Are you experiencing the frustrating problem of your laptop suddenly shutting off? Don’t worry, there are several common reasons why this may be happening and easy fixes to try.
Read on for helpful solutions.
Ways to Fix
If your laptop frequently shuts down unexpectedly, it could be due to issues such as full storage, overheating, a malfunctioning CMOS battery, or a faulty battery.
While some fixes are simple, others may require professional assistance.
Check For Overheating
If your laptop keeps shutting off during intense use, it could be due to overheating. Laptops have a self-protection mechanism that causes them to shut down if the temperature gets too high.
If your laptop feels hot and the fans are running at full speed, try cleaning the vents and fans with a can of compressed air. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, consider taking your laptop in for routine maintenance.
But if you can’t hear or feel the fans at all, it’s best to seek professional help to repair or replace them.
Battery Health
A possible cause of your laptop randomly shutting off could be a faulty battery. It’s recommended to keep an eye on your battery’s performance, such as sudden drops in percentage or short battery life. If you suspect your battery is the issue, you can try replacing it.
Another potential culprit could be a faulty power cable. A loose or improper connection may prevent the battery from charging correctly. Be sure to check for any loose connections or other issues with the power cable.
Update Windows and Drivers
Have you ever asked yourself why Windows updates are so frequent? The answer is to enhance the smooth running of our laptops. If you haven’t installed the latest updates, your operating system might freeze or crash unexpectedly.
To avoid this, you can follow the steps below to check and install the latest updates for Windows, which also includes the necessary system drivers for your laptop’s hardware.
- Go to Search, type in Windows Update Settings, and hit Enter.
- Click on the Check for updates button.
- Windows will automatically look for, download, and install the latest updates on your OS and drivers.
- Restart your PC.
Likewise, you can also manually update drivers for your devices using Device Manager.
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- Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand each of the hardware sections such as Display adapters, batteries, monitors, etc.
- Right-click on the component and choose update driver.
- Select Check automatically for drivers in the popup window that follows.
It is important to note that manually updating drivers can be a time-consuming process. However, if you want to update specific hardware components, you can do so by going to Device Manager and selecting the hardware device you want to update.
Components that can be updated individually include Display Adapters, Cameras, Bluetooth, Sound, Video and Game Controllers, and USB Controllers.
Turn Off Fast Startup
Disabling fast startup has been a solution for some users who have experienced random laptop shutdowns.
To turn off the feature, you can follow the steps outlined below.
- Open the Control Panel using the Search function.
- Find the Power Options and open it. If you cannot locate it, click the arrow button beside Control Panel in the address bar and select All Control Panel Items.
- Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable to change the shutdown settings as an admin.
- Deselect the box next to Turn on Fast startup.
- Press the Save changes button.
Check for Virus or Malware
Malware or virus attacks can cause your laptop to randomly shut down, so it is best to keep your system protected. You can use reliable antivirus software like Avast, AVG, or Kaspersky.
Alternatively, Windows Security, the built-in security software on your Windows, can also provide adequate protection.
Make sure to do some research and choose the option that works best for you.
