I've been having this frustrating issue where my PC shuts off unexpectedly. It happens at random times—while I'm gaming, during calls, or even when I'm just watching videos. The screen goes completely black and the power light turns off. I initially thought it might be the extension cord since everything is plugged into it, but my monitor and printer remain on. Sometimes, when it restarts, a tab with "WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe" appears, but not every time. I also ran a self-diagnostic after one shutdown, and it said there were no problems detected. Any ideas on what could be causing this?
3 Answers
You might want to try running some diagnostics on your memory. If bad RAM is causing the shutdowns, that could explain the problem. Overheating could still be a factor. Also, check the inside of your PC for any dust buildup; even a well-sealed case can accumulate some dust.
Yes, that typically means no problems were detected. But it might be worth running it again just to be sure.
Sometimes, even if it seems cool, a build-up of dust can cause crashes. Just because your case is closed doesn't mean dust can't get in. You may need to take a look and see if there's any lint or debris that could be a problem.
My case is pretty sealed, so I doubt dust is a big factor. I’ll check it out just in case, though!
Could overheating be the issue? If your PC is getting too hot, it might shut off to protect itself. Make sure the ventilation isn't blocked, especially if it's placed too close to the wall or other objects. Sometimes dust can also accumulate inside and cause problems, even if it doesn't feel hot to the touch.
I checked the fans and they feel cool, so I'm not sure it's overheating. But I'll look at the ventilation just in case.
Good idea—just keep an eye on things. Sometimes it takes a while for things to heat up enough to cause issues.
I ran a diagnostic but left it for a while. When I came back, my PC was on the login screen—does that mean no issues were found?