Why Windows is Taking Forever to Shut Down? Explained with solutions

When you shut down or restart your Windows PC or Laptop, it stops all active processes, frees up your memory, the computer enters a complete power-off state, and it’s ready for a fresh start upon restarting. Usually, the shutdown or restart process takes just a few seconds, however, sometimes you may notice Laptop takes a long time to shut down or restart. Users report their laptop takes so long to shut down after a Windows update. This problem can occur due to various reasons, including background processes that refuse to close, pending updates, misconfigured power settings, or driver conflicts. Whatever the reason, here are several methods to diagnose and fix if Windows is Taking Forever to Shut Down.

Laptop Slow Shutdown after Windows Update

A laptop might take a long time to shut down due to various factors, including background processes, unresponsive applications, pending updates, or hardware issues.

• Pending Windows Updates – Some updates require additional installations during shutdown, slowing the process.
• Background Processes – Applications running in the background can delay shutdown by failing to close properly.
• Fast Startup Feature – This Windows feature, designed to speed up boot times, can sometimes interfere with shutdown.
• Corrupt System Files – Damaged Windows system files can prevent a smooth shutdown and cause delays.
• Outdated or Conflicting Drivers – Certain drivers may not respond correctly to the shutdown process.
• Page File Clearing – If Windows is set to clear the page file on shutdown, it can take longer to turn off.
• Third-Party Software Conflicts – Antivirus programs, startup applications, or unnecessary services may prevent Windows from shutting down quickly.

Check for Pending Updates

Windows updates install in phases, and additional configurations may occur during shutdown, causing delays. Ensuring all updates are fully installed prevents the system from processing them in the background, which can significantly slow down shutdown times.

• Open the Settings app using the keyboard shortcut Windows + I
• Click on Update & security, then Windows update
• Click Check for updates and install any pending updates.
• Restart your laptop manually and check if the shutdown time improves.

Disable the Fast Startup feature

The Fast Startup feature speeds up boot times but can interfere with shutdown by preventing processes from closing properly. Disabling this setting ensures that Windows fully shuts down instead of entering a partial hibernation state, which can sometimes cause Windows to take forever to Shut Down.

To disable the fast startup option

• Open the Control Panel and search for and select Power Options.
• On the left side menu, select Choose what the power buttons do.
• Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Scroll down to the Shutdown settings section. Remove the checkmark from the Turn on Fast Startup option.

• Click Save changes, restart your laptop, and check if shutdown is faster.

Disconnect External Devices

Sometimes, connected USB devices, external hard drives, or other peripherals can interfere with Windows shutdown. Removing these devices ensures that Windows does not hang while attempting to disconnect them safely.

• Unplug all unnecessary external devices (USB flash drives, external hard disks, printers, etc.).
• Restart your laptop and check if shutdown speeds improve.

Close Background Processes Manually

Applications running in the background can prevent Windows from shutting down quickly. Ending these processes before shutting down ensures Windows does not wait for them to close.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Under the Processes tab, find apps using high CPU, memory, or disk resources.
• Right-click each problematic application and select End task.
• Try to shut down your laptop to see if the issue persists.

Run Power Troubleshooter

Power settings may contribute to slow shutdown issues. Running the built-in Windows Power Troubleshooter detects and fixes any misconfigurations that may be causing shutdown delays.

1. Press Windows + I to open the settings app
2. Go to Update & Security, then Troubleshoot and click on the additional troubleshooter’s link
3. This will display all available troubleshooter lists, scroll down to locate  and select Power and finally, click on Run the Power troubleshooter
4. This will start to diagnose your computer’s power settings and make the correction if needed.
5. Once the process completes, restart your PC and check if this helps.

Run SFC, DISM, and CHKDSK Scans

Corrupt system files or disk errors can prevent Windows from shutting down properly. Running the built-in sfc, dism and chkdsk commands helps identify and repair any issues affecting shutdown performance.

Press windows + S, type cmd. Right click on the command prompt, select Run as administrator. Now run the following commands one after one.

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
chkdsk C: /f /r 

Let the scanning complete 100%, once done restart your computer and check if shutdown speed improves.

Update Display and Other Drivers

Outdated or conflicting drivers, including display drivers, can interfere with the shutdown process, leading to delays. Keeping them updated ensures smooth operation.

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
2. Expand Display adapters, Network adapters, and System devices.
3. Right-click each device and select Update driver.
4. If the issue started after a driver update, roll back the driver:
   • Right-click the device, select Properties.
   • Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver (if available).
5. Restart your laptop and check if shutdown speeds improve.

Reset the Power Plan

Resetting your power plan can be helpful in fixing that current issue. If you have been using a customized power plan then try resetting it once.

To reset the power plan in Windows:

• Open the Control Panel then navigate to the ‘Power Options’,
• Select the power plan according to your requirement and click on ‘Change plan settings.
• Click on ‘Change advanced power settings.
• In the power options windows, click on the button ‘Restore plan defaults.
• Click on ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’ button.

Tweak the Windows Registry Editor

If Windows is set to clear the page file at shutdown, it can take longer to turn off. Disabling this setting prevents Windows from performing unnecessary tasks during shutdown, improving performance.

Tweak Windows registry to Adjust Page File Settings:

• Press Windows + R, type regedit and OK to open the Windows registry editor.
• First backup the registry database, then navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management.
• Look for ClearPageFileAtShutdown.Double-click it and set its value to 0.
• Click OK, close the Registry Editor, and restart your laptop.

Again Windows waits a few seconds for services to close before shutting down. Lowering this value reduces wait time, improves shutdown speed.

• Open Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit, press Enter).
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
• Find WaitToKillServiceTimeout. Double-click it and change the value from 5000 (default) to 2000.
• Click OK to save changes and restart your laptop.