When your PC shuts down without warning, it is often an act of self-defense. It is even more frustrating when the PC shuts down during gaming. Imagine you are about to beat a boss fight and this happens. It means you will have to start all over again. Well, there are myriads of reasons that can cause your PC to shut down when gaming. One of them is overheating.
Overheating can occur when the computer is overworked. Gaming or video editing causes your computer to work harder than usual. However, this doesn’t mean that all computer shutdown during gaming is due to overheating. Some users have reported the shutting down of their computer during gaming for a cause other than overheating. We are going to be looking at the various factors that can cause your PC to shut down unexpectedly.
Fix #1. Computer shut down due to overheating
Most computers come with fans that keep the processors cool. If you pay attention, you will notice the fan starts spinning faster when you perform CPU (Central Processing Unit) intensive activities. Consequently, the PC will start to overheat when there is a problem with the cooling system. Follow the steps below to resolve this.
Step 1
When your PC starts overheating, the first thing you would want to check is the fan to know if it is working effectively. Place the back of your palm close to the air vents of the computer to see if it is blowing out hot air. If it is not, there are chances that the fan may be damaged and need to be replaced.
PC fan by [Photo credit: PCSTAT]
Step 2
When performing a CPU-intensive activity the fan speed should increase. However, the movement should be smooth. If you notice any abnormal noise (like grinding or squealing) coming from the fan, it could be an indication that the fan is malfunctioning.
Step 3
If you suspect a malfunctioning or dead fan, you will need to open the computer case for inspection. However, we do not recommend that you do this yourself to avoid electrocution or damaging your system. Invite a computer engineer to do that for you. Sometimes, dust, hair, and debris clog the fan and lower its efficiency. Cleaning the fan and the heat sink will usually restore the perfect working condition of your computer.
How to enter BIOS in Windows 10
Note: If the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) of your PC monitors the fan’s RPM, enter the BIOS prior to opening the computer to check for any error reports. Alternatively, you can install SpeedFan to help monitor the health of your fan.
How to check turn on the fan in BIOS
How to check turn on the fan in BIOS
Step 4
If you are using a laptop, it may be a good idea to invest in cooling pads. These pads will augment the effectiveness of your fan to keep the running temperature of your fans low.
Laptop cooling pad [Photo credit: LaptopAXS.com]
#2. Computer shutting down without overheating
Some gamers have reported their PC shutting down without overheating. Most times, this is a result of a hardware problem. Before troubleshooting your hardware, it will be wise to check the Task Manager for any errors.
Step 1
The first thing you need to do in this case is to verify that the power cord is working properly. A broken power cord can lead to intermittent loss of contact which will cause your PC to shut down. If the power cord is hot to touch, consider replacing it immediately. Persistent use of a faulty power cord can cause damage to your computer.
Another thing you should quickly check is the UPS (uninterrupted power supply) and the surge protector. To test that the problem is not coming from this unit, connect your computer directly to the power outlet. If your computer stops shutting down, the problem is obviously from your UPS. Consider replacing it immediately. Sometimes, UPS overload can cause it to shut down unexpectedly. Make sure too many devices are not connected to the UPS.
Step 2
Check your drivers and operating system to make sure they are all up to date. It may be a good idea to run DDU uninstaller to completely uninstall your graphics card driver and reinstall them again.
Photo credit: Zach’s Tech Turf
You need to figure out at what point the gaming PC shuts off. To do this you may need to use a game as a benchmark. The idea is to know if your next fix works using your benchmark game. Experts recommend downloading stress tests (like Cinebench) for your components. There are different tests for different components. For example, if Cinebench runs fine but causes the PC to shut down after some time, it means the issue may be from the GPU.
Step 3
Download temperature monitoring software like MSI Afterburner. Some allow you to keep the overlay on your screen so that you can monitor the CPU temperature in real-time. If the temperatures are within a good range and the PC still shuts off, it means your problem is not from the cooling system.
Photo credit: Zach’s Tech Turf
Step 4
If your GPU is overclocked, revert the settings. To help you further narrow your search, it is important to restore factory settings. Experts recommend removing your GPU settings from overclocking.
Photo credit: Zach’s Tech Turf
Step 5
If the PC continues shutting down after trying steps 1 to 5, it is time to start swapping hardware components. However, before doing this you need to reset all the PSU (Power Supply Unit) cables and remove all non-essential hardware connected to the computer. This includes the network cable. Run the computer without these components to see if it resolves the issue. Swapping components you should be able to determine which hardware is causing the problem.
Photo credit: Zach’s Tech Turf
Step 6
Make sure your AIO (All-in-one) water cooler is not covering any of the capacitors in the VRMs. Also, check if your cooler has metal plates coming in contact with the capacitors. Most times, this is usually the cause of the shutting down. Replace the AIO with an air cooler with a raised CPU from the metal fins.
Photo credit: Zach’s Tech Turf
Note: if the cause of your PC shutting down is due to the AIO water cooler having metal plates that are coming in contact with the capacitors, your PC will still shut down even when the CPU temperature may seem normal.
Photo credit: Zach’s Tech Turf
Other problems that can cause your PC to shut down when gaming
Some software can cause your computer to shut down under certain conditions. The key culprit, in this case, is often a computer virus, malware, or spyware. There are things you can do if you think your computer is under attack from a virus.
Step 1
Open your Task Manager to see all running processes. Close all processes that you do not understand.
Step 2
Uninstall all programs that you cannot account for their source. If your computer began shutting down after you installed a new program, consider uninstalling that program.
Step 3
Install and run a good antivirus. If you already have an antivirus, make sure their definition is up-to-date. Once you have updated the antivirus definition, run a full scan on your computer. This may take several hours to complete.
Problem with the operating system
If the problem persists after troubleshooting the software, it is possible that there are errors in the operating system. This is how you can go about it.
Step 1
Restart or shut down and turn on the computer again. This allows you to enter the BIOS setup.
Step 2
Let the computer sit idle in the BIOS for some time. If your computer is in perfect shape, it should turn off. However, if it fails to turn off after staying idle in the BIOS, it means your operating system may be corrupt.
Photo credit: Computer Hope
Step 3
Run Windows restore to a previous date when the PC was performing optimally. Alternatively, you can back up your files, format the PC, and reinstall your operating system.
Conclusion
Hopefully, one of the above tips should be able to resolve your problem so that you can continue enjoying your games. However, if all the above tips fail, your best bet will be to take your PC to a repair center to have it serviced. Is there any other fix that worked for you? Please feel free to share in the comment box below.