Laptop is shutting down - possible causes and how to fix them

Laptop is shutting down? lets discuss possible causes and how to fix them

 A laptop should normally be able to work without interruption and process information as long as it is connected to power or has enough battery power.

In reality, we get user complaints about spontaneous laptop shutdown, which can happen anytime. This results in the loss of unsaved data and increased laptop damage, so with such problems you should not delay a visit to the service center.

What to do when your laptop shuts down?

Some of the causes we can try to identify on our own, while others may require bringing the laptop in for service.

If the laptop has no signs of overheating, the first step should always be to protect the data - copying it to an external drive - and then using an anti-virus program or reinstalling a clean fresh system.

Why does the laptop shut down?

There are several reasons why the laptop shuts down, so a preliminary diagnosis is necessary.

We decided to collect in one article key information that can help diagnose or solve the problem that occurs when laptops for unknown reasons turn off by themselves.

To help our users, at Schrock Innovations Computer Repair we decided to summarize the key information that can help diagnose and solve the problem with sudden laptop shutdown.

The most common causes of laptop shutdown are:

1. Bad battery and power supply
2. Display setting problem
3. A malfunctioning RAM or hard drive,
4. Overheating and emergency shutdown by the protection system
5. Software errors and virus on the device;
6. Damage to the motherboard;//malfunction or damage.

During diagnostics, we can determine the specific source of the malfunction and perform repairs. Its cost can vary and depends on the specific problem.

Laptop shuts down all of a sudden can be a sign that some part of the device is not working properly.

Most of the times it happens when the device heats up or when a heavy game is being played on the video card.

In addition, misuse of the battery and power supply can also cause the laptop to shut down even when plugged in.

However, it is important to note that if none of the options below work, it is better to seek technical assistance for your laptop.

1. Bad battery and power supply

The most common cause of this problem is a malfunctioning laptop battery and power supply. Over time, the battery can become overused, causing the device to run out of power quickly - or even stop working at all. In this case, it requires that the laptop is always connected to the power supply.

Because of this, it is worth checking whether the problem will continue by replacing the battery and the power supply from another laptop of the same model. If it is not possible to perform this test, check if the cable is defective and if the battery is still within its useful life or has some bad contact - if it is faulty, a few seconds of malfunctioning will be enough to shut down the laptop.

2. Display setting problem

Another very common problem is related to the device's screen. In some cases, the user may get the impression that the laptop is switching off by itself. However, if the display of the device is not showing error messages it is possible that the screen is actually just turning black while the device is still on.

To confirm if this is the case with your laptop, check to see if the lights are still on. Usually the button that you use to turn on the device has an active light while the device is turned on. You can also listen to the sound of the fan to test this. If you notice that the laptop is working, it is very likely that the problem is with the settings in the system that disable the laptop

For example, a laptop may go to sleep because it hasn't been used for a certain amount of time - especially if it's running on battery power. This is a matter of appropriate settings in Windows, under "Power and Sleep".

It may be that the manufacturer, in order to extend battery life, has set here that when running on battery power the computer goes to sleep even after 10 minutes. You can change it yourself in the settings or disable the sleep mode completely.

3. A malfunctioning hard drive

Although it occurs less frequently, the hard drive (HD) can also be one of the causes of computer shutdown.

One of the reasons can be lack of internal space. When the storage starts to get full (in general, around 80% of use), the laptop may show signs of slowness, showing that it is not working as it should - and, in some situations, shutting down by itself.

If you have expanded the RAM on your laptop by adding another memory chip, or replacing the memory chips with new ones, incompatible RAM modules may be the cause. You can try removing the added RAM or inserting the original modules.

Another potential cause of the laptop shuts down is characterized by specific crunching or clicking sounds before the problem occurs. Most often the situation is encountered by owners of older laptops, in which the hard drive is already worn out for natural reasons.

Therefore, it is worth checking how your hard drive is working to see if it is the cause of this problem.

In addition, physical hard drive problems – such as dirt, broken parts and other defects – can also contribute to the device's sudden shutdown.

Sometimes the reason may be damage to the video ribbon and only the service will help here. When the shutdown occurs without any messages - only a black screen, or a blue screen with messages appears, we may be dealing with overheating of the laptop or a malfunction.

4. Overheating

What causes overheating of the laptop?

Some parts of a computer, such as the processor, the motherboard, and the video card,

can start to overheat after prolonged use or a very intense load - e.g. playing heavy games, editing movies, specialized calculations, etc., the computer may overheat. This can especially happen on a hot, hot day. To prevent the components from burning out, shutting it down is used as a preventive measure.

How can you tell if your laptop is overheating? What are the symptoms of laptop overheating?

Laptop overheating is very easy to identify.

The first symptom is it can be much warmer and sometimes even hot. Second symptom, the CPU cooling fan starts getting louder and the hum continues for a long time until the laptop turns itself off.

The third possibility, when you can not hear the fan noise at all, even though it should work.

In the last two cases, it is worth checking the CPU temperature using special software, e.g. Core Temp. If it exceeds 80ºC, we are dealing with inefficient or damaged cooling.

The reason your laptop is overheating could be a dirty cooling system, a faulty fan, or a poorly fitting heat sink on the processor. Depending on how you use your laptop, each of the options is very likely.

Excessive dust on the device and using the laptop in places that obstruct the air vents - such as comforters and pillows, for example - can further aggravate this situation.

Frequent transportation of the laptop, uncontrolled dropping or bumping, can cause the cooler to malfunction, causing the processor or graphics card chipset to overheat. This will reduce its performance.

Therefore, it is very important to check if the device's cooling system is working properly.

What to do when your laptop overheats?

Cleaning the cooling system

If your laptop overheats and shuts down spontaneously, mainly under heavy load, before you return it for service you can try to clean the cooling system. The cooling system can be cleaned quite easily and the best way to do it is with compressed air. However, cleaning the laptop is only possible on models that have vents.

Cooling for laptop

For better and faster cooling, especially when the processor or graphics card runs for a long time under a heavy load, during games, you can apply additional cooling to the laptop. A great solution to this problem

would be investing into a special laptop cooling pad. Just adjust the size and performance of the pad, according to the laptop you have.

CPU speed limitation

The third option is related to limiting the maximum speed of the CPU. If we are sure that the reason for the laptop turning off is too high processor temperature, we can try to define the highest frequency in the Windows settings with which the CPU should operate. There is no guarantee that this will help, and may result in lower performance.

It is unlikely, but also possible for some laptops, that the active cooling system - the so-called SILENT mode - may have been disabled in the BIOS or in the system. This means that the cooling fan does not work or its speed is half reduced. The laptop then runs quieter, but overheating can occur.

What about the thermal conductive paste in the laptop? Can it be replaced in a laptop?

The cooling system in laptops is designed differently than in desktops, and it is rather rare for the thermo-conductive paste to wear out. However, even if such situation occurs, it can be identified only by a specialized service, which will take the laptop apart. We do not recommend that users without experience and specialized tools carry out such operation at home.

5. Software bugs and viruses

Opening unknown files or clicking on suspicious links can lead to viruses on your computer. They may cause freezes, inability to start specific programs, and other problems, including spontaneous shutdown of the laptop. The only solution in this case would be the fix of infected files, which will require the use of specialized software. Afterwards, antivirus software is installed on the laptop, which will protect it from repeated problems. Additionally, it is important to follow the rules of digital hygiene, which include:

• Checking files and devices before opening for viruses;
• Regularly updating antivirus software databases;
• Periodic full scans of your hard drive for viruses.

Errors in the operating system, caused by accidentally deleting a file, making any changes, or other problems, can also be the source of the problem. To solve them will help to update Windows or reinstall it completely, which can also be done in one of our service center s in Lincoln, NE and Omaha

6. Damaged Motherboard

This is the most unpleasant situation and the reason why the laptop can shut down. The reason is the importance of the node for the operation of the computer, as it hosts other major components. In practice, problems with the motherboard can lead to a variety of malfunctions, among them spontaneous shutdown. Potential causes are:

• Problems with the video adapter (external or built-in);
• Failure of any of the I/O ports (headphone jack, USB, FireWire and others);
• Component damage (modem, controllers) due to the discharge of electrostatic voltage or other causes;
• Failure of the processor, graphics card, bridges due to overheating;
• Power supply problems leading to controller failure, burnout or melting of connectors (often associated with voltage interruptions, use of non-original chargers);
• Mechanical damage to the motherboard as a result of the laptop being dropped;
• Short circuit caused by liquid spillage;
• Improper handling or unauthorized attempts to repair the laptop.

Look for technical assistance

Why it is necessary to seek help on time?

If you are unable to identify the real cause for the sudden shutdown of the laptop with the tips above, the most recommendable thing is to contact a specialized technical assistance

In this way, it will be possible to perform a more accurate diagnosis to solve the problem.

Abnormal shutdown of the laptop is fraught with serious problems:

• failure of the processor, video card;
• rapid deterioration of the hard drive;
• Software assembly with the risk of blue or black screen.

To prevent problems from worsening, contact a service center for diagnosis and repair. It will cost much less than potentially lost information and the cost of serious repair.

Who to trust to perform the work

If your laptop shuts down and you need expert help, contact our service center. We do this kind of work, offering customers:

• affordable prices for services;
• large inventory of spare parts;
• professional equipment for all types of work;
• efficiency of repair;
• honesty to the customer;
• any form of payment;
• the ability to deliver your laptop by courier;
• warranty on the performed work.

A pleasant little bonus will be free diagnostics by a specialist, which will be performed in your presence. After further coordination of terms and cost of repair our master will proceed to performance of works (experience of work of the service center shows that in the presence of spare parts your laptop in the Lincoln NE and Omaha area  and will be ready within one working day).

Get more information, arrange a visit to the service center for diagnostics and laptop repair in Lincoln NE and Omaha area  you can by phone or by leaving the application form on the site.