Computer shuts down or restarts by itself? Causes
In the middle of work or a game the computer suddenly switches off, as if someone pulled the plug? Sudden shutdowns have a few typical causes, and most are fixable.
When a computer shuts down on its own, with no warning and no blue screen, it is almost always a hardware protection. Something crossed a safe limit and the computer shut down to avoid damage. Here are the most common causes.
The most common cause: overheating
If it shuts down mainly under load (games, video editing, many programs at once), that is the classic sign of overheating. The processor or graphics reach a critical temperature and the system switches them off. The culprit is usually clogged cooling and dried paste. Cleaning and repasting helps; on laptops see laptop overheating.
The second most common: the power supply
A weak, ageing or faulty power supply (PSU) cannot deliver enough power under load and the computer drops. This problem gets worse gradually. How to choose a quality power supply is covered in how to choose a PC power supply.
Other possible causes
- Unstable mains or surges. Surge protection or a UPS helps, especially where the power “cuts out”.
- Dust and shorts. Accumulated dust can cause a short or block the fans.
- Faulty memory or board. This often also brings a blue screen.
- A flat CMOS battery or a power-button problem.
What you can try
- Note when it happens. Under load and heat? Randomly? Right after turning on? The pattern says a lot.
- Clean the vents of dust.
- Try another socket and remove extension leads and adapters.
We will help
Sudden shutdowns are worth addressing quickly, especially if the power supply or overheating is involved. We find the cause under load, test temperatures and power, and tell you the price up front. Get in touch and bring reliability back to your computer.