This issue often occurs due to corrupt system files or changes in system policies, particularly after certain updates or third-party software installations like Lockdown Browsers, which restrict these options for security reasons. Below, we detail the primary causes along with their solutions that might be responsible for this error in your situation.
1. Use Local Group Policy Editor
This issue may occur from a disabled feature in the Local Group Policy Editor. Within the Editor, there’s a policy named Remove and Prevent Access to the shutdown, which, when enabled, quite literally does what it says – it prevents shutdown options from appearing. By toggling this policy to Disabled, you can restore the regular functioning of your power options, thereby fixing the error message. Note: The Local Group Policy Editor isn’t available in Windows Home edition. However, you can enable it by following the methods in this article, “Enable GPEdit.msc on Windows 10/11 Home.”
2. Use Windows Power Troubleshooter
The Windows Power Troubleshooter is specifically designed to scan for and automatically repair problems associated with your computer’s power settings. By using the troubleshooter, you allow Windows to identify and potentially resolve any improper configurations or system glitches preventing the power options from appearing — all with minimal user intervention.
3. Create Additional Power Options
If the options are still missing, it may indicate an issue with your Windows power plan. This can be resolved by utilizing some commands that allows you to add new power plans. We are going to use these commands to refresh the default power plan options available in Windows. Attempt to use the power options again to verify if the error has been resolved.
4. Using Registry Editor Policy (Lower Versions)
In older versions of Windows, certain power options are governed by registry settings. The NoClose entry, specifically, tells the system whether the shutdown option should be accessible to the user. When this value is set incorrectly, it can remove your ability to shut down the computer using the Start menu or other normal methods. By resetting the NoClose value to 0, you basically restore the default functionality, allowing the shutdown, restart, and sleep options to reappear, thereby potentially resolving the issue. Note: Always remember to back up the registry before making any changes to make sure you can revert back if needed.
5. Use a System Restore Point
When you set a restore point, your computer takes a snapshot of your system files and the Windows registry. If a change, like a recent update or driver installation, leads to an unexpected issue with your power settings, reverting to a previous state using System Restore can potentially wipe away the problem, leaving you with a system that worked fine before the issue occured. This step can effectively roll back any conflicting modifications that might have caused the error, restoring order to your kingdom of computing with minimal fuss.
6. Change the Current Power Option Name
The system internally refreshes its policies and settings related to the power options when a change is detected. This refresh can clear out any glitches or misconfigurations that were causing the error, restoring normal functionality. So by executing this minor tweak, you could set things right without going into more complex troubleshooting techniques.
7. Restore Power Options
Incorrect power options settings may be causing this issue. By executing a command that resets all power schemes to their default settings, any customized configurations that might have gone wrong and led to errors get swept away. This is similar to giving your power settings a fresh start, potentially eliminating any glitches that were causing the issue.
8. Run DISM And System File Checker
DISM repairs the Windows system image and prepares the groundwork for SFC, which scans and repairs any corrupt or missing system files that could be causing the power options error.
