Why Does Windows 11 PC Keep Shutting Down During Video Playback?

How Can I Stop My Computer From Randomly Turning Off While Watching Videos?

Your computer suddenly goes black while watching movies. No warning. No error message. Just darkness. This happens because your computer’s parts are crying for help.

Video playback makes your computer work harder. When parts can’t handle the extra work, they shut down to protect themselves. Let’s fix this step by step.

Solution 1: Check Your Power Supply First

Your power supply feeds electricity to every part of your computer. Think of it like the heart of your machine. When it’s weak or sick, everything else suffers.

Signs your power supply might be failing:

• Computer shuts down without warning
• Strange burning smell from your computer
• Weird clicking or buzzing sounds
• Shutdowns happen more during heavy tasks

What to do:

Step 1: Turn off your computer completely

1. Unplug it from the wall
2. Wait 30 seconds

Step 2: Open your computer case carefully

• Look for dust buildup around the power supply
• Check for burn marks or strange smells
• Make sure all cables are plugged in tight

Step 3: Check your power cables

• The thick cable going to your motherboard
• Cables going to your graphics card
• Make sure nothing is loose

Step 4: Test with a different power supply

• This is the best way to know for sure
• Use cables that come with the new power supply
• Never mix cables from different brands

If your computer stops shutting down with a new power supply, you found the problem.

Solution 2: Update  Graphics Drivers

Your graphics card shows videos on your screen. When its software (called drivers) is old or broken, it can cause shutdowns.

Why this matters:

• Old drivers don’t work well with Windows 11
• Broken drivers crash during video playback
• New drivers fix many common problems

Step-by-step driver update

1. Right-click the Start button
2. Click “Device Manager“
3. Find “Display adapters“
4. Right-click your graphics card
5. Choose “Update driver“
6. Let Windows search automatically

For better results

1. Go to your graphics card maker’s website
2. Download the newest driver yourself
   • NVIDIA users: visit nvidia.com
   • AMD users: visit amd.com
   • Intel users: visit intel.com

Clean installation tip

Use a tool called DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to remove old drivers completely before installing new ones. This prevents conflicts.

Solution 3: Stop Computer From Overheating

Hot computers shut down to protect themselves. Video playback makes parts work harder and get hotter.

Common causes of overheating

• Dust blocking air flow
• Broken fans
• Old thermal paste on your processor
• Blocked air vents

Temperature monitoring

Download free temperature software

• HWMonitor (shows all temperatures)
• Core Temp (for your processor)
• GPU-Z (for your graphics card)

Watch temperatures while playing videos

• Processor should stay below 85°C
• Graphics card should stay below 90°C
• If temperatures go higher, you have a heat problem

Cleaning your computer

1. Turn off and unplug your computer
2. Use compressed air to blow out dust
   • Clean all fans
   • Clean the metal fins (heat sinks)
   • Clean air vents
3. Make sure all fans spin freely
4. For laptops: clean air vents carefully

Advanced tip: If cleaning doesn’t help, you might need new thermal paste on your processor. This job requires careful work and some experience.

Solution 4: Scan for Malware and Corrupted Files

Bad software can make your computer unstable. While less common, it’s worth checking.

 Run a deep scan

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Go to “Privacy & Security“
3. Click “Windows Security“
4. Choose “Virus & threat protection“
5. Click “Scan options“
6. Select “Microsoft Defender Offline scan“
7. Start the scan (your computer will restart)

Fix corrupted system files

1. Right-click Start button
2. Choose “Terminal (Admin)“
3. Type: sfc /scannow
4. Press Enter and wait

This tool fixes broken Windows files that might cause shutdowns.

Solution 5: Check Windows Event Logs

Windows keeps a record of everything that happens. These logs can give you clues about what’s causing shutdowns.

How to check

1. Press Windows + X
2. Click “Event Viewer“
3. Go to “Windows Logs” > “System“
4. Look for “Critical” or “Error” events
5. Find events that match your shutdown times

What to look for

• “Kernel-Power” errors (Event ID 41)
• Graphics driver errors
• Hardware errors
• Temperature warnings

Search online for any specific error codes you find. They often point to exact solutions.

Prevention Tips That Actually Work

Power management

• Plug directly into wall outlets
• Use quality surge protectors
• Avoid cheap extension cords
• Check cable connections monthly

Regular maintenance

• Clean dust every 3-6 months
• Keep air vents clear
• Monitor temperatures occasionally
• Update drivers when available

Smart practices

• Don’t block laptop vents
• Use laptop cooling pads if needed
• Replace thermal paste every 2-3 years
• Keep Windows updated

When to Get Professional Help

Sometimes problems are too complex for basic fixes. Consider professional help if:

• Shutdowns continue after trying everything
• You’re not comfortable opening your computer
• Multiple hardware tests show different problems
• Error messages point to motherboard or memory issues

Professional technicians have specialized tools to test individual components and identify intermittent failures.

Computer shutdowns during video playback usually come from hardware issues, not software glitches. Most problems trace back to power supply failures, overheating, or outdated drivers.

Start with the easiest fixes first. Update your drivers. Clean your computer. Check your power supply connections. Monitor temperatures during video playback.

Work through each step methodically. Don’t skip ahead. Many people find their solution in the first few steps.

Your computer wants to work properly. These shutdowns are its way of asking for help. By following this guide, you’re giving it the care it needs to run smoothly again.

Remember: a little regular maintenance prevents most computer problems. Clean computers run cooler, last longer, and rarely shut down unexpectedly.