# my laptop keeps shutting off every now and again

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-keeps-shutting-off-every-now-and-again/732082>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 21, 2015, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-keeps-shutting-off-every-now-and-again/732082 "2015-09-21T07:58:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![carlowplayer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@carlowplayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlowplayer)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-keeps-shutting-off-every-now-and-again/732082/1 "2015-09-21T07:58:06Z")

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my sony vaio keeps shutting off ineplicably either after 45 minutes or 3 hours of running normally what could be wrong with it.

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**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-keeps-shutting-off-every-now-and-again/732082/2 "2015-09-21T08:51:18Z")

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Not an expert, but I would guess overheating. They do get clogged with dust and all it may need is a good clean.

Read [this](http://www.howtogeek.com/194479/how-to-clean-the-dust-out-of-your-laptop/)

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**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-laptop-keeps-shutting-off-every-now-and-again/732082/3 "2015-09-21T11:25:31Z")

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Here’s a list of what could be wrong, but most likely it’s the fan.

**Software**

- Power settings could be set to shut it off after set time.
- Some crap like spyware, malware, etc has corrupted your file system

**Hardware**

- Your fan is blocked by dust - use an can of compressed air and blow it in the side of your fan and get it out that way, [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74agkgZdzkI) you can see a video that explains how to, but use [this method of cleaning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H5JobmW-PQ) (forget that straw and buy an can of compressed air).
- Faulty RAM - run a RAM test [guide1](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ie/windows7/diagnosing-memory-problems-on-your-computer)[guide 2](http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/test-your-ram-with-windows-memory-diagnostic-tool/)
- Faulty HDD - either file system got corrupted of some sectors of your HDD developed a fault and your getting read/write errors