What Rebooting Does and When You Need It
A reboot shuts down your computer completely and starts it back up. This clears your computer's temporary memory, closes all running programs, and reloads your operating system fresh. Most computer problems—freezing, slow performance, programs that won't close, or internet that stops working—get fixed by rebooting because it wipes away whatever got stuck in memory.
You should reboot when a program stops responding, when your computer runs slowly even though nothing is obviously open, after installing software or updates, or when you notice your internet connection has dropped. A reboot takes three to five minutes total and costs you nothing.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot (using the Restart button) is the safest method and should be your first choice every time.
- On Windows, click the Start button, then Power, then Restart; on Mac, click the Apple menu, then Restart.
- A hard reboot (holding the power button) should only be used if your computer is completely frozen and will not respond to keyboard or mouse.
- Save your work before rebooting because all open files and programs will close without warning.
- After rebooting, your computer may take a minute or two to fully load all its background programs before it runs at normal speed.
The Soft Reboot: Using the Restart Button (Windows)
A soft reboot is the standard way to restart your computer and the method you should use almost every time. On Windows, click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen. A menu will open.
Look for the Power button icon (it looks like a circle with a line at the top). Click it. A small menu will appear with three options: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart. Click Restart. Your computer will close all open programs, shut down, and turn back on automatically within 30 seconds.
Do not unplug your computer or hold down the power button during a soft reboot. Let it complete on its own. The whole process takes about three to five minutes from the moment you click Restart until your desktop is fully loaded and ready to use.
The Soft Reboot: Using the Restart Button (Mac)
On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen (it looks like an apple symbol). A dropdown menu will appear.
Click Restart from the list. A dialog box will pop up asking if you want to restart. Click the Restart button in that box to confirm. Your Mac will close all open programs and restart automatically. Like Windows, this takes about three to five minutes total.
If you have unsaved work in any open documents, macOS will ask you whether you want to save those files before restarting. Click Save for any file you want to keep, or Don't Save if you want to discard changes. You cannot proceed with the restart until you answer for each unsaved file.
The Hard Reboot: When Your Computer Is Frozen
A hard reboot means forcing your computer to shut down by holding the power button. Use this method only when your computer is completely frozen—when your mouse will not move, your keyboard does not respond, and the Restart button does nothing.
Hold down the power button (usually on the front or side of your computer, or on your keyboard for a laptop) for 10 to 15 seconds. Your screen will go black and your computer will shut down. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on. Your computer will restart normally.
A hard reboot can occasionally cause file damage because programs do not close properly. Use it only as a last resort when a soft reboot is impossible. After a hard reboot, your computer may take longer than usual to start up because it is checking its files for errors.
What to Do Before You Reboot
Before you start a soft reboot, save any work you have open in documents, spreadsheets, email, or web browsers. When you click Restart, all open programs will close when ready. Any unsaved changes will be lost.
Close any downloads that are in progress. If a file is downloading when you reboot, the read will stop and the file may be incomplete or corrupted. Wait for downloads to finish, or pause them and resume after your reboot is complete.
Tell anyone else using your computer that you are about to restart it. If someone else is logged in or has files open, rebooting will close their work too. On shared computers, it is polite to give a few minutes' warning.
What Happens During and After a Reboot
When you click Restart, your computer will display a message saying it is shutting down. This can take 30 to 60 seconds. Do not turn off the power or unplug the computer during this time—let it finish on its own.
Your screen will go black. Your computer will stay off for a few seconds, then the power light will come back on and your computer will start up. You will see your operating system's startup screen, then your login screen (if you use a password). After you log in, your desktop will appear, but it may take another 30 to 60 seconds for all your background programs to load.
During this loading time, your computer may seem slow or unresponsive. This is normal. Wait a minute or two before opening programs or files. Once the startup sounds stop and your hard drive light stops blinking, your computer is ready to use at full speed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not unplug your computer or cut the power during a reboot. This can damage files and corrupt your operating system. Always use the Restart button or, if that fails, hold the power button for a full 10 to 15 seconds.
Do not assume a reboot failed if your computer takes longer than five minutes to restart. Some computers, especially older ones or those with large hard drives, can take up to 10 minutes. Wait at least 10 minutes before trying anything else.
Do not reboot repeatedly if the problem returns when ready after restarting. If your computer freezes again within minutes of rebooting, the problem is likely a hardware issue or a specific program, not a temporary memory glitch. In that case, note which program was running when it froze and consider uninstalling it or seeking further help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rebooting delete my files?
No. Rebooting only closes programs and clears temporary memory. All your files, photos, documents, and settings stay on your computer. The only thing you lose is any unsaved work in programs that were open when you restarted.
How often should I reboot my computer?
Most computers work fine with a reboot once a week or once a month. If you notice your computer slowing down or programs freezing, reboot when ready. Some people reboot daily as routine maintenance, which is harmless and may help prevent slowdowns.
What is the difference between restart and shutdown?
Restart (reboot) shuts down your computer and turns it back on automatically. Shutdown turns off your computer completely and leaves it off until you press the power button yourself. For fixing problems, restart is usually better because it reloads your operating system fresh.
Can I reboot while a Windows update is installing?
No. If Windows is installing an update, you will see a message saying your computer will restart automatically when the update is done. Wait for that automatic restart instead of forcing one yourself. Interrupting an update can break your operating system.
My computer is stuck on the startup screen. What do I do?
Wait at least 10 minutes—startup can be slow. If it is still stuck after 10 minutes, hold the power button for 15 seconds to force a shutdown, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on. If the problem continues, you may need technical support.