Such a critical functionality of properly shutting down the PC is hardly appreciated by any user; well until the computer does not shut down at command. In case your system is also exhibiting such a peculiar issue, you have landed at the right place. If the problem is software-based, finding a solution is relatively quick and easy. Fortunately, there are some quick fixes that can be used to resolve Windows 11 not shutting down.

Why is my Windows 11 computer not shutting down?

There could be more than one reason for your Windows 11 computer not shutting down properly. It could be third-party software installed on the system preventing the shutdown or perhaps a recently installed update might be causing the issue. In case you are on a mobile device the Fast Startup functionality of your machine could also be the culprit behind it. As mentioned earlier, there can be a lot of possibilities. Although fixing the issue is relatively easy, every solution requires you to have a different approach. Hence, there is a possibility you might need to perform multiple solutions in order to completely fix the problem. Moreover, if you have just shifted from macOS devices to Windows devices, note that they are configured to Do Nothing even if the physical Power button is pressed. If that is the case, it is a very quick and easy fix that requires just a couple of seconds.

How do I fix Windows 11 not shutting down?

1. Change your Power settings

Keep in mind that this setting only impacts the physical Power button on your device and has no impact whatsoever on the Power menu present in the Start Menu of your device.

2. Roll back recent Windows updates

3. Disable the Fast Startup functionality

As the name suggests, the Fast Startup feature enables your computer to boot up faster. However, at times, it interferes and prevents the computer from properly shutting down. If you have a desktop computer and noticing the fans and lights of some components remaining on even after the shutdown, disabling the Fast Startup feature should definitely work for you.

4. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

5. Run SFC (System File Checker) command

SFC scanner will be able to detect and repair any corrupted and/or damaged system files. In case you have created system restore points, there is a possibility you might encounter the same issue again. Windows Update troubleshooter will effectively resolve the current issue if it is caused due to abnormally behaving Windows Update client.

System installation files can be restored with the DISM command. To know more about it, do check out our ultimate guide on DISM commands. SPONSORED

6. Run chkdsk command

7. Run System Restore

System restore usually is very effective since every time the system undergoes a major scheduled upgrade or a new software install, a system restore point is created to help the user rolling back to in case anything goes wrong.

The chkdsk command will check for any bad sectors on your hard drive and fix them before booting up. Once the computer boots up, try shutting it down to check if it resolved the issue.

8. Reset your PC

As the name suggests, resetting the PC completely reinstalls system files and apps. This will most likely fix the issue even if all else fails.

Is it OK to never turn off my PC?

Never turning off the computer means giving no rest to the RAM, storage devices, system caches, and other critical components of the machine that exposes them to extreme stress. In the event of extended usage, the physical components of the computer might throttle their performance to control the heat expelled by them, which directly impacts the performance and in turn, will unnecessarily make the computer seem laggy. Moreover, such kind of usage might also affect the longevity of components and they might give out sooner than expected. Thus, it is not at all recommended to never shut down your PC in order to maintain the system health, both physically and logically.

How to force shutdown my Windows 11 computer?

For starters, on a laptop, hold the physical Power switch for 5 or more seconds and it will instantly turn off the PC. Whilst this holds true on traditional desktop computers, you can also kill power by pulling the plug on it. However, shutting down this way is not recommended at all since it doesn’t allow the machine to prep itself for the shutdown and might corrupt or damage a system file and you might also lose any unsaved data. The computer not shutting down definitely is a bit worrisome. Though with the solutions listed here you will surely be able to restore the functionality. If you are interested to learn more, head to our other article on shutting down your PC using a keyboard shortcut. In case you still have some questions or even suggestions for us, do not hesitate to let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

SPONSORED Name * Email * Commenting as . Not you? Save information for future comments
Comment

Δ