How to fix Windows 10 Won’t Shut Issue in 2023

In this guide, we’ll talk about how to fix the windows 10 won’t shut issue in 2023.

Windows 10 Windows Not Shutting Down Issues

• Windows Update
• Fast startup
• Windows System Files
• Unwanted running applications since startup
• Other issues that need recovery
• The taskbar isn’t working (Click here to find the solution for this one)

And we are here to give a solution for each of them.

How to Fix ‘Windows 10 Won’t Shut Down

Before following any of these, make sure you’re really stuck, because sometimes there may be some system processes working to install updates, for example, or making some changes – before shutting down.

So, the first time this occurs, please be a little patient and leave it up to 3 hours. If it exceeds this time limit and this isn’t the first time your update got stuck, try the following steps:

Method I: Force Shut Down:

Before you get the problem fixed for the long run, you may need to force your computer to shut down: here is how you can do that.

• Press and hold your power button until the computer is shut.
• Remove any source of power (Battery / Power cable / unplug the power cords) for 5-10 minutes.
• Start your computer and try to shut it down normally.

Method II: Make sure you have the latest Windows 10 version

Having the latest Windows 10 version is always a good idea. Microsoft is always sending new updates and fixes for common issues through it, so we can always begin our problem-solving by checking for updates. If you want to know more about what new features and changes are in the latest update, check out this detailed guide. And also, if you want to stop your computer from notifying you about your license expiring soon, click here.

To check if there are any updates you can do, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings from your start menu.
2. Click on Updates & Security.
3. Click on the Check for updates button, your computer will then check for, download, and install any updates found.

If you updated your Windows now, check if your computer shuts down, and if the problem persists, continue to the next method.

If your update is getting stuck or not working either check out this in-depth article or do the thing that most people reported that solved their problem – use the troubleshooter:

• Type Troubleshoot in the start menu and then choose Troubleshoot.
• Choose Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter. 
• If needed, choose Try troubleshooting as an administrator.
• Choose Apply this fix.
• Close the troubleshooter.

Method III: Disable fast startup

Fast startup is a hybrid type of startup that makes your computer not fully shut down when you do it, so it can start up again quickly. This mode can cause many issues including our shutdown problem. Follow these steps to disable it:

• Open the “control panel” and search for “power options” and choose Power Options.
• From the left pane, choose “Choose what the power button does”
• Choose “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
• Uncheck “Turn on fast startup” and then select “Save changes”.

Method IV: Repair Windows System Files

In case there is a problem with some system files, this step will fix all system errors, (see Kernel Mode Trap Error) (it will take some time):

• Type “cmd” in your start menu, right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
• Click Yes to give it permission.
• Type the following command then press enter: sfc /scannow

  

  (make sure you put a space between “sfc” and “/scannow”)

Method V: Try closing the computer using Command Prompt

One of the best things about CMD (command prompt) is that you can directly request a forced shut down which stops any running applications. Here are the steps:

• Launch CMD as an administrator with the same steps in Method IV.
• Afterward, type the following command then press enter: shutdown /p, and then press Enter.
• Your computer should now shut down immediately without installing or processing any updates.

Method VI: Stop Windows Delivery Update Optimization

Windows 10 is always downloading updates, that’s why Microsoft came up with this service so that if there are several Windows 10 machines on the same network, computers can exchange the update files instead of downloading them on each computer. Because of this, if a computer on the network is getting any updates from yours, the shutdown won’t occur until the file transfer finishes. The good news is that you can turn off this feature, here’s how:

• Open Settings from your start menu.
• Next, go to Update & Security.
• At the Windows Update page, click on Advanced options.
• Now, click on Delivery Optimization.
• Turn off the Allow downloads from other PCs button.
• Now try to shut down your computer again.

Method VII: Let’s do a System Restore

This will bring back your computer to itsF previous state, this may help avoid any error that happened during shutting down or running Windows update:

• Open Control Panel and search for recovery.
• Thereafter, open System Restore.
• Click Next.
• 
• Moving on, choose a previous restore point and click Next.
• Click Finish.
• 
• After the system restore is finished, try shutting down your computer again.

Method VIII: Control which apps can start automatically

There are apps and processes that can’t be easily shut down when you want to turn off your computer: this may be the reason for your shutdown problems. Furthermore, most probably these are apps that already running automatically with Windows Startup without asking for your permission. So here we can control them and disable every app that you don’t really need on startup. This will also increase your startup speed as well as its shutdown speed. Let’s do it:

• Open task manager from your taskbar or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
• If you see the small panel, click More details to switch to the big panel.
• Next, open the Startup tab.
• Then, right-click on the apps you don’t need to start automatically at Windows Startup and select Disable.

Method IX: Assign the power button to shut down

Many people overlook this seemingly basic aspect of keeping your Windows 10 PC in line with how you’re used to using it. This fix will show you just how to set the power button as a shut-down switch on your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs alike. Note that on some builds, the power button might be assigned as a sleep button by default.

That’s why it’s important to also keep this possibility in mind when looking for a Windows 10 won’t shut fix. To get started, head on over to the “Choose what the power button does” section that we’ve talked about earlier as portrayed in Method III section of the article. From there, go to the “When I press the power button” option and select “shut down.” If you’re running the OS on a laptop, you’ll have to configure this behavior both on battery and when plugged in.

Moving on, you’ll want to click on “Save changes” once you’re done configuring the necessary parameters. If you press the power button now, you should be able to see it go through the shutdown process as normal. If not, then you should check out these other methods in our tutorial and give them a try.

Method X: Replace the power button

If there’s nothing more to try out, and pushing the power button still doesn’t work whilst other methods do, then the solution might be one that involves you tinkling with the hardware itself. Yes, you might have to replace the power button. Doing so is a tedious job and we recommend you let professionals handle it, especially because it can differ from laptop to laptop and from desktop to desktop.

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Somewhat related to this topic, you can read our complete guide that focuses on how to disable the startup programs by clicking on the image below:

How to Disable and Enable Startup Programs

Suggested Read: How to Shut Down Windows 10 Without Updating

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, one of these methods above was able to help fix your “Windows 10 won’t shut down” issue. If you like our solutions, make sure to bookmark our site for easier access or if anyone else needs it!

Do you know any other methods that work? Please share them with us below in the comments! Let’s discuss about it with the other searchers.

Do you get any other technical questions about your Windows 10 PC? Try visiting our website. You could find a topic that might help you with your concerns. Or you might have direct questions like How to fix Windows 10 Stuck on Welcome Screen (2022 Guide).