If you are having problems shutting down your Windows 8 PC or laptop, our Helproom Editor can help.
How to cure shut down problems in Windows 8
HELPROOM QUESTION: Since upgrading my PC from Windows 7 Professional to Windows 8 Pro I've been able to shut it down properly. I select Shut Down, but every time the PC restarts and refuses to stay off. I've had to resort to holding down the power switch until the power is cut, but this is starting to cause problems as Windows now thinks it's having problems starting up and is attempting to repair. Can you fix this?
HELPROOM ANSWER: This problem can occur for a number of reasons. Sometimes it's caused by devices such as oversensitive USB mice which are configured to wake the system from sleep and picking up vibrations. Other times it can be due to faulty device drivers.
However, seeing as your system was working correctly right before the upgrade a likely cause in your scenario is the new Hybrid Shutdown mode offered by Windows 8. We've seen this happen on a system where hibernation had been previously disabled, causing some confusion when the system was upgraded with the new shutdown procedure which uses a new form of hibernation which has then failed to work.
To check your own system, go to the desktop and press Windows+X, then select Power Options. Now click on "Choose what the power button does".
Look under "Shutdown settings". Here you should usually find an option called "Turn on fast start-up (recommended)". If this option is missing, you probably have hibernation disabled.
To re-enable it, open up a command prompt as Administrator and type powercfg /H on. Now restart the system and come back to the shutdown settings to see if the fast start-up option has appeared. Make sure it is selected and try shutting down the system again. You don't need to enable the Hibernate option in the list. With any luck it will now shut down correctly.
Other users have sometimes cured shutdown problems by disabling fast start-up if it has already been enabled.
Read the following articles:
- How to add Windows Media Center to Windows 8
- How to migrate Windows XP Mode to Windows 8
- Add Windows 7 Desktop Gadgets to Windows 8
- Add Start Menu to Windows 8
For more on the changes in Windows 8 and how to use them visit Windows 8 Advisor. For detailed advice on installing Windows 8 Release Preview, read our article: How to install Windows 8.
See all How to articles. Get free tech support in the Helproom Forum.
Visit Windows 7 Advisor for more Windows advice. Or email our Helproom Editor for bespoke advice.
Comments
Ahmed Alnoor said: its wierd but i did the exact opposite of these instructions and it worked for me so for anyone who couldnt fix it with these instructions try to just type powercfg H off instead of powercfg H on in CMD disabling the hibernation option solved it for me
Stephen Zee said: It workedThanks
Hari Krishnan YB said: I was facing same problem while shutting down my win 8 pc Was frustrated so much After read this article i tried disabling Turn on fast startup Now it work like charm Thank you Paul Monckton
Sourav said: When I shutdown my laptop The processing take morethan 15 mins and not shutdown properly Now a days when I shut down my lap its directly shut down without asking any pop up
ionica said: Doesnt working even with or without hybrid shutdown What can i do else
Mjayjock said: Did you tried turning off the hybrid shoutdown in Windows 8
Jason Little said: I had to disable fast start up to allow computer to shut down
Renukaa Devi said: I have been having the shut down problem from the time I installed Windows 8 I tried to enableHibernationin the cmd prompt but the request was not supported by the system The result was The system firmware does not support hibernationPls advice I am still manually switching off by holding the power key
Mjayjock said: I have been chasing this problem for 4 hours today I have tried most of the above fixes and a number of other approaches from other forums Some folks are very upset with this behavior of Windows 8 and I must admit it was quite frustrating until I found the answer at least the answer for meThe thing that worked for me was turning off the hybrid shutdown Go to the following website for specific instructions I usually do not post but this cost me a ton of time and I want to save others the same grief httpmicrowindows8blogspotMike Jayjock new Windows 8 owner
Donny said: I have a same problem and I cant fix this can u guys help me I didnt get the applechargersys in gigabyte folderand when I type powercfg H on and the reply was An unexpexted error condition has occured bla bla Please give me some clue to fix this shutdown Its make me stress
Chi Am said: Install SurfaceSoft Shutdown Windows 8
DieSse said: Ive had a similar issue caused by a Gigabyte motherboard utility which contains the file applechargersysIf you uninstall the Gigabyte utilities rather than delete applechargersys then the problem goes away