"Windows 10 unable to shut down"

"Help! I don't know what's going on that my computer just won't shut down. I upgraded the system into the latest Windows 10 yesterday, and I cannot shut down the computer today. I've tried several times to click Power > Shut down option on the PC; it just won't shut down. What can I do about this problem?"

Quite a number of users have reported that they are unable to shut down their computers normally after upgrading to Windows 10. This issue can be caused by several reasons. In the following paragraphs, you will find relevant solutions to easily resolve the "Windows 10 won't shut down" error. To prevent unforeseen data loss, it is highly advisable to create data backups using reliable Windows backup software, such as Todo Backup, in simple steps.

Method 1: Check and Fix System Errors to Resolve Windows 10 Not Shutting Down

Professional partition manager software - tools Partition Master supports checking and fixing system errors in Windows 10, effectively resolving the issue of Windows 10 not shutting down with simple steps. Download this software for free and follow the steps below to fix the Windows 10 shutdown problem now:

Method 2: Alter the Boot Order in BIOS to Resolve Windows 10 Failure to Shut Down

If your HDD is not listed as the first option in the boot order, it might cause difficulties in starting up your computer as well as issues with shutting down. To resolve this problem, you'll need to reset the boot order in the BIOS. Let's explore how to change the boot order in BIOS: 1. **Restart your computer**: First, turn off your computer and then restart it. As it's booting up, pay attention to the screen for a brief message like "Press F2 for Setup" or "Enter BIOS," which indicates the key to access the BIOS settings. Common keys include F2, F10, Del, or Esc, but it may vary depending on your system. 2. **Enter BIOS**: Press the specified key repeatedly until you enter the BIOS setup utility. The interface will typically display different options and settings. 3. **Locate the Boot Menu**: In the BIOS, navigate to the "Boot" or "Startup" section. Use the arrow keys to move between options and Enter to select them. The names of the sections may differ slightly across various BIOS versions. 4. **Change the Boot Order**: Find the setting that allows you to adjust the boot order, often labeled "Boot Priority," "Boot Sequence," or something similar. Again, use the arrow keys to highlight the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and press Enter to move it to the top of the list. This ensures your computer will attempt to boot from the HDD first. 5. **Save and Exit**: After making the changes, navigate to the "Exit" or "Save & Exit" option and choose "Save Changes and Exit" or "Exit with Saving." Confirm any prompts that appear to apply the new settings. 6. **Computer Reboots**: Your computer will now restart with the updated boot order. If everything goes as planned, it should start from the HDD without any issues. Remember, if you have trouble finding specific options or navigating the BIOS, consult your computer's manual or search online for guidance specific to your system model.

Step 1: Turn off your computer (you'll probably have to force it to shut down, otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this article).

Step 2: Turn it back on and press "Del" (or whatever button enters the BIOS for your computer).

Step 3: In the BIOS, search for an option that resets your BIOS values to default.

Step 4: Press the appropriate key to save the changes and exit the BIOS.

Method 3: Resolve Windows 10 shutdown issues by adjusting power settings

Occasionally, a rapid startup can lead to issues when Windows 10 is shutting down. Hence, disabling the fast startup feature might resolve the problem of Windows 10 failing to shut down:

Step 1: Right-click on the "Start" button and select "Power Options."

Step 2: Choose "Change what the power button does" from the left panel.

Step 3: Click on "Change settings" which are currently grayed out and unavailable.

Step 4: Deselect "Turn on Fast Startup."

Step 5: Click "OK".

You can also choose to disable or uninstall a particular program or process that's preventing you from shutting down Windows 10.