A server administrator is troubleshooting a Windows Server that randomly reboots. The event logs show frequent 'Kernel-Power' Event ID 41 errors, indicating the system shut down unexpectedly. No other specific STOP errors (Blue Screen of Death) are present before the reboot. The server is connected to a UPS and has redundant power supplies, which are both showing green status lights. What is the MOST likely cause?
- AOperating system corruption
- BDNS server misconfiguration
- CHardware driver conflict
- DPower supply unit (PSU) failure or instability
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Power supply unit (PSU) failure or instability
Event ID 41 'Kernel-Power' indicates an unexpected shutdown. Without a preceding STOP error, it often points to a power-related issue where the system loses power or experiences insufficient power, rather than a software-induced crash. Even with redundant PSUs and a UPS, one or both PSUs could be intermittently failing to deliver stable power, or there could be an issue with the power distribution within the server itself, causing the system to lose power suddenly. The green lights only indicate presence of power, not stability or full functionality.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. OS corruption often leads to specific STOP errors or application crashes, not typically sudden power loss without a prior crash dump.
- B. DNS misconfiguration would cause network and application issues, not random server reboots.
- C. Driver conflicts usually result in specific STOP errors (BSOD) with associated bugcheck codes, not an abrupt power loss event.
Kernel-Power Event ID 41
Event ID 41 (Kernel-Power) indicates that Windows shut down unexpectedly or was unable to resume from hibernation. Without other preceding errors, it often points to a power delivery issue.
- Indicates unexpected system shutdown.
- Often related to power supply or motherboard issues.
- Absence of other STOP errors makes power issues more likely.
Memory trick: Power's the hidden hand that pulls the plug.