Causes and solutions when shutdown does not finish on Windows 10/11 PC

If your Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down, the solution is as follows.

• Save application data and shut down
• If you are downloading a file, wait until it finishes, or cancel the download if you want to do it at a later date.
• If Windows Update is running, wait until it finishes
• Remove as many peripheral devices as possible
• If there is a hard disk failure, replace the hard disk.

When using Windows 10/11, you may encounter an issue where the shutdown does not finish. There are various reasons for this situation to occur, such as an application malfunction or a system error. This article introduces the main causes of persistent shutdown issues and how to deal with them. In the event of a delayed shutdown, it is important to remain calm and not panic. Try the steps below to find a solution.

Additionally, there are two types of shutdown: normal shutdown and complete shutdown.
This page explains it clearly.
perform a complete shutdown

If your computer is running slower than before and won't shut down, this article will help.
Find out why your computer is slow and use it comfortably

Reasons why shutdown does not complete on Windows 10/11 PC

There are various reasons why a Windows 10/11 PC won't shut down. First, there may be an application effect. Apps you are working on may prevent you from shutting down, so you should save and close them. There may also be network effects. If you have a network connection, it may slow down the shutdown, so we recommend disconnecting it. Additionally, Windows Update may also be affected. If an update is in progress, the shutdown may be delayed and you will need to wait until it is complete. There may also be an effect from peripheral devices. If a connected device is not working properly, it may slow down the shutdown and should be removed or repaired. Additionally, hard disk errors can also be a cause. We recommend that you perform error checking. These are the reasons why the shutdown does not complete on Windows 10/11 PC.

Application impact

One of the reasons why the shutdown does not complete on Windows 10/11 PC is due to the influence of applications. Certain applications may prevent shutdown.

In this case, you must first save and close the app you are working on. If you have unsaved data, wait until the shutdown is complete, or save your data and try shutting down again.

You can also use Task Manager to force the application to close if it does not close properly. Launch Task Manager, select the app in question, and click "End Task."

In order to resolve shutdown delays caused by applications, it is important to consider updating applications to the latest versions and deleting unnecessary applications. Shutdown issues caused by applications may be resolved with these workarounds.

Network impact

One of the reasons why the shutdown does not complete on Windows 10/11 PCs may be due to the influence of the network. For example, your PC may delay shutting down if files are being downloaded or uploaded.

The following workarounds can be used to resolve shutdown delays caused by network effects.

First, save the file you are working on. When saving is complete, disconnect from the network. This stops network communications and increases the likelihood of a smooth shutdown.

Also, to avoid being affected by the network, it is important to regularly perform Windows Updates. Windows Update fixes network-related bugs and issues and prevents delayed shutdowns.

Shutdown delays due to network effects are often temporary, but if they occur repeatedly, we recommend checking the hard disk for errors. If your hard disk has errors, it may also affect network communication.

To resolve shutdown delays caused by network effects, try the above workarounds. However, if network issues are not the root cause, you should look for other causes.

Impact of Windows Update

One of the reasons why Windows 10/11 PCs do not shut down is due to Windows Update. Windows updates regularly to provide new features and security improvements, but the update process can sometimes slow down the shutdown.

There are several possible causes for slow shutdown due to Windows Update. First, updates are downloaded and installed, which can take some time. Additionally, updates may require you to restart your PC, and the restart process may take some time.

If Windows Update slows down the shutdown, try the following solutions.

First of all, it is important to wait until the update process is completed. If an update is in progress, it may not complete properly if you try to shut down too quickly. Therefore, please wait for a while and try shutting down again.

If the update process continues for a long time, it may be effective to restart your PC once. Rebooting may reset the update process and allow a graceful shutdown.

Also, consider disabling the automatic installation of updates. If automatic installation is enabled, updates are processed during shutdown, which may slow down the process. You can take control of the update process by disabling automatic installation.

The above is how to deal with the shutdown delay caused by Windows Update. If the update process takes a long time, try the methods above.

Effect of peripheral devices

One of the reasons why Windows 10/11 PCs do not shut down is due to the influence of peripheral devices. For example, if you have USB devices or external storage connected to your PC, these devices may not be disconnected properly during shutdown.

A peripheral device may prevent it from shutting down because it has outdated drivers, an unstable connection, or a problem with the device itself. In these situations, the peripherals must be disconnected before the PC can complete the shutdown, but the system is unable to do so, resulting in an unfinished shutdown.

In this case, first check the connections of peripheral devices and try temporarily disconnecting unnecessary devices. Also, make sure your device drivers are updated to the latest version. Outdated drivers can cause problems during shutdown.

Additionally, if there is a problem with the device itself, it may require repair or replacement. If your device is preventing the shutdown, it is important to consult a professional to find the appropriate solution.

Shutdown issues caused by peripheral devices can be resolved by checking connections and drivers, repairing or replacing them, etc. However, if the problem persists or you are not confident in dealing with it yourself, we recommend that you consult a professional.

hard disk error

One of the reasons why Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down is a hard disk error. Hard disks store important data, and errors can slow down the shutdown process.

Hard disk errors can occur for various reasons, but the main ones include physical damage to the disk and bad sectors. When these problems occur, the shutdown process may not complete successfully.

In order to resolve hard disk errors, it is important to first perform an error check. Windows includes error checking tools that can detect and repair hard disk errors.

Also, if the cause is physical damage to the hard disk, consider contacting a professional repair company. Repair companies can repair hard disks and recover data, so leaving it to a professional is one way to protect your important data.

Hard disk errors can affect the shutdown process. Take action early to ensure a smooth shutdown.

What to do when shutdown does not start

If the shutdown does not start, try the following solutions.

2-1. Save the app you are working on
Shutdown may be slow if you have many open applications. Please save your work, exit the app, and try shutting down again.

2-2. Quit the app
A slow shutdown may be caused by applications not closing properly. Open Task Manager, select the app you want to end, and click "Quit".

2-3. Disconnect from the network
Shutdown may be slow due to network connectivity. Please temporarily disconnect Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc. and try shutting down again.

If you try these solutions and the shutdown still persists, try the next solution.

Save the app you are working on

One thing to do when the shutdown is not finished is to save the apps you are working on. Before shutting down, be sure to save any unsaved work or data you are editing. Shutting down with unsaved data may result in data loss.

The method to save the app you are working on differs depending on each application, but in general, go to "File" → "Save". Also, some applications have an auto-save feature, so it's a good idea to check the settings.

If the shutdown does not finish, it is important to first save any apps you are working on. Get into the habit of saving your data regularly to prevent data loss.

Quit the app

If the shutdown does not complete, it is important to first close any running applications. Your PC may be slow to shut down if applications are not closed properly.

To exit an app, right-click the app icon displayed on the taskbar and select Exit or Close. Alternatively, you can also close the app by pressing Alt + F4 on your keyboard.

By closing the app, your PC will shut down smoothly. If you have many apps running, you can close multiple apps at once. However, be sure to save the data you are working on.

If the shutdown does not finish, simply closing the app may not solve the problem. In that case, try the following solutions.

disconnect from network

If the shutdown does not complete, disconnecting from the network may solve the problem. If there is a network connection, your PC may be communicating with other devices or servers. Therefore, the shutdown may not complete.

There are several ways to disconnect from the network. First, right-click the network icon on the taskbar and select "Network and Internet Settings". Next, select the connection method you are using, such as "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet", and turn it off.

You can also use keyboard shortcut keys. Press "Windows Key + X" and select "Network Connections" from the menu that appears. A list of connections will be displayed. Right-click the connection you want to disconnect and select "Disconnect."

By disconnecting the network, communication with the PC may stop and the shutdown may occur smoothly. However, you should be careful if you have apps or services that use your network. If necessary, we recommend closing those apps and services before shutting down.

What to do when the shutdown does not complete

If the shutdown does not complete, try the following solutions.

First of all, it is important to perform Windows Update. If Windows updates have not been completed, shutdown may not occur properly. Please run Windows Update to bring it up to date.

Next, try disconnecting all connected peripheral devices. Peripherals may be interfering with the shutdown, so it's worth removing them and trying again.

It is also effective to check the hard disk for errors. If there is an error in the hard disk, the shutdown may not occur properly. Let's check for errors using the Windows "Disk Error Check" tool.

Finally, you may want to force quit. If the shutdown does not complete, try force-terminating it. However, do so with caution as it may result in data loss or system instability.

The above is what to do when the shutdown does not complete. If these methods do not solve the problem, one solution is to leave the repair to a professional. PC Hospital can provide support for troubles that cannot be shut down or persist, so please use it if you have any problems.

Execute Windows Update

If your Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down, we recommend that you first perform Windows Update. Windows Update provides the latest security patches and feature updates.

One of the reasons why the shutdown does not complete is due to outdated drivers or system malfunctions. These issues may be fixed by Windows Update.

To perform Windows Update, please refer to the steps below.

1. Click on the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Click Update & Security.
3. Select Windows Update.
4. Click Check for updates.
5. If your computer has the latest updates, they will begin downloading and installing.

Running Windows Update may resolve the issue where the shutdown does not complete. However, if the issue persists, we recommend that you try other solutions.

Disconnect all connected peripherals

If the shutdown does not finish on a Windows 10/11 PC, the connected peripheral device may be the cause. Peripheral devices refer to printers, external hard disks, USB memory, etc.

Shutdowns can be slow if peripherals are not recognized properly or if there are driver issues. Therefore, if the shutdown does not finish, try disconnecting all connected peripheral devices.

The specific steps are as follows.

1. Turn off your PC.
2. Disconnect all connected peripheral devices (printer, external hard disk, USB memory, etc.).
3. Turn on your PC again and try to shut it down.

If the problem is caused by a peripheral device, removing the peripheral device should result in a normal shutdown.

However, if disconnecting the peripheral does not resolve the issue, there may be other causes and you should try other solutions.

Check hard disk for errors

One of the reasons why Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down may be a hard disk error. Hard disks have heads for reading and writing data, and if those heads are not working properly, shutdown may be delayed.

The method to check the hard disk for errors is as follows.

First, open the Start menu. Then type "command prompt" in the search box to launch Command Prompt.

Once the command prompt starts, enter the following command.

chkdsk C: /f

This command is used to check the C drive for errors. If the error is on another drive, please enter the letter of that drive.

Once error checking begins, the progress will be displayed at the command prompt. Wait until error checking is complete.

After error checking is complete, reboot. After restarting, check if the shutdown is successful.

Checking the hard disk for errors may resolve the issue where the shutdown does not complete. However, please be careful as error checking can take a long time.

Force quit

If the shutdown does not complete, the last resort is to force quit. Force termination requires caution because it will force the system to shut down, but it is an effective solution if the problem persists.

To force quit, press the Windows key and R key on your keyboard at the same time to open the Run window. Then type "shutdown -s -f -t 0" and press Enter. The PC will then be forcibly shut down.

However, forced termination results in a sudden power cut, which may result in data loss or system instability. Therefore, force termination should be used as a last resort and only when other remedies are not effective.

Also, you will need to restart your PC after forced termination. A reboot may get the system working properly.

The above is how to force quit when the shutdown does not finish on Windows 10/11 PC. Use it with caution and help solve problems.

What to do when it keeps restarting even after shutting down

If your PC keeps restarting even after shutting down, try the following solutions.

First, it is important to disable the fast startup feature. This feature is set to help your PC start up faster, but it can sometimes cause problems when shutting down. To set it up, select "Power Options" from the Start menu, then click "Choose what the power buttons do". Then click "Change settings that are currently unavailable" and disable Fast Startup.

Next, disabling automatic restart may also help. If automatic restart is enabled, your PC may repeatedly restart automatically when it detects a problem. To disable automatic restart, select System Properties from the Start menu and go to the Advanced tab. Then click on "Startup and Recovery" settings and disable automatic restart.

Discharge is also an effective treatment. Turn off your PC and disconnect all cables. Then press the power button several times to discharge the static electricity. After that, reconnect the cable and try booting your PC.

It is also important to perform a virus scan. If a virus or malware has infected your PC, it may cause shutdown issues. Try running a virus scan using reputable security software.

Finally, consider temporarily disabling your security software. If your security software is interfering with the shutdown, temporarily disabling it may resolve the issue.

Try these solutions. If the problem still persists, one option is to leave the repair to a professional. PC Hospital provides support for problems that cannot be shut down or persists, so it would be a good idea to consult with them.

If your PC keeps restarting, please refer to this article.
Reasons and solutions for PC restarting repeatedly

Disable fast startup feature

Among the solutions for when Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down, there is a way to disable the fast startup function. The Fast Startup feature is a feature introduced to speed up PC startup time, but it can cause problems with shutdown for some users.

To disable the fast startup feature, follow these steps: (Windows11)

① Type "power" in the search window next to the start button.
②Click "Select a power plan" that appears in the most matching search result.

③ "Choose a power plan" is too advanced, so click "Power Options" in the folder path section.

④Click "Choose what the power buttons do" in the left pane.

⑤ If "Shutdown Settings" (red frame below) is grayed out,
⑥Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable."

⑦ Uncheck "Enable fast startup (recommended)"
⑧Finally, click “Save Changes” and close the open window.

This will disable the Fast Startup feature and allow a graceful shutdown. However, please note that the startup time may be slightly longer.

Disable automatic restart

If your computer keeps restarting after shutting down, disabling automatic restart may help. If automatic restart is enabled, the system will automatically restart when a system error occurs, but this feature may prevent the system from shutting down.

To disable automatic restart, follow these steps:

First, right-click on your desktop screen and select System. Then click Advanced system settings.

Go to the Advanced tab and click the Settings button in the Startup and Recovery section.

In the System Failure section, uncheck the box for Automatic Restart.

Finally, click the OK button to save the settings.

Automatic restart should now be disabled and the shutdown should be successful. However, please note that if automatic restart is disabled, you will need to restart manually if a system error occurs.

perform a discharge

If your Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down, discharging the battery may resolve the issue. Discharging is a method of solving temporary electrical problems by completely dissipating the electricity.

To discharge, first turn off your PC and unplug the power cable from the outlet. Then press the power button on your PC several times to release any remaining electricity.

Then, connect the power cable again and start the PC. This discharge process will hopefully resolve any temporary electrical problems and allow for a successful shutdown.

However, since discharging involves electrical operation, caution is required. If you do not follow the correct steps, you may damage your PC or peripherals. When discharging, we recommend that you refer to your PC's instruction manual and manufacturer's support information.

If the shutdown does not end after discharging, consider trying other solutions or consulting a professional repair specialist.

Perform a virus scan

If your Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down, it may be caused by a virus or malware. When a virus or malware enters your PC, it can affect the system's operation.

By running a virus scan, you can detect and remove viruses and malware hidden inside your PC. It is important to use reliable security software to perform virus scans.

First, start the security software installed on your PC and run a virus scan. Some security software may automatically scan your computer periodically, so check the scan results.

If you don't have security software installed or want to try a different security software, download and install a reliable security software and run a virus scan.

Once the virus scan is complete, check the scan results and remove any detected viruses or malware. Once the removal is complete, try restarting your PC. If a virus or malware was the cause, the shutdown should now be graceful.

By running a virus scan, you can not only improve the security of your PC but also solve shutdown problems. If you think your computer may be infected with a virus or malware, run a virus scan as soon as possible.

Stop security software

If the shutdown does not complete, your security software may be the culprit. Security software is constantly running to protect your PC and may prevent it from shutting down.

To stop security software, please refer to the steps below.

First, right-click the security software icon in the notification area at the bottom right of the taskbar. Select Pause or Disable from the menu that appears.

Alternatively, right-click the security software icon on your desktop and select "Pause" or "Disable" from the menu that appears.

This may temporarily stop security software monitoring and scanning, allowing for a smoother shutdown.

However, please be aware that disabling security software will temporarily reduce the protection of your PC. After shutting down, be sure to restart or enable your security software.

Other shutdown methods on Windows 10/11 PC

If your Windows 10/11 PC does not shut down, you can also try the following methods.

First, launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys simultaneously. When Task Manager appears, click on the "File" menu and select "Run New Task". Then type “shutdown” and press Enter. This will open a command prompt and run the shutdown command.

Alternatively, press the Windows key + X keys simultaneously to display the menu and click "Shut down or sign out." Then select “Shutdown”. This will bring up the normal shutdown menu and attempt to shut down.

If you try these methods and the shutdown still persists, you should consider other workarounds. One solution is to leave the repair to a professional. PC Hospital can provide support for problems that cannot be shut down or that persist, so please feel free to contact us.

Points to note when you cannot shut down

If the shutdown does not complete, it is important to note the following points:

First, save any apps you are working on and then try shutting down. Applications may not exit gracefully and prevent shutdown.

Also, consider disconnecting from your network. Network issues may cause a delayed shutdown.

We also recommend that you try running Windows Update before force quitting. The latest updates to Windows may resolve the issue.

You also need to be careful about the peripheral devices you connect. If peripherals are not working properly, they may affect the shutdown.

Finally, it is also important to check your hard disk for errors. If your hard disk has errors, you may experience delayed shutdown or non-terminating issues.

Keeping these points in mind, if the shutdown does not finish, try the appropriate countermeasures. However, if you cannot solve the problem yourself, one solution is to leave the repair to a professional. At PC Hospital, we provide support for problems that cannot be shut down or that do not end, so please contact us if you have any problems.

One solution is to leave the repairs to a professional.

We have explained the causes and solutions when the shutdown does not finish on a Windows 10/11 PC, but in some cases it may not be possible to resolve the issue on your own. In such cases, one solution is to leave the repair to a professional.

By leaving the repairs to a professional, they can pinpoint the cause and take appropriate measures. PC Hospital is a specialty store that can provide support for problems that cannot be shut down or that do not end.

At PC Hospital, our experienced staff will carefully diagnose your PC and resolve any issues you may have. We will also replace or repair any necessary parts, so you can trust us with peace of mind.

By leaving the repairs to a professional, you can effectively resolve the problem without having to go through the trouble yourself. If you don't have the time or knowledge, please consult a PC hospital.

How was it? By leaving the repairs to a professional, you can smoothly resolve your shutdown problems. If you have any problems, please consult our specialty store, PC Hospital.

ICT Business Supporter Co., Ltd. can provide support for problems that cannot be shut down or do not end.

ICT Business Supporter Co., Ltd. provides support for Windows 10/11 PCs that cannot be shut down or have problems that persist. Possible causes of not being able to shut down include the effects of applications, networks, Windows Updates, peripheral devices, and hard disk errors. If the shutdown does not start, the workaround is to save any apps you are working on, close the apps, and disconnect from the network. If the process does not end even after shutting down, the solution is to perform Windows Update, disconnect connected peripherals, check the hard disk for errors, or force quit. Additionally, if the device keeps restarting even after shutting down, you may want to disable the fast startup feature, disable automatic restart, perform a power discharge, run a virus scan, or disable security software. Here's how to deal with it. We have also introduced other shutdown methods and precautions, but one solution is to leave the repairs to a professional. ICT Business Supporter Co., Ltd. provides support from staff with specialized knowledge for troubles that cannot be shut down or persist.