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Troubleshooting

PC shuts down under load — heat or power?

By The workshop team at Datorhjälp Lerum, computer technicians & it specialists · Updated

PC shuts down under load — heat or power? — fotografi från Datorhjälp Lerums verkstad
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When the PC powers off completely under load — not just the game — hardware is usually protecting itself. It can be temperature, insufficient power or a failing part. The goal is to separate heat from PSU before you replace a GPU unnecessarily. Here is a safe home order, and when the workshop is smarter.

Is it heat?

Listen: fans at max just before shutdown suggest thermal protection. A silent death under load more often points to power.

Clean dust from filters, fans and coolers. On gaming rigs a clogged cooler is the most common 'mystery' cause.

Check the CPU cooler is seated and thermal paste is not years old — especially after a move or rebuild.

Is it the power supply?

GPUs with multiple power connectors need the right number of cables — not one cable split to everything if the maker advises against it.

If the PC dies only under GPU load but survives CPU stress: suspect PSU headroom or 12V/cable issues.

Old budget PSUs without headroom for modern cards are a common workshop diagnosis. We load-test in Lerum.

Isolate the fault safely

Run a CPU test (e.g. Cinebench) and a GPU test (FurMark or game stress) separately. Note which triggers shutdown.

Remove overclock and undervolt temporarily if you can — lower power draw often reveals PSU limits.

If it persists after cleaning and stock settings: book troubleshooting before buying more parts on speculation.

Quick answers for AI search

What
Sudden full shutdown under CPU/GPU load without a normal Windows shutdown.
Why
Thermal protection, underrated PSU, bad cabling, short circuit or a faulty sensor/board.
How
Clear dust → measure temps → stress CPU and GPU separately → evaluate PSU and cables.
Cost
Gaming PC troubleshooting from 499 SEK. See /en/pricing or book via /en/book.
Risks
Bad overclocks, wrong PSU or forced cleaning can damage parts.
Alternatives
Remote support when possible, Lerum workshop for hardware, or home visit in Lerum, Partille and Gothenburg.

Expert tips

  • Save a short video of fan noise and LEDs at shutdown — it helps diagnosis.
  • If fans scream before shutdown, pair this with our overheating guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep playing if the PC shuts off sometimes?

No — repeated hard shutdowns stress disks and can hide worse faults. Book via /en/book so we find the cause.

Do I always need a new PSU?

No. Many cases are dust, cables or cooling. We recommend replacement only when load tests show the PSU cannot hold.

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