether you need a new one or not.

There are many ways to check the health of your hard disk, but we are going to use the OG, that is the command prompt. To do that, you need to follow the prescribed steps:-

Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt as an admin by either searching it out from the start menu or by RUN(Win + R), type “cmd” and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Step 2: Type “wmic diskdrive get status” and hit enter.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

If the Status is OK, then you can check some other method, but if it is bad, Unknown, or Cautious then you know that there is something wrong with your hard drive and you need expert’s assistance.

9. Expand your RAM

This is for someone who wants to use high graphic applications and games. Since there is not much one can do for his/her processor but you can expand your RAM as it can help in distributing the tasks as a result your PC Shutdown problem will be solved.

Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt as an admin by either searching it out from the start menu or by RUN(Win + R), type “cmd” and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Step 2: Type “wmic memephysical get maxcapacity” and hit enter.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Now, you can see your maximum RAM capacity here in Kilobytes.

10. Check for Virus and Malware

Another common reason why your Computer Randomly Shuts Down is the presence of viruses and Malware. Therefore, you should install the anti-malware and anti-viruses and go for a complete scan.

There are different anti-viruses in the market, but the one we would recommend is the Avast anti-virus. It is a free anti-virus and can be installed on both Windows and MAC.

How to Check Your Windows startup programs are malware-free

Lots of programs set themselves to start automatically alongside Windows. Some, such as your antivirus software, are vital for the safe and efficient running of your PC but others will unnecessarily slow it down and may even be considered unsafe.

Autorun Organizer keeps an eye on these programs for you. Make sure you decline any extra software offered during installation.

Run the Autorun Organizer to display a list of all the applications that start with Windows. By default, it shows entries from the primary startup locations (ones which need the most optimization),

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

but you can switch to ‘all startup locations’  if you want to be more thorough.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

The ‘customize view’ option lets you specify startup areas to include, such as Registry, ‘Startup folder’, ‘Tasks scheduler’, Services, and Drivers.

You can also hide all system applications. This is the default option and stops you from accidentally disabling important Windows components.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Items marked with a down arrow have a big impact on your PC’s startup speed. Click an entry to see info about it below, including its path and name.

All entries are checked for malware by Google’s VirusTotal service, which flags suspicious entries and highlights them in the list.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

You can temporarily delay the application’s startup, so Windows gets into a usable state faster, by ticking the ‘Disable temporarily’ box.

By default, the delay is 30 seconds but you can click the down arrow to choose your own delay time. You can also remove the program entirely.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

To provide guidance, the Disable/Delay Frequency sidebar shows the percentage of other users who disabled or delayed entry. Autorun Organizer can also optimize your PC’s boot-up for you. Click the Show Details button, Then click ‘Perform the Optimization’.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Click the Recent System Load Times link to see how long previous boot-ups have taken.

If you’ve installed new software, or removed or delayed startup entry, this will give you an idea of the impact that action had. Restart your PC to get the current load time.

Check your startup programs are malware-free

Autorun Organizer is a really awesome program that is useful for Checking Windows Startup applications, running malware applications, and also you can easily optimize your Windows 10 PC startup.

11. Reset your Windows to last restore point

Last but not the least, reset your OS to the last restore point. In this section, we are going to reset the PC to the last reset point. 

To do that, you need to follow the prescribed steps:-

Step 1: Launch System Restore by RUN(Win + R), type “rstrul”, and hit enter.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 2: From the appeared System Restore window, click on Next.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down? 11 Troubleshooting Tips To Fix It

Step 3: Now, select the previous restore point and click Next.

Computer Randomly Shuts Down

Step 4: Finally, you need to follow the on-screen instruction to restore to that point.

This will definitely solve the “computer keep shutting down” problem.

📗FAQ

Why is my PC shutting off randomly?

There could be several reasons why a PC is shutting off randomly, including overheating, faulty hardware components, malware infections, or a failing power supply unit.

How do I find out why my computer is shutting down?

You can try checking the system logs in the Event Viewer to find out why your computer is shutting down. This can give you more information about any errors or warnings that might be causing the issue.

Computer randomly shuts off no error message?

If your computer shuts off randomly without any error messages, this could be due to various issues. Overheating, failing hardware, or a faulty power supply unit could be potential causes.

To troubleshoot the issue, monitor the temperature of your CPU and GPU with software such as Core Temp or HWMonitor. This can determine if your PC is overheating.

Another option is to use a multimeter or software like HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor to test your power supply unit and check the voltage output.

If these tests do not identify the issue, inspect your hardware components, such as the RAM, CPU, or motherboard, for signs of damage or failure.

PC turns off randomly not overheating?

If your PC shuts off randomly without overheating, there could be various causes, such as a failing power supply, faulty hardware components, or software issues.

To troubleshoot, test your power supply unit using a multimeter or software tools like HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor to check the voltage output.

Inspect hardware components, like RAM, CPU, or motherboard, for damage or signs of failure. Additionally, try updating or reinstalling device drivers, scanning for malware or viruses, or restoring the system to a time when the issue was not occurring.

PC randomly shuts off while gaming?

Random shutdowns during gaming can have various causes. Here are some steps to troubleshoot:-

Check for overheating:- Overheating commonly causes random shutdowns during gaming. Ensure PC cooling works and monitor CPU and GPU temperatures using HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner.

Verify power supply:- Insufficient or faulty power supply can cause random shutdowns. Check that the supply can handle the components and that cables are properly connected.

Update drivers:– Keep graphics card drivers up-to-date. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause issues.

Check for malware:– Malware can cause system instability and shutdowns. Run a virus scan using reliable antivirus software.

Check hardware:- Faulty RAM, CPU, or motherboard can cause random shutdowns. Use a hardware diagnostic tool, such as Memtest86+, to check for RAM errors.

Reduce graphics settings:- Lower graphics settings in-game to reduce system strain and prevent overheating or power issues.

Why is my PC turning on and off by itself?

A PC that is turning on and off by itself can be caused by a number of issues, such as a faulty power supply unit, overheating, or a problem with the motherboard. It’s important to troubleshoot the issue to determine the root cause.

Why does my Windows 10 PC shut off randomly?

There are many potential reasons why a Windows 10 PC might shut off randomly, including overheating, software issues, hardware problems, or malware infections. It’s important to troubleshoot the issue to determine the root cause.

Can faulty RAM cause shutdown?

Yes, faulty RAM can cause a PC to shut down. If your RAM is faulty or failing, it can cause crashes, reboots, and shutdowns.

How do you check if my PC is overheating?

You can check if your PC is overheating by using temperature monitoring software, such as Core Temp or HWMonitor. These tools can show you the temperatures of your CPU and GPU, which can give you an indication of whether your PC is overheating.

How do I stop my computer from shutting down?

You can try stopping your computer from shutting down by disabling automatic shutdown in the Power Options settings. Alternatively, you can try troubleshooting any hardware or software issues that might be causing the shutdowns.

How do I check my PSU health?

You can check your PSU health by using a multimeter to test the voltage output of your PSU. Alternatively, you can use software tools like HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor to monitor the voltage output of your PSU.

How do I reset my RAM?

To reset your RAM, you can try removing the RAM modules from your computer and then reinserting them. This can sometimes help to resolve issues with faulty or corrupted RAM.

How do I know if my motherboard is faulty?

There are several signs that your motherboard might be faulty, including random shutdowns or reboots, BSODs, or issues with USB or other ports. You may also hear beeping sounds from your PC when you turn it on, which can indicate a hardware issue.

How do I check for malware on Windows?

You can check for malware on Windows by using an antivirus or anti-malware software program. There are many options available, including free and paid tools.

What are the signs of RAM failure?

Signs of RAM failure can include crashes, freezes, and reboots, as well as BSODs and other error messages. You may also notice that your computer is running more slowly than usual.

How do I know if RAM is failing?

You can test for failing RAM by using a memory diagnostic tool like Memtest86 or Windows Memory Diagnostic. These tools can help to identify any issues with your RAM modules.

How do I know if my CPU is damaged?

If your CPU is damaged, you may notice performance issues like slower processing speeds or crashes. You may also see error messages or hear beeping sounds from your PC when you turn it on.

Can a dirty PC cause overheating?

Yes, a dirty PC can cause overheating by blocking airflow and preventing heat from escaping. It’s important to clean your PC regularly to prevent dust buildup and ensure proper cooling.

Will my PC tell me if my CPU is overheating?

Some PCs may have built-in temperature sensors that can alert you if your CPU is overheating. You can also use temperature monitoring software, such as Core Temp or HWMonitor, to check your CPU temperatures.

Is it OK to shut down PC every time?

Yes, it is generally OK to shut down your PC every time. In fact, shutting down your PC can help to reduce wear and tear on the hardware components and ensure that your PC runs smoothly.

What prevents Windows from shutting down?

Several issues can prevent Windows from shutting down, including malware infections, hardware issues, and software conflicts. You can try troubleshooting the issue by checking the Event Viewer logs or running a virus scan.

What is a symptom of a failing power supply?

A failing power supply can cause several symptoms, including random shutdowns or reboots, system crashes, or issues with booting up your PC. You may also hear strange noises or notice burning smells coming from your PSU.

How do I know if my PSU is struggling?

You can tell if your PSU is struggling by monitoring the voltage output using software tools like HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor. You may also notice that your PC is running slower than usual, or that you are experiencing frequent crashes or shutdowns.

What is the lifespan of a PSU?

The lifespan of a PSU can vary depending on the quality of the unit and how often it is used. In general, a high-quality PSU can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more with proper maintenance and care.

Does resetting RAM delete everything?

No, resetting RAM does not delete any data or files on your computer. It simply clears out any temporary data stored in the RAM modules, which can help to resolve issues with crashes or freezes.

Does restarting PC clear RAM?

Yes, restarting your PC can clear the RAM and help to free up memory that might be occupied by background processes or programs.

How do I reset my RAM without restarting it?

You can try resetting your RAM without restarting your PC by using the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool. This tool can help to diagnose any issues with your RAM and resolve them without having to restart your computer.

How do you tell if you fried your motherboard?

If you fried your motherboard, you may notice several signs, including a burning smell or strange noises coming from your PC. You may also see smoke or notice that your PC is not booting up properly.

What is the most common problem in motherboard?

The most common problem in motherboards is usually related to power issues, such as failing capacitors or a faulty power supply. Other common issues can include overheating, BIOS corruption, or hardware conflicts.

How do I know if my motherboard power supply is broken?

If your motherboard power supply is broken, you may notice issues with booting up your PC or powering on your peripherals. You may also see strange error messages or hear beeping sounds coming from your PC.

What are 3 signs you might have malware on your computer?

Three signs that you might have malware on your computer include slower processing speeds, frequent crashes or freezes, and unexplained pop-ups or ads appearing on your screen.

What is the most common symptom of computer viruses?

The most common symptom of computer viruses is typically slow performance or crashes. Other symptoms can include pop-ups or ads, strange error messages, or issues with your internet connection.

What are the signs your PC has malware?

Signs that your PC has malware can include slower processing speeds, frequent crashes or freezes, and unexplained pop-ups or ads appearing on your screen.

You may also notice that your browser homepage or search engine have been changed without your permission.

Wrap-up:-

We have discussed different methods by which one can easily solve the Computer randomly shuts down problem. If this doesn’t work then you need to consult an expert and see whether it was your hardware or software.

In the case of hardware, you might have to spend a few bucks to fix it. But if there is something wrong with your software, then you can just re-install the Windows and you are good to go.