Windows 8.1 computer shuts down unexpectedly.

I am suddenly having the same issue. This was a new PC bought about 6 months ago. In the past 2 days, since 26 Dec, we are having 3-4 random shutdowns per day, always when we are away from the PC.

All our work keeps getting lost...very critical MS publishes a fix for this. What should we do to correct this bug?

I would call dell. It isn't windows 8 or 8.1 that is causing it so its hardware or their software add-ons. If you boot in to safe mode and it doesn't shut the hardware isn't the issue. If you then try clean boot and still no shut down it is the software.

Follow this http://www.vindamedia.com/windows/help/windows-8-general-errors after the top few steps there are links to the safe mode and clean boot. If you haven't solved the issue I would call dell to let them know since it is their responsibility to fix the issue even if it was Windows 8.1, they should provide support. When they say its Windows -- that really means we aren't smart enough or care enough to properly diagnose the issue.

If you still have issue look in event viewer and attach the cause for the shut down to a new threa and put a link here so I can find it. Its better to split questions up because it gets hard to tell what you or others have done.

Here is how to get into event viewer and a quick over view. I think its kernel power event Id 41 but it could be any kernel power event you will see it when you look

http://www.vindamedia.com/windows/help/using-event-logs

Brand new laptop, 5 days old, Dell Inspiron, Windows 8.1, and it is doing the random 'SHUTTING DOWN' thing.  I could be sending a message, playing a game, reading an article.

No warning, just suddenly the words SHUTTING DOWN is in front of my face.   It does not reboot.

System Troubleshooter shows no troubles.

Can I make this laptop go to plain old 8 somehow?  Or am I stuck with 8.1?

8.1 also changed my brilliant microsoft mouse from a perfect fit for me to a generic plain jane mouse.  There is no fix.  I've been in here trying to find out how to get that back to it's brilliance, too.

Edited to add:  I did not install 8.1 on this laptop, it came already installed.

Hi Anannya,

I have a same problem but, please analyze my unexpected shutdown please?

Log Name:      System

Source:        User32

Date:          11/22/2014 3:36:07 AM

Event ID:      1074

Task Category: None

Level:         Information

Keywords:      Classic

User:          WIN8\JazzeeRae

Computer:      Win8

Description:

The process C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE (WIN8) has initiated the power off of computer WIN8 on behalf of user Win8\JazzeeRae for the following reason: Other (Unplanned)

 Reason Code: 0x0

 Shutdown Type: power off

 Comment: 

Event Xml:

<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">

  <System>

    <Provider Name="User32" Guid="{b0aa8734-56f7-41cc-b2f4-de228e98b946}" EventSourceName="User32" />

    <EventID Qualifiers="32768">1074</EventID>

    <Version>0</Version>

    <Level>4</Level>

    <Task>0</Task>

    <Opcode>0</Opcode>

    <Keywords>0x8080000000000000</Keywords>

    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2014-11-21T19:36:07.958529500Z" />

    <EventRecordID>18164</EventRecordID>

    <Correlation />

    <Execution ProcessID="376" ThreadID="504" />

    <Channel>System</Channel>

    <Computer>Win8</Computer>

    <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-273920562-296948891-4285719235-1001" />

  </System>

  <EventData>

    <Data Name="param1">C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE (WIN8)</Data>

    <Data Name="param2">WIN8</Data>

    <Data Name="param3">Other (Unplanned)</Data>

    <Data Name="param4">0x0</Data>

    <Data Name="param5">power off</Data>

    <Data Name="param6">

    </Data>

    <Data Name="param7">Win8\JazzeeRae</Data>

  </EventData>

</Event>

So those of us who do not know how to fix our own computers are just out of luck??  I've tried some of the stuff here that I know how to do.  I've had two professional IT people look at my laptop and they don't know what to do either.  So here I am with a brand new Dell laptop that won't function for work or personal use.  If I manage to finish this paragraph without it shutting down it will be a miracle. 

Can we undo the 8.1 update?  It would seem all of us started having a problem after that.  Why do some people not have an issue with the update and others do?  Or is it only a matter of time before everyone will have a problem. 

Please do something soon.  I cannot afford to go out and buy something else right now to replace this.  I will certainly think twice before making my next purchase now.