FIX: Windows 10 Restarts Instead of Shutting Down

Windows 10 sometimes restarts instead of shutting down. It shows a “shutting down” message but then reboots, which can be frustrating. This issue is usually caused by the “Fast Startup” feature, which can interfere with some hardware or drivers.

Other causes include outdated drivers, BIOS settings, or pending updates that stop a full shutdown.

1. Disable Fast Startup in Power Options

Fast Startup saves info during shutdown for quicker starts, but can cause hardware or driver issues, leading to restarts. Turning it off in Power Options ensures a full shutdown and prevents problems.

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Switch to Icons View.
3. Click Power Options.
4. Click “Choose what the power buttons do” in the left pane.
5. In System Settings, click “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
6. If prompted, confirm by UAC.
7. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck “Turn on fast startup (recommended).” Click Save Changes to disable fast startup.

2. Uninstall the ON/OFF by Gigabyte Application

The Gigabyte ON/OFF Charge app helps charge devices faster but can disrupt power management, causing shutdown issues. Uninstalling it removes conflicts with Windows power settings and ensures proper shutdown.

1. Go to Apps/Programs.
2. Find and click on ON/OFF by Gigabyte.
3. Click Uninstall and wait for it to finish.

3. Reconfigure the Network Adapter

Unexpected shutdowns or restarts might be caused by network problems. Fixing the network adapter settings or updating drivers can help solve these issues by fixing conflicts or incorrect settings, like wake-on-LAN, that stop the computer from shutting down properly.

1. Press “Windows” + “R” keys simultaneously to open the Run prompt.
2. Type in “devmgmt.msc” and press “Enter“.
3. Double-click on the ‘Network Adapter’ dropdown, then on the adapter the computer is using.
4. Click on the “Power Management” tab and uncheck the “Allow this device to wake the computer” option.
5. Click ‘OK‘ to save your settings and check to see if the issue persists.

4. Change Registry Configurations

Adjusting the “PowerdownAfterShutdown” registry key can fix issues where Windows restarts instead of shutting down. This forces a full shutdown and avoids miscommunications that cause restarts. Remember to back up the registry before making changes.

1. Press “Windows” + “R” keys simultaneously to open the Run prompt.
2. Type in “regedit” and press “Enter“.
3. Go to:

   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

4. Double-click on ‘PowerDownAfterShutdown’ and enter ‘1’ as the ‘Value’.
5. Press “OK” to save changes and see if the issue is fixed.