How to Fix Random Shutdowns in Windows 11 and 10

When a PC switches off without warning, Windows records it the next time it starts. That record is the best place to begin, because it tells you whether Windows hit an error or simply lost power. Then work through the checks below. Microsoft notes that unexpected shutdowns are mostly caused by things outside Windows itself, such as power and hardware, so most of these checks are physical. Steps are for Windows 11, with Windows 10 differences noted.

1. Check Event Viewer to See What Happened

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When your PC shuts down unexpectedly, Windows usually logs event ID 41 the next time it starts: "The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first."

1. Right-click Start and select Event Viewer.
2. Go to Windows Logs > System.
3. Select Filter Current Log on the right, type 41 in the event ID box and select OK.
4. Open an event from the time your PC shut down and look at the Details tab.

How to read it:

• BugcheckCode is not 0: Windows stopped because of an error (a stop error, often seen as a blue screen). Updating drivers and Windows (sections 4 and 5) is the place to start.
• BugcheckCode is 0, or there's no event 41 at all: Microsoft says this can point to a power supply problem, because the PC lost power before it could record an error. Start with sections 2 and 3.
• PowerButtonTimestamp is not 0: the PC was turned off by holding the power button.

Expected result: you know whether you're dealing with an error or a power loss, which tells you which sections below to try first.

2. Rule Out Power Problems

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Microsoft lists these as likely causes when a PC shuts down without recording an error:

• Laptops: the battery was drained or removed. Check that the charger is plugged in firmly and the battery is charging.
• Desktops: the PC was unplugged or there was a power cut. Check the power cable at both ends and try a different wall socket.
• Power supply: the power supply is underpowered or faulty. If you recently added memory, a newer processor, more drives or external devices, they may need more power than your current power supply can provide.

If power cuts or dips are common where you live, Microsoft suggests an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), a battery backup that keeps the PC running for a short time.

Expected result: the shutdowns stop once power is steady, or you've ruled power out.

3. Check for Overheating and Turn Off Overclocking

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1. If you've overclocked your processor, graphics card or memory, set it back to its normal speed and see whether the shutdowns stop.
2. Check for overheating components, as Microsoft suggests.

Expected result: the PC stays on under the same workload that used to switch it off.

4. Remove New Hardware and Update Drivers

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1. If you added hardware shortly before the shutdowns began, turn off the PC, remove it and restart.
2. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
3. Look for any device with a yellow exclamation mark. Right-click it and select Update driver.
4. If that doesn't help, right-click the device again and disable or uninstall it.
5. For more driver updates, check Windows Update first (section 5), then your PC or device maker's website.

Expected result: Device Manager shows no warning icons, and the shutdowns stop.

5. Install Windows Updates and Keep Some Space Free

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1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, install everything and restart.
2. Check that your system drive has some room to work with. Microsoft suggests keeping roughly 10% to 15% of the drive free.

On Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Expected result: Windows Update says you're up to date.

6. Test Your Memory With Windows Memory Diagnostic

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Microsoft suggests checking your memory when a PC shuts down or restarts at random.

1. Save your work and close your apps.
2. Press Windows key + R, type mdsched and select OK.
3. Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended). The test runs before Windows starts.
4. To see the result after you sign in again, open Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > MemoryDiagnostics-Results > Debug. Event ID 2001 means no memory errors were found.

Expected result: no memory errors. If errors are found, have the memory checked by your PC maker or a repair shop.

7. Repair Windows System Files

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1. Type cmd in the search box, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
2. Run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, then sfc /scannow.
3. Don't close the window until the scan reaches 100%, then restart.

Expected result: SFC reports no integrity violations, or that it repaired the files it found. See How to Repair System Files Using System File Checker for more.

8. Make Sure It's Really Shutting Down, Not Sleeping

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If your PC only "turns off" after you've left it alone for a while, it may simply be going to sleep. Press a key or the power button briefly to wake it.

1. Select Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts.
2. Adjust Turn my screen off after and Make my device sleep after, separately for battery and plugged in.

Expected result: the screen and sleep timings match how you use your PC, and it wakes where you left off.

Still Shutting Down? What to Try Next

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• Start in Safe Mode: Safe Mode starts Windows in a basic state, using a limited set of files and drivers. If the shutdowns stop there, look closely at drivers and programs you installed recently.
• Go back to a restore point: if the problem started recently, a system restore point from before then rolls back system files, settings and installed programs without affecting your personal files. See How to Use a Windows 11 System Restore Point.
• Get the hardware checked: if the checks in sections 2, 3 and 6 point to the power supply, cooling or memory, contact your PC maker or a repair shop.