Computer just shuts off unexpectedly

While this issue can be the sign of a serious hardware failure, typically, it's a problem with heat. A PC will shut itself off immediately if a target "high temp" is hit, but that's a good thing. It is protecting itself from overheating into failure. If you experience this issue, the first thing to look at is your air path and fans. On laptops, it is especially easy to clog up the small air path with dust and hair, causing the chip to get very hot.
Dirty
(This kind of blockage in the air path can kill a PC)


To try to fix the problem on your own, get a can air-duster. (Do not use an air compressor, the pressure is too great and will break off fragile fins inside the PC)

In the air fins, do short blasts of air and you will see dust shoot out. Keep doing short blasts until the dust stops coming out. Do not do extended blasts of air, it can cause the PC fan to spin too fast and damage it.

Clean with air
Make sure to move up and down the fins.


If the problem continues, contact us and we will be glad to diagnose if it is a fan failure, or more expensive motherboard failure, which could mean it's just time for a new PC. But typically, cleaning or replacing the inexpensive fans, will solve this problem.



  • 2 Users Found This Useful
Was this answer helpful?

Related Articles

I spilled liquid inside my computer! What do I do?

First, stop reading this and unplug the computer and for laptops, pull out the battery if...

Flush DNS

Flush DNS Most operating systems and DNS clients will automatically cache IP addresses and other...