Computer Shuts Down Randomly? 15 Ways to Fix It

If you’re facing random shutdowns or restarts then don’t worry as sometimes Windows restarts or shutdown PC to install important updates, Antivirus do this to protect your system from virus or malware infection, etc. But if the random shutdowns or restarts are frequent then this might be a problem. Imagine your computer shuts down randomly every hour, well that is a very annoying issue which users are facing.

How to Fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly

Most of the computers are design to shut down automatically if the temperature of the system reaches anywhere from 70 to 100 degrees Celsius. In other words, if your PC is overheating then that might be the root cause of the random shutdowns. But this issue is not just limited to one cause, there can be a variety of reasons as to why the computer shuts down randomly.

Why does my computer turn off without warning?

Some of the other causes due to which you’re facing this issue is faulty power supply (PSU), hardware failure, problem with UPS, virus or malware infection, system files might be corrupted, etc. Anyway, without wasting any time let’s see How to Fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly with the help of the below-listed troubleshooting guide.

How to Fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Check for Overheating issues

If your CPU runs too hot for a very long time, it may cause you a lot of trouble, including sudden shutdown, system crash or even a CPU failure. While the ideal temperature for CPU is room temperature, a little higher temperature is still acceptable for a short time period. So you need to check if your computer is overheating or not, you can do that by following this guide.

How to Check Your CPU Temperature in Windows 10 | Fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly

If the computer overheats then the Computer definitely shuts down due to overheating issues. In this case either you need to service your PC as heats vents might be blocked due to excessive dust or your PC fans are not working correctly. In any case, you will need to take the PC to the service repair center for further inspection.

Method 2: Check Power Supply

A faulty or failing Power Supply is generally the cause for the Computer randomly shutting down. Because the power consumption of the hard disk is not met, it won’t get enough power to run, and subsequently, you may need to restart the PC several times before it can take the adequate power from PSU. In this case, you may need to replace the power supply with a new one or you could borrow a spare power supply to test if this is the case here.

Faulty Power Supply

If you have recently installed new hardware such as a video card then chances are the PSU is not able to deliver the necessary power needed by the graphic card. Just temporarily remove the hardware and see if this fixes the issue. If the issue is resolved then in order to use the graphic card you may need to purchase a higher voltage Power Supply Unit.

Method 3: Remove recently installed Hardware and Software

If you have recently installed new hardware then you might be facing random shutdowns because of this new hardware and to fix the issue just remove any recently added hardware from your PC. Similarly, also make sure to uninstall any software or program which you might have added recently.

Uninstall Recently Installed Updates

To uninstall the recently installed programs, first, you need to enter the Safe Mode and then follow the below steps:

1. Open Control Panel by searching for it using the search bar.

Open Control Panel by searching it

2. Now from the Control Panel window click on Programs.

Click on Programs | Fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly

3. Under Programs and Features, click on View Installed Updates.

Under Programs and Features, click on View Installed Updates

4. Here you will see the list of currently installed Windows updates.

List of currently installed programs | Fix Windows 10 Stuck on Welcome Screen

5. Uninstall the recently installed Windows updates which might be causing the issue and after uninstalling such updates your problem may be solved.

Method 4: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a feature that provides faster boot time when you start your PC or when you shut down your PC. It is a handy feature and works for those who want their PCs to work fast. In fresh new PCs, this feature is enabled by default but you can disable it anytime you want.

Most of the users had some issues with their PC then the Fast Startup feature is enabled on their PC. In fact, many users have resolved the Computer shuts down randomly issue by simply disabling Fast Startup on their system.

Why You Need To Disable Fast Startup In Windows 10

Method 5: Run CCleaner and Malwarebytes

1. Download and install CCleaner & Malwarebytes.

2. Run Malwarebytes and let it scan your system for harmful files.

How to use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove Malware | Fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly

3. If malware is found it will automatically remove them.

4. Now run CCleaner and in the “Cleaner” section, under the Windows tab, we suggest checking the following selections to be cleaned:

ccleaner cleaner settings

5. Once you’ve made certain the proper points are checked, simply click Run Cleaner, and let CCleaner run its course.

6. To clean your system further select the Registry tab and ensure the following are checked:

registry cleaner

7. Select Scan for Issue and allow CCleaner to scan, then click Fix Selected Issues.

8. When CCleaner asks “Do you want backup changes to the registry?” select Yes.

9. Once your backup has completed, select Fix All Selected Issues.

10. Restart your PC to save changes and this would Fix Computer shuts down randomly issue, if not then continue with the next method.

Method 6: Update Unknown Device Drivers in Device Manager

The most common problem a Windows user faces is unable to find the right drivers for unknown devices in Device Manager. We all have been there and we know how frustrating it can get dealing with unknown devices, so go to this post to find drivers for unknown devices in Device Manager.

Find Drivers for Unknown Devices in Device Manager | Fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly

Method 7: Reinstall Graphics Card Driver

1. Press Windows Key + R then type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open Device Manager.

2. Expand Display adapters and then right-click on your NVIDIA graphic card and select Uninstall.

right click on NVIDIA graphic card and select uninstall

3. If asked for confirmation select Yes.

4. Press Windows Key + X then select Control Panel.

control panel

5. From Control Panel click on Uninstall a Program.

uninstall a program

6. Next, uninstall everything related to Nvidia.

uninstall everything related to NVIDIA

7. Reboot your system to save changes and again download the setup from the manufacturer’s website.

NVIDIA driver downloads

8. Once you are sure that you have removed everything, try installing the drivers again. The setup should work without any problems and you will be able to Fix the Computer shuts down randomly issue. 

Method 8: Disable Windows Automatic Restart Feature

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error occurs when the system fails to start causing your Computer to restart or shuts down randomly. In short, after a system failure occurs, Windows 10 automatically restart your PC to recover from the crash. Most of the time a simple restart is able to recover your system but in some cases, your PC might get into a restart loop. That’s why you need to disable automatic restart on system failure in Windows 10 in order to recover from the restart loop.

Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure in Windows 10 | Computer Shuts Down Randomly

Method 9: Change Power Options

1. Type control in Windows Search then click on Control Panel from the search result.

Open Control Panel by searching it under Windows search.

2. Under Control Panel navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

Click on Hardware and Sound under Control Panel

3. Now under Power options click on Change plan settings next to your currently active power plan.

USB Selective Suspend Settings

4. Next, click on Change advanced power settings.

Change advanced power settings

5. Scroll down and expand Processor power management.

6. Now click Minimum processor state and set it to a low state such as 5% or 0%.

Expand Processor power management and then set Minimum processor state to 5%Expand Processor power management and then set Minimum processor state to 5%

Note: Change the above setting both for plugged in and battery.

7. Click Apply followed by OK.

8. Reboot your PC to save changes and see if you’re able to fix Computer shuts down randomly issue.

Method 10: Run Memtest86 and Driver Verifier

Test RAM for Bad Memory

Are you experiencing a problem with your PC, especially the Computer shuts down randomly issue? There is a chance that RAM is causing a problem for your PC. Random Access Memory (RAM) is one of the most essential components of your PC therefore whenever you experience some problems in your PC, you should test your Computer’s RAM for bad memory in Windows. If bad memory sectors are found in your RAM then in order to resolve Computer shuts down randomly issue, you will need to replace your RAM.

Test your Computer's RAM for Bad Memory | Computer Shuts Down Randomly

Run Driver Verifier

This method is only useful if you can log into your Windows normally not in the safe mode. Next, make sure to create a System Restore point. Run Driver Verifier in order Fix Computer shuts down randomly on Windows 10 issue. This would eliminate any conflicting driver issues due to which this error can occur.

run driver verifier manager

Method 11: Reset BIOS to default settings

1. Turn off your laptop, then turn it on and simultaneously press F2, DEL or F12 (depending on your manufacturer) to enter into BIOS setup.

press DEL or F2 key to enter BIOS Setup

2. Now you’ll need to find the reset option to load the default configuration and it may be named as Reset to default, Load factory defaults, Clear BIOS settings, Load setup defaults, or something similar.

load the default configuration in BIOS

3. Select it with your arrow keys, press Enter, and confirm the operation. Your BIOS will now use its default settings.

4. Once you’re logged into Windows see if you’re able to fix Computer shuts down randomly issue.

Method 12: ATX Resetting

Note: This process generally applies to laptops, so if you have a computer then leave this method.

1. Power off your laptop then remove the power cord, leave it for a few minutes.

2. Now remove the battery from behind and press & hold the power button for 15-20 seconds.

unplug your battery

Note: Do not connect the power cord just yet, we will tell you when to do that.

3. Now plug in your power cord (battery should not be inserted) and trying booting up your laptop.

4. If it’s boot properly then again turn off your laptop. Put in the battery and again start your laptop.

If the problem is still there again turn off your laptop, remove the power cord & battery. Press & hold the power button for 15-20 seconds and then insert the battery. Power on the laptop and this should fix the issue.

Method 13: Update BIOS

BIOS stands for Basic Input and Output System and it is a piece of software present inside a small memory chip on the PC’s motherboard which initializes all the other devices on your PC, like the CPU, GPU, etc. It acts as an interface between the computer’s hardware and its operating system such as Windows 10.

What is BIOS and how to update BIOS | Computer Shuts Down Randomly

It is recommended to update BIOS as a part of your scheduled update cycle as the update contains feature enhancements or changes that will help to keep your current system software compatible with other system modules as well as provide security updates and increased stability. BIOS updates cannot take place automatically. And if your system has outdated BIOS then it can lead to Computer shuts down randomly issue. So it is advised to update BIOS in order to fix the computer shutting down the issue.

Note: Performing BIOS updates is a critical task and if something goes wrong it can seriously damage your system, therefore, expert supervision is recommended.

Method 14: Clean Memory Slot

Note: Don’t open your PC as it may void your warranty, if you don’t know what to do please take your laptop to the service center.

Try to switch RAM in another memory slot then try using only one memory and see if you can use the PC normally. Also, clean memory slot vents just to be sure and again check if this fixes the issue. Afte this makes sure to clean the power supply unit as generally dust settles on it which can cause random freezes or crashes of Windows 10.

Clean Memory Slot

Method 15: Refresh or Reset Windows 10

Note: If you can’t access your PC then restart your PC a few times until you start Automatic Repair. Then navigate to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything.

1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on the Update & Security icon.

Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Update & security icon

2. From the left-hand menu select Recovery.

3. Under Reset this PC click on the “Get Started” button.

On Update & Security click on Get Started under Reset this PC

4. Select the option to Keep my files.

Select the option to Keep my files and click Next  | Computer Shuts Down Randomly

5. For the next step you might be asked to insert Windows 10 installation media, so ensure you have it ready.

6. Now, select your version of Windows and click on only the drive where Windows is installed > Just remove my files.

click on only the drive where Windows is installed

7. Click on the Reset button.

8. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the reset.

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That’s it, we hope this guide was helpful and you were able to fix Computer Shuts Down Randomly issue but if you still have any queries regarding this post then feel free to ask them in the comment section.

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