PC shut off randomly, now it won't stay on

GuyInDogSuit · 04 Dec 2018

So, Friday, I was in the middle of some paperwork, when my PC shut off seemingly randomly. No crash, no sounds or beeps, just powered off. I turned it back on, and it turned off again after a few seconds, then turned itself on a couple seconds later, then off, then on, and so on. I managed to get into Windows once or twice, but it rarely makes it as far as that before shutting off again. I took off the case panel and from what I can see there's nothing wrong, no smells or odd noises, nothing unusual. What could be the issue?

dalchina · 04 Dec 2018

Most likely hardware. Anything from the PSU onwards.

You can try booting from a live boot disk just to see if you get any further; also simply boot to BIOS and see if it stays on.

If the first works, you can go on to do RAM and disk checks etc etc....

mahoneycutt · 04 Dec 2018

My vote is overheating. At the very least, turn off the PC and use compressed air to clean all the vents. Ideally, open it up and remove the dust. Pay special attention to the heat sink on the processor.

Stitch194 · 04 Dec 2018

Is it a desk or Laptop? I'm with @mahoneycutt overheating is most likely the culprit.

dalchina · 05 Dec 2018

You can check for overheating- if you have time- with e.g. HWinfo64

PC shut off randomly, now it won't stay on-1.jpg

Steve C · 05 Dec 2018

+1 for overheating.

Use HWInfo to check the temperatures. Check the vents & fans are clean and that the fans operate.I have one PC having the intake vent beneath the PC. I had to put some small blocks under the case to raise the height off the floor and create enough air flow!

GuyInDogSuit · 05 Dec 2018

I cleaned out what little dust there was, but that didn't solve the issue. Still won't stay on. Wouldn't it shut off and stay off if it was overheating?

dalchina · 05 Dec 2018

My post #2 ?

GuyInDogSuit · 05 Dec 2018

I have no way to make a live USB or disc, but I can try.

flhthemi · 05 Dec 2018

Power supply could be a problem too with overheating. They get clogged up bad with dust. I had one that would run for about 5 minutes and shut off. Pulled it out of the PC and connected a couple old HDDs to it for a load and sure nuff it stopped. Put in a new one next day. No more problems.