Why Does My Ubuntu 18.04 Randomly Shut Down?

Ubuntu 18.04, like any other operating system, can sometimes experience issues that lead to random shutdowns. These shutdowns can be due to various reasons, including driver incompatibility, overheating, or hardware issues. This article will explore some of the most common causes and provide solutions to help you resolve the problem.

Nvidia Driver Incompatibility

One of the most common causes of random shutdowns in Ubuntu 18.04 is Nvidia driver incompatibility. Some users have reported that the Nvidia driver version 396.54 was causing their systems to shut down randomly.

To resolve this issue, you can remove the problematic driver and install a more stable version. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the current Nvidia driver. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal:

   sudo apt purge 'nvidia*'

   This command removes all Nvidia drivers from your system. The sudo command is used to run the operation with root privileges, apt is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, and purge is used to remove the packages along with their configuration files.
2. Add the graphics-drivers PPA repository. This repository contains the latest graphics drivers. Use the following command:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa

   This command adds the graphics-drivers PPA to your system’s software sources.
3. Install the stable Nvidia driver. In this case, we’re installing version 390.87:

   sudo apt install nvidia-390

   This command installs the Nvidia driver version 390.87.

After running these commands, reboot your system to see if the problem is resolved.

Overheating

Another common cause of random shutdowns is overheating. Your system may be reaching its critical temperature limit and shutting down to prevent hardware damage.

To check if this is the case, you can review the kernel log by running the following command:

cat /var/log/kern.log | grep shutting

The cat command is used to display the content of files, and grep is used to search for a specific string. In this case, we’re looking for the word “shutting” in the kernel log.

If you find a message indicating a critical temperature reached, you may need to clean your system’s fans or replace your thermal paste. You can also consider using a cooling pad if you’re using a laptop.

Checking for Driver Recommendations

If the above solutions do not work, it might be helpful to check if the current drivers are recommended for Ubuntu 18.04 on your specific hardware.

1. Remove all current drivers. You can do this by running the following commands:

   sudo apt purge 'nvidia*'
   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa

2. Check for recommended drivers. Run the following command:

   ubuntu-drivers devices

   This command lists all devices that need drivers, and shows the recommended drivers.
3. Install the recommended drivers. You can do this by running the following command:

   sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

   This command automatically installs the recommended drivers.

After running these commands, reboot your system to see if the problem is resolved.

Reviewing System Logs

If none of the above solutions work, you can check the system logs for any error messages that might indicate why your system is shutting down. The /var/log/syslog file contains system log messages, and you can view it with the following command:

cat /var/log/syslog

You can also check other log files in /var/log/ for any errors that might provide further insights into the issue.

Conclusion

Random shutdowns can be frustrating and disruptive, but with a bit of troubleshooting, they can often be resolved. By checking your drivers, monitoring your system’s temperature, and reviewing your system logs, you can identify and fix the most common causes of random shutdowns in Ubuntu 18.04. If you’re still experiencing issues, you may need to consider hardware troubleshooting or seeking help from the Ubuntu community.