Computer keeps locking automatically

Anonymous
2019-11-17T16:41:28+00:00

My computer keeps locking up. Ill try to run something and a blue screen will pop saying "locking..." And it will completely shut down. How do i fix this?

***Modified title from: my computer (dell, windows 10) keeps locking up, how do I fix it?***

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2019-12-05T19:26:00+00:00

Solved!!!!!

I have confirmed my critical battery level action suspicion I described before.  To test it I set my critical battery level higher and unplugged my PC to run it down to that level.  As soon as it reached that point, the blue "Locking" screen popped up and it went into hibernation just like it's set to do.  There was also another very quick notification screen/message but I'm not certain what it said.  I think it might have said something about critical battery level but, again, I'm not certain.  I am 100% certain that I saw the mysterious "Locking" message on a blue screen exactly as I'd been seeing it before all those times. 

So anyone else who is having this same problem, you most likely have a really old battery that drains super fast when you're working your PC hard and using a lot of energy.  Or your battery may be malfunctioning but leading to the same issue.  It's draining so quickly there's no time for the other power level notifications and it's going straight to the critical battery level action. 

There is another thread somewhere else where the Windows "expert" states that he is not aware of any screen or message that says "Locking" in Windows 10, which we now know is incorrect, and that is probably causing a lot of confusion for those of us that are experiencing this rare issue.  I even noticed that the font for this "Locking" message was the same Windows font we're so familiar with.  And since I read somewhere else someone was having this same issue on a Dell laptop, we can be certain that it is indeed a function of Windows 10. 

Now that I've confirmed it myself, I can stop worrying about malware or a virus causing it.  That would be a very weird thing to be causing anyway since there's no other issues related and I can always restart, or bring out of hibernation, my laptop no problem.

Well, I hope anyone else that's having this same, strange issue reads this and finally finds some clarity.  If you do happen to read this all and changing the battery does solve the problem, please post a response here if you don't mind.  Even though I'm 100% now that I've found the answer, I'd still like to get outside confirmation and also know if my efforts have helped anyone else.  This is such a rare, weird issue that even the Windows experts have been stumped.  It would be great for my ego to know I did, indeed, solve this mystery.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-11T08:38:27+00:00

    That is interesting...I replaced my battery (had an extra one I had bought) and i have not had the problem since.....but have not let the battery run down too low....

    Fitted a new battery yesterday, not seen the locking coming on. When the battery runs down to 10% turn off and fully charge. Been advised by the battery supplier to do this 4 to 5 times.

    Think this has cured the problem.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-12T19:11:26+00:00

    this is happening a brand new dell optiplex,,cant be the battery, its a brand new computer !!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-20T12:59:33+00:00

    I am listening and I am getting the very same blue screen message with my Dell computer.  It must be a battery problem for me since this normally happens within minutes of the computer being turned on.  The charge indicator at the bottom of the screen shows a full or nearly full charge and when I bring up "Settings" and select the Battery option under System it is showing an 85% charge.  I replaced the battery approximately one year ago.  Since I held on to the old battery I may switch it back in to see if that is the problem.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-21T23:14:09+00:00

    I'm glad to see my huge post has been at least somewhat helpful to so many people thus far.  I had searched high and low for even the mention of the dreaded blue "Locking" screen and found almost nothing.  I did find a so-called Windows expert who said the Locking screen wasn't even a Windows thing.  Wrong! 

    I know my problem was with the battery but may not be the cause for everyone.  At least I think it gives you a better idea of what it might be or at least where to start looking. 

    From my experience brand new batteries can have big problems themselves if you get a lemon.  There's so many manufacturers out there you may or may not get one made by whomever is on the label.  There are good online utilities that can run tests on your batteries but they may or may not find the problem.  It's luck of the draw sometimes.  It happened to be what my issue was but it took me forever to follow the evidence to that source.

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