Random shutoffs are almost always a thermal protection event — the CPU or GPU hits a temperature limit and cuts power before something burns out. It’s your machine protecting itself.
The most common causes
- Dust clogged in the heatsink or fans — the #1 culprit in machines over 2–3 years old. A thick dust blanket acts like insulation.
- Dried-out thermal paste — the paste between the CPU and heatsink dries and cracks over time, losing its ability to transfer heat.
- A failing or slowed fan — fans wear out. A fan running at half speed might not trip a sensor, but it’s not keeping up.
What to try at home
Shut the machine down and use a can of compressed air to blow out the vents. If it’s a desktop, open the side panel and blow out the heatsink fins. If the shutoffs stop, that was it. If they continue, thermal paste replacement is likely needed — that’s a repair we do during a standard diagnostic.
A full cleaning and thermal paste replacement typically runs $40–$60 in labor and usually fixes it completely. Book a diagnostic if you’re in North Georgia and we’ll get it sorted.