Windows 8 Not Shutting Down Properly With Fast Start-Up Enabled

Question

While Fast start-up is enabled, on turning the computer off (shutdown) the computer idles for about 5min after logging out/screen turning off. It then turns off. On returning into Windows I receive the error message saying Windows didn't shut down properly.

Hibernate works fine, and I am told this shouldn't be the case - If one doesn't work, neither should. It works when both Fast start-up is enabled and disabled, as does restart and sleep.

Windows is installed under UEFI.

The UEFI ultra fast boot option for my motherboard cannot be enabled as my GPU doesn't support some UEFI GOP tech. As far as I know, not related to windows fast start-up, but thought it was worth mentioning.

To clarify, if this: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6320-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-8-a.html is enabled, the computer does not shut down properly.

EDIT: Some more information on the matter:

Formatting didn't fix the issue. Still fails regardless of drivers installed.

Hardware was purchased ~6months ago. Running a good SSD.

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Event viewer

Always these two messages in close succession:

Error (event ID 6008): The previous system shutdown at 7:45:21 PM on ‎27/‎10/‎2012 was unexpected.

Critical (kernel power, event ID 41): The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.

Update

Upon installing WPT as suggested below to figure out what was happening during shutdown, and running the cmd

xbootmgr -trace shutdown -noPrepReboot -traceFlags BASE+CSWITCH+DRIVERS+POWER -resultPath C:\TEMP

Windows fast start-up is now working consistently. Still works upon uninstalling WPT. This is the only change to occur on the computer. Nothing else has bee installed/uninstalled, no Windows Updates, nothing. Windows fast start-up did not work prior to installing WPT and running the cmd (made sure I tested).

Update 2

Since a random patch to Windows Defender, computer has again been failing to shut down properly. The above "fix" didn't work this time around.

Update 3

Latest update to Windows Defender has fast stat-up working again.

Update 4

Computer shutting down properly is now completely inconsistent.

Solution 1

Looks to be an issue surrounding Windows Update... Ensuring there are no updates waiting to be downloaded/installed at point of shutdown, I haven't had a problem. This is the closest I've come to 'solving' the issue.

Solution 2

Use xbootmgr from the WPT to trace which the shutdown is slow:

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/158252-trace-why-windows-8-boots-shutsdown-or-hibernate-slowly/

Generate the Shutdown and Hibernate XML and look what takes so much time.

Comments

[harrymc]

Is Windows 8 fully patched ?

[Admin]

@harrymc yes. Windows updates, drivers, or flashing motherboard BIOS/UEFI with very recent version hasn't fixed the issue.

[harrymc]

You said you formatted the disk and reinstalled Windows. Did the problem exist with a vanilla Windows 8? Or with all possible devices disconnected?

[Admin]

@harrymc correct, and I literally have no devices plugged into my machine except mouse and keyboard. Don't forget - Hibernate works fine, which I've been told shouldn't be the case...

[Admin]

I ran it. Upon executing the command, the computer near instantly threw up the restarting screen and restarted (instead of shutting down). I feel it's not an issue of something taking too long during shutdown, but something being too fast, beating windows.

[Admin]

fast start-up wasn't working just prior to looking at your post. Since installing WPT and running that shutdown cmd, I tried re enabling fast start-up again, and the computer shutdown/started up fine. Will do it a few more times today and see what the results are. bizarre.

[Admin]

Computer consistently shutting down normally with fast start-up enabled now. Uninstalled WPT, still working fine. That's the only change that's occurred.

[magicandre1981]

I have no idea why this is so. Be happy that it works now. Btw you used the wrong command. To trace fast boot you must use the fast boot command which I've posted at the end of the guide.

[Admin]

Ah missed that sorry. I'll see how reliable this 'fix' holds over the next couple of days. Thanks for your help though!

[Admin]

What does this command actually do? I wish I could test it out, unfortunately the problem disappeared after I installed and ran WPT (see bounty'ed answer)...

[Simon]

I guess it is an alternative if the other method that you used didnt work. As long as you have now resolved it....