A computer that shuts down on its own can be frustrating—especially when you’re working, gaming, or watching something important. Windows 11 includes several power, system, and hardware settings that may cause automatic shutdowns if not configured properly. The good news? You can fix this issue quickly by adjusting a few key settings.
This guide explains why your Windows 11 PC keeps turning off and how to stop it using simple, reliable, and SEO-friendly steps.
Common Reasons Your PC Turns Off Automatically
Before jumping into solutions, here are the main causes:
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Incorrect power or sleep settings
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Overheating due to dust or fan failure
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Faulty drivers
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System updates forcing restarts
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Fast Startup or hibernation issues
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Hardware problems (rare but possible)
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Battery or power adapter issues (for laptops)
Now let’s fix it.
Fix 1: Change Power & Sleep Settings
Windows 11 may shut down your computer to save power. Adjusting these settings often solves the issue.
Steps:
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Open Settings (
Win + I). -
Go to System.
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Click Power & Battery.
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Select Screen and Sleep.
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Set:
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On battery power, turn off my screen → Choose a longer time or Never
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Put my device to sleep → Choose a longer time or Never
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This prevents Windows from entering sleep mode unexpectedly.
Fix 2: Disable Automatic Shutdown from Power Plan
Some power plans enforce aggressive shutdowns.
Steps:
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Open Control Panel.
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Click Power Options.
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Select your current plan → Change plan settings.
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Choose Change advanced power settings.
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Expand Sleep → Hibernate after.
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Set it to Never.
Also check:
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Processor power management → ensure minimum processor state is not too low.
Fix 3: Turn Off Fast Startup
Fast Startup can cause random shutdowns or reboot loops.
Steps:
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Open Control Panel.
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Choose Power Options.
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Click Choose what the power buttons do.
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Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
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Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
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Save changes.
Fix 4: Check for Overheating
If your system overheats, it shuts down to protect components.
What to do:
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Ensure fans are working.
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Clean dust from vents.
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Avoid placing laptops on blankets or beds.
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Use a cooling pad if needed.
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Check CPU temperature using tools like Core Temp or HWMonitor.
If temperatures exceed 80–90°C, overheating is likely the cause.
Fix 5: Update Device Drivers
Outdated GPU, chipset, or power drivers can cause unexpected shutdowns.
Steps:
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Press Win + X → choose Device Manager.
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Expand categories such as:
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Display adapters
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System devices
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Batteries
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Right-click each critical device → Update driver.
For best results, download drivers from:
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NVIDIA / AMD / Intel
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Laptop manufacturer’s website
Fix 6: Disable Automatic Restart After System Failure
If your PC crashes, Windows may restart instantly.
Steps:
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Search View advanced system settings.
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Go to Startup and Recovery.
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Uncheck Automatically restart.
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Click OK.
This helps diagnose the issue instead of rebooting instantly.
Fix 7: Check Windows Update Settings
Windows may restart after installing updates.
Steps:
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Open Settings.
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Go to Windows Update.
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Select Advanced options.
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Enable Notify me when a restart is required.
This prevents surprise shutdowns.
Fix 8: Run a Power Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes a built-in tool to fix power issues.
Steps:
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Open Settings.
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Go to System → Troubleshoot.
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Select Other troubleshooters.
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Run the Power troubleshooter.
Fix 9: Check Your Hardware (If Nothing Helps)
Rare hardware issues that can cause shutdowns:
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Faulty power supply (PSU)
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Damaged battery
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Loose cables
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Bad RAM
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Failing motherboard
If the shutdowns happen even before Windows loads, it may be hardware-related.
Final Thoughts
Stopping your computer from turning off automatically in Windows 11 is usually simple once you know where to look. By adjusting power settings, managing updates, checking for overheating, and updating drivers, most users can solve the problem without professional help.
If your PC still shuts down after trying all these fixes, it might be time to consult a technician to rule out hardware damage.