Your PC has shut down randomly. Relatively, you check the Event Viewer. It shows a message that the previous system shutdown was unexpected.

So, what can you do now?

First thing you need to find out a possible reason. Then take the advanced step. Lastly, use the PC without unexpected shutdown.

Here, I will include the problem-finding process one by one with a related solution. Let’s explore.

Why ‘the Previous System Shutdown Was Unexpected’

The issue creates for misfunction of an internal system or service or external application. Or even it can be occurred because of non-proper hardware components functionality. Whatever the reason is, you have to work through the cause to fix the error and ensure the happening won’t take place in the future. 

What to Do If the Previous System Shutdown Was Unexpected

Here the goal is to find out the possible reason that causes the problem. And reset the problematic application. There are a couple of ways to find out the responsible system, service, or application. These are-

• Use Event Viewer
• Enable Safe Mode
• Execute a Clean Boot
• Use Windows PowerShell (Admin)
• Use Command Prompt 

Method 1: Use Event Viewer

To know in detail about the error, the ‘Event Viewer’ can be one of the best choices. I will include the usage process below.

Step 1

Right-click on the ‘Start’ menu. Then select the ‘Event Viewer’ from the appeared list. 

Step 2

Consequently, the ‘Event Viewer’ window will appear on the screen. Here you will get the ‘Windows Logs’ section on the left side menu bar. You have to expand it. 

Step 3

Then select the ‘System’ from the newly appeared list after expanding the ‘Windows Logs’. Right-click on it. 

Step 4

As a result, a list of a couple of functional options will become evident. From here, you have to choose ‘Filter Current Log’. 

Step 5

While the related window will appear, you need to tap the ‘Filter’ tab. Then look at the middle of the interface. Here you will see the ‘<All Event IDs>’ bar.

Step 6

You have to put ‘6008’ as ‘Event ID’. Then press ‘Ok’. 

Step 7

Accordingly, the findings will appear on the description box with detailed information. 

Finally, check the info and take proper initiative. 

Method 2: Enable Safe Mode

Another method to find the details about the error will be to enable ‘Safe Mode’. It will give you limited access by which you can sort out whether the error has appeared for an internal System or not. I will describe below how you can enable ‘Safe Mode‘. 

Step 1

Press the Windows and ‘I’ keys together. You will get the ‘Settings’ window access. Then, you have to choose the ‘Update & Security’ category from here.

Step 2

Next, you need to select ‘Recovery’ from the left side menu. 

Step 3

After that, look at the right side. You will find the ‘Advanced startup’ section. Under it, you will see the ‘Restart now’ option. You have to click on it. And confirm the submission.

Step 4

Consequently, the PC will restart. Then ‘Choose an option’ interface will become evident. From here, you have to choose the ‘Troubleshoot’ section.

Step 5

After that, a couple of troubleshooting options will be visible. You have to choose ‘Advanced options’.

Step 6

Then, you need to click on ‘Startup Settings’ from the appeared advanced options list.

Step 7

Next, you need to press ‘f4’ or ‘4’ to select the ‘Enable Safe Mode’ operation. 

Step 8

In the end, recheck the ‘Startup Settings’ function and tap the ‘Restart’ tab as a consecutive step.

Finally, you will enter Safe Mode successfully. Finally, check the ‘Event Viewer’. If the ‘Event ID’ appears as an error, it will indicate an internal System occurrence. If it does not appear, you will need to follow the next method to find out the reason.

Method 3: Execute a Clean Boot

Here you have to concise the checking. For so, you need to execute a clean boot. I will attach the execution process below.

Step 1

Tap the Windows key and type ‘msconfig’. Consequently, the ‘System Configuration’ app preface will appear on the interface. You have to click on the ‘Run as administrator’ option.

Step 2

While the ‘System Configuration’ window will be visible, tap the ‘General’ tab. Then you need to choose a ‘Startup selection’. Mark on the ‘Selective startup’. Under the section, you need to find ‘Load startup items’ and tick on the box. 

Step 3

After that, tap the ‘Services’ tab. Then tick on the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ box. You will find the box at bottom of the window. Next, you have to tick mark all the services and then select ‘Disable all’ option.

Step 4

Then, tap the ‘Startup’ tab and click on the blue-colored ‘Open Task Manager’.

Step 5

Accordingly, the ‘Task Manager’ window will appear on the screen. You have to disable non-Microsoft services from here. To do so, click on each option and then press the ‘Disable’ option. You will get the option at the right bottom. Then close the ‘Task Manager’ window. 

Step 6

In the end, you will be on the ‘Startup’ tab menu. From here, you have to press ‘Apply’ and ‘Ok’ then.

Finally, restart the computer. Accordingly, your PC will perform a clean boot.

Turn Back PC to Normal Mode

After that, you have to follow the below steps to get back the PC to the previous condition.

Step 1

Again, you need to work with the ‘System Configuration’ app. To get the app access, you need to press the Windows key and type ‘msconfig’. Then the app preface will appear. From here, you have to click on the ‘Run as administrator’ option.

Step 2

Consequently, the ‘System Configuration’ window will become evident on the screen. Here, you need to tap the ‘General’ tab and mark on the ‘Normal startup’ category. 

Step 3

Next, tap the ‘Services’ tab. Then uncheck the ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ box. You will find the box on the left bottom of the appeared window. Then, click on the ‘Enable all’ tab.

Step 4

After that, tap the ‘Startup’ tab and click on the ‘Open Task Manager’ link.

Step 5

Consequently, the ‘Task Manager’ window will appear on the screen. You have to enable all the services. To do so, click on a service and look at the right bottom. Here, you will find the ‘Enable’ option. You need to click on it. After completing the enable process, close the ‘Task Manager’ window.

Step 6

Consequently, you will get back the ‘System Configuration’ window with the previous position. Click on the ‘Ok’.

In the end, you have to restart the PC according to the on-screen direction. 

Method 4: Use Windows PowerShell (Admin)

Using Windows PowerShell to find the error’s reason will be a simple alternative process. Here in below, I will discuss the process step by step. 

Step 1

Right-click on the Start menu. Consequently, a list of some operative options will appear on the interface. From here, you have to find and click on the ‘Windows PowerShell (Admin)’ option.

Step 2

Accordingly, the Windows PowerShell (Admin) window will become evident. You have to copy the below command and paste it into the window.

Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{ LogName = ‘System’; Id = 6008; } | Format-List Id, LevelDisplayName, TimeCreated, Message

After that, you have to hit the ‘enter’ button. As a result, you will get the finding result. Then you can work through the finding.

Method 5: Use Command Prompt

Command Prompt can be an effective tool that you can apply to find the possible reason. How to use the tool, will be described below.

Step 1

Tap the Windows key and type ‘cmd’. Accordingly, the preface of the ‘Command Prompt’ app will be visible on the appeared interface. You have to choose the ‘Run as administrator’ from here. 

Step 2

After that, the Command Prompt window will be visible. You have to copy the below command and paste it into the window. 

wevtutil qe System /q:”*[System[(EventID=6008)]]” /c:100 /f:text /rd:true

Next, hit the ‘enter’ key. Consequently, you will get the finding. In the end, take the possible step according to the finding. 

Bonus Tip: Concentrate on the Hardware

If nothing finds after applying the above methods, you will have to check the hardware issue. The hardware function may not work properly. It can be a very possible reason to cause the issue. So, at this stage, you have to check the hardware component.

Check 1: CPU

Firstly, check the CPU. Will it be overheated? If so, there will be a couple of options you can try. 

You can clean the CPU properly with compressed air. But, if you aren’t used to cleaning, better if you will take the PC to a technician. 

Moreover, if the PC has a warranty period, you can take it to the manufacturer’s support center. 

Check 2: Power Supply Cooling System

Secondly, give your concentration on the Power Supply functionality. In some cases, it can stop suddenly and cause an unexpected shutdown while running the PC without any notice. 

Check 3: GPU, Hard Drive, or Other Chipset

Thirdly, you may check the GPU, Hard Drive, or Other Chipset for feasible non-proper functionality. Because these components can also be the reason for the unexpected shutdown.  

Final Words

To sum up, I would like to remind you that your mission should find out the reason that is responsible for ‘the previous system shutdown was unexpected’ error. However, the choice will be yours to find it either through the software issue first or the hardware issue.