11 Fixes: Windows Won’t Shut Down

Have you observed that after a recent Windows 10 upgrade, your laptop refuses to close down or sleep? A handful of people claim to have pressed the shutdown key.

It’s been locked at the closure window with a revolving circle for times, and for a couple of other people, the display and everything goes dark, but the Windows won’t shut down, and the only way of forcing shutdown windows is to press down the power button.

Windows Won't Shut Down

However, several potential reasons for this issue; the Hybrid Shutdown function is the most prevalent trigger of a delayed Windows 10 shutdown (also called Fast Startup).

Likewise, improper power setup or any background program may prohibit Windows 10 from entirely shutting down. But whatever the case, here are some methods to help you handle startup and shutdown issues, such as Windows 10 Won’t Shut Down or Sleep.

Windows 10 stuck on shutdown — Possible causes

Windows 10 can be stubborn about shutting down at times. You could have an unsaved file or running software that you forgot. Here you can find most of the typical issues that keep your laptop from shutting down:

  • If your device’s Fast Startup option is turned on, you can have trouble closing it down. To solve this, go to your system preferences and disable Fast Startup.
  • Windows Update is currently unavailable – It’s possible that your device has installed a new upgrade and is caught in the installation process. You will be unable to turn off the computer due to this.
  • Background application(s) – If you don’t exit some applications, you might not be able to shut down your Windows version. Quit the software and attempt again in this situation.
  • Windows system files – You might be unable to shut down Windows 10 if any of your files are corrupted or absent.

Please see the following section for extra help if your Windows 10 won’t shut down.

How to fix Windows won’t shut down

There is a multitude of causes why Windows 10 won’t shut down. Discover how to resolve this issue so you can continue to operate in the future. One of these solutions might work for you.

  1. Force shutdown
  2. Run Power Troubleshooter
  3. Disable Fast Startup
  4. Configure on Intel Management Engine Interface
  5. Update Windows 10 to the latest version
  6. Run the System File Checker tool
  7. Reset your power plan to default
  8. Update IMEI Driver
  9. Configure Windows Update Delivery Optimization
  10. Perform a System Restore
  11. Uninstall / Install Battery Driver (Only for laptops)

1. Force shutdown

Try and force your laptop to shut down first, starting diagnostics. To do so, follow these steps:

  • Hold the start button on your computer till the display goes dark to turn it off.
Hold the start button on your computer till the display goes dark to turn it off.
  • Remove the power cord from your laptop. Unplug any cells from your laptop’s cover or the computer itself if you’re using it. Before actually connecting your gadget to Power, ensure to wait for 5-minutes.
Remove the power cord from your laptop.
  • Restart your laptop and check whether you can shut it down from within Windows 10. Check to see if the problem has been resolved by power cycling.
Restart your laptop

2. Run Power Troubleshooter

To save electricity, use the built-in Power Repair program, which discovers and resolves issues with computer power preferences.

  • Choose by pressing the Windows + I keypad shortcut.
Choose by pressing the Windows + I keypad shortcut.
  • Next, under Update & Security, select Troubleshoot.
under Update & Security, select Troubleshoot.
  • Select Power in the center bar and launch the troubleshooter, as seen in the figure below.
image 7 94
Run the Troubleshooter
  • This will examine and resolve any power configuration issues stopping Windows 10 from shutting down correctly.

Launch the Windows update troubleshooter from there as well, which will discover and solve any outstanding upgrade bugs preventing Windows from shutting down effectively. After that, reboot your pc to see whether the modifications have taken effect and see if the issue is solved.

3. Disable Fast Startup

Windows 8 was the first to use the fast-starting feature. Now, it’s one of Microsoft Windows’ essential characteristics that helps the operating system boot up quicker.

However, this excellent function may cause a shutdown issue for some vintage Windows PCs. So, if you’re having trouble shutting down your computer on Windows 10 or 8.1, temporarily disable the rapid starting feature.

  • Click Windows + X on the keypad, select Power Options, then Additional power choices. 
 select Power Options

However, if you don’t see anything, go to Control Panel System and Security Power Settings.

  • Choose how the power buttons do now by clicking on them.
Choose power and sleep
  • Next, if any settings are inaccessible, tap on Change settings.
tap on Change settings.
  • Untick the box labeled “Enable rapid startup” now (suggested).
  • Reboot your pc after saving the changes.
  • Check if the problem with Windows not shutting down properly has been resolved.

4. Configure on Intel Management Engine Interface

  • Open the Jump List and Choose Device Manager by pressing Win + X on your keyboard.
Choose Device Manager by pressing Win + X
  • Open the System devices category, now go to Intel Management Engine Interface and ctrl-click it.
Open the System devices category
Choose Intel Management Engine Interface
  • If there is such a tab, the Power Management box should be selected (if there is such a tab).
Power Management box should be selected
  • To preserve electricity, unmark the box that says Allow the system to turn off this equipment.
To preserve electricity, unmark the box that says Allow the system to turn off this equipment.

5. Update Windows 10 to the latest version

Many fundamental issues, such as shutdown not functioning, may be resolved by updating your computer system. Install the most recent upgrade of Windows and see if the problem still exists.

  • To access the Start menu, tap the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of your panel OR  Click Windows + I shortcut to get to Settings.
 Click Windows + I shortcut to get to Settings.
  • Select the Update & Security tile from the drop-down menu. It is where you’ll find the majority of your Windows Upgrade options and the option to pick when you want to get updates.
Select the Update & Security tile from the drop-down menu
  • Keep the standard Windows Update tab selected. Select look for Updates and wait for Windows to locate any new updates. Select View all optional updates to see and download if any updates are available.
Keep the standard Windows Update tab selected.
  • Select the Install option once Windows detects a significant upgrade. Wait for Windows to complete downloading and installing the upgrades.

6. Run the System File Checker tool

System files that have been damaged might create significant issues with your computer system, even shut down. SFC (System File Checker) is a constructed utility in Windows 10 that can assist with diagnostics. It can find and fix damaged files.

  • By clicking on the magnifying glass symbol in the toolbar, you can access the search bar. You can also use the Windows + S keypad shortcut to access it.
  • In the search bar, search Command Prompt. Ctrl-click on it in the findings and select Run as Administrator.
In the search bar, search Command Prompt.
  • Permit the application, to begin with, administrator permissions when requested by User Account Control (UAC).
launch command prompt
  • To run the function, put it in the box below and hit Enter: scannow 
put it in the box below and hit Enter: scannow
  • Enable the System File Checker to finish its inspection of your system. In the event of a discrepancy, the program will restore system files and correct any issues that may have occurred.

7. Reset your power plan to default

The root of this issue could be your power plan preferences, so let’s restore them to defaults while doing the below, which should help solve the problem.

  • Head to Power Options in the Control Panel.
Launch control panel
Head to Power Options in the Control Panel.
  • Find your existing electricity plan and select Change plan configurations from the drop-down menu.
  • After that, select Change advanced power settings.
select Change advanced power settings.
  • The choice to Restore plan defaults appears in a new tab; choose it.
The choice to Restore plan defaults appears in a new tab; choose it.
  • To save changes, hit Apply and OK.

8. Update IMEI Driver

  • Launch the Device Manager. Expand the entry for System devices.
Launch the Device Manager. Expand the entry for System devices.
  • Go to the Intel Management Engine Interface and ctrl-click it.
Go to the Intel Management Engine Interface and ctrl-click it.
  • Navigate to the Intel Management Engine Interface’s Driver tab.
  • To upgrade the driver, select the Update Driver icon.
To upgrade the driver, select the Update Driver icon.
  • If you got the driver file from the company’s site, you could select Browse my computer for driver software.

Follow the on-screen steps to upgrade the IMEI driver to the latest version available for Windows 10.

9. Configure Windows Update Delivery Optimization

The Peer to Peer (P2P) upgrade mechanism in Windows 10 is divisive among consumers. On paper, it attempts to make computer updates simpler. However, it frequently consumes significant bandwidth and causes your system to slow down. Fortunately, you can turn it off.

  • To access the Start menu, click the Windows symbol in the lower-left corner of your panel. You can use Windows + I shortcut to get to Settings.
  • Select the Update & Security tile from the drop-down menu. The majority of your Windows Update settings may be found here.
Select the Update & Security tile from the drop-down menu.
  • Ensure Permit downloads from several other devices are switched off on the Delivery Optimization page.
Make sure Permit downloads from several other devices are switched off on the Delivery Optimization page.
  • You won’t be able to transmit or get upgrades from other devices after switching this function off. You might now be able to turn off the pc.

10. Perform a System Restore

Before the shutdown problem, your computer may have saved a recovery key. In that situation, you’ll be able to restore your device’s previous condition. It could solve the issue by going back before the system mistake occurred.

  • By clicking on the magnifying glass logo in your toolbar, you may access the search bar. You can also use the Windows + S keypad shortcut to open it.
  • In the results pages, enter System Restore and select Recovery. In the Best Match subcategory, this must be at the head.
enter System Restore
  • It will open the Control Panel for you. Find the Open System Restore option in the Advanced recovery tools area and select it.
It will open the Control Panel for you. Find the Open System Restore option in the Advanced recovery tools area and select it.
  • To return to a previous moment in time, accept the on-screen directions. If Windows 10 offers the choice, you can choose your restore point or utilize the suggested one. Don’t forget to double-check, which may impact files and programs!
choose your restore point or utilize the suggested one
  • After selecting your choices, choose Finish and wait for Windows 10 to recover your laptop.

Check whether you can shut down your computer when the restoration process is finished.

11. Uninstall / Install Battery Driver (Only for laptops)

If you have this issue on a Windows 10 laptop, uninstalling and reinstalling the battery drive will most likely address the problem.

  • First and foremost, Disconnect the power cord from your laptop and turn it off.
  • Replace the battery now (if fixed no need to remove it)
  • Connect the power cable and reboot your computer.
  • Choose Device Manager by pressing the Windows Key + X keypad shortcut.
  • Click Batteries, now ctrl-click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System, and select Uninstall from the menu.
  • Turn off the device and unplug the power cord.
  • After that, connect your cell. Connect your power cord and restart your pc to have the driver installed automatically.

Final thoughts

If none of these options worked and “Windows 10 Won’t Shut Down or Sleep,” it’s best to employ the system restore tool, which converts Windows to its former operation state.

And according to the majority of users, doing a system restoration aids in the resolution of Windows 10 Startup and Shutdown issues.

Meet the Author

Abdul Rahim has been working in Information Technology for over two decades. Learn how Abdul got his start as a Tech Blogger , and why he decided to start this Software blog. If you want to send Abdul a quick message, then visit his contact page here.