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Windows 11 laptop keeps shutting down or restarting when idle

Hi, I'm not very Windows literate but need some help with this problem, as I rely on my computer for work and am worried it will start happening when I am working on a client's project.

As the subject line states: I'm using a laptop running Windows 11 and almost every time I leave it for more than a couple of minutes, it shuts down or restarts. Bearing in mind I really have no idea what I'm doing, following online advice from articles etc., I've tried:

-- running the following command lines (on several separate occasions):

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

-- updating all software (currently running Windows 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2605))

-- turning off Fast Startup

-- changing the put harddrive to sleep options to 'Never'

-- re-installing Windows 11 selecting to retain my files.

This is driving me bonkers, and as it seems to be happening more and more often, I'm very worried about my work. Any help would be much appreciated.

Hello O-S_870 and welcome to the Microsoft Community!

Based on your feedback, you are experiencing an issue where your Windows 11 laptop keeps shutting down or restarting when idle!

This may be due to power settings or system hibernation settings. Here are some possible solutions:

1) Check the power and sleep settings:

1. Open Settings > System > Power & Sleep.

2. Make sure the “Screen” and “Sleep” settings are set to a time that suits you.

For example, you can set “Sleep” to “Never” to prevent automatic hibernation.

2) Check the advanced power settings:

1. Open “Control Panel” > “Hardware and Sound” > “Power Options.

2. Select the current power plan and click “Change Plan Settings”.

3. Click “Change Advanced Power Settings” and in the pop-up window, expand the “Sleep” option and make sure the “After Sleep” is set to a time that suits you.

3) Disable Fast Startup:

1. Open “Control Panel” > “Hardware and Sound” > “Power Options”.

2. Click “Select Power Button Functions” on the left side.

3. Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable”, and then uncheck “Enable fast startup (recommended)”.

4) Check the system device settings:

1. Open “Device Manager”, find “System Devices”.

2. Find “Intel® Management Engine Interface”, right-click and select “Properties”.

3. In the “Power Management” tab, uncheck “Allow computer to turn off this device to save power”.

5) Update the drivers:

Make sure all device drivers are up-to-date, especially graphics card and chipset drivers.

6) Check system logs:

Open “Event Viewer” and check the system logs to find out the specific reasons that cause the system to shut down or reboot.

You can upload the transaction log file to me, I will help you to see what causes this problem!

I wish you all the best in this special season - may your holidays be merry and bright! Merry Christmas!

Kirito|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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Question Info

Last updated March 27, 2025 Views 308 Applies to: