My computer recently started powering off completely whenever I begin generating a new preview in After Effects. Existing cached previews play normally, but the system turns off almost immediately when it has to render new frames. There is no blue screen, error message, restart, smoke, or unusual smell. After shutting down, it will not power back on until I toggle the PSU switch or wait for a while. CPU and other component temperatures only rose by about 10°C before the shutdown according to HWiNFO, so overheating does not seem obvious. Event Viewer only reports Kernel-Power Event ID 41. What hardware or software checks should I perform to find the cause?
3 Answers
Before replacing parts, try reproducing the issue with separate CPU and GPU stress tests. Also inspect the system for dust buildup, since poor airflow or a blocked heatsink can sometimes cause shutdowns even when the temperature readings look normal. Check that the CPU cooler and GPU fans are working properly.
It is still worth checking the basics: run a long memory test such as MemTest86, check the SSD's health with a drive-monitoring utility, and make sure the motherboard and storage firmware are current. If those tests pass but the machine still cuts power only under load, the PSU becomes even more suspicious.
A sudden loss of power with no blue screen, especially when rendering starts, points strongly toward the power supply or its protection circuitry. If possible, test with a known-good PSU that has enough wattage, and use only the modular cables that came with that replacement unit. Event ID 41 only confirms that Windows did not shut down cleanly; it does not identify the failing part.
I had the same symptoms during gaming, and replacing the PSU fixed everything. Borrowing a suitable unit for a test is probably the quickest way to confirm it.
There is no BSOD in this case, and the SSD had issues years ago, but I will check its health again. The computer had been working normally until this started.