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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  2. Anonymous
    2020-10-20T23:38:38+00:00

    Still trying to figure out why I get the Purple screen and "Locking" also. I do not have a Laptop I have a HP Desk Top. My only power source is AC power, battery is not an option for me.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-20T14:55:48+00:00

    Thank you so much!!  I'm not very computer literate so your instructions are extremely helpful.  I printed them and followed the instructions (which was easy for a novice like me!).  I will try that now and time will tell.  At least I have the hard copy to follow if I have any additional issues.. :)  Thanks again!!  Henry

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-10-20T14:04:35+00:00

    This is due to the battery is critically low. When you are using an old battery with your laptop without replacing the battery, the battery capacity becomes low with the time being. There is a setting called "Critical Battery Action" in power settings which system automatically shutdown or hibernate to safeguard the PC. It is recommended to replace the drained battery but you can eliminate the locking issue by changing below settings. 

    01 - Open the Control Panel.

    02 - Choose Hardware and Sound.

    03 - Choose Power Options.

    You see the laptop’s power plans. The battery warning levels are set for a specific plan.

    04 - Next to the active power plan, click the link Change Plan Settings.

    05 - In the Edit Plan Settings window, click the Change Advanced Power Settings link.

    Finally, the Power Options dialog box shows up. It’s the happening place for all things having to do with power management in Windows.

    06 - Scroll the list, and locate the item labeled Battery.

    07 - Click the plus sign (+) by "Battery" to display various battery notification and action options.

    08 - Click the plus sign (+) by "Critical Battery Action"

    09 - Change setting when plugged in to "Do Nothing"

    Problem solved. As this happens due to the drainage of your battery you have to use laptop all the time with plugged in to power otherwise the system fails due to low battery status.

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