Laptop Shuts Down When Playing Games [Solved]

When you try to play games, your laptop shuts off randomly, which can be frustrating. However, there’s no need to worry, as many Windows users have reported this issue as well. Some of them have successfully resolved it using one one of the methods provided below. You can also try these methods to fix the problem.

Method 1: Remove the battery while playing games
Method 2: Check if the laptop is overheating
Method 3: Scan for malware & virus
Method 4: Use a new power supply

Method 1: Remove the battery while playing games

The problem could be due to dying batteries. If your laptop is using a battery when you’re playing games, you can remove the battery and check to see if the problem persists.

 battery
Image by headup222

You can refer to the steps below to remove the battery from your laptop:

Before you get started, ensure your laptop is off and the power cable is disconnected.

1) Turn your laptop over so the bottom is facing up.

2) Find the battery latch at the bottom of the laptop.

3) Slide the latch switch to the opposite side and hold it in that position until the battery is released, then remove the battery.

Once the battery is removed, connect the power cable and turn on your laptop. Then play the game and see if the laptop shut down issue persists.

Method 2: Check if the laptop is overheating

Playing games can easily cause laptop overheating. Once the laptop is overheating, it will shut down automatically to prevent any hardware damages. So to fix the problem, you should check if the laptop is overheating.

How to check if the laptop is overheating

If your laptop’s temperature is over the processor’s maximum allowed operating temperature, we’ll call your laptop overheating. To determine if your laptop is overheating, the first thing you need to do is check the processor’s maximum allowed temperature, then use a free utility to view the current temperature, for example, Core Temp.

Each processor has their own maximum temperature. Intel defines Tjunction (TJ.Max) as the ‘maximum temperature allowed at the processor die’. For Intel’s processors, you can find the maximum allowed temperature on Intel’s website, or tell it from Core Temp (see the below screenshot).

But for AMD processors and other brand processors, you need to search online as their manufacturers don’t provide a specific maximum operating temperature for their processors. Though nobody really knows 100% for sure the AMD processor’s maximum temperature, you can determine it from the range given by other users.

intel maximum temperature

How to fix laptop overheating issues

Once you determine your laptop is overheating, you can follow the instructions below to make a change about it.

1) Configure power management settings

Laptop overheating could be a sign of power issues. The simplest solution to fix laptop overheating issues is to configure power management settings. This method has been confirmed by many Windows 10 users. You can give it a try.

To do so:

a) On your keyboard, press Win+R (the Windows logo key and the R key) at the same time to open Search.

b) Type ‘settings’ into the search box and click Settings.

open settings

c) Select System.

open system

d) Click Power & Sleep and then click Additional power settings under ‘Related settings’.

power sleep

f) Click Change plan settings.

change plan settings

g) Click Change advanced power settings.

change advanced power settings

h) Expand Processor power management -> Maximum processor state, then you’ll See the Maximum processor state setting is 100%. Change the setting to a smaller number like 90%.

i) Click Apply -> OK to save the changes.

Once done, check to see if your laptop overheating issue is resolved.

2) Blow the dust from air vent

If the air vent is dusty, the heat inside the laptop cannot be drawn away effectively. Then overheating issues can occur. For most laptops, the air vent is located at the bottom. You can turn your laptop over so the bottom is facing up. After locating the air vent, you can use a can of compressed air to blow the dust.

The fan inside the laptop also can be dusty. If you have a laptop that makes the fan easily accessible, it’s recommended you blow the dust from the fan. To access the fan, you’ll need to unscrew the panels and lift out the fan. If you find it not easy for you to do that, skip cleaning out the fan or you can take the laptop to a computer repair store to have it fixed.

3) Check if the fan is running properly

Whenever your laptop gets overheating, you should check if the fan inside the laptop is running properly. Note you need to keep the laptop turned on when checking the fan. If you’re not comfortable with this, it’s recommended you contact an IT consultant for assistance.

Method 3: Scan for malware and viruses

Some malware and viruses are programmed to shut down the computer when you’re using them, for example, playing games. You can launch your anti-virus software to scan your computer to detect and kill the malware and viruses.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Method 4: Use a new power supply

If the laptop shuts down when you’re playing games, a broken or old power supply could be the cause. You can buy a new power supply and see if the problem can be resolved. To buy a new power supply online, you’ll need to find out your laptop’s model number and the voltage requirements for the power supply. You can check these from your laptop’s user manual.

laptop-power-adapter
Image by skeeze from Pixabay

Hopefully you find this article helpful. If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

1 thought on “Laptop Shuts Down When Playing Games [Solved]”

  1. Or use “sfc /scannow” to check for and automatically repair corrupted OS files that can eventually cause this issue as well when gaming.

    Reply

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