Computer Shuts Down While Gaming? [Here's How to Fix It]

Why Your Computer Shuts Down While Gaming

Typically, if your computer shuts down while gaming, it might indicate an issue with the Power Supply Unit (PSU). When the PSU fails to deliver stable or adequate power, your computer may not function properly and could even result in hardware damage. However, there are several other reasons why a computer might shut down during gaming.

Several factors can contribute to your computer automatically shutting down. It could be due to a motherboard issue, loose connections, overheating, or a software problem. If you suspect a hardware issue, start by examining the power supply. Make sure it's correctly plugged in and the cord isn't damaged or frayed. If the power supply appears to be functioning normally, proceed to inspect the motherboard. Check for any loose connections and attempt to secure them. If that doesn't resolve the issue, you might need to replace the motherboard.

If you suspect a software issue, the initial step is to run a virus scan. If no issues are detected, attempt uninstalling recently installed programs to address the problem of monitor flickering while gaming or the computer abruptly shutting down during gaming. If this doesn't resolve the issue, you might need to update or reinstall Windows. Let's explore several factors, causes, and solutions to fix this problem. Please continue reading, and we hope you'll find a solution through this straightforward guide.

Solutions to Computer Shutting Down While Gaming

These issues with shutting down and restarting your PC can be attributed to various factors. The goal is to pinpoint the exact problem in order to effectively and conclusively address these unexpected shutdowns and restarts.

We will explore how to address issues with a computer that turns off on its own or shuts down and then automatically restarts.

1. Method 1: Fix Overheating Issues on Your Computer
2. Method 2: Check for Power Supply Unit (PSU) Problems
3. Method 3: Inspect for Hardware Issues
4. Method 4: Perform a Virus or Malware Scan
5. Method 5: Update Device Drivers
6. Method 6: Update Windows
7. Method 7: Downgrade Windows to an Earlier Version

Method 1: Solve Computer Overheating

One general issue with a PC that shuts down randomly is its internal temperature: your computer might be inadequately ventilated and overheating.

Suppose the temperature reaches or surpasses a certain threshold (above 100°C), the built-in thermal protection mechanism kicks in and automatically shuts down the computer to prevent damage and safeguard your system.

A telltale sign is the noise of the fans: if the fan whirls and is noisy, it undoubtedly indicates that the internal temperature of your computer is too high. This can occur when you run a resource-intensive program or a video game that demands a significant amount of processing power (CPU, GPU), which generates a lot of heat. It can also happen when your computer is inadequately ventilated.

Therefore, kindly resolve this issue by adhering to the following steps:

Step 1. Remove the dust: If you notice high temperatures on a desktop PC, take off the side panel and then clear the dust using a vacuum cleaner, a cloth, or cotton swabs; for a laptop, employ a can of compressed air.

Step 2. Ensure Optimal Ventilation: Do not position your desktop PC in a restricted space. If you have a laptop, avoid placing it on a soft surface that might obstruct ventilation openings. If needed, invest in more powerful case fans for your desktop PC or a cooling pad for your laptop.

Method 2: Checking for PSU Issues

PSU stands for Power Supply Unit, which is a crucial component of a computer system. It is responsible for providing power to all the components within the computer. If your computer abruptly shuts down while gaming, the issue might lie with the PSU. There could be a potential fault or failure in the power supply unit that needs to be investigated.

Step 1. Try using a different PSU (Power Supply Unit) on your computer to see if it functions properly.

Step 2. Alternatively, if you have a multimeter or power supply tester accessible, you can use it to check the functionality.

This is a swift and straightforward method to test whether the PSU (Power Supply Unit) is faulty. If you detect any issues with the PSU, it will need to be replaced. By doing so, the problem of your computer abruptly shutting down could be resolved if it was indeed caused by the PSU.

Method 3: Check for Hardware Issues

You likely installed new hardware, such as a Wi-Fi card, Bluetooth adapter, or graphics processing unit (GPU). This new hardware might be the cause of the automatic shutdowns, especially if the drivers are incompatible. To resolve this issue, you should follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1. It's better to remove unnecessary hardware such as the modem, network card, sound card, or any other additional cards.

Step 2. Then operate your computer without that card to analyze the problem.

This method could resolve your issue and prevent your PC from shutting down automatically.

Method 4: Run a Virus or Malware Scan

You must perform a virus or malware scan as it might be the reason for unintended damage, causing your computer to shut down while gaming or performing other tasks. Utilize genuine antivirus software to detect and clean viruses and malware from your PC.

Regarding virus and malware detection software, Windows includes built-in Windows Security to safeguard your PC from computer viruses. You can perform a full system scan and eliminate viruses using this feature. Please follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to Windows settings, and click on "Update & Security."

Step 2. Click on "Windows Security" from the left-hand menu.

Step 3. Click "Virus & threat protection".

Step 4. Click on "Scan options".

Step 5. Click on "Full scan", then click on "Scan now". Wait for a few minutes; the scanning process may take some time.

You can also try an anti-virus program like Total AV to assist you in running a malware scan.

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TOTALAV

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Method 5: Update Drivers

Graphics drivers are an essential component of computer systems, and it's crucial to maintain updated drivers to avoid issues caused by incorrect or outdated ones. Often, problems like unexpected computer shutdowns are related to graphics driver issues.

You can update drivers either manually or automatically. Please follow the steps below: 1. **Manually Updating Drivers:** - Identify the device for which you need to update the driver (e.g., graphics card, sound card, etc.). - Visit the manufacturer's official website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek, etc.). - Locate the Support or Downloads section. - Enter your device model or select it from the provided options. - Choose the latest driver version compatible with your operating system. - Download the driver and follow the installation instructions. 2. **Automatically Updating Drivers:** - Open Device Manager on your computer. (Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.) - Find the device whose driver you want to update. - Right-click on it and select "Update Driver." - Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." - Windows will search for the latest driver and install it if found. Alternatively, you can use third-party driver update tools like Driver Booster or Driver Genius, which scan your system for outdated drivers and update them automatically. However, be cautious when using such software, as some may not be reliable or secure. Always ensure you download from a reputable source.

1. Manually

Step 1. Visit the manufacturer's website and download the graphics drivers. For my case, I'm using a Dell laptop (Latitude 3460).

Step 2. Enter your device model number in the search bar.

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Step 3. Download the drivers manually and install them on your system.

2. Automatically

Step 1. Type "Device Manager" in the search box on the taskbar and press "Enter".

Step 2. You'll see a list of devices. Select and expand "Display adapters", then right-click on "Graphics".

Step 3. Click "Update driver".

Note: If your drivers are already up-to-date and you're still encountering the same issue, you'll need to click "Uninstall device" by following the same steps and then reinstall it.

Method 6: Update Windows

You need to update Windows because an outdated version can be the cause of your computer shutting down abruptly. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Go to Windows settings, and click on "Update & Security."

Step 2. Click "Check for updates" and wait a few minutes.

Step 3. Click on "Download and install". Wait for a few minutes; it will take some time.

Method 7: Downgrade Windows to an Earlier Version

Your issue might be resolved by downgrading Windows to an earlier version, as it's possible that occasional new system updates might not be compatible with gaming. Compatibility issues can arise between the game and the operating system, leading to sudden shutdowns. Here's how you can downgrade: 1. **Backup Important Data**: Before making any changes, ensure you backup all crucial files and documents to prevent any data loss. 2. **Create a System Restore Point**: In case the downgrade doesn't work or you want to revert, create a system restore point. 3. **Access Advanced Startup Options**: Restart your computer and enter the Advanced Startup Options. You can do this by pressing the F11 key during startup (for some computers) or by continuously pressing the F8 key for older versions of Windows. 4. **Select Repair Options**: In the Advanced Startup menu, choose "Troubleshoot" and then "Advanced options." 5. **Choose System Restore or Rollback Update**: If you have a recent system restore point, select "System Restore." If you want to uninstall the latest update, choose "Uninstall Updates." 6. **Follow the On-Screen Instructions**: The process will vary depending on which option you choose. Follow the prompts to complete the downgrade or uninstallation. 7. **Reinstall the Game**: After downgrading or removing the problematic update, reinstall the game and check if the issue persists. Remember, downgrading may affect the functionality of other software and the overall performance of your system. It's recommended to consult Microsoft support or seek professional assistance if you're unsure about the process.

Step 1. Open Windows Settings, click on "Update & security", and then click on "Recovery" from the left-hand panel.

Step 2. Under "Go back to Windows 7", click "Get started" and proceed with the subsequent steps.

Note: If you update, you can only downgrade Windows within ten days. After ten days, downgrading won't be possible.

Bonus Tip: How to Backup PC Games

If you're an avid gamer or simply love playing games, you might be concerned about losing your game progress. It's known that game saves stored locally can sometimes vanish due to game updates, system updates, computer viruses, failing hard drives, or unforeseen factors. Hence, it's highly recommended to back up your PC game saves beforehand. In this scenario, Todo Backup, a professional backup tool, steps in to assist you.

Todo Backup Home is a highly secure and game-focused tool designed to ensure the safety of all your valuable data. It enables you to back up systems, disks, partitions, files, and even your favorite games. For instance, it supports backing up Minecraft worlds. Additionally, it offers various backup options like full, incremental, and differential backups. You can also create an ISO image from your operating system and compress backups. Furthermore, it allows you to reinstall Windows without losing games and provides 250GB of free cloud storage.

Here are the detailed steps in English:

Step 1. To start the backup process, click the Select backup contents button.

Step 2. Four data backup categories are displayed: File, Disk, OS, and Mail.

Step 3. Lists of both local and network files are displayed on the left side of the screen. Expand the directory to select the files you want to back up.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the location where you want to save the backup.

Ensure that the backup is encrypted by clicking on Options within Backup Options. You can also set the backup schedule by clicking on Options under Backup Scheme, allowing you to initiate the backup at a specific time. There are numerous other customizable options available for you to explore.

Step 5. You can save the backup file on your computer, in the tool's cloud service, or on a network-attached storage (NAS) device.

Step 6. Todo Backup allows customers to store backup copies of their files on a third-party cloud drive or on the company's own cloud storage.

If you wish to back up your data to a third-party cloud drive, select 'Local Drive' and scroll down to add 'Cloud Device.' Next, input your account details.

Click on "Cloud" and sign up or log in with your Tools account to store backup files on Tools' own cloud storage service.

Step 7. Click on Backup Now to initiate the backup process. Once the backup is complete, it will appear as a card on the left side of the screen. Right-clicking on the card will provide you with more options and detailed information on managing the backup job.

The Bottom Line

If your computer shuts down while gaming, you can employ any of the discussed methods to address this issue. We have detailed several reasons, factors, and solutions to resolve this problem promptly. We hope your issue will be resolved.

It's worth mentioning that if you wish to better protect your games on your computer, you can utilize the Todo Backup Home software to create backups of your favorite games. This tool also enables you to back up SSD to an image and create an ISO image from the hard drive. Todo Backup Home is an impressive backup utility – don't hesitate to give it a try.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How can I tell if my power supply unit (PSU) is failing?

To determine the condition of your Power Supply Unit (PSU), you can either attempt to use another PSU in your computer to see if it functions properly, or, if you have access to a multimeter or power supply tester, you can inspect the PSU using one of these tools.

2. What temperature is considered hot for a gaming PC?

During a gaming session, an ideal CPU temperature should be below 60 degrees Celsius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit. For gaming purposes, temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Celsius (158 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit) are considered safe. However, reaching 90 degrees Celsius (194 degrees Fahrenheit) marks the entry into the potentially hazardous zone. Although temperatures above 85°C might be tolerable for brief periods of gaming or intense CPU usage, it is generally not advisable, even if your system is optimized for gaming.

3. How can I prevent my gaming PC from overheating?

When playing games, your PC's internal components produce heat. It's crucial for your gaming PC that the internal fans function effectively to regulate temperature. Make sure your PC is placed on a flat, hard surface, with no obstructions on any side to allow for proper airflow.

4. Why does my PC keep shutting down without overheating?

Aside from overheating, there are several other factors and causes at play. It could be an issue with the motherboard, loose connections, overheating, or even a software problem. If you suspect a hardware issue, start by examining the power supply. Make sure it's properly plugged in and the cord is not frayed or damaged. If the power supply checks out, move on to inspecting the motherboard. In case of loose connections, attempt to tighten them. If that doesn't resolve the issue, you might need to replace the motherboard or explore other solutions mentioned in this article.