FIX: Windows 10 Restarts Instead of Shutting Down

Kamil AnwarUpdated on October 18, 2024
Kamil is a certified Systems Analyst

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Other causes include outdated drivers, BIOS settings, or pending updates that stop a full shutdown.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.restart loop - 1
  5. In System Settings, click “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”restart loop - 2
  6. If prompted, confirm by UAC.
  7. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck “Turn on fast startup (recommended).” Click Save Changes to disable fast startup.restart loop - 3

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.
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Kamil AnwarUpdated on October 18, 2024
Kamil is a certified Systems Analyst
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo of Kamil Anwar

Kamil Anwar


Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA (W), CCNA (S) and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.

Comments

28
    TR
    T.a. Rahad Dec 10, 2015

    I follow the 1st step but nothing solved, I have Gigabyte 41 motherboard , there is no “ON/OFF by Gigabyte” on “Apps/Programs”. I still in trouble

    Reply
      KA
      K. Arrows Author Dec 15, 2015

      what happens when you do shutdown /r in the run dialog, does it restarts or shuts down?

      Reply
        RH
        Rami Haimov Mar 16, 2017

        I can repl for this – same thing. reboots.

        Reply
    PR
    proxxy Mar 21, 2017

    Many thanks, i searched two hours for this problem and your solution fixed it.

    Reply
    MR
    mrsleep Jun 29, 2017

    I had fast boot turned off when my computer started exhibiting this behavior. Turning fast boot back on ‘fixed’ it.

    Reply
    RO
    Robert Sep 21, 2017

    Hi Kevin, i’ve been trying your clues, but my computer still restarting on shutdown process. It’s now 5 years suffering this, let me explain my technical experience, since i’m an electronic hardware technician.

    I’ve started suffering this problem since i was having an AMD dualcore with an asus mother board and Windows 7 Proffessional installed.

    After trying a lot of things i decided to upgrade my computer

    4 years ago: The first i changed was the motherboard (Gigabyte), cpu (i5 4570) and 2x4GB crucial DDR3 RAM memories, i was running Windows 7. Problem still there

    3 years ago: changed the graphic card and HDDs. Upgrade my system to W8 and then W8.1 with a clean wiped disk. Problem still there with a new OS and updates up-to-date OMFG!!

    2 years ago: changed the mother board (now an Asus Z97-Pro Gamer), 2 new Power Supplies tested with a special PS multimeter, i’ve checked the power button with a multimeter, but problem persist I Upgraded my W8.1 to W10, formatted the computer and made a clean installation of W10, tryied with a spare disk with W7 and W8.1.

    One year ago: My wife purchased me a new computer case (although the button was not the problem) and i’ve changed it. But problem still there.

    Today i’ve tested your post related solution, and i’ve go a stpe forward disablin the Fast Boot option in my UEFI BIOS, but the problem persist.

    The system still working perfect except for this “rebooting instead shutdown”

    My actual computer is tottaly “new” except for the processor (i5 4570) and DVDRW drive. As an electronic hardware tech, i always perform a full dust clean up and termal silicon change of my devices every year o 6 month depending on my time to do it.

    I’m desesperate about this issue, i’ve purchased a 1200 VA UPS to discard possible power failures and no UPS disconnections has been informed in the UPS Software since first of August.

    In my opinión, my last home (when i first changed my MB, CPU and RAM) was suffering a lot of power disconnections because it was a poor neighborhood, then i think my Processor is the problem, it maybe result damaged on one of those multiple power loss with a peak voltage, but i’ve tested it with PC Benchmark and PCMark and no problem was found on the CPU.

    Thanks for you time, Hope you can find some way or explanation.

    PS: In case not, i’m thinking to sell this computer and purchase a Brand new one. 5 years of a problem persistance is enough xD

    Robert,

    Reply
      HL
      Home & Native Land Apr 17, 2018

      If you are still having problem then I think you may have a CMOS problem. Did you try replacing the 3Volt battery? Make sure you clean the contacts. Good Luck

      Reply
      JS
      Jed Smith May 23, 2018

      COMMON FACTOR: the processor and DVDRW drive. Try unplugging the drive. Try a different processor.

      Reply
      NE
      nevR ENUF May 25, 2018

      this happened to me on a new laptop also. i opened her up and checked the solder points where the battery connected to the motherboard. and charger port also to eliminate them both. There i noticed what seemed like cracked solder points. reheated them and voila it worked first time.

      Reply
    GP
    Glorious Purpose Dec 12, 2017

    Thank you, it worked.

    Reply
    EV
    Evan Apr 13, 2018

    Is it possible if the root problem is my PSU?

    Reply
    FP
    Fausto Paiva Dec 23, 2018

    Thanks man! It worked for me.

    Reply
    CG
    Cihangir Johnny Gürbüz Mar 10, 2019

    Thank you so much, solution 1 worked for me!

    Reply
    SW
    Shane Warren Author Sep 29, 2019

    It can be possible, in fact in most cases the issue is triggered due to a faulty PSU or unstable voltages.

    Reply
    CT
    Cristian Mihai Pataki Takacs Sep 1, 2020

    I pushed the on/off button for 6 sec to force it to shut down. I then started my laptop and shut it down from start, and it worked properly this time.

    Reply
    MG
    mtn_green Nov 30, 2020

    Worked thanks. Late to the windows 10 party, 7 was working so well, then fortnite broke.

    Reply
    NN
    nsbox nsns May 11, 2021

    And what if restarting instead going to sleep mode?

    Reply
      MZ
      Muhammad Zubyan Author May 11, 2021

      What do you mean? Can you elaborate, please?

      Reply
        NN
        nsbox nsns Jun 18, 2021

        the PC was restarting when i select sleep mode.. but i found out the problem it was the mouse, if unplug mouse sleep mode worked, and when mouse plugged then pc was restarting instead to go in sleep mode..

        Reply
    MA
    Mac&Cheese Sep 30, 2021

    I had a very odd solution that is contrary to your first point. I had already disabled the “fast startup” feature (on windows 11). This issue came out of nowhere (on only one of the two devices running windows 11, both with same settings and updates, the other one works fine with the feature turned off). The solution I found was to turn on fast startup. Its working fine for me with fast startup now turned on. Very odd…

    Reply
      CD
      Cava Dal Oct 3, 2021

      you saved my life! i am trying to solve this for months. enableing fast startup did fix the problem! thanks so much

      Reply
      WI
      WillyL Oct 6, 2021

      AHA! None of tips worked, scrolled down a bit, saw this, “fast startup” was off on my W10 desktop so I turned it ON and did “start” “power” and “shutdown” and it did a shutdown and stayed off. Thank you mrsleep and mac&Cheese. It’s been bugging me for “years”. I had to power off the box and unplug for 30 secs and I’d get a month or so before it started “not staying off” again. I’m hoping this is the final fix, but at least it’s a quick fix if not.

      Reply
    BO
    Bob Nov 12, 2021

    Thanks Kamil, my problem was the fast start. Your 20 second cure by disabling it from control panel is just what the doctor ordered!

    Reply
    VA
    Valour Aug 5, 2022

    I had this happening. It turns out it was the CMOS battery going flat. When I changed it, it fixed the issue.

    Reply
    FA
    fade2gray Dec 7, 2022

    Solution 3: Reconfiguring Network Adapter worked for me, except I checked the ‘Only allow a magic packet to wake this computer’ as I had a need for this functionality. (Fast Boot had already been disabled).

    Reply
    AL
    Alan Lawrence Dec 25, 2022

    Solution 3: Reconfiguring Network Adapter worked for me (Dell XPS-8930). Thank you!

    Reply
    AG
    Apeirogon Games Jan 23, 2023

    Power Down After Shutdown being 0 is the default setting in Windows 10.

    Reply
    JV
    Jagan Venkatesh Oct 6, 2023

    It worked thanks

    Reply