220-1102 Question 582
Single answerFrequent shutdownsA user reports that their Windows 11 laptop has been shutting down unexpectedly several times a day with no blue screen. You verify that the battery charge is healthy and Windows Update completed successfully. Event Viewer shows repeated Kernel-Power events indicating the system lost power unexpectedly, usually after the laptop has been running for 20 to 30 minutes on a desk. Which action should the technician take FIRST to most likely resolve the issue?
- A
Inspect the air vents and cooling fan for dust buildup and clean the system
- B
Run System File Checker to repair corrupted Windows system files
- C
Disable Fast Startup in Power Options
- D
Reinstall the laptop's wireless network driver
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The most likely cause is overheating. In A+ troubleshooting, frequent unexpected shutdowns without a blue screen often point to thermal protection, power delivery problems, or failing hardware. Because the laptop shuts down after 20 to 30 minutes and Event Viewer records unexpected power loss, the technician should begin with the most probable and least invasive hardware check: inspect airflow, fans, and vents for blockage and clean dust buildup. This aligns with standard PC hardware best practices and common manufacturer guidance for laptops, which emphasizes maintaining clear ventilation paths to prevent thermal shutdowns. Kernel-Power events are often a result of the system losing power or shutting down without a clean OS-managed shutdown, so they describe the symptom rather than identify the root cause. In this scenario, the timing and conditions make overheating the strongest first diagnosis.
- A. Correct.
This is the best first action. Repeated unexpected shutdowns after the system has been running for a period of time commonly indicate overheating. Dust-clogged vents or a failing/blocked fan can cause the system to shut down abruptly to protect hardware. The scenario specifically notes the issue occurs after 20 to 30 minutes on a desk, which strongly points to a thermal problem rather than an operating system issue.
- B. Incorrect.
System File Checker can help with corrupted operating system files, but file corruption typically causes application errors, boot issues, or system instability such as crashes rather than sudden power loss with Kernel-Power events. It would not be the most likely first fix for a pattern that strongly suggests overheating.
- C. Incorrect.
Disabling Fast Startup can help with some boot, shutdown, or driver initialization issues, but it is not a likely solution for shutdowns that occur during normal use after the laptop has been running for a while. This option may seem plausible because it involves shutdown behavior, but the symptom pattern does not match a Fast Startup problem.
- D. Incorrect.
A wireless driver problem might cause connectivity issues, freezes, or even blue screens in some cases, but it would not be a common first suspect for repeated sudden power-offs with no blue screen after extended runtime. This distractor reflects the misconception that any driver issue can explain abrupt shutdowns.