Laptop keeps shutting down occasionally, even when in active use.

[Smith_7129]

I have downloaded and run various bug catchers and hardware diagnostic tools, all of which show nothing wrong. Yet within the past 2 days (the period of time I noticed the problems presence) it has shut down 3 times while I have been actively playing games. Any I am relatively blind in the knowledge of computer diagnosing and trouble shooting so any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Hawks_Eye]

@Smith_7129,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your Victus by HP 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop is experiencing random shutdowns, which can be caused by overheating, power issues, software conflicts, or hardware failures. Since diagnostics show nothing wrong, let’s try some troubleshooting steps.

Check for Overheating

Gaming laptops can overheat, causing automatic shutdowns to prevent damage.

• Monitor Temps: Use HWMonitor or Core Temp to check CPU/GPU temperatures. If they exceed 85°C–90°C, overheating is likely the issue.
• Clean Vents: Dust buildup can block airflow. Use compressed air to clean out vents and fans.
• Cooling Pad: Try using a cooling pad to improve airflow.

Update BIOS and Drivers

• Go to HP Support and download the latest BIOS update and graphics drivers (NVIDIA/AMD & Intel iGPU).
• Update chipset and power management drivers from the HP website.

Check Windows Power Settings

• Open Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do
• Disable Fast Startup
• Set Power Plan to High Performance

Run a Memory Test

• Type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the Start menu and run it.
• It will restart your laptop and check for RAM issues.

Check Event Viewer for Errors

• Open Event Viewer (Search for it in Start).
• Navigate to Windows Logs > System and look for Critical Errors around the time of the shutdowns.
• If you see Kernel-Power Event ID 41, it suggests power or overheating issues.

Test with a Different Power Adapter & Battery Check

• If possible, try a different charger (same wattage) to rule out a power issue.
• Run HP Hardware Diagnostics (Press F2 at startup > Battery Test) to check if the battery is failing.

Reset Windows (Last Resort)

If the issue persists and no hardware faults are found, a clean reinstall of Windows might help.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Hawks_Eye

HP Support