The computer turns off after 15 minutes. Spontaneous turning on and off of the computer
Often, diagnosing computer malfunctions consists of searching for answers to one seemingly simple question - why does the computer turn off by itself? This problem is quite widespread among modern PCs.
In our article, we will look at the most typical cases of spontaneous PC shutdown and try to describe the method for solving each individual problem.
The computer turns off automatically during the game
Often, users immediately begin to look for the source of the problem in the video card, but note that a faulty video card should be considered as a probable cause of shutdown only after checking 2 other computer components. Usually, when the video card is to blame, the symptoms look different, and the computer does not turn off itself, but simply freezes , or artifacts appear on his monitor.
Power supply malfunctions
If the PC turns off right during the game, then most likely the power supply is the culprit of this problem, and the shutdown can occur for 2 reasons.
The first is an increase in the load on the video card during the game. A power supply that is either not designed for such a high load, or is simply not of high quality, cannot withstand it and after a while fails. Accordingly, the system unit is overloaded.
Processor problems
The second reason a PC turns off during a game is the processor, namely its critical temperature. That is, during the game, the requirements for processor power increase, its operating temperature also increases, and if cooling on the processor socket does not occur properly, then protection is activated and the computer automatically turns off.
The symptoms described above apply not only to computer games. Any running “heavy” application or voluminous video causes a strong increase in the load on both the processor and the power supply.
The computer turns on and immediately turns off
This is where things can get a little more complicated. Along with the reasons described above, malfunctions of other computer components may also manifest themselves. So, if your computer immediately turns off when you turn it on, the first thing you should pay attention to is the RAM or motherboard. Here it is recommended to carry out diagnostics from simple to complex, and it’s worth starting with RAM.
Problems with RAM
Factors associated with malfunctions in RAM can be different. The system may freeze, games and applications may slow down, and the computer itself may suddenly reboot on its own. As you can see, not everything is so obvious.
However, the RAM should be checked first, if only because it is the least labor-intensive procedure and requires less time than checking the motherboard. Below in the article we will describe in more detail how to check RAM.
Problems with the motherboard
If, during the process of checking the RAM, no faults were found, then the next thing you should pay attention to is the motherboard. For an unprepared person, checking the motherboard will not be an easy task, but here we will still try to describe several of the most characteristic symptoms indicating a breakdown in the motherboard.
Often, a motherboard may be faulty only because its service life is coming to an end. This phenomenon is inevitable, and it will not be economically feasible for you to repair it. If your computer is not very outdated, then you can try to find a replacement for the motherboard that has expired. If your PC is so outdated that launching any more or less modern application or video inevitably leads to freezing, then most likely you have no choice and should think about purchasing a more modern computer. Thus, the failure of the motherboard forces the owners of outdated PCs to shell out the most money.
The second reason for board failure is the presence of cracks in the solder. Such a defect may resolve itself for a while, but this happens quite rarely, and soon the problem arises again. And then you still have to purchase a new motherboard.
The third reason for a motherboard malfunction may lie in its capacitors, which can also fail. This situation can be corrected; you just need to replace the capacitors with new ones. How to determine which capacitor is working and which is not, we will consider in this article a little later.
Finally, another reason for a motherboard malfunction could be a chipset that overheats. In this situation, the computer will turn off when the operating system boots. You can check the chipset for overheating with a multimeter; someone manages to check with their finger or tongue, but it’s definitely not worth the risk - you can get burned.
PC turns off for other reasons
In addition to the reasons described above, there are many other problems that can lead to spontaneous shutdown of the PC. And if you do not have sufficient experience and skills in testing computer equipment, then it is better not to risk it and call a specialist, or use the help of friends who are more competent in such matters.
Here we present a number of probable reasons that can lead to the computer turning off on its own:
- dust accumulated in the system unit;
- faulty extension cord, uninterruptible power supply or wiring;
- voltage surges or low voltage in the electrical network.
All these factors should also not be ignored - especially since checking them will not take much of your time. It is worth noting that in addition to these reasons, there may be software reasons. For example, if your PC turns off periodically, then it is likely that it is infected with viruses and requires a full scan using anti-virus programs.
Methods for checking a computer that turns off spontaneously for malfunctions
So, now having a certain list of “suspicions,” let’s take a more detailed look at checking each of the probable reasons for the spontaneous shutdown of the PC. Of course, you can check what exactly failed by simply replacing the component that is most suspected. But first, we still recommend cleaning the computer system unit from dust, of which a lot can accumulate there.
In order to exclude the processor from the list of suspicions, you will need to replace the thermal paste and test it using testing programs. For example, it is better to check the processor temperature through the BIOS system.
RAM can be checked for faults in the MemTest86 program. If critical errors are detected as a result of the check, then most likely there is a malfunction.
The easiest way to diagnose a power supply is with a multimeter, but this procedure should only be carried out by a trained person. Never climb into live equipment without proper training!
It is usually not difficult to check the motherboard - all faulty capacitors look slightly swollen. If the problem is microcracks, then it will not be as easy to detect it. Then you can either try to thoroughly vacuum the board, or throw it away with a clear conscience and buy a new one.
Thus, by checking or replacing each “suspicious” component one by one, we will most likely come to a solution to the problem of spontaneous shutdown of the computer. This method, on the one hand, is highly effective, but on the other hand, it is not accessible to everyone due to the lack of appropriate skills. However, we hope that the tips given here will be useful and help solve your problem.
Good afternoon friends. Why does my computer turn off on its own in Windows 7 10 and how to fix it? I already wrote a similar article, only it was about. These topics are very similar, but there are differences. So, let's think about why it turns itself off, and how this can be prevented. Although, to be honest, there can be a lot of reasons.
Why does my computer turn off after a certain time?
So, let's start to figure it out. First, through “Start” we enter “Settings”. Select "Personalization".
In the new window, select “Lock screen” in the left column, then “Screen saver options”.
Why did we do all this? To check whether the checkbox for the “Start at login screen” command is cleared or not.
So, go back to “settings”, select “System”, then “Power and sleep mode”. In this window, we must check that the settings are set to “Never” (if you have no problems with turning off, I advise you to set “Screen” to 30 minutes, “Sleep” to 2 hours.).
So, click on “Advanced power options”.
Then click “Create a power plan”.
Let's say you followed the steps described earlier. But these actions didn’t really help you. The computer also turns off without your consent. In this case, there is a possibility that an uninvited guest has appeared on your computer. I mean the virus. In this case, you simply need to perform a full PC scan.
If you do not have an antivirus installed, I advise you to download the free Dr.Web CureIt antivirus. This antivirus is one day old. This means that on the day you suspect something is wrong with your computer, on the same day you should download Dr.Web CureIt, since it is not updated. Therefore, you need the latest version.
It is also advisable to look at which programs run with the computer. This is quite easy to do. Press three keys Ctrl + Alt + Del at once. Select "Task Manager". In the manager, select “Startup” and consider programs that are not needed during startup. Then we turn them off.
What causes a computer to shut down on its own?
Why does the computer turn on by itself? Solution to the problem
- If you have unstable power supply voltage, purchase an uninterruptible power supply unit;
- Drivers. Remember which drivers you recently installed, or which new device you connected? Disconnect the device and remove the installed driver. If the computer stops turning off, a solution has been found. If not, all that remains is to google it, or take the PC to a specialist, since there can be many solutions to this issue. In addition, do not forget to create system restore points to roll back at the right time;
- A weak power supply or not can be understood by the behavior of the computer. For example, by freezing. Or simply review the instructions for devices connected to your computer. How many watts of power do they require? Do the math and buy a power supply that is 10% more capacious than what your devices require. In any case, a stronger power supply will not hurt;
- If the cable is poorly inserted into the power supply, you need to insert it harder. This applies to all computer nodes. If the part is screwed to the computer case, check all the bolts and tighten them tighter.
- I wrote about how in one of my articles. Therefore, follow the link and find out.
- If your processor begins to overheat quickly, it is quite possible that its thermal paste has dried out. The processor temperature can be found using . If it is higher than normal, it is better to take the system unit to a specialist. I don’t advise you to change the thermal paste yourself, unless, of course, you have similar experience.
- Regarding capacitors, I advise you to simply smell the motherboard, i.e., check it for a burning smell. And in general, swollen capacitors will be visible. In this case, you also need to take the PC to a service center.
- The north bridge can burn out due to dust, power surges, etc. What can I say? Clean the system unit from dust often. If it burns out, you need to contact a service center.
- Regarding program conflicts, install only one decent antivirus firewall on your computer, for example ESET. If you really want another one, you can install Malwarebytes. It protects your computer perfectly and does not conflict with other antiviruses. Previously, there was a free version, which was quite sufficient. Now, unfortunately, only a demo.
- If you have new hardware, install Windows 10, or a modern Mac, and there will be no problems.
- Buy a licensed system and, if you cannot install it correctly, contact a person who can do it. Or, you can purchase a clean assembly from a trusted website.
- I already said about poorly inserted computer parts. Insert them correctly and the problem will go away.
- If the motherboard and processor are not compatible, enter the correct name of your motherboard and see which processor is suitable for it. Unfortunately, sometimes computer stores assemble PCs with incompatible parts (mostly this happens when the seller sees that you are not well versed in PCs. In this case, you need to go to the store with a knowledgeable person, or before going to the store, just find out on the Internet , which parts are suitable for your board and which are not.Also, you can contact the service center, consult with them, and ask the technician to install the required processor.
- Regarding dust on your computer, you just need to clean it of dust. If your laptop is dusty, take it to a technician. You shouldn't clean your laptop yourself.
- Regarding the USB connector, I have already said everything. Just remove the flash drive and the problem will disappear.
Often, diagnosing computer malfunctions consists of searching for answers to one seemingly simple question - why does the computer turn off by itself? This problem is quite widespread among modern PCs.
In our article, we will look at the most typical cases of spontaneous PC shutdown and try to describe the method for solving each individual problem.
The computer turns off automatically during the game
Often, users immediately begin to look for the source of the problem in the video card, but note that a faulty video card should be considered as a probable cause of shutdown only after checking 2 other computer components. Usually, when the video card is to blame, the symptoms look different, and the computer does not turn off itself, but simply either freezes or artifacts appear on its monitor.
The symptoms described above apply not only to computer games. Any running “heavy” application or voluminous video causes a strong increase in the load on both the processor and the power supply.
The computer turns on and immediately turns off
This is where things can get a little more complicated. Along with the reasons described above, malfunctions of other computer components may also manifest themselves. So, if your computer immediately turns off when you turn it on, the first thing you should pay attention to is the RAM or motherboard. Here it is recommended to carry out diagnostics from simple to complex, and it’s worth starting with RAM.
PC turns off for other reasons
In addition to the reasons described above, there are many other problems that can lead to spontaneous shutdown of the PC. And if you do not have sufficient experience and skills in testing computer equipment, then it is better not to risk it and call a specialist, or use the help of friends who are more competent in such matters.Here we present a number of probable reasons that can lead to the computer turning off on its own:
- dust accumulated in the system unit;
- faulty extension cord, uninterruptible power supply or wiring;
- voltage surges or low voltage in the electrical network.
Methods for checking a computer that turns off spontaneously for malfunctions
So, now having a certain list of “suspicions,” let’s take a more detailed look at checking each of the probable reasons for the spontaneous shutdown of the PC. Of course, you can check what exactly failed by simply replacing the component that is most suspected. But first, we still recommend cleaning the computer system unit from dust, of which a lot can accumulate there.
In order to exclude the processor from the list of suspicions, you will need to replace the thermal paste and test it using testing programs. For example, it is better to check the processor temperature through the BIOS system.
RAM can be checked for faults in the program. If critical errors are detected as a result of the check, then most likely there is a malfunction.
The easiest way to diagnose a power supply is with a multimeter, but this procedure should only be carried out by a trained person. Never climb into live equipment without proper training!
It is usually not difficult to check the motherboard - all faulty capacitors look slightly swollen. If the problem is microcracks, then it will not be as easy to detect it. Then you can either try to thoroughly vacuum the board, or throw it away with a clear conscience and buy a new one.
Thus, by checking or replacing each “suspicious” component one by one, we will most likely come to a solution to the problem of spontaneous shutdown of the computer. This method, on the one hand, is highly effective, but on the other hand, it is not accessible to everyone due to the lack of appropriate skills. However, we hope that the tips given here will be useful and help solve your problem.
We will cover issues such as overheating, capacitor failure, dusty housing, short circuits, driver conflicts, excessive power consumption, component failure, virus activity, task scheduler, and even parental controls. Brew some tea and we'll get started.
Classification of reasons for shutdown
To localize the failure (and this is how a PC shutdown can be characterized), it is necessary to understand what could be the root cause of the problem. We will highlight 5 main categories:
- hardware prerequisites(swollen capacitors on the motherboard, faulty components, short circuit, failure of the power supply);
- user negligence(dust in the radiator of the cooling system and its overheating, operation of the processor and video card at critical temperatures, lack of cold air inside the system unit, rare PC maintenance);
- software problems(hardware driver conflict, critical software or OS error, viruses in the system, unsuccessful update);
- external reasons(unstable power grid).
- other(parental control, remote access, alarm clock, children).
Localization will allow you to save a lot of time searching for errors. And we will talk about the reasons for each.
Hardware reasons
Most often the computer shuts down due to swollen and leaking capacitors on the computer motherboard. The problem affects old-style MPs, since they are equipped with “barrels” of electrolyte. On new models, in the vast majority of cases, solid-state capacitor models are used, which are more resistant to load changes. To localize the breakdown, you need to remove the side cover of the system unit and carefully inspect the board. Found a swollen capacitor? - Take the computer to a service center. Didn't find it? - Let's move on.
Here are clear examples of swollen, leaking and burst capacitors.
The second good reason is system overheating. The main components of a PC that are responsible for the performance of the system as a whole: processor and video card. The first element is necessary for all basic calculations, the second - for displaying graphical information. To cool them, a system consisting of a radiator and a fan is used, as well as a layer of plastic thermal interface (thermal paste) between the CO and the processor crystal. Overheating occurs for 3 reasons:
- The radiator was heavily clogged with dust. The resulting “felt boot” interferes with normal air flow. Operating temperatures rise, components overheat and turn off in order to somehow cool down;
- The fans have become unusable due to the same dust or wear of the bearings/lubricant;
- The thermal paste has dried out and lost its heat-conducting properties.
In simpler terms, regularly clean the system unit from dust and carefully monitor the “ventilation” of the case components. This will protect the components from overheating and preserve their performance for a long time.
And here are some clear examples of PC contamination.
The next reason is short circuit. Failure options:
- Negligence during assembly. You may not notice how you dropped a screw into the case, which fell between the contact pads. Applying power causes a spark and a characteristic smell. If you feel it, immediately turn off the power to the system and visually diagnose the components. Blackening on the board and burnt-out capacitors indicate serious hardware problems.
- Water entering the housing due to negligence. Or you are using a low-quality liquid cooling system (rupture of the coolant hose with refrigerant leaking onto the board). Condensation is also possible if the system unit is placed in a damp room. In any case, you need to very carefully wipe all PC components and let them dry completely. Then turn on the computer again, but be prepared to quickly interrupt the power supply in case of unforeseen circumstances.
- A motherboard that is not screwed correctly to the case can also short out. There must be space between the PCB and the wall of the box (special spacer bolts are used for these purposes). If you suspect that the case has been “broken,” unscrew the motherboard and screw it back on again, but using insulating washers made of electrical cardboard (sold in electronics stores). At the same time, check the case itself for dents and determine whether the metal is touching the contact pads of the motherboard. If not, everything is fine. In critical situations, the housing will have to be replaced.
Consequences of poor quality build
The computer may turn off due to lack of system testing after assembling components or after “hard” transportation of the computer by mail. Surely the key contact from the power supply came off, which no one noticed. As a result, the cable may fall off at the slightest jolt of the case. It can only be cured by carefully inspecting the contacts and re-fastening all cables inside the power supply.
The most striking example is Poor fastening of the PC power button. Well, or an alternative option is to press it too hard, which risks breaking the key and causing it to “stick.” Use the system more carefully to avoid such situations.
Another hardware nuance - bad choice of power supply. Let's say it is designed for a total component power of no more than 300 W. At the same time, the video card at its peak consumes 200 W, the processor - another 95 W, hard drives, fans, memory and other components - 100-120 W. As a result, the power supply operates at maximum power and regularly overheats. At best, it will fail and require repair/replacement. At worst, you will lose your computer. To avoid this, we strongly recommend using a power supply with a power reserve and an eye for further system upgrades.
Good power supplies also have protection against voltage surges, short circuits, line surges and overloads. Keep this in mind for the future.
The last reason is low-quality random access memory (RAM), whose memory chips are mediocrely soldered and cause hardware conflicts. The result is characteristic clicks inside the case, a short low-frequency hum and a “Blue Screen of Death (BSoD)” and subsequent shutdown of the computer. There is only one way to determine the failure - replace the memory stick or use yours in another PC.
Software errors and conflicts
This type of errors and problems should be considered only if a thorough check of the PC did not produce any results.
Malicious software
Let's start with "viruses", which often cause an emergency shutdown of the computer. Let's consider several classic scenarios:
- Trojan programs replace system files;
- miner viruses load the processor and video card 100%, as a result the hardware overheats and turns off;
- the hard disk file system is seriously damaged;
- the virus penetrates the browser or other program, resulting in a critical Windows error when it starts.
The treatment option is incredibly simple - install a high-quality antivirus, preferably a licensed one.
File system corruption
Indirectly, viruses can cause violation of the integrity of the HDD file system. This manifests itself in the inability of the operating system to read a certain file, or open it at the user's request (video, music, text files, pictures, etc.). In this case, the data is physically present on the hard drive.
Data fragmentation
The second similar problem is severe fragmentation of data on the disk. When you try to launch a game or program, the file system often crashes with a critical Windows error, and on the display you can see a blue screen of death and an error code like 0x0000000(the exact description of the code can be read on the Internet). The problem can be treated by defragmenting the HDD using the built-in capabilities of Windows or third-party software (Auslogics Disc Defrag, Formerly JKDefrag, Defaggler).
Attention: if the operating system is installed on an SSD disk, defragmenting data is strictly prohibited - this significantly reduces the working life of the drive.
Operating system update
Another harbinger of a shutdown is a critical Windows error. It appears either after an unsuccessful OS update (Microsoft “loves” to offer users untested builds, which affects every third user), or after frequent formatting of hard drive partitions (you often deleted and added new local drives or reinstalled the OS earlier).
Start button and voice assistant
The error may occur due to the opening of the Start command and the Cortana voice assistant. If the assistant is easily disabled or hidden in the settings, then “Start” is more difficult to restore. To get started, click Start, enter the CMD command in the search bar and run the file “cmd.exe” as an administrator (right-click on the shortcut).
In the window that opens, enter the Powershell command. Once the line PS C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32 is displayed, copy and paste the value below:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($\_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml”
Then in the task manager (CTRL + ALT + DEL) open the “processes” tab, find “explorer”, highlight it and click the “restart” button. Sudden outages must stop.
Conflicting software and drivers
If you have been working with a PC for several years now, you have probably encountered problems with incompatible hardware drivers. Often the software causes the PC to malfunction and even force it to shut down with an error code.
Among the main reasons it is worth noting:
- replacing an nVidia video card with an AMD analogue without first removing nVidia drivers;
- replacing RAM or installing sticks from different sets;
- replacing a printer/scanner/plotter or sound card with an analogue from another manufacturer;
- an attempt to install a driver without a digital signature (Windows always warns about this);
- uninstalling the required driver manually by simply deleting files in the folder (residual files and components will still remain inside the operating system and will interfere with the normal operation of the PC);
- outdated drivers that are not supported by the current Windows OS;
- driver for another operating system (there are only a few who manage to install them).
In all cases, the treatment is the same: remember the error code before turning off the PC and carefully read the accompanying note about the problematic device, reboot in safe mode, remove the problematic/unnecessary driver and install the necessary one.
To enter safe mode, immediately after turning on the PC, press the key F8 until the OS boot options appear on the screen, including the required one.
By the way, if you have installed hardware from different manufacturers and different chipmakers (AMD and nVidia video cards, Creative and ASUS sound cards, video capture cards, etc.), an error may also occur when turning on the system. For a detailed description of the incompatibility problem, you should go to the relevant forum or ask us a question in the comments.
Analogs of programs
A little more about software. The case is extremely rare, but possible. Let's assume you have 3-5 identical complex text editing programs installed (MS Office, OpenOffice, LibreOffice). We won’t go deep into why there is so much, we’ll just explain the fact: system files may begin to conflict with each other, which is why you risk losing access to all three programs and losing the necessary text files.
Antiviruses
Separately worth mentioning antivirus software. Have you ever wondered why all forums recommend using ONE antivirus and ONE firewall? Both of these clients integrate into the OS file system, replacing files for a faster, better experience. Now imagine that NOD32 and Kaspersky are fighting for several identical system libraries from the System32 folder. As a result, the protection is lame, and system files disappear, and the computer may turn off and no longer show signs of life. The only thing that can save him is reinstalling Windows.
Rare, but no less significant reasons
We will include only 3 cases in the list of implicit problems:
- installing external parental controls;
- using a scheduler that automatically turns off the PC;
- too curious user.
In the first case, we have a simple situation: the parents limited the child’s access so that the latter would spend the allotted amount of time playing games and on the Internet, after which he would go about his business. Parental control can be installed locally (special software on the child’s computer) or remotely (using home network tools). So if your dad is an administrator or a programmer, and you are 8-12 years old, don't look for a reason and get up and start doing your homework.
The scheduler is built into most modern programs (download managers, antiviruses, music players, etc.). If you wish, you can check the “turn off PC” checkbox after completing a certain action (the movie has downloaded or finished playing, the computer has been successfully scanned for viruses, disc burning has been successfully completed, etc.). Many people often forget to uncheck the “turn off the PC after completing the action” checkbox and are surprised when work suddenly stops. Be careful.
The third reason is our own negligence and ignorance of the operating system. If you are cleaning your computer from unnecessary files and accidentally stumble upon a folder with a capacity of 5–10 GB that you know nothing about, do not delete it. Especially if it is located on drive C, especially in the Programm Files folder, ESPECIALLY in the Windows folder. Only delete personal data that you yourself downloaded to the HDD.
Let's sum it up
Surely there are more sophisticated reasons for a sudden and systematic PC shutdown, but they manifest themselves extremely rarely. In 99% of cases, you will encounter the prerequisites that are described in the article. To reduce the risk of an emergency termination of your Windows session, we recommend that you do the following on a regular basis:
- Systematically clean the system unit from dust, wool and hair (at least 2 times a year). Also, do not smoke near the PC and install it in places with poor air circulation;
- Change thermal paste at least once every 2 years and service the cooling system once a year;
- Tighten all the fastening screws inside the system unit, tighten the missing ones and check the quality of fastening of the cables;
- Look carefully to see if the motherboard touches the metal parts of the case walls. Isolate this PC component to prevent breakdowns and short circuits;
- Update your operating system regularly using official Windows tools;
- Remove drivers for equipment that you no longer use or plan to use;
- Do not use duplicate software if it in any way affects the performance of the operating system;
- Don't forget to uncheck the boxes in your planner.