We have all been there – you click the “Shutdown” button on your Windows 10 computer, but nothing happens. It’s frustrating and can even be alarming. Don’t panic, though. This guide will help you understand why this may happen and give you 9 easy solutions to fix the problem when Windows 10 won’t shut down.
Common Causes of Windows 10 Failing to Shut Down
Understanding why your Windows 10 computer isn’t shutting down properly requires a careful examination of some common culprits. Here, we’ll delve into three frequent issues that might be causing the issue.
Outdated System Drivers: Old or incompatible drivers can interfere with the shutdown process.
Running Background Applications: Applications that are stuck or unresponsive may prevent a proper shutdown.
Power Plan Settings: Customized or corrupted power plan settings may conflict with the system’s ability to shut down.
Fast Startup Enabled: This feature, while useful for quick booting, sometimes conflicts with shutdown procedures.
Spyware or Virus Infections: Malicious software can influence various system operations, including shutdown.
Hybrid Sleep Issues: The Hybrid Sleep setting, meant to save power, can sometimes hinder the normal shutdown process.
Corrupted System Files: Broken or missing system files may disrupt the shutdown sequence.
Incompatible Software or Updates: Recently installed software or updates might conflict with the system’s ability to shut down.
Solution 1: Check for Windows Updates
Windows updates are vital for keeping the operating system secure and optimized. They frequently include patches for known issues, improvements, and new features. Sometimes, failing to shut down your Windows 10 computer might be linked to an update that has not been installed or a bug that has been recently fixed. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to examine for Windows Updates:
Step 1: Open Settings
- Press the Windows key + I together or click on the Start key and the gear-shaped Settings icon:
- This will launch the Windows Settings application.
Step 2: Update & Security Setting
- In the Settings window, locate the “Update & Security” option and then click on it from the screen.
- This will direct us to the Windows Update section, where we can manage all update-related tasks:
Step 3: Check for Updates
- Select the “Check for updates” option:
- Windows will begin searching for updates for your system and the duration of this process might take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection:
- If updates are found, you will see a list of available updates. Click on “Download” or “Install now” to begin the installation process:
- It’s recommended to download all critical and security updates. Optional updates can also be selected if they relate to the problem you’re encountring.
- Depending on the updates, your system might need to restart. Ensure that you have saved ongoing any work and click “Restart now” if prompted.
- The computer will restart and proceed to install the updates during this process and This might take some time, and your computer may restart multiple times.
Solution 2: Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup is a Windows 10 feature designed to decrease boot time using already loaded boot information. While it can make your computer start faster, it might cause shutdown issues in some cases. Disabling Fast Startup could solve the problem. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open Power Options
- Start the process by right-clicking on the battery icon in the system tray or by pressing the Windows key + X and select “Power Options”:
- This will launch a window where you can adjust and manage your computer’s power settings:
Step 2: Choose What the Power Buttons Do
- Click on the option “Additional power settings” displayed at the right side.
- Navigate to the left-hand side of the Power Options window, hit the “Choose what the power buttons does”:
- This will help to navigate you towards a window where you can modify settings concerned to shutting down the computer:
Step 3: Uncheck Turn on Fast Startup
- Scroll down to the “Shutdown settings” section:
- You might required to click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable” to letthe options editable:
- Uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup”:
- Click “Save changes”:
By turning off Fast Startup, you return the shutdown process to its standard procedure, which can eliminate the problems caused by this feature.
Solution 3: Update or Reinstall Drivers
Drivers are software components that allow the interaction among your OS and hardware devices. Outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers can hinder your system from shutting down properly. Here’s how to update or reinstall them:
Step 1: Open Device Manager
- By pressing the Windows key + X and hit to “Device Manager” will help you to open Device Manager:
- This will open a window showing all hardware devices connected to your computer:
Step 2: Right-Click and Update/Uninstall Drivers
- Expand the categories to find the device you suspect might be causing the issue, such as a graphics card or network adapter:
- Right-click on the device and select “Update driver” from popup menu to search for a newer version. Follow the prompts to complete the update:
- If updating does not resolve the issue, you can try reinstalling the driver by right-clicking on the device and selecting “Uninstall device” option:
- Reboot your system, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver during this process.
Solution 4: Run Troubleshooter
Windows 10 includes built-in troubleshooting tools capable of automatically identifying and resolving multiple common problems, including shutdown issues:
Step 1: Open Settings
- Press the Windows key + I together, or hit the start button and then the gear-shaped Settings icon:
Step 2: Visit Update & Security
- In the Settings window, click on “Update & Security”:
Step 3: Troubleshoot Page
- On the left-hand side, click on “Troubleshoot”:
- This will take you to a section where you can run various troubleshooting tools.
Step 4: Run the Troubleshooter
- Click on “Additional troubleshooters”:
- Look for and click on “Power,” then click on “Run the troubleshooter”:
- Follow the on-screen instructions, and the troubleshooter will attempt to detect and automatically fix any shutdown-related issues.
Solution 5: Use Command Prompt
Command Prompt is used to run commands to execute windows operations and it allows you to perform various tasks through command-line instructions. You can use it to force a shutdown or to find and fix underlying issues:
Step 1: Visit Windows Terminal
- Press the Windows key + X and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”:
- This will open a Command Prompt window with administrative privileges:
Step 2: Force Shutdown (Optional)
- If your system is stuck and you need to force a shutdown, you can type shutdown /f /s /t 0 and press Enter:
This command will force your computer to shut down immediately.
Step 3: Use System File Checker
- You can also use the Command Prompt to run a System File Checker (SFC) to find and fix corrupted system files that might be causing the shutdown issue.
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter to scan it which may take some time, and any corrupted files will be repaired automatically:
Step 4: Use DISM Tool
- Another useful command-line tool is the DISM tool and It can be used to repair the Windows image.
- Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter:
This command might take some time to complete.
Solution 6: Disable Hybrid Sleep
Hybrid Sleep is Wndows feature that combines Sleep and Hibernate modes to quickly wake your computer while still saving your work. Sometimes, this feature can interfere with the normal shutdown process. Disabling it may resolve the issue. Here’s how to do that:
Step 1: Open Power Options
- Right-click on the battery icon from the task bar to open the system tray or press the Windows key + X and select “Power Options”:
Step 2: Edit Plan Settings
- Click on Additional power setting as shown below:
- Next to your selected power plan, click on “Change plan settings”:
Step 3: Change Advanced Power Settings
- Click on “Change advanced power settings”:
- This opens a dialog box with various power settings:
Step 4: Disable Hybrid Sleep
- Expand the “Sleep” category, then “Allow hybrid sleep”:
- Change the setting to “Off” for both “On battery” and “Plugged in” (if available):
- Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
By disabling Hybrid Sleep, you may eliminate conflicts with the shutdown process, allowing your computer to turn off normally.
Solution 7: Check for Background Applications
Sometimes, applications running in the background can prevent your computer from shutting down properly. These may include programs that are stuck or unresponsive. Here’s how to check for and close these applications:
Step 1: Open Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager”:
- This will open a window showing all the processes running on your computer.
Step 2: Identify Background Applications
- Click on the “Processes” tab to see a list of all applications and background processes.
- Look for applications that are using high CPU, memory, or are marked as “Not Responding.”
Step 3: End Problematic Applications
- Right-click on any problematic application or process and select “End Task”
Step 4: Attempt to Shut Down Again
- After closing any suspicious or unresponsive applications, try shutting down your computer again to see if the issue is resolved.
Solution 8: Reset Power Plan to Default
Sometimes, customized power plan settings can cause issues with shutting down your Windows 10 computer:
Step 1: Open Power Options
- Right-click on the battery icon from the taskbar on the system tray, or press the Windows key + X and select “Power Options”:
Step 2: Select Your Current Power Plan
- Click on Additional power setting as shown below:
- Click on “Change plan settings” next to the power plan that you are currently using:
Step 3: Restore Default Settings
- Click on “Restore default settings for this plan” to navigate to its page:
- A prompt will appear to confirm the action, simply Click on the “Yes” button:
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
- Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect, and then try shutting down again:
By resetting your power plan to its default settings, you can clear any custom configurations that might have been causing the shutdown issue.
Solution 9: Check for Malware
Malware or other malicious software might be preventing your computer from shutting down properly. Malware scan can be used to remove these harmful programs andthe following is the process for that:
Step 1: Open Your Antivirus Program
- Open your preferred antivirus or antimalware program:
Step 2: Run a Full Scan
- Select the option to run a “Full Scan” or “Complete Scan” of your computer and this will thoroughly check all files and programs for malicious content:
Step 3: Follow the Prompts to Remove Malware
- If the scan detects any malware, follow the prompts to quarantine or remove the harmful files.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
- After removing any detected malware, restart your computer and then attempt to shut it down normally.
Conclusion
The inability to shut down your Windows 10 computer is a common issue but can be resolved with these 9 solutions. Always ensure to keep your system up to date and scan regularly for malware to prevent future problems.