How do I troubleshoot sudden random shutdowns?

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  1. Posts : 290
    Windows 10 Home Edition 64 bit
       #1

    How do I troubleshoot sudden random shutdowns?


    Over the last few days my PC has been randomly shutting down. The screen goes black and the drive turns off. It will run for several hours and then shutdown. I have not installed any new hardware or software lately that I can attribute this to.

    When this happens and I turn it back on, it boots up slowly and then shuts down again shortly after. If I wait a few hours and turn it on, it can then stay on for some hours.


    How should I begin to troubleshoot this issue? Should I be monitoring CPU temperature and fan speed? What software would you recommend to do this?

    What else should I be checking?

    Thanks
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    As you can imagine, sudden shutdowns can have many causes. However what you are describing tends to suggest a thermal shutdown.

    You could start with HWinfo to monitor temperatures (it's maintained and updated)
    HWiNFO - Download
    or this one seems to present temps conveniently (but last version 2016):
    Open Hardware Monitor - Core temp, fan speed and voltages in a free software gadget

    Do you notice your fans running more than usual?

    How long is it since you cleaned it out?

    How old is it?

    When it is idle, what %ge of CPU time is used? (Aim for <3%)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 290
    Windows 10 Home Edition 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi dalchina. Thank you for your reply and the links to the software.

    I cleaned out the PC in Aug 2018. I have not noticed the fans running more than usual.

    I bought the PC in Jun 2010.

    Resource monitor shows processes at 2%. Task manager shows CPU performance at 1%.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Ok, next is to check actual temps.

    Aside: As an example of what can happen if you upgrade PCs beyond spec (e.g drivers become incompatible) some years ago I upgraded an HP laptop bought with Vista to Win 8.

    It was fine in normal mode, but in Safe Mode quickly experienced a thermal shutdown.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 290
    Windows 10 Home Edition 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    OpenHardwareMonitor.Report.txtOpenHardwareMonitor.Report.txtI attached a txt file. I'm not sure which of the temperatures listed I should be looking at.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Nothing exceptional there. A GUI screenshot may be simpler.
    When you took that had the PC been running long- did it shut down?
    Ideally you would take a screenshot showing temps just before it shut down (i.e. keep taking screenshots periodically until shutdown), or very shortly after rebooting after it shut down. (When it's still hot)

    Anything that showed a significantly higher temperature related particularly to your CPU or GPU would be significant.

    HWInfo 64 supports alerts, thresholds and logging
    - don't know about the other one- just its GUI looked simple.
    How do I troubleshoot sudden random shutdowns?-untitled.png
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 41,472
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #7

    1) Update the specs in the "My Computer" section (see include...…. part below):

    System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums | Windows 10 Tutorials
    In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
    After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
    System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums
    Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)

    2) Run the BETA log collector and post a zip into this thread.
    The beta log collector is near the bottom of this webpage:
    BSOD - Posting Instructions - Windows 10 Forums
    (Use extract or extract all > open)

    3) If the computer has Ccleaner > click windows tab > scroll down to system and advanced > post an image into the thread

    4) In the left lower corner search type: system or system control > open system control panel > on the left pane click advanced system settings
    a) > on the advanced tab under startup and recovery > click settings > post an image of the startup and recovery into the thread.
    b) > on the advanced tab under performance > click on settings > under performance options > click on the advanced tab > under virtual memory > click on change > post an image of the virtual memory tab into the thread
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 290
    Windows 10 Home Edition 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I’ll work thru the above instructions and post back, probably tomorrow.

    Thanks
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 42,985
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #9

    Is the shut down a normal 'graceful' shutdown, or very sudden?
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 290
    Windows 10 Home Edition 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    The screen goes black and then you can hear the hard drive stop.
      My Computers


 

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