“Help, the computer turns itself off!” – approximately such a message can be seen on various forums devoted to computer topics. Faced the same dilemma? Then you have come to the right place! Today we will tell you what can lead to a spontaneous shutdown of the PC and how to fix it!
The computer shuts down by itself: the most common reasons and their solutions
1. Overheating of PC components
Let’s start with the most common reason a computer shuts down itself: overheating of components. If the operating temperature of the CPU, graphics accelerator, power supply and other hardware rises to critical levels, it can easily cause a sudden shutdown of the PC. Overheating occurs for various reasons:
- strong accumulation of dust and other pollutants;
- malfunctioning coolers;
- poor air circulation in the system unit;
- dried thermal paste;
- excessive overclocking of components.
It is easy to check the temperature of various equipment: just use the services of specialized software. There are many programs for measuring temperature and, as a rule, they are distributed completely free of charge. Here is a list of the most popular temperature tracking software (and more!):
- MSI Afterburner;
- SpeedFan;
- Open Hardware Monitor;
- Core Temp;
- CPU-Z;
- AIDA64;
- GPU-Z;
- HWMonitor.
We clarify the maximum operating temperature for each of our pieces of iron on the Internet and check with the data in one of these programs. Does the processor “burn”? Cleaning the old or installing a new cooler, replacing the thermal paste will help. Approximately the same steps are applied to the video card. If the south or north bridge on the motherboard is heated, then installing additional radiators can help. As soon as you eliminate overheating, your computer itself will definitely stop shutting down.
2. Power supply failure
The processor is the brain of the computer, and the power supply is its heart. If your PC is constantly shutting down (or rebooting frequently), then the power supply may be the reason.
Unfortunately, not everyone can make accurate diagnostics at home. Nevertheless, there are a couple of obvious signs of a faulty power supply that any user will catch. First, feel the PSU case and check how hot the air is blowing out of it. Second, sniff – does it smell like something unpleasant?
The answer is obvious, when the computer turns off by itself, the power supply unit – you don’t touch it, and it starts to panic. In this case, we recommend that you either go to the service center so that the guys there try to revive it, or fork out for a new power supply unit.
3. Problems with RAM
Random access memory (or simply RAM) is another component of a computer that can cause it to shut down if it is not working properly. The most obvious signs of a RAM problem are blue screens of death, slow performance, and intermittent errors while performing certain actions in Windows.
RAM can be checked by system and third-party software. To run the Windows Memory Checker, you need to do the following:
- press Win + R to open the Run window;
- write down the value mdsched.exe and press Enter;
- in the window that appears, click on “Restart and check (recommended)”.
Next, your computer will reboot and a standard RAM test will begin. You can change test parameters using the F1 key – select a wide range of tests for more accurate testing.
Once the RAM test is complete, your PC will restart. Next, you need to go to the “Event Viewer” component and see the test results, which is done like this:
- press Win + R;
- write down eventvwr.exe and press Enter;
- go to “Windows Logs → System”;
- click on the “Find …” icon on the right side of the window;
- write the value MemoryDiagnostics-Results and click “Find Next”;
- double-click the found event and see the test results.
Here you will immediately understand if everything is normal with your RAM or not. If there are any problems with the RAM, then you will probably have to replace it.
4. Problems with HDD / SSD
A hard drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) is a component of a PC that stores an operating system. If this device breaks down or starts to work incorrectly, then problems are guaranteed – to the point that the computer starts to turn itself off.
HDD / SSD problems can be divided into two categories: software and hardware. The first category includes a damaged file system, bad blocks. You can try to fix both using Windows tools or third-party software. To use the system tool, do the following:
- open “This PC”;
- right-click on the system drive and select “Properties”;
- go to the “Service” tab and click on “Check”;
- click on the “Check disk” button in another window;
- wait for the disk check to complete and see the results.
Hardware problems are a little more complicated. Here is a list of possible HDD problems:
- a failed controller, BMG or preamplifier switch;
- damaged power or SATA cable;
- HDD engine wedge;
- damage to magnetic plates;
- and other.
An SSD drive, unlike an HDD, has no moving parts and works in much the same way as any flash card. Therefore, some other problems arise with SSD:
- breakdown of the controller;
- out of order memory chips;
- problems with the disk connection interface;
- and other.
In the event of a hardware failure, you will almost certainly have to contact your local service center for help.
5. Windows specific settings
It is possible that your computer shuts down by itself because your Windows has quite specific settings. Spontaneous shutdown of the PC can occur if parental control is installed or the presence of a corresponding task in the scheduler. In the first case, everything is clear: we are trying to persuade our parents to remove restrictions, or we are trying to fit in with reality.
PC shutdown tasks can be created by a variety of software. For example, users very often forget to uncheck the option responsible for shutting down the PC in the installer of a program or game. Antiviruses, media players, recording utilities, file download managers, etc. – all this can create an automatic shutdown task on your computer.
Just be careful when working at the computer and it will never turn itself off.
6. Viruses and malware
Certain viruses and untrustworthy programs can harm your PC to a great extent – so much so that it will shut itself down. If none of the above applies to you, then we advise you to scan Windows for viruses. If you recently installed software, get rid of it. We test the system and see if it helped.
7. Own negligence
Have you decided to clean your disc from all the rubbish? You could delete files critical for the OS, especially if the cleaning was carried out in the Windows folder on the system partition. And now, when the OS tries to access the deleted files, an error occurs and the PC shuts down. In such a situation, it is better to use Windows recovery or completely reinstall it.
Has the situation changed? Does the computer turn itself off despite all your actions? It’s time to go to the service center …