Why does my laptop shut off?

[Randoman01]

So sometimes when I am on my laptop I sometimes have it shut off every so often. I wonder I if it is because it is old or overheating or what do you think? How can I tell if something is wrong with my laptop? Whay do you think it is?

 

[Barbas]

Have you been through the Control Panel to check the power options? It could be set to some sort of eco mode to shut down after a set time. Does it completely shut down, or just go into a sleep mode that it quickly comes out of?

 

[SnowyGamester]

Does it immediately cut out or go through the shutdown process? Does it happen when running on AC power? Do any warnings come up? It's most likely to be overheating or a battery problem but there could be other causes.

 

[Vegosiux]

Does it...

Does it immediately cut out or go through the shutdown process?

This, basically. Does it "shut down" or just "die"? Because if it's the latter, overheating indeed is the most likely culprit.