How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems

This wikiHow teaches you how to diagnose and solve common shutdown problems on Windows computers, both by applying general fixes and by troubleshooting specific components of your computer's software. Make sure you don't have any...

Part 1 of 6:

General Fixes

  1. Picture 1 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Make sure you don't have any third-party antivirus programs installed. Any antivirus program other than Windows Defender is technically a third-party program. Having any third-party antivirus program running on your computer is likely to keep your computer from shutting down, so uninstall any third-party antivirus programs.
  2. Picture 2 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Close any open programs. Running programs can interfere with your computer's shutdown process, so exit any open programs and apps.
    1. You can close programs that won't close by using Task Manager.
  3. Picture 3 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Remove any attached devices. USB drives, mice, controllers, SD cards, and anything else you may have plugged into your PC may be preventing your computer from shutting down properly. Eject and remove these items before continuing.
    1. Failing to eject attached devices before removing them may cause problems with the drivers or information on the devices later.
  4. Picture 4 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Update your computer. Your computer's operating system version, outdated drivers, or a combination thereof can easily cause problems when you try to shut down. To update your computer's operating system and drivers:
    1. Open Start.
    2. Click the Settings gear.
    3. Click Update & security.
    4. Click Check for updates.
    5. Wait for your computer to update.
  5. Picture 5 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Disable your PC's wireless connections before shutting down. Disconnecting your computer from all wireless networks (including Bluetooth) may fix the shutdown problem; if it does, you're likely encountering a network issue. Placing your computer in Airplane Mode is the easiest way to disconnect your computer:
    1. Click the Notification box in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar.
    2. Click the Airplane Mode box.
    3. If you're on a wired (Ethernet) network, unplug the Ethernet cable from your computer as well.
Part 2 of 6:

Troubleshooting Your Windows Update

  1. Picture 6 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Open Start
    Picture 7 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
    1. You must be using an account with administrator privileges in order to troubleshoot the windows update.
  2. Picture 8 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Scroll down and click Windows System. It's a folder in the "W" section of the Start menu.
  3. Picture 9 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Control Panel. It's near the middle of the Windows System folder.
  4. Picture 10 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Troubleshooting. This icon resembles a blue computer monitor inside of a computer window.
    1. If you don't see this option, click the option next to "View by:" in the top-right corner of the window and select Large icons or Small icons.
  5. Picture 11 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Fix problems with Windows Update. This link is below the "System and Security" heading.
  6. Picture 12 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Next. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window.
  7. Picture 13 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Try troubleshooting as an administrator. This option will appear at the top of the window. If you aren't using an administrator account, you won't be able to complete this process.
  8. Picture 14 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Follow the on-screen instructions. If there are any problems with your Windows update, follow the instructions provided to fix them.
    1. In most cases, you'll click Apply fix when prompted and wait for the fix to be applied.
    2. You may need to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect, which means you'll have to hold down your computer's power button to turn it off.
Part 3 of 6:

Troubleshooting Your Power Settings

  1. Picture 15 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Open Start
    Picture 16 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Picture 17 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Settings
    Picture 18 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    . This icon is in the lower-left corner of the Start window.
  3. Picture 19 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Update & security. It's an icon of a circular arrow.
  4. Picture 20 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Troubleshoot. This tab is on the left side of the window.
  5. Picture 21 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Scroll down and click Power. It's toward the bottom of the page.
  6. Picture 22 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Run the troubleshooter. This button will appear below and to the right of the Power option. Clicking it will start the troubleshooting process.
  7. Picture 23 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Wait for an error to appear. Common power issues include errors related to battery life and screen brightness.
    1. If no errors appear and the process completes, your power settings aren't responsible for your computer failing to shut down.
  8. Picture 24 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Apply this fix. You'll do this for each problem that Windows comes across.
    1. If you see something listed as a problem that you don't care to fix, click Skip this fix instead.
  9. Picture 25 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Try to shut down your computer. If the computer successfully shuts down, the problem was resolved. If not, proceed to the next part.
Part 4 of 6:

Changing Power Button Properties

  1. Picture 26 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Open Start
    Picture 27 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Picture 28 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Settings
    Picture 29 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    . This icon is in the lower-left corner of the Start window.
  3. Picture 30 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click System. This icon resembles a laptop.
  4. Picture 31 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Power & sleep. It's on the left side of the System page.
  5. Picture 32 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Additional power settings. This option is in the top-right side of the page.
  6. Picture 33 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Choose what the power buttons do. You'll find this link in the top-left corner of the window.
  7. Picture 34 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Change the "On battery" and "Plugged in" boxes to "Shut down". Click the drop-down box right of "When I press the power button" and beneath "On battery", click Shut down, and repeat for the "Plugged in" column. This will ensure that pressing your computer's power button will shut down your computer.
  8. Picture 35 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Try to shut down your computer by pressing the power button. If the computer successfully shuts down, the problem was resolved. If not, proceed to the next part.
Part 5 of 6:

Scanning with Windows Defender

  1. Picture 36 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Open Start
    Picture 37 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Picture 38 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Scroll down and click Windows Defender Security Center. It's in the "W" section of the Start menu.
  3. Picture 39 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click ☰. It's in the top-left corner of the window.
  4. Picture 40 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Virus & threat protection. It's in the upper-left section of the Windows Defender window.
  5. Picture 41 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Advanced scan. This link is below the Quick scan button in the middle of the page.
  6. Picture 42 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Make sure "Full scan" is checked. If not, click the circle to the left of "Full scan" at the top of the page.
  7. Picture 43 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Scan now. It's in the middle of the page. Doing so will begin scanning your computer for disruptive programs.
  8. Picture 44 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Wait for the scan to complete. If anything malicious turns up during the scan, Windows Defender will alert you. You should allow Windows Defender to remove the dangerous items.
    1. If this scan doesn't find anything, repeat the scan with "Windows Defender Offline scan" checked instead of "Full scan" checked.
  9. Picture 45 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Try to shut down your computer. If the computer successfully shuts down after the scan is complete, the problem was resolved. If not, proceed to the next part.
Part 6 of 6:

Disabling Startup Programs

  1. Picture 46 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Open Start
    Picture 47 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Picture 48 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Scroll down and click Windows System. It's a folder in the "W" section of the Start menu.
  3. Picture 49 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Task Manager. This option is toward the bottom of the Windows System folder.
  4. Picture 50 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Click Startup. This tab is at the top of the Task Manager window.
  5. Picture 51 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Select a program, then click Disable. This will prevent the program from starting automatically when you turn on your computer. Too many programs attempting to start at once can cause your computer to crash, so doing this may fix related problems.
  6. Picture 52 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Disable any non-Windows startup programs. Any third-party programs such as antivirus utilities, chat rooms, or other apps should be disabled when you're through.
    1. Don't disable Windows processes such as the graphics card or Windows Defender.
  7. Picture 53 of How to Fix Windows Shutdown Problems
    Try to shut down your computer. If the computer successfully shuts down, the problem was resolved. If not, you'll likely need to bring your computer into your local tech department.
Update 04 March 2020
clickcomputerwindowsstart

You should read it

Maybe you are interested

Category

System

Mac OS X

Hardware

Game

Tech info

Technology

Science

Life

Application

Electric

Program

Mobile