Computer Shuts Down During a Virus Scan? 4 Ways to Stop it

Antivirus software is one of the most crucial tools at your disposal for protecting your device but sometimes it causes the computer shuts down during a virus scan.

With more sophisticated assaults on your devices, it’s critical to have antivirus apps on your desktop and scan your system frequently.

However, you may encounter some difficulties at some point during the process.

For example, your computer shuts down during a virus scan! Don’t worry though because we are here to help you fix this problem.

How do I know if the problem is caused by software or hardware?

1. To start, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard to open Settings.
2. Click on System then select Recovery.
3. Under Recovery options, next to Advanced startup, select Restart now.
4. After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.

7. Select Advanced options.
8. After that, click on Startup Settings.
9. Select Restart (You may be asked to enter your BitLocker recovery key if you have one).
10. After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode without internet and select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Now that we know what caused our problem, we can focus on solutions, which are, of course, dependent on the main cause.

What can I do if the computer shuts down during a virus scan?

1. Check fans

Even in Safe Mode, if your computer crashes while running a virus check, it’s likely that the problem is hardware-related, most likely a heat problem.

So, if you have access to your pc/laptop fan clean it and if you are not familiar with the procedure try getting help from an expert.

2. Install a PC repair tool

The most common symptom of a problem with your computer’s operating system is a restart.

So, it’s possible that your computer’s operating system is also malfunctioning. In this case, a PC repair tool is required.

3. Install another antivirus

As we mentioned before, Safe Mode can make everything clear. If the antivirus scan went smoothly on windows Safe Mode, then the problem is caused by software issues or incompatibility.

To solve the problem, you can try another reliable antivirus app and test if it works. Before installing another antivirus don’t forget to uninstall the old one.

Now check to see if your computer shuts down during a virus scan again. If yes, proceed to the next solution.

If everything is okay on Safe Mode and installing a new antivirus didn’t work, you might need to defrag your hard drive. To do so, follow the steps below.

4. Defrag HDDs

1. Click the Start menu, type defrag and select Defragment Optimize Drives.
2. When the window opens, you’ll see a list of all your drives and their current defragmentation status.
   Select the drive that you want to analyze, and click the Analyze button. Remember! this procedure works only on HDDs.
3. Wait for the process to finish then choose the analyzed drive and click on Optimize.

6. Wait for the process to finish.

Keep in mind that depending on the extent of fragmentation, the process may take some time, and there is a higher chance of resolving the computer shuts down during a virus scan issue.

Take a look at this article if you’re having trouble with Disk Defragmenter.

Antivirus protection is critical for anyone who cares about their data and computer systems and wants to prevent any further damage.

Antivirus software acts as a security guard at the entrance, keeping intruders from entering.

However, sometimes, the antivirus is the source of the problem and it shuts down the computer during a virus scan.

Because prevention is far more effective than cure, having a system in place intended to identify and prevent viral assaults is preferable to having to spend time and money patching infected equipment.

That’s why you have to install an antivirus and use full scan frequently.

If you’re looking for the best antivirus solutions for Windows Server, check out this article.

Let us know in the comments if you were successful in resolving the problem, and if so, which method you used.