But if you’re looking for the definitive explanation of each issue that could be causing your computer to shut down randomly, go through the complete guide for sufficient information. That said, let’s roll in.<\/p>\n\n
What Are The Causes For A PC to Shut Down Automatically And How to Fix It?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Following are the main causes that could make your PC shut down automatically. I’ve also laid down their effective solutions to help you get your PC back to normal working.<\/p>\n
Overheating<\/b><\/h3>\n
The overheating of the CPU is one of the major causes for a PC to randomly shut down. This is because the motherboard is designed to shut your computer down during overheating to avoid serious damage.<\/p>\n
The overheating issue is mostly experienced in laptops since they usually don’t pack an effective cooling system or offer a good airflow.<\/p>\n
To find out whether or not the overheating is causing your laptop to shut down, you could simply touch the backside and try to analyze the temperature or use tools for checking the CPU temperature.<\/p>\n
Following are some of the best CPU temperature monitor tools you can use:<\/p>\n
- \n
- SolarWinds CPU Load Monitor.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"solarwinds](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SolarWinds-CPU-Load-Monitor-1.png\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- HWMonitor.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"hwmonitor\"](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/hwmonitor-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Open Hardware Monitor<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"hardware](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/hardware-monitoring-software-for-Windows-1.png\")
<\/p>\nIf you want to check the CPU temperature, go through our definitive guide on “CPU Monitor Tools<\/a>” for detailed information.<\/p>\n
Either way, if you feel that the temperature is very high, here are some effective ways to cool down your laptop:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Change the thermal paste (highly recommended)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"change](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Change-the-thermal-paste.png\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Make sure the air passageway of your laptop isn’t blocked<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"clean](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/image1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n- \n
- Clean up the laptop from the inside (especially the fans)<\/li>\n
- Consider using a cooling pad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"use](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/use-laptop-cooling-pad-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIf you’re using a computer, you can use software to identify the temperature of the CPU and GPU.<\/p>\n
If it is unusually high, here’s what to do:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Make sure the fans are working fine<\/li>\n
- Consider increasing the fan speed<\/li>\n
- Manage the proper airflow for the computer (make sure there is no blockage in the air passageway)<\/li>\n
- Clean up your computer with a blower<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If the problem still remains, there could be another reason:<\/p>\n
PSU problem<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"power](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/power-supply-failure.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAnother major reason behind the automatic turning off of your computer could be the power supply failure. It’s a common issue among computers and the following are the typical symptoms:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Automatic blue screen crashes<\/li>\n
- More noise coming from the computer<\/li>\n
- The computer doesn’t start but the fans spin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you feel that the computer\/laptop has these symptoms, likely it’s a PSU problem.<\/p>\n
Now, how to solve it? First, you need to test whether your PSU is dead or alive. Here are the simple steps to do that.:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Make sure that the power supply switch (if there is) is turned on<\/li>\n
- Use a different power cable to make sure it isn’t dead<\/li>\n
- Go through the internal connections inside the PC (especially the power connectors and peripherals)<\/li>\n
- Remove all the peripherals from the computer except the GPU if you don’t have onboard graphics and restart<\/li>\n
- Make sure the power cable is secure in the wall socket<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If the PSU still doesn’t work, it’s time to visit the market and either purchase a new power supply or get the current one repaired.<\/p>\n
Virus Infection<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"computer](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/computer-infected-with-a-virus.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDo you know what a virus does? Exactly what it was programmed to do. The exciting part is, some of them are programmed to shut down your computer. So, it could also be a reason for your computer to automatically shut down.<\/p>\n
If this is what the case is, here are some simple steps to follow:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Download and install a virus scanner and remover software<\/li>\n
- Disconnect the internet<\/li>\n
- Restart your computer into safe mode and delete any temporary files<\/li>\n
- Now, run the virus scan and (recommended) or quarantine the virus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
But, if your computer is in a terrible condition and doesn’t even allow you to do this procedure, a considerable solution is installing new Windows (or the OS you’re using).<\/p>\n
Driver Issue<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"update](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/update-your-driver-1.png\")
<\/p>\nIf you’re not a computer geek, let me break it down for you.<\/p>\n
The computers run on hardware that cannot do anything on its own and requires drivers (software) which have the instructions to make that specific hardware (eg, Ram) run. But if the drivers get affected, the hardware cannot function properly and it could result in the PC suddenly powering off.<\/p>\n
Now, what is an unsuitable driver that could cause your PC to turn off? Well, outdated software (driver) is the most common issue behind this. So, the first actionable step is to update all the drivers<\/b>.<\/p>\n
If your screen is laggy & choppy, and you find some real performance dips then here is a definitive guide for you to roll back your GPU driver<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Most likely this will solve the issue. But if it still remains, the next step is to make sure the driver is compatible with the hardware you’re using. If it still doesn’t work, other hardware issues could be the problem:<\/p>\n
Other Hardware Issues<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"cpu](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/System-Hardware-Issues.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen a certain piece of hardware fails, dies, or stops working, the motherboard shuts the overall system down. This is down to prevent any internal damage.<\/p>\n
And oh, if you don’t already know, hardware is the machinery on your computer. For instance, the Ram, CPU, and GPU, are all hardware.<\/p>\n
Coming to the point, how to determine whether a hardware component is failing in your computer? Or, how to identify WHICH hardware component is failing?<\/p>\n
Well, here are some effective steps to take:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Test your RAM using the Windows built-in Memory Diagnostic tool. But if your computer doesn’t even start, you can try cleaning up the Ram with an eraser<\/li>\n
- Check hard drive Smart status by using the SMART analysis tool which views the information of the hard drive’s health status<\/li>\n
- Use Prime95<\/a> to stress test your CPU. The software forces the processor to perform various calculations and figure out whether it’s CPU causing the issues<\/li>\n
- Use 3DMark<\/a> to run a GPU benchmark and make sure the GPU is working fine. If it overheats or fails during the test, it means the GPU isn’t performing properly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If nothing works, consider visiting a repair shop to get the hardware issue solved.<\/p>\n
- Use 3DMark<\/a> to run a GPU benchmark and make sure the GPU is working fine. If it overheats or fails during the test, it means the GPU isn’t performing properly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Make sure the air passageway of your laptop isn’t blocked<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Change the thermal paste (highly recommended)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Open Hardware Monitor<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- HWMonitor.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"sleep](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Sleep-Mode.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"shut](\"https:\/\/pcgearhead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/laptop-battery-disassemble-1-1.png\")
<\/p>\n