Have you ever tried shutting down your Windows 10 computer, only to find out that it keeps restarting instead? This can be a frustrating issue that prevents you from properly turning off your device, and can even cause data loss or damage to your system over time.
If you’re experiencing this problem, don’t worry – there are several reasons why your Windows 10 computer might keep restarting when you try to shut it down, and several solutions you can try to fix it. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common causes of this issue and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve it
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a closer look at why this issue occurs in the first place. Some of the most common reasons include:
Hardware failure: If your computer’s hardware components are malfunctioning or damaged, it can cause your system to restart unexpectedly.
Corrupted system files: If your system files have become corrupted or damaged, it can cause your computer to behave erratically, including restarting when you try to shut it down.
Windows update: Sometimes, Windows updates can cause issues with your system, including restarting when you try to shut it down.
Malware or virus attack: Malware or viruses can cause your system to behave erratically, including restarting when you try to shut it down.
Power setting issue: Your computer’s power settings may be configured in a way that causes it to restart when you try to shut it down.
Basic Troubleshooting steps to fix the problem
In the previous section, we discussed some of the common reasons why your Windows 10 computer might keep restarting when you try to shut it down. In this section, we’ll provide you with some basic troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the problem.
Check hardware components
The first thing you should do is check your computer’s hardware components to make sure they’re all functioning properly. Check your computer’s memory, hard drive, and power supply to ensure they’re all in good working order.
Run system file checker
If your system files have become corrupted or damaged, it can cause your computer to behave erratically, including restarting when you try to shut it down. To fix this issue, you can use the built-in System File Checker tool. To run this tool, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
- Click on Command Prompt (Admin).
- Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
- Wait for the scan to complete and then restart your computer.
- Disable automatic restart after system failure
By default, Windows 10 is configured to automatically restart your computer after a system failure. This can cause your computer to keep restarting when you try to shut it down. To disable this setting, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
- Click on System.
- Click on Advanced system settings.
- Click on the Advanced tab.
- Click on Settings under Startup and Recovery.
- Uncheck the box next to “Automatically restart” and click OK.
Perform a clean boot
Performing a clean boot can help you identify if a third-party application or service is causing the issue. To perform a clean boot, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
- Click on the Services tab.
- Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services”.
- Click on Disable all.
- Click on the Startup tab.
- Click on Open Task Manager.
- Disable all startup items.
- Close Task Manager and click OK on the System Configuration window.
- Restart your computer.
Check for malware or virus infection
Malware or viruses can cause your system to behave erratically, including restarting when you try to shut it down. To check for malware or virus infection, run a full system scan using your preferred antivirus software.
Check power settings
Your computer’s power settings may be configured in a way that causes it to restart when you try to shut it down. To check your power settings, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
- Click on Power Options.
- Click on Additional power settings.
- Click on Choose what the power buttons do.
- Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup”.
- Click on Save changes.
These are some of the basic troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the issue of Windows 10 keep restarting when shutdown. In the next section, we’ll discuss some advanced troubleshooting methods you can try if these steps don’t work for you.
Check for driver updates
Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause your computer to behave erratically, including restarting when you try to shut it down. To check for driver updates, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
- Click on Device Manager.
- Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark next to them.
- Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
- Follow the prompts to update the driver.
Check for BIOS updates
Outdated BIOS firmware can also cause your computer to behave erratically, including restarting when you try to shut it down. To check for BIOS updates, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “msinfo32” and press Enter.
- Look for the BIOS version/date in the System Information window.
- Go to your computer manufacturer’s website and search for BIOS updates.
- Download and install any available updates.
Reset your computer
If all else fails, you can try resetting your computer to its default settings. This will erase all your personal files and installed applications, so make sure you back up any important data before doing this. To reset your computer, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Recovery.
- Under Reset this PC, click on Get started.
- Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Follow the prompts to complete the reset process.
Contact technical support
If none of these troubleshooting methods work for you, it’s possible that your computer has a hardware problem that needs to be repaired or replaced. Contact your computer manufacturer’s technical support for assistance.
These are some advanced troubleshooting methods you can try if the basic steps don’t work for you. Remember, it’s important to back up your data before attempting any major changes to your system. If you’re not comfortable performing any of these steps yourself, it’s best to seek professional help.
Install Windows updates regularly
Microsoft releases regular updates for Windows 10, and some of these updates include bug fixes and performance improvements. By installing these updates regularly, you can ensure that your system is up-to-date and less likely to experience issues like the one we’ve been discussing. To install Windows updates, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Windows Update.
- Click on Check for updates.
- If updates are available, click on Download and install.
Update your software and drivers
In addition to Windows updates, it’s important to keep your software and drivers up-to-date as well. Outdated or incompatible software and drivers can cause all sorts of issues, including restarting when you try to shut down your computer. To update your software and drivers, follow these steps:
- For software: Check for updates within each individual application you have installed.
- For drivers: Follow the steps in Section III, Step 1 to check for driver updates.
- Perform regular maintenance tasks
- Performing regular maintenance tasks on your computer can help keep it running smoothly and avoid issues like the one we’ve been discussing. Some maintenance tasks you should consider doing regularly include:
- Running a disk cleanup: This will free up space on your hard drive and potentially improve performance.
- Running a disk check: This will scan your hard drive for errors and fix them if necessary.
- Running a virus scan: This will ensure that your system is free of viruses and malware.
Use a reliable antivirus software
Speaking of viruses and malware, it’s important to use a reliable antivirus software to protect your computer from these threats. There are many options available, both free and paid, so do your research and choose one that fits your needs.
By following these preventative measures, you can reduce the likelihood of experiencing issues like Windows 10 keep restarting when shutdown. Remember, prevention is always better than cure!
Additional tips and tricks to help you optimize your computer’s performance
In the previous four sections, we covered a variety of troubleshooting and preventative measures you can take to fix the issue of Windows 10 keep restarting when shutdown. In this final section, we’ll discuss some additional tips and tricks to help you optimize your computer’s performance and avoid issues in the future.
Disable unnecessary startup programs
If your computer is taking a long time to boot up or shut down, it’s possible that you have too many programs running in the background. To check and disable unnecessary startup programs, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
- Click on the Startup tab.
- Uncheck any programs that you don’t need to run at startup.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Optimize your hard drive
Over time, your hard drive can become cluttered with unnecessary files and data, which can slow down your system’s performance. To optimize your hard drive, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Link menu.
- Click on Disk Management.
- Right-click on your hard drive and select Properties.
- Click on the Tools tab.
- Click on Optimize.
- Follow the prompts to optimize your hard drive.
Use the Performance troubleshooter
Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can help diagnose and fix performance issues. To use the Performance troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Under Get up and running, click on Additional troubleshooters.
- Click on Performance.
- Follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.
Upgrade your hardware
If your computer is still experiencing performance issues even after trying all of the above solutions, it’s possible that your hardware is simply outdated and needs to be upgraded. Some hardware upgrades you could consider include:
- Upgrading your RAM: This can help improve your system’s speed and performance.
- Upgrading your hard drive: Switching to a solid-state drive (SSD) can dramatically improve your system’s speed and performance.
- Upgrading your graphics card: This can help improve your system’s ability to handle graphics-intensive tasks.
By following these additional tips and tricks, you can further optimize your computer’s performance and avoid issues like Windows 10 keep restarting when shutdown. Remember, there are many factors that can contribute to your system’s performance, so don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re still experiencing issues