I've got this old laptop that unexpectedly shuts down while I'm using Photoshop or even just browsing with 5-7 tabs open in Brave. It's strange because I used to play games on my last laptop without issues before I sold it. This one doesn't seem to overheat, as I use a big fat tape for ventilation at the back. Here are my specs: Intel Core i7-6820HQ @ 2.70GHz, 256GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics 530, and NVIDIA Quadro M2000M. I don't know how good or bad these specs are, but it turns off even with moderate usage. Also, when I turn it back on after not using it, the fans go full blast. I recently reset the laptop and cleared up space since I was down to 10-14GB free storage, but it still shut down while Brave was open with just one tab and I was installing qbittorrent.
3 Answers
It sounds like it might be overheating. Even if youdon't feel it getting hot, it could still be hitting a thermal shutdown point. I recommend using a monitoring tool like HWInfo to keep an eye on the temperatures while you're working. That'll help you confirm if it's reaching a critical temperature. Also, does this issue happen while it's on battery power or when it's plugged in? Can you try running it without the battery, just plugged in, to see if that makes a difference?
Another possibility is that your power supply can't handle the load. Sometimes, older laptops struggle with power draw when running demanding applications. If the power supply is underpowered, it could lead to abrupt shutdowns.
Have you checked if your laptop's vents are clear? Sometimes dust build-up can block airflow even if you add tape for ventilation. Make sure to clean out the vents and see if that helps with the shutdowns.
Yeah, it definitely shuts down while plugged in. I think it handles the load better when it’s on battery.