How to Stop Computer from Turning Off by Itself in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Is your Windows 11 computer shutting down on its own — right in the middle of work, gaming, or streaming? You’re not alone. Many users experience this frustrating issue where their PC randomly powers off without warning. But don’t worry — in most cases, the cause is simple, and the fix is straightforward.

In this detailed, step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to stop your computer from turning off by itself in Windows 11, covering everything from power settings to hardware overheating and advanced troubleshooting.

By the end, you’ll have a stable system that stays on until you decide to shut it down.

Table of Contents

🔍 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

Cause	Quick Fix
Incorrect power settings	Change sleep and hibernate timers
Overheating	Clean fans, improve ventilation
Faulty hardware (RAM, PSU, GPU)	Run hardware diagnostics
Outdated drivers or BIOS	Update system and drivers
Fast Startup or hibernation bugs	Disable Fast Startup
Malware or corrupted system files	Scan and repair Windows

Why Does My Computer Turn Off by Itself in Windows 11?
Step 1: Check for Overheating Issues
Step 2: Adjust Power and Sleep Settings
Step 3: Disable Fast Startup
Step 4: Turn Off Automatic Sleep or Hibernate
Step 5: Update Windows 11
Step 6: Update Drivers and BIOS
Step 7: Scan for Malware or Corrupted Files
Step 8: Check for Faulty Hardware (RAM, PSU, GPU)
Step 9: Run Windows Power Troubleshooter
Step 10: Turn Off Automatic Restart After Failure
Step 11: Check Event Viewer Logs
Step 12: Reset Power Plans to Default
Step 13: Perform a Clean Boot
Step 14: Use System Restore or Reset Windows
Bonus Tips to Prevent Future Auto Shutdowns
Conclusion
FAQs

1. Why Does My Computer Turn Off by Itself in Windows 11?

Before you fix it, let’s understand why it happens.

Common causes include:

Overheating: When your CPU or GPU gets too hot, Windows shuts down to prevent damage.
Faulty power settings: Incorrect sleep or hibernate timers can trigger auto shutdowns.
Hardware problems: Bad RAM, PSU, or battery can cut power unexpectedly.
Outdated BIOS or drivers: Incompatibility can cause random power-offs.
Malware or system errors: Corrupted system files or malicious software can force shutdowns.

Now, let’s fix these one by one.

2. Step 1: Check for Overheating Issues

Overheating is the #1 reason computers turn off unexpectedly.

🔧 How to check:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Performance tab → check CPU temperature (some systems show it here).
If not visible, use free tools like HWMonitor, Core Temp, or Speccy.

✅ Fix overheating:

Clean out dust from fans and vents.
Ensure your laptop is on a flat surface, not a bed or couch.
Replace thermal paste if your PC is old.
Consider using a cooling pad or extra fans.

If your CPU temperature consistently exceeds 90°C (194°F), the system will auto-shut down — fix the cooling first.

3. Step 2: Adjust Power and Sleep Settings

Windows might be set to turn off the display or go to sleep too quickly.

Here’s how to adjust:

Press Windows + I → System > Power & battery.
Under Power, click Screen and sleep.
Set When plugged in, turn off my screen after → choose Never.
Set When plugged in, put my device to sleep after → choose Never.

💡 Pro Tip: Laptops running on battery can auto-shut down to conserve power — keep them plugged in for testing.

4. Step 3: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can sometimes cause Windows to hang or shut down incorrectly.

To disable it:

Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
Click Choose what the power buttons do.
Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Click Save changes.

Restart your PC and check if it stays on.

5. Step 4: Turn Off Automatic Sleep or Hibernate

Sometimes, the computer “sleeps” but doesn’t wake properly, appearing as if it turned off.

Disable hibernate:

Search for Command Prompt, right-click, and select Run as Administrator.
Type:

powercfg -h off
Press Enter.

This disables hibernation — a common cause of auto shutdowns.

6. Step 5: Update Windows 11

System updates often include fixes for random shutdown bugs.

To update:

Open Settings > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Download and install all pending updates.
Restart your PC.

This ensures your power management, BIOS firmware, and drivers are fully compatible.

7. Step 6: Update Drivers and BIOS

Outdated drivers — especially for your GPU, chipset, and power controller — can cause power failures.

Update via Device Manager:

Press Windows + X → choose Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters, System devices, and Batteries.
Right-click each → Update driver → Search automatically.

Update BIOS (advanced users):

Visit your computer manufacturer’s support page (HP, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.).
Download the latest BIOS firmware and follow on-screen update instructions carefully.

⚠️ Caution: Never interrupt a BIOS update — it can brick your PC.

8. Step 7: Scan for Malware or Corrupted Files

Viruses or corrupted system files can trigger forced shutdowns.

Run malware scan:

Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
Click Quick scan or Full scan.
Remove any threats found.

Run system file repair:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type:

Then run:

Restart your PC afterward.

9. Step 8: Check for Faulty Hardware (RAM, PSU, GPU)

If your PC powers off suddenly — no blue screen, just black — hardware might be the culprit.

Test your RAM:

Search Windows Memory Diagnostic → click Restart now and check for problems.
Let the test run; Windows will display results after reboot.

Test PSU (desktop only):

If your power supply is old or low-wattage, it might fail under heavy load.
Try using another PSU or have it tested by a technician.

GPU overheating or fault:

Clean GPU fans.
Update graphics drivers (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel).
Try stress testing with FurMark to confirm stability.

10. Step 9: Run Windows Power Troubleshooter

Windows includes an automatic troubleshooter that can detect power misconfigurations.

To run it:

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Power → click Run.
Follow the recommended fixes.

This can restore missing power profiles or misconfigured energy-saving settings.

11. Step 10: Turn Off Automatic Restart After Failure

Windows might restart (or shut down) automatically when it encounters a critical system error.

To disable auto restart:

Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.
Go to the Advanced tab → click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
Uncheck Automatically restart.
Click OK.

Now, if your system crashes, it will show an error message instead of shutting down silently — helping you find the root cause.

12. Step 11: Check Event Viewer Logs

Event Viewer keeps records of what happens before your PC turns off.

View shutdown logs:

Press Windows + X → Event Viewer.
Navigate to Windows Logs > System.
Look for Critical or Error events labeled Kernel-Power.

Note the Event ID (e.g., 41) — this often indicates a power supply, overheating, or driver issue.

13. Step 12: Reset Power Plans to Default

If you tweaked power settings too much, reset them to factory defaults.

Reset command:

Open Command Prompt (Admin) and type:

Then restart your computer — this resets all power configurations.

14. Step 13: Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party software or startup apps can cause random shutdowns.

To clean boot:

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services → click Disable all.
Go to Startup tab → open Task Manager → disable all startup apps.
Restart your PC.

If the shutdowns stop, re-enable services one by one to find the culprit.

15. Step 14: Use System Restore or Reset Windows

If the issue started recently after an update or app install, roll back your system.

Use System Restore:

Press Windows + S, type Restore Point, and select Open.
Click System Restore → choose a date before the problem began.
Follow the prompts.

If that doesn’t help, consider a Windows reset:

Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
Click Reset this PC → choose Keep my files.

This reinstalls Windows 11 without deleting your data.

16. Bonus Tips to Prevent Future Auto Shutdowns

Keep your BIOS and drivers updated.
Clean your PC regularly to prevent dust buildup.
Use a reliable power source or UPS.
Avoid running heavy apps on low-RAM systems.
Keep your laptop on a hard, ventilated surface.
Periodically check system temperatures.

Conclusion

Your computer turning off by itself in Windows 11 can be frustrating, but it’s almost always fixable. Most issues stem from overheating, incorrect power settings, or driver errors — all of which you can resolve using the steps above.

By following this comprehensive guide, you now know exactly how to stop your computer from turning off by itself in Windows 11 — and how to keep it running smoothly in the future.

Stay cool, stay updated, and stay in control of your PC’s power!

FAQs About Auto Shutdowns in Windows 11

1. Why does my PC shut down randomly?

It usually happens due to overheating, bad power settings, or faulty hardware components like RAM or PSU.

2. How can I stop my laptop from going to sleep or turning off automatically?

Go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep, then set both options to Never.

3. Can a virus cause random shutdowns?

Yes. Some malware forces unexpected restarts or shutdowns. Run a full system scan using Windows Security.

4. What is Event ID 41 (Kernel-Power)?

It indicates that Windows shut down unexpectedly, often due to a hardware failure or sudden power loss.

5. Should I disable Fast Startup in Windows 11?

If your PC frequently shuts down incorrectly or fails to start properly, disabling Fast Startup can help stabilize power behavior.

✅ Key Takeaways

Check and fix overheating first.
Adjust power and sleep settings.
Update drivers, Windows, and BIOS.
Scan for malware or corrupted files.
Use Event Viewer to identify recurring issues.