How to Fix ‘There are currently no power options available’ Issue?

There are currently no power options available is an error message that directly points to issues with the power options. This error has been reported by numerous users who have tried various fixes without success. To assist those dealing with this error, we have put together some applicable solutions and their possible causes.

Below, we detail the primary causes that might be responsible for this error in your situation:

  • Conflict in Username- An incorrectly selected profile username might prevent you from shutting down the computer through the user interface, leaving only the option to forcefully shut down by holding the power button.
  • Additional Power Options Not Available- Power options are features that manage external and internal electrical components, such as GPUs, CPUs, monitors, printers, and display settings. If these options are unavailable, you may encounter the error: There are currently no power options available.
  • Incorrect Registry File Value- The ‘NoClose’ registry entry is responsible for handling power features. Selecting an incorrect value for this entry can cause shutdown problems.
  • System File Corruption- System file corruption could lead to this issue. Fortunately, corrupted system files can be easily repaired by executing command lines in the Command Prompt.
  • Corrupted User Profile- Modifications in settings can sometimes corrupt a user profile. While this doesn’t happen often, in this scenario this could be the cause. We recommend creating a new user profile as a precautionary measure.

1. Use Local Group Policy Editor

This issue may occur from a disabled feature in the Local Group Policy Editor. Within the Editor, there’s a policy named Remove and Prevent Access to the shutdown, which, when enabled, quite literally does what it says – it prevents shutdown options from appearing. By toggling this policy to Disabled, you can restore the regular functioning of your power options, thereby fixing the error message.

Note: The Local Group Policy Editor isn’t available in Windows Home edition. However, you can enable it by following the methods in this article, “Enable GPEdit.msc on Windows 10/11 Home.”

  1. Press Win + R to launch the Run dialog.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
    Open Local Group Policy Editor
    Open Local Group Policy Editor
  3. Navigate to the following path:
    Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
    Navigating to Start Menu and Taskbar Settings
    Navigating to Start Menu and Taskbar Settings
  4. Double-click on the setting and select Disabled.
    Disabling Remove and Prevent Access to Shut Down
    Disabling Remove and Prevent Access to Shut Down
  5. Apply the changes.

2. Use Windows Power Troubleshooter

The Windows Power Troubleshooter is specifically designed to scan for and automatically repair problems associated with your computer’s power settings. By using the troubleshooter, you allow Windows to identify and potentially resolve any improper configurations or system glitches preventing the power options from appearing — all with minimal user intervention.

  1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Settings.
    Open Settings
    Open Settings
  2. Go to Update & Security.
    Go to Windows Update & Security
    Go to Windows Update & Security
  3. Select Troubleshoot from the left pane.
  4. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
    Navigating to Additional Troubleshooters
    Navigating to Additional Troubleshooters
  5. Scroll down to find the Power troubleshooter.
  6. Select it and click on Run the troubleshooter.
    Run Windows Power Troubleshooter
    Run Windows Power Troubleshooter
  7. If the troubleshooter identifies any problems, it will attempt to fix them automatically.

3. Create Additional Power Options

By introducing fresh configurations, you allow your system to re-establish control over power management, making sure that all related components are properly recognized and can be adjusted as intended. This method doesn’t just patch up the issue temporarily; it renews the entire power options framework.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type powercfg.cpl and click OK.
  3. Check which power plan is currently selected.
  4. Open the Start Menu and type Windows PowerShell.
  5. Right-click on PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
    Launch Firewall With Administrator
    Run PowerShell as Administrator
  6. In PowerShell, enter the following commands for all the power plans except the one currently selected:
    Ultimate Performance powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
    High Performance powercfg -duplicatescheme 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c
    Balanced powercfg -duplicatescheme 381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e
    Power Saver powercfg -duplicatescheme a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a
  7. Once you have run the commands, press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, and click OK.
  8. Select a power plan according to your preferences.

Attempt to use the power options again to verify if the error has been resolved.

4. Using Registry Editor Policy (Lower Versions)

In older versions of Windows, certain power options are governed by registry settings. The NoClose entry, specifically, tells the system whether the shutdown option should be accessible to the user. When this value is set incorrectly, it can remove your ability to shut down the computer using the Start menu or other normal methods.

By resetting the NoClose value to 0, you basically restore the default functionality, allowing the shutdown, restart, and sleep options to reappear, thereby potentially resolving the issue.

Note: Always remember to back up the registry before making any changes to make sure you can revert back if needed.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and click OK.
    Open Registry Editor
    Open Registry Editor
  3. Navigate to the following path:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  4. Look for the NoClose entry and double-click it.
    Navigating to the Registry Files
    Navigating to Registry Files
  5. Set its value data to 0 and click OK.
    Changing the Value Data to 0
    Change the Value Data to 0
  6. Restart your computer and check to see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Utilizing a System Restore Point

When you set a restore point, your computer takes a snapshot of your system files and the Windows registry. If a change, like a recent update or driver installation, leads to an unexpected issue with your power settings, reverting to a previous state using System Restore can potentially wipe away the problem, leaving you with a system that worked fine before the issue occured.

This step can effectively roll back any conflicting modifications that might have caused the error, restoring order to your kingdom of computing with minimal fuss.

  1. Click on the Start Menu and type rstrui.
    Launching System Restore Settings
    Launching System Restore Settings
  2. Open System Restore Settings and click Next to proceed.
    Click Next
    Click Next
  3. Select the appropriate restore point and click Next.
    Selecting the Restore Point
    Selecting the Restore Point
  4. Confirm your choice by clicking on Finish.
    Finalizing System Restore
    Finalizing System Restore
  5. After completion, check if the error has been fixed.

6. Change the Current Power Option Name

The system internally refreshes its policies and settings related to the power options when a change is detected. This refresh can clear out any glitches or misconfigurations that were causing the error, restoring normal functionality. So by executing this minor tweak, you could set things right without going into more complex troubleshooting techniques.

  1. Click on the Start Menu and type Command Prompt.
  2. Right-click on CMD and select Run as administrator.
    Open Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges
    Opening Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges
  3. Type in the following command to display all power options:
    powercfg -l
  4. Identify the currently selected power option (marked with an asterisk) and note down its ID.
  5. Type in the following command, replacing with the noted ID and ‘any custom plan’ with your desired name.
    powercfg -changename  "any custom plan"

    Note: Replace the placeholders accordingly.

    Changing Power Plan Name
    Renaming the Power Plan
  6. Hit Enter to apply the change. Verify if the error has been resolved.

7. Restore Power Options

Incorrect power options settings may be causing this issue. By executing a command that resets all power schemes to their default settings, any customized configurations that might have gone wrong and led to errors get swept away. This is similar to giving your power settings a fresh start, potentially eliminating any glitches that were causing the issue.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type cmd and click OK.Launch CMD
  3. Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
    powercfg –restoredefaultschemes
    Restoring Power Plan to Default Settings
    Restoring Power Plan to Default Settings
  4. Afterwards, check if the power options issue has been resolved.

8. Run DISM And System File Checker

The deployment of DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) alongside SFC (System File Checker) stands as a formidable duo. DISM repairs the Windows system image and prepares the groundwork for SFC, which scans and mends any corrupt or missing system files that could be causing the power options error.

Through this synergy, they ensure the integrity of system components, making way for smooth operation, including the restoration of vital power settings.

  1. Open the Start Menu and search for Command Prompt.
  2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
    Run Command Prompt with Administrator
    Opening Command Prompt with Administrator Permissions
  3. Input the following commands, hitting Enter after each one:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    sfc /scannow
    Executing DISM and SFC Commands
    Running DISM and SFC Commands
  4. Once both scans are complete, check if the issue with the power options has been resolved.

 

9. Create a New User Account

When a user profile becomes corrupt, it can affect various system functions, including power settings. By establishing a new user profile, you’re essentially allowing the operating system to generate a fresh set of configurations, free from any potential corruption that could cause the error. This simple yet effective method reinstates the power options that were previously inaccessible due to the problematic profile.

  1. Open Settings by right-clicking on the Start Menu and selecting Settings.
    Navigating to Windows Settings
    Navigating to Windows Settings
  2. Select Accounts and then click on Family and other users from the left pane.
    Note: If you prefer to create a local account, disconnect the Ethernet cable from your PC beforehand.
  3. Click on Add someone else to this PC.
    Adding a Local Account
    Adding a Local Account
  4. Fill in the new username and password.
  5. Click Next to create the new user account.
    Enter Username and Password
    Setting Username and Password for New Account
  6. After creating the new account, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose to sign out.
  7. Log in to the new user account and check if the power options are now functioning correctly.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error. Remember to follow each step cautiously, especially when making changes to system configurations or when modifying the registry. If the problem persists, you may need to seek further technical assistance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.