Imagine working on your Windows PC on a busy weekday and out of the blue, it shuts down abruptly. Well, if you’re baffled because Windows 11 keeps shutting down for no apparent reason, you’re not alone. To help you out, we’ve prepared a list of troubleshooting tips that’ll help fix those random shutdowns on Windows 11. So, let’s start.
1. Monitor Your PC’s Temperature
If your PC overheating, then Windows might end up shutting itself down to prevent any damage to the internal components. You can avoid this by keeping your PC’s temperatures in check.
To check GPU’s temperature, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager. Under the Performance tab, check your GPU’s temperature.
GPU temperatures below 85° Celsius (or 185° F) are considered normal. While Windows doesn’t offer a way to check your CPU’s temperature natively, you can use a third-party program like HWMoniter for that.
If your PC is overheating, you should spend some time cleaning your PC’s fans and other internal components. Plus, ensure that nothing is blocking the air vents and your PC is not exposed to excessive heat.
2. Run Power Troubleshooter
Next, you can run the Power troubleshooter on Windows. It’ll automatically fix any issues with the current power plan or system settings that might be responsible for the issue.
Step 1: Open the Start menu, type in troubleshoot settings, and press Enter.
Step 2: Select Other troubleshooters.
Step 3: Click on the Run button next to Power to begin the troubleshooting process.
3. Disable Fast Startup
Fast startup is a handy utility on Windows that helps your PC boot faster than usual. But since Fast startup doesn’t let your PC shut down entirely, it can also lead to occasional crashes and random shutdowns. Hence, you can try disabling the Fast startup on Windows to see if that improves the situation.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type in control, and press Enter.
Step 2: Switch the view type to small or large icons and select Power Options.
Step 3: Click on ‘Choose what the power buttons do’ on the left sidebar.
Step 4: Since you’ll need administrator permissions to disable the fast startup, click on ‘Change settings that are currently unavailable’ at the top.
Step 5: Uncheck the box that reads the ‘Turn on fast startup (recommended)’ box, and hit Save Changes.
4. Turn Off Sleep Mode
While sleep mode on Windows allows you to save power when you’re away, there have been instances where users have reported their PC shutting down instead of going to sleep. To avoid this, you can consider disabling the sleep mode entirely. Here’s how.
Step 1: Press Windows key + X and select Power Options from the resulting menu.
Step 2: Expand Screen and sleep settings. Use the drop-down menus next to ‘On battery power, put my device to sleep after’ and ‘When plugged in, put my device to sleep after’ to select Never.
5. Scan for Malware
At times a malware or virus infection can lead to your computer behaving erraticaly. To rule this out, you can try running a full system scan of your PC with Windows Defender or an antivirus program of your choice.
6. Run DISM and SFC Scan
If your PC is missing any critical system files or if they’re corrupted, then Windows will run into all kinds of issues. Thankfully, you can fix those system files easily by running a DISM & SFC scan. Here’s how.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and select Windows Terminal (admin).
Step 2: Run the following commands one by one.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Step 3: After running the DISM scan, run the SFC scan by entering the following command.
sfc /scannow
7. Update Windows 11
If you haven’t updated Windows in a while, you might be on one of the early builds on Windows 11. While that shouldn’t be a problem, if the issue is related to the particular build you’re on, then updating your PC will help.
Open the Settings app and visit the Windows Update tab to check for pending updates. Download and install any pending updates to see if that helps with the random shutdowns on Windows 11.
8. View Shutdown Log
If the above solutions didn’t work, and Windows is still shutting down unexpectedly, then it’s time to go through the event log on Windows. Event Viewer is a handy utility on Windows that keeps track of everything that happens on your PC, including shutdown and restarts.
Step 1: Open Windows search, type in event viewer, and press Enter.
Step 2: Expand the Windows Logs on your left, right-click on the System category and select the Filter Current Log option.
Step 3: In the following window, type 41,1074,6006,6605,6008 in the Includes/Excludes Event IDs field and hit OK.
The numbers above refer to the Event IDs during which your PC might have shut down or restarted.
Step 4: Windows will show you all the corresponding shutdown and restart logs. Click on a log to view the reason behind the shutdown or restart.
Once you’ve identified the root cause for those random shutdowns, you can troubleshoot to prevent that from happening on Windows 11.
Discover the Unexpected
Such unexpected shutdowns can easily lead to loss of unsaved work, loss of productivity, and a dissatisfactory Windows experience. That said, we’re confident that one of the solutions has helped you fix those random shutdowns on Windows 11 for good.
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Experiencing random or automatic shutdowns on Windows 11 can be frustrating, especially if it interrupts your work or leads to potential data loss. This issue can stem from various causes, including hardware malfunctions, software conflicts, power settings, or overheating.
In this guide, we’ll explore several methods to diagnose and fix the problem of Windows 11 randomly shutting down.
How can I fix a random shutdown on Windows 11?
1. Check Power Settings
Sometimes, improper power settings can cause your computer to shut down unexpectedly. Ensuring these settings are correctly configured can help prevent random shutdowns.
- Open Power Settings:
- Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to System > Power & battery.
- Adjust Sleep Settings:
- Under Power mode, select Balanced or Best performance to avoid aggressive power-saving features.
- Scroll down to the Screen and sleep section.
- Ensure that the Sleep and Screen options are set to appropriate times, or disable sleep entirely if your PC is shutting down during use.
- Check Advanced Power Settings:
- Click on Additional power settings under Related support.
- In the Power Options window, click on Change plan settings next to your selected power plan.
- Click on Change advanced power settings.
- Expand Sleep and make sure Hibernate after is set to Never or an appropriate time.
After adjusting the settings, monitor your system to see if the random shutdowns persist.
2. Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup is a feature that allows your PC to boot up quickly. However, it can sometimes cause issues, including unexpected shutdowns.
- Access Fast Startup Settings:
- Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
- Click on Choose what the power buttons do from the left-hand menu.
- Disable Fast Startup:
- Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended).
- Click Save changes.
Disabling Fast Startup can resolve issues related to shutdowns, particularly on systems that don’t fully support this feature.
3. Check for Overheating Issues
Overheating is a common cause of unexpected shutdowns, especially when running resource-intensive tasks or in poorly ventilated environments.
- Monitor CPU Temperature:
- Use software like HWMonitor or Core Temp to monitor your CPU temperature.
- If your CPU temperature is consistently high (above 80°C or 176°F), your system may be shutting down to prevent damage.
- Clean Your PC:
- Dust and debris can clog cooling fans and vents, leading to overheating. Open your PC case and carefully clean the components using compressed air.
- Improve Cooling:
- Ensure that your PC is in a well-ventilated area.
- Consider adding more cooling fans or upgrading your CPU cooler if overheating persists.
Keeping your system cool can prevent the thermal shutdowns that often result from overheating.
4. Update Drivers and BIOS
Outdated or corrupted drivers, especially for critical components like the GPU, CPU, and motherboard, can cause instability and shutdowns.
- Update Drivers:
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand each category, right-click on the hardware, and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers to let Windows find and install the latest drivers.
- Update BIOS/UEFI:
- Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest BIOS/UEFI firmware.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to update the BIOS/UEFI.
Keeping your drivers and BIOS updated ensures system stability and can resolve issues causing random shutdowns.
5. Check for Malware or Corrupted System Files
Malware and corrupted system files can cause unexpected behavior, including random shutdowns.
- Run a Full Virus Scan:
- Open Windows Security by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Go to Virus & threat protection and select Quick scan or Full scan for a more thorough check.
- Allow Windows Defender or your preferred antivirus program to remove any detected threats.
- Use the System File Checker:
- Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
- The System File Checker will scan for and repair corrupted system files.
Running these scans can eliminate malware and repair system files, potentially stopping the random shutdowns.
6. Run the Power troubleshooter
- Press the Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings, select the System tile, and scroll down to choose Troubleshoot on the right pane.
- Next, select Other troubleshooters.
- Scroll down to locate Power and click on the Run button to start the troubleshooting.
- Wait for Windows to detect the issue, then follow the on-screen instructions in order to apply the fixes.
- Restart your PC.
7. Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure
By default, Windows 11 automatically restarts after a system failure, which can make it seem like the system is shutting down randomly.
- Disable Automatic Restart:
- Open Control Panel and go to System and Security > System.
- Click on Advanced system settings on the left.
- Under the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
- Uncheck the box next to Automatically restart under System failure.
- Click OK to save the changes.
Disabling automatic restart allows you to see any error messages that may help diagnose the issue.
8. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot can help you identify if a background service or startup program is causing the shutdowns.
- Perform a Clean Boot:
- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Under the General tab, select Selective startup and uncheck Load startup items.
- Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
- Click Apply and OK, then restart your PC.
If the shutdowns stop after a clean boot, you can enable services and startup programs one by one to identify the culprit.
9. Reinstall or Reset Windows 11
If all else fails, reinstalling or resetting Windows 11 may be necessary to resolve persistent shutdown issues.
- Backup Your Data:
- Before resetting or reinstalling, ensure you back up all important files.
- Reset Windows 11:
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
- Click Reset this PC and choose either Keep my files or Remove everything based on your preference.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
A clean installation or reset of Windows 11 can resolve deep-seated software issues causing shutdowns.
Random or automatic shutdowns on Windows 11 can be caused by various factors, from incorrect power settings to overheating, outdated drivers, or malware. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can diagnose and fix the issue, ensuring that your system remains stable and reliable. If the problem persists despite trying these fixes, it may be worth consulting a professional to check for more serious hardware issues.
(Image credit: Future)
On Windows 11 (or 10), the «Event Log» system tracks everything that happens, including when and why the computer restarts or shuts down correctly or incorrectly due to a problem.
Usually, you don’t think about reviewing this information as long as Windows 11 starts up again correctly. However, you may need to know these details to determine if an issue needs attention. Or to understand if Windows Update suddenly rebooted to apply a cumulative update or if the device lost power unexpectedly.
Regardless of the reason, Windows 11 (in addition to Windows 10) includes tools that allow you to check the date, time, and reason the system shut down or restarted unexpectedly using the Event Viewer or querying the event logs with PowerShell and Command Prompt.
This guide will show you the steps to check why the device shut down on Windows 11.
How to determine shutdown reason on Windows 11 from Event Viewer
To check the Event Viewer logs and determine why the device was shut down or restarted on Windows 11, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Event Viewer and click the top result to open the app.
- Browse the following path: Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System
- Right-click the System category and select the «Filter Current Log» option.
- In the «All Event ID» textbox, include the following ID numbers separated using a comma:
- 41 — The device did not restart correctly using a clean shutdown first. This event could be caused if the computer stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.
- 1074 — This event is triggered when the user initiates a manual shutdown or restart. Or when the system restarts automatically to apply updates, for example. If you were using the shutdown command with a custom message, the information would be recorded in the «Comment» section.
- 6006 — This event is logged when the Event Log system has been stopped by during a good shutdown. This error usually happens after error 1074.
- 6005 — This event was logged when the Event Log system started, which can indicate when the computer was started.
- 6008 — Indicates that the previous system shutdown was unexpected. This error will usually happen after error 41.
- Quick note: The input should look like this: 41,1074,6006,6605,6008. Windows logs many types of logs, these are just a few events you can use to diagnose the problem.
- Click the OK button.
- Double-click a log to confirm the information.
- Quick tip: You can use the down and up keyboard arrows to browse between events. As you move between the logs, the details will appear at the bottom of the screen in the «General» tab.
Once you complete the steps, the information will allow you to determine the time and the possible reason (such as Blue Screen of Death, crash, unexpected power loss, etc.) which may have caused the reboot or shutdown.
Unless you can link these logs to another system component error log, it would be difficult to identify what exactly forced the unexpected shutdown. However, these events will help to understand what happened and where to continue looking.
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How to determine shutdown reason on Windows 11 from PowerShell
To find out the reason Windows 11 (or 10) shutdown with PowerShell, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for PowerShell and click the top result to open the app.
- Type the following command to view the event logs and press Enter: Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{ LogName = ‘System’; Id = 41, 1074, 6006, 6605, 6008; } | Format-List Id, LevelDisplayName, TimeCreated, Message
- Check the log information to determine the time and reason for the shutdown.
After you complete the steps, the events will indicate the date, time, and why Windows 11 was shut down or rebooted.
How to determine shutdown reason on Windows 11 from Command Prompt
To check why the computer shutdown with Command Prompt, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt and click the top result to open the app.
- Type the following command to view the event logs and press Enter: wevtutil qe System /q:»*[System[(EventID=41) or (EventID=1074) or (EventID=6006) or (EventID=6005) or (EventID=6008)]]» /c:100 /f:text /rd:true
- Quick note: The above command will check the 100 more recent logs for the shutdown information. You can modify the «/c:100» option with a different number to check more or fewer events.
- Check each log description to determine the time and reason for the shutdown.
Once you complete the steps, you will understand why the computer was shut down or restarted unexpectedly.
If you use the PowerShell or Command Prompt option, you can also export the output to a text file with these instructions.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
- Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
- Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
Cutting-edge operating system
A refreshed design in Windows 11 enables you to do what you want effortlessly and safely, with biometric logins for encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
Your Windows 11 PC restarting randomly means you will have disrupted productivity. Using Windows 11 to write documents, play games, or participate in Teams meetings can affect your productivity during work hours.
Are you worried about Windows 11 randomly restarts? You should not worry! Numerous Windows 11 users have been grappling with this issue, which can be eliminated with some fixes.
How to Solve the Windows 11 Restarts Randomly
Another issue raised by many was Windows 11 restarting while playing games. There could be other causes for the «Windows 11 randomly restarts» problem.
The primary cause of the issue may be an excessively high CPU temperature, out-of-date graphics drivers, faulty system documents, or improper power parameters. So, here are the top 10 fixes to solve this error.
- Fix 1. Turn Off Automatically Restart on Windows 11
- Fix 2. Scan Windows 11 for Malware
- Fix 3. Check the CPU Temperatures
- Fix 4. Check for Memory Problems
- Fix 5. Disable Windows 11’s Fast Startup
- Fix 6. Run a CHKDSK Scan on Windows 11
- Fix 7. Update Graphics Card Driver
- Fix 8. Update the Drivers of Your Windows 11
- Fix 9. Change Windows 11 Update Settings
- Fix 10. Start Windows 11 into Safe Mode
Fix 1. Turn Off Automatically Restart on Windows 11
You might have built an auto-restart task to function at the scheduled time when the PC randomly restarts. Therefore, to fix this error, you need to disable auto restart on Windows 11 with the steps below:
Step 1. Launch the «Settings» app by hitting the «Win + I» keys.
Step 2. Select «About»> «Advanced system settings» under the «System» tab.
Step 3. Hit the «Advanced» button in the «System Properties» window, and opt for «Settings» from the «Startup and Recovery» section.
Step 4. Untick the «Automatically restart» box under «System failure» in the fresh window.
Step 5. Hit the «OK» button to save the change.
Step 6. Restart your Windows PC, and confirm the changes.
Fix 2. Scan Windows 11 for Malware
Viruses or malware in your PC might be the ultimate cause for Windows 11 to restart automatically. Hence, you must conduct a deep system scan and eliminate the threats from your PC. Now, you may run the built-in antivirus software in Windows 11.
Step 1. Navigate to «Settings»> «Privacy & Security.»
Step 2. Hit «Windows Security»> «Open Windows Security» to launch the antivirus software.
Step 3. Hit «Virus & Threat protection,» hit «Scan options,» and opt for «Full scan» to conduct a deep scan.
Step 4. Hit «Scan now,» which will take a few moments, and search for every file and program on your HDD.
Fix 3. Check the CPU Temperatures
It’s easier to check the CPU temperature in your Windows 11 using BIOS. It quickly demonstrates the temperature by analyzing the temperature sensors on your socket and processor. The steps are the following:
Step 1. Relaunch your Windows PC, and wait for a while to notice the first screen.
Step 2. Hit the displayed key to enter the «BIOS,» or «System,» or «Setup,» based on your PC’s model.
Step 3. Search for a reading like «CPU Core Temperature» to know the actual temp.
If you find this information helpful, please share it with others on social media to assist them in overcoming this common challenge.
Fix 4. Check for Memory Problems
In case your PC’s RAM has conked out, it might lead to uncommon reboots out of the blue. MS provides a built-in diagnostic tool to find out and fix memory issues on Windows. These are the steps to follow:
Step 1. Hit the «Windows» key, look for the «Windows Memory Diagnostic» tool, and hit the «Enter» button.
Step 2. Reboot your PC now, and search for issues or check later when you start the PC.
Hitting the first option will help fix the system’s memory issues.
Fix 5. Disable Windows 11’s Fast Startup
Fast startup is one of the best features of letting your Windows 11 PC startup quickly after a shutdown. When you switch off your PC, this fast startup feature keeps your PC in a hibernation state instead of a complete shutdown. But it may go haywire sometimes, which requires you to follow the steps to disable fast startup Windows 11:
Step 1. Hit the keys «Windows + R»> Type powercfg.cpl> Select «OK» to launch the «Power Options» window.
Step 2. Opt for «Choose what the power button does» from the left-side panel.
Step 3. Select «Change settings that are currently unavailable.»
Step 4. Untick the box «Turn on fast startup (recommended)» and hit the «Save changes» button.
Fix 6. Run a CHKDSK Scan on Windows 11
In case your system’s HDD goes wrong, maybe Windows 11 keeps restarting; you may consider performing a CHKDSK scan for troubleshooting. Go through the steps below:
Step 1. Launch «Command Prompt» with admin rights.
Step 2. Type chkdsk /f /r, and hit the «Enter» button.
Step 3. When the computer reboots in the future, you will be prompted to arrange for the diagnostic procedure to be executed. Press «Enter» after typing «Y» to verify this.
Fix 7. Update Graphics Card Driver
Outdated or damaged graphic drivers might cause errors, and «PC randomly restarts on Windows 11» is one of the most challenging errors to eliminate. This issue might be more severe if you are using graphics-intensive programs or games or if there is excessive video processing going on. To resolve this issue, consider upgrading the graphics card drivers. These are the steps to follow:
Step 1. Launch the «Run» dialog box, and type «devmgmt.msc» to launch «Device Manager» on Windows 11.
Step 2. Select the «Display adapters» option to verify every driver. Now, right-click the «Display Device» and opt for the «Update Driver» option.
Step 3. Then, opt for the «Search automatically for drivers» option and wait until the wizard searches for any novel drivers. In case it discovers any new drivers, it will quickly install them.
Fix 8. Update the Drivers of Your Windows 11
The easier way to update the drivers of your Windows 11 is via Windows Update. It not only installs the latest safety updates but also installs the newest drivers to ensure effective operation. Go through the steps below to update the drivers:
Step 1. Hit «Windows + I» to directly open the «Settings» application.
Step 2. Select «check for updates» on the «Windows update» page. Now, finish the process by going through the on-screen prompts.
Fix 9. Change Windows 11 Update Settings
Follow the steps below to change Windows 11 update settings:
Step 1. Hit the «Windows + R» to launch the Run box > Type «regedit,»> hit «OK» to open «Registry editor.»
Step 2. Hit the «Yes» button to allow admin access.
Step 3. Navigate to the path:
“Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows.”
Step 4. Right-click on the «Windows» folder, and opt for «New»> «Key.» Now, type the name as «Windows update.»
Step 5. Now, right-click on «Windows update» and opt for «New»> «Key.» Name the novel key as «AU.»
Step 6. Select the freshly generated key > right-click on the vacant space > opt for «New»> «DWORD (32-bit Value).» Name this as «NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUser.«
Step 7. Double-click the newly added object, select «Hexadecimal» for the «Base» and «1» for the Value data, and finally hit «OK» to confirm the changes. Once done, reboot your PC.
Fix 10. Start Windows 11 into Safe Mode
A malfunctioning app on your Windows 11 PC might be another probable reason for it to reboot randomly. Hence, you can start it in safe mode, as it will boot your PC without running unnecessary apps and drivers. Follow the steps below:
Step 1. Keep pressing the «Shift» key while selecting «Power»> «Restart» from the Start menu.
Step 2. Once your PC reboots to the «Choose an option screen,» opt for «Troubleshoot»> «Advanced options»> «startup settings.» After that, hit the «Restart» button.
Step 3. Once your Windows 11 PC reboots, you will notice a list of options. Now, opt for «4» or «F4» to boot your PC in safe mode.
Step 4. Type «control panel» in the search bar and hit the best match to operate this tool.
Step 5. Search for the program section and select «Uninstall a program.»
Step 6. Look for your recently installed app, and right-click on it to hit the «Uninstall» button.
Bonus Tip: Recover Data When Your Windows 11 Keeps Restarting
When the Windows 11 rebooting problem arises, specific data might be deleted. Additionally, the likelihood of losing information is very high. As a result, consumers should prioritize safeguarding their data. Users may find employing an advanced data recovery helpful at this stage.
EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Pro is the one-stop data recovery tool for Windows. It was developed to assist in retrieving data lost due to unintentional deletion of files, computer failures, and file system abnormalities. Using EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, one can create a WinPE bootable USB if the computer refuses to boot up and retrieve the broken hard disk.
The main highlights of this data recovery software are the following:
- Retrieve limitless data with a 99.7% success rate.
- Restore over 1000 types of files, including video files, graphics, emails, audio, documents, and more, from 2000+ storage devices, including cameras, PCs, external HDD, memory cards, USB flash drives, etc.
- A versatile data retrieval software is well-known for formatted recovery, deleted file recovery, and corrupted HDD recovery.
Download this professional data recovery tool today!
Note: To guarantee a high data recovery chance, install EaseUS data recovery software on another disk instead of the original disk where you lost files.
Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7 computer. Select the disk partition or storage location where you lost data and click «Search for Lost Data».
Step 2. This recovery software will start scanning the disk to find all lost and deleted files. When the scan process completes, click «Filter» > «Type» to specify lost file types. If you remember the file name, you can also search in the search box, which is the fastest way to find the target file.
Step 3. Preview and restore lost Windows files. You can double-click to preview the scanned files. Then, select the target data and click the «Recover» button to save them to another safe spot in the PC or Cloud drive.
If you find this tool helpful, please share it with others on social media to assist them in overcoming this common challenge.
Causes: Why Your Computer Restarts Randomly
Windows 11 possesses the maximum MS Windows software architecture level, but it’s not ideal! Windows 11 randomly restarts without any prior warning for various reasons, which are shown below:
😈Malware infestation
If you notice that your Windows 11 randomly restarts without warning, a malware intrusion might be used in the 21st century’s cyberattacks.
🌡️Overheating
When your Windows 11 PC’s internal temperature reaches maximum, it might power down randomly to prevent the components from being corrupted.
❌Malfunctioning storage
If your RAM or power supply isn’t working correctly, your computer will automatically shut down immediately to prevent more damage.
🦠Third-party antivirus
Compatibility problems have also been reported to be caused by third-party antivirus software. As a result, you will have to take yours off temporarily.
Final Thoughts
Does Windows 11 keep crashing on your computer? Consider the above alternatives if experiencing this widespread problem to eliminate Windows 11’s unexpected restart behavior quickly. If you have lost data while fixing this, installing EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard would be better now!
Windows 11 Randomly Restarts FAQs
These are the FAQs to consider:
1. How do I stop Windows 11 from automatically restarting?
Follow the detailed steps in the fix-1 to deter Windows 11 from automatically restarting.
2. Why does my computer keep restarting randomly?
The significant reasons for your computer to keep restarting randomly are third-party antiviruses, overclocking, misconfigured power settings, and imprecise group policy.
3. Can GPU cause random restarts?
A malfunctioning GPU can indeed make your computer reboot randomly. This can be caused by excessive heat, problems with the driver, or even electricity consumption.
4. Why is Windows restarting automatically?
Frequent or scheduled restarts on Windows may also be caused by hardware problems with the hard drive, RAM, or newly installed hardware.
Windows 11 being the latest version of Microsoft’s OS, any small or big issues becomes glorified worldwide. No problem is faced by solely one person; chances are, many others are in it with you. One issue that has been at the helm of discussion is that Windows 11 shuts down during sleep.
Why does that happen and how can we resolve it? In this article, we will be talking about the top 8 ways to fix “Windows 11 shuts down during sleep” issue. But first, let’s understand the underlying reasons behind the problem, before jumping straight to the solution.
Also, users have reported instances where their PC won’t respond to mouse and keyboard movements and won’t wake up from sleep. Both the issues are almost similar but if your system is up and running but the monitor is not waking up from sleep then check this article and if your Windows 11 system shuts down completely during sleep then follow the below given guide.
While many might be facing the same issue, the reasons behind each individual facing it might never be the same. However, we can always observe over a period of time and bring it down to the most common few culprits noticed.
Here are some reasons why your PC or laptop turns off instead of going to sleep:
- If your Power Settings are not manually curated, it could just as easily mess itself up automatically. Chances are that your automatic power settings are not compatible with the demands you are making of your system. A good option here would be to manually tweak it to your needs.
- You could be facing a bug related to the IMEI or Intel Management Engine Interface driver. It’s always best to update your IMEI immediately, if there happens to be a bug because of which Windows 11 shuts down instead of sleeping.
- Outdated drivers is yet another possible culprit, so it is always a safe bet to ensure that drivers on your device are all manually checked for updates. There should not be any pending driver update.
- Your BIOS could be the main reason as to why Windows 11 shuts down after sleep. In such cases, the best course of action is always to simply either update or reset your BIOS, and check if the problem persists.
Now that we have been through the underlying issues behind the Windows 11 sleep issues, it is time to dive right into the fixes for it.
8 Fixes For When Windows 11 Shuts Down After Sleep
First and foremost, try to restart your computer and check if Windows 11 shuts down during sleep even after the restart. Alternatively, if you are using a laptop, make sure the device is not running out of power. Try plugging in the charging cable and seeing if this fixes the issue.
If nothing works, here are 8 ways to fix the issue:
1. Power Settings
As discussed before, incompatible or inconvenient power settings are often listed as one of the common causes behind the issue. If your PC or laptop turns off instead of going to sleep, it might be helpful to tweak the power settings by yourself, as per your requirements.
Here’s how to do that:
- Press Windows + R to launch the Run dialog box.
- Type ‘Control’ and press on ‘Enter’.
- Tap on ‘Power Options,’ and select ‘Choose what the power buttons do’.
- Change the behavior corresponding to each option: ‘When I press the power button to Sleep’, ‘When I press the sleep button’, and ‘When I close the lid’ using the drop-down menus.
- Save the changes.
This should be able to undo the issue for you, and get your power settings right back on track. However, if the problem persists, let’s move on to the next fix.
Recommended: How to Change What Power Button does in Windows 11
2. Windows Power Troubleshooter
Windows provides one of the best troubleshooting facilities on their OS. So, if your Sleep functionalities are acting up, you might consider taking help from Windows Power Troubleshooter. If you want to do that, here’s how to:
- Press Windows + I.
- Go to ‘System’ & Choose ‘Troubleshoot’
- Go to ‘Other Troubleshooters’.
- Now, select ‘Power’ from the list, and click on ‘Run’.
This should ideally fix the problem if your Windows 11 shuts down during sleep. Try this out and see if the issues still occur. If yes, move on to the next method.
3. Update or Reset BIOS
Updating or resetting your BIOS is often an easy fix if your Windows 11 shuts down after sleep. While it might sound more complicated than it is, the steps are fairly simple and easy to navigate around. Here’s how to reset your BIOS:
- Open ‘Settings’ and go to ‘System’.
- Click on ‘Recovery’, and click on ‘Restart Now’ in front of ‘Advanced startup’.
- Select ‘Troubleshoot’ and go to ‘Advanced Options’.
- Click on ‘UEFI Firmware Settings’.
- Tap on ‘Restart’ and your system should boot to view the BIOS menu.
- Now, look for the option ‘Configuration, Security, or Exit’ and navigate to ‘Load Setup Defaults’, and press ‘Enter’.
- Choose ‘Yes’ from the confirmation box.
Try to allow your system to go back to sleep, and gauge if it shuts down once again. If so, it’s time for the next method.
4. Troubleshoot Driver Problems in Clean Boot
This one is simple. Once you have reset your BIOS, try to troubleshoot your driver issues. Boot in a clean boot state and attempt to isolate the problematic program or driver by manually disabling one program after the other. This will help understand which one is the culprit behind the issue. Enable them one by one to understand if the problem resurfaces. If so, you’ll know which one is leading to the recurring issue.
As we discussed, outdated drivers are no good, so always check for updates, and if any is available, update them immediately to avoid similar issues in the near future. Here’s how to update drivers:
- Enter ‘Device Manager’ in the Search Box on the taskbar, and open it.
- Pick a category to view names of devices, and right-click on the one you wish to update.
- Click on ‘Update driver’
- Select ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’.
If you have handled the driver problems, but your PC or laptop turns off instead of going to sleep even now, let’s look at the next one.
5. Enable Power Saving Mode in BIOS
If you have disabled Power Saving Mode on your BIOS, you will surely face issues with your system’s Sleep functionalities. That’s a common error noticed in many cases. The good news is, it’s fairly easy to fix this.
If you want to enable Power Saving Mode on your BIOS, follow these simple steps:
- Go to your BIOS settings after powering on your computer by entering the corresponding key (ex F10, F2, F12, F1, or DEL).
- Navigate to ‘Power Management Setup’ and look for ‘Power Saving Mode’.
- Enable it, save, and exit the BIOS settings.
This should be a short and sweet fix that might take care of the issue completely. If not, read on for some more fixes.
6. Update IMEI
Oftentimes, outdated IMEI drivers are at the crux of the issue, if your Windows 11 turns off instead of going to sleep. An outdated IMEI driver has the ability to potentially refute your manually curated power settings and cause Sleep issues.
It has been noticed that uninstalling the IMEI driver and reinstalling it has often worked for many. To do so, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Go to Start menu and search for ‘Device Manager’. Click on it.
- Expand on the drop-down menu of ‘System devices’.
- Right-click on ‘Intel Management Engine Interface’ and select ‘Properties’.
- Navigate to the ‘Driver’ tab and cross-check the IMEI driver version. If it shows 11.0.X or older, you need to update it.
- Uninstall and download the latest version of the driver from Intel’s official website.
This can promptly fix the issue for you in a handful of minutes. However, if you follow the steps well, but still face the same issues, go through our next fix to see if that works out for you.
7. Run Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report
This is a good way to go about it if your PC or laptop turns off instead of going to sleep. Running a Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report may help you weed out the exact issue. If nothing else works, this will give you a good idea of what is looking awry in your system.
Here’s how to run a Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report on Windows 11:
- Go to the Search Bar on the taskbar.
- Enter Command Prompt, and click on ‘Run as Administrator’,
- Once it opens, type ‘powercfg -energy’, and press ‘Enter’.
- It will take 60 seconds to scan your system. Once the scan is done, type ‘energy-report.html’, and press ‘Enter’. This should open up a diagnostics report of your Power efficiency management.
Go through the warnings listed- if any- and try to focus on them individually. Any of those could be causing the issue. The report makes it easier to debug.
8. Update Windows
One final reason as to why your Windows 11 shuts down after sleep is an outdated OS. If your Windows 11 doesn’t have the latest updates or patches, you could be facing similar power issues. To remedy that, follow these steps:
- Go to ‘Settings’ from the Start menu on the taskbar.
- Scroll down to locate ‘Windows Update’ at the bottom of the left pane. Click on it and it will show you if any updates are pending.
This should help, if nothing else works. Pending updates are never good news, be it with drivers or your OS. Make sure you keep checking for updates manually from time to time.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our 8 fixes for when your PC or laptop turns off instead of going to sleep works out well for you. Remember, the key is patience and faith in yourself that you can undo the problem by yourself. The steps are quite simple and easy to follow. Make sure you have a thorough idea of them before jumping right in.
Good luck, and we hope you can fix the Windows 11 sleep problems promptly!