Member Avatar for khakilang

I have a clone computer with the following specification, Intel i5, 4GB RAM, 250GB hadr disk, ATI Radeon graphic card, PCI-E network adapter running on Window 7 Pro 32bit.

The problem is the computer unable to shutdown. When I shutdown it will go off and after a second or so it will turn on back again by itself and boot back to Window.

I have try changing the power supply, reformat the Window, change hard disk and change RAM but no solution. The last resort of course is to change the motherboard which I try not to. That's why I am here to ask for help.

Appreciate to anybody who can help.

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Dani AI

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Useful, practical checklist and explanation for the “shuts down then immediately powers back on” symptom — an expanded follow-up to the suggestions from , and .

A few short notes up front: this symptom is most often caused by firmware or motherboard-level triggers (BIOS/UEFI settings, onboard power-management/firmware faults, or a short) rather than a normal Windows shutdown setting. The approach below is to eliminate easy software/firmware causes first, then hardware.

  • Isolate peripherals: disconnect network cable, USB devices, external drives and any PCI/PCIe cards. Then shut down. If it stays off, reconnect devices one at a time to find the culprit.
  • BIOS/UEFI checklist: disable Wake-on-LAN, PCI/PCIe wake, USB wake, RTC/resume-by-alarm and any “power on after AC loss” options. If present, try enabling ErP/EuP mode. Make one change at a time and note original settings.
  • Windows checks (run as Administrator): 
    powercfg -devicequery wake_armed
powercfg -lastwake
powercfg -waketimers

    Use Device Manager to uncheck “Allow this device to wake the computer” for NICs and HID hubs; check Task Scheduler for tasks that can wake the system.

  • Logs: inspect Event Viewer -> System for power-related entries (Kernel-Power / Power-Troubleshooter) right after the unexpected start; they often hint at wake source.
  • Hardware checks: test with the front-panel cable disconnected and short the power-switch pins briefly to simulate the button. Inspect standoffs and case mounting for shorts. Try a minimal bare-board build outside the case and/or a known-good PSU. Replace the CMOS battery if it’s old.

If every setting and peripheral test fails, the motherboard’s power-management circuitry or firmware can be at fault; replacement or board-level repair is then a reasonable final step. Take notes of each change, proceed methodically, and avoid changing multiple settings at once.

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Member Avatar for mike_2000_17

If you do a hard shutdown (by holding the power button of the computer until it shuts down), does it still turn back on by itself?

If it does, then it must be some sort of hardware issue. Maybe the power-button was wired up wrong?

Member Avatar for gerbil

That BIOS setting about restarting after power interruption (if you have it)- it should not be the problem in your case, but try turning it off. I don't have it set to auto restart because if a power outage is bad the power line auto-restart system will try to reconnect power 3 times before giving up, and I don't want my computer subject to that behaviour. But yes, the mb firmware/hardware controls switch-on behaviour, adjustable via BIOS settings.

Edited by gerbil
Member Avatar for khakilang

I have try hard shutdown and it does shutdown. It is only the software part. I even disable the power switch cable thinking it could be the panel power switch but still the same.

But I don't know about the BIOS. I may look into it. Thanks for the respond.

Member Avatar for cgeier

Ensure that the "Shutdown" option is not configured to restart the computer.

  • Right click the "Start button" (Windows globe)
  • Select "Properties"
  • Click "Start Menu"
  • Ensure "Power Button Action" is "Shutdown" (not restart)
Member Avatar for Mya:)

How about ctrl-alt-del ?
If you have a laptop have you tried taking out the battery?
Is there maybe a reset option? Maybe you should just enter the bios settings.

Member Avatar for khakilang

I think I have try everything. From the BIOS to the Start menu properties. I will try a new motherboard today and see how it goes. Thank you all for responding.

Member Avatar for Mya:)

Wish i could help! Only other advice i can give is to give it in for repairment

Member Avatar for blackmiau

How did it go? One of the machines I'm working on has a similar problem...

Member Avatar for mouaadable

please take a look at The bios settings , you may find a solution by yourself !

Member Avatar for khakilang

Finally changing the motherboard solve the problem. Thank you all for all the help.

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