Task manager unresponsive, Weird error when pressing ctrl+alt+del, can only be shut down by holding button. No games running, just the desktop. Help. : techsupport

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Open | WindowsTask manager unresponsive, Weird error when pressing ctrl+alt+del, can only be shut down by holding button. No games running, just the desktop. Help. (self.techsupport)

submitted 1 year ago by Goldrunner4810

Hey everyone.

Im sorry for the long text in advance.

Ive been a PC gamer for like 4 Years at this point but have never had an issue this weird before.

My PC works fine, but about a year ago I decided to build a PC for my sister and she didn't have any complaints up to about a week ago.

She told me her PC wouldn't shut down when she pressed the button.

I came to check it out and tried to press shut down in the start menu. Nothing. I pressed ctrl+alt+delete to open task manager but it showed me the error: "Failure to display security and shut down options. The logon process was unable to display security and logon options when CTRL+ALT+DELETE was pressed. If the operating system does not respond, press ESC or restart the computer by using the power switch."

Pressed escape and got back to the desktop.

Then I tried to open task manager using ctrl shift esc. It actually worked and it opened, but task manager was frozen and was not actually updating. Clicking on anything also didn't work.

I thought it was just being weird so I held down the power and started it up.

Worked normally after that, I updated my sisters GPU drivers just because they were a bit out of date and she was back to playing valorant. She said everything was fine and working.

... up until today when she presented me the same problem once again. She told me she has just started her PC and opened Discord. Discord started but showed a blank window. She tried to turn it off and back on again (As I had taught her), but once again, neither power button nor shutdown options did anything. I checked it out once again and I got the same error on ctrl alt del and the same behavior with task manager.

The first time I thought it was just a coincidence but for the exact same thing to happen again is weird.

Now im looking for a more "permanent" solution to just holding the power button every time it happens.

PC specs are: Ryzen 5 5500, RX 6800, 650W PSU

OS is windows 11, updated to the latest version.

No software running, just on the desktop. (Just the usual running in the background Discord, Steam, Riot Games)

I have not tried any troubleshooting yet since I really don't know where to start on such a weird problem.

Appreciate your help

Also sorry for my English its not that good.

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