My laptop randomly shuts down while gaming.

[Kento1008]

The issue is the laptop randomly shutting off while gaming. It happens 1 or 2 times a session in random. I have tried it all from hp virtual assistant but doesn't seem to work. I tried to run system checks and updating drives and bios and it said everything was fine and still doesn't seem to work. The problem started a few weeks ago when I accidentally drop my phone on the laptop and hit the middle of the keyboard and it suddenly froze and shut down. It then turns on and everything seems fine until it randomly shuts down while I play not often but randomly. I am all ears please help me. 

(UPDATE) I found the root cause. My keyboard must have been short circuit and when I press the CAP LOCK key it shuts the computer. Iam able to completely disable the key through edit registry and the issue has been resolved.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Kento1008,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It's great that you were able to identify the root cause of the issue and resolve it by disabling the problematic key through the registry. If the problem persists or if you have any lingering concerns, consider the following steps:

• Physical Inspection: Double-check the area where your phone hit the laptop. Ensure there are no visible damages to the internal components, especially around the keyboard and motherboard.
• Hardware Diagnostics: Run comprehensive hardware diagnostics to ensure there are no underlying issues with components like the CPU, GPU, RAM, or power supply. Some gaming laptops come with built-in diagnostic tools that you can access during the boot process.
• Temperature Monitoring: Monitor the laptop's temperature while gaming. Overheating can cause unexpected shutdowns. Use software tools like HWMonitor to check the temperature of your CPU and GPU.
• Update Graphics Drivers: Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date. Visit the official HP website to download and install the latest drivers for your graphics card.
• Power Settings: Adjust your laptop's power settings to ensure it is not set to power off or sleep during periods of inactivity. This can sometimes be a factor in unexpected shutdowns.
• Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your operating system is up to date. Install any pending Windows updates, as they may contain important fixes and improvements.
• External Factors: Ensure there are no external factors contributing to the issue. Check your power source, and if you are using a battery, make sure it's properly charged or consider testing with a different power outlet.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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[Alisa955]

If your laptop is randomly shutting down while gaming, there could be various reasons for this issue. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

1. **Check for Overheating:**
- Overheating is a common cause of random shutdowns during intensive tasks like gaming. Make sure your laptop is not overheating.
- Clean the laptop's vents and fans to ensure proper airflow.
- Consider using a laptop cooling pad to help dissipate heat.

2. **Update Graphics Drivers:**
- Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to performance issues and crashes.
- Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download and install the latest drivers.

3. **Check for Software Conflicts:**
- Ensure that there are no conflicting software or background processes causing the shutdowns.
- Close unnecessary applications and processes before gaming.
- Check for any software conflicts or incompatible programs.

4. **Power Settings:**
- Check your laptop's power settings. Ensure that it is set to high performance while gaming to avoid any power-related issues.
- Adjust power settings to prevent the laptop from going into sleep or hibernate mode during gaming.

5. **Update BIOS/UEFI:**
- Check if there are any BIOS/UEFI updates available for your laptop on the manufacturer's website.
- Update the BIOS/UEFI firmware to the latest version if applicable.

6. **Run Hardware Diagnostics:**
- Use built-in hardware diagnostic tools or third-party software to check the health of your laptop's hardware components, including RAM and storage.

7. **Physical Damage Check:**
- Since you mentioned that the issue started after your laptop was accidentally dropped, it's essential to check for any physical damage.
- Inspect for loose connections, damaged components, or any signs of internal damage.

8. **Check Event Viewer:**
- Check the Windows Event Viewer for any error messages or warnings around the time of the shutdown. This may provide additional information about the cause.

If the issue persists after trying these steps, it may be a good idea to contact the laptop manufacturer's support for further assistance. If your laptop is still under warranty, they may be able to provide additional troubleshooting or even offer a repair or replacement if needed.