How to find out why your PC shut down for no reason on Windows 10 and 11
If your PC shut down unexpectedly or did it restart automatically, Use these instructions to discover why this happened on Windows 11 or 10.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
On Windows 11 (or10), the “Event Log” system tracks everything that happens, including when and why the computer restarts or shuts down correctly or incorrectly due to a problem.
Usually, you don’t think about reviewing this information as long as Windows 11 starts up again correctly. However, you may need to know these details to determine if an issue needs attention. Or to understand ifWindows Update suddenly rebootedto apply a cumulative update or if the device lost power unexpectedly.
Regardless of the reason,Windows 11(in addition to Windows 10) includes tools that allow you to check the date, time, and reason the system shut down or restarted unexpectedly using the Event Viewer or querying the event logs with PowerShell and Command Prompt.
Thisguidewill show you the steps to check why the device shut down on Windows 11.
How to determine shutdown reason on Windows 11 from Event Viewer
To check the Event Viewer logs and determine why the device was shut down or restarted on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the information will allow you to determine the time and the possible reason (such asBlue Screen of Death, crash, unexpected power loss, etc.) which may have caused the reboot or shutdown.
Unless you can link these logs to another system component error log, it would be difficult to identify what exactly forced the unexpected shutdown. However, these events will help to understand what happened and where to continue looking.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
How to determine shutdown reason on Windows 11 from PowerShell
To find out the reason Windows 11 (or 10) shutdown with PowerShell, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the events will indicate the date, time, and why Windows 11 was shut down or rebooted.
How to determine shutdown reason on Windows 11 from Command Prompt
To check why the computer shutdown with Command Prompt, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you will understand why the computer was shut down or restarted unexpectedly.
If you use the PowerShell or Command Prompt option, you can also export the output to a text file withthese instructions.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Cutting-edge operating system
A refreshed design in Windows 11 enables you to do what you want effortlessly and safely, with biometric logins for encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
