What rebooting means and why you need to do it
Rebooting means shutting down your computer completely and turning it back on. It is not the same as putting it to sleep or closing the lid — a true reboot clears your computer's memory, stops all running programs, and gives the system a fresh start. Most computer problems — freezing, slow performance, programs that won't close, internet dropping out — get fixed by a reboot because it clears out temporary files and resets connections.
You should reboot your computer when a program stops responding, when you notice it running slowly, after installing software updates, or when you have not restarted in more than a week. A reboot takes five to ten minutes and costs you nothing but a brief pause in your work.
Key Takeaways
- A reboot shuts down your computer completely and turns it back on, which clears memory and fixes most performance problems.
- On Windows, click the Start button, select Power, and choose Restart to reboot without losing unsaved work.
- On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Shut Down, and choose Restart when the dialog appears.
- Save your work before rebooting because all open programs will close, and unsaved files will be lost.
- A reboot usually takes five to ten minutes from the moment you click Restart until your desktop is ready to use again.
How to reboot a Windows computer
On Windows 10 or Windows 11, save any open documents first — rebooting closes all programs without warning. Then click the Start button (the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your screen). A menu will open on the left side of your screen.
Look for the Power button icon, which 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 screen will go black, your computer will shut down, and then it will turn back on automatically. You will see the Windows logo and a spinning circle while it starts up. Wait until your desktop appears and all icons load — this usually takes two to three minutes.
If your computer is frozen and you cannot click anything, hold down the power button on the physical computer (or laptop) for ten seconds until the screen goes black. Wait thirty seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on. This is a hard shutdown and should only be used when the computer is completely unresponsive.
How to reboot a Mac computer
On a Mac, save your work first. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen — it looks like an apple symbol. A dropdown menu will appear. Click Shut Down. A dialog box will pop up asking if you want to reopen windows when you log back in; you can leave this checked or uncheck it depending on whether you want those programs to open again.
Click Shut Down in the dialog. Your Mac will close all programs, shut down, and turn off completely. After about thirty seconds, press the power button once to turn it back on. You will see the Apple logo and a progress bar. Wait until your desktop loads and the menu bar appears at the top — this usually takes two to three minutes.
If your Mac is frozen, hold down the power button for ten seconds until the screen goes black. Wait thirty seconds, then press the power button once to restart. This forces a shutdown and should only be used when the computer will not respond to normal commands.
What happens during a reboot and how long it takes
When you click Restart, your computer begins closing all open programs and saving system information to disk. This shutdown phase takes one to two minutes. Then your computer powers off completely. After a few seconds, it powers back on and loads the operating system (Windows or macOS) from your hard drive. This startup phase takes another two to three minutes. During startup, you may see a black screen, a logo, or a progress bar — this is normal.
The total time from clicking Restart to having a usable desktop is usually five to ten minutes. Older computers or computers with many programs installed may take longer. Do not unplug your computer or press the power button during a reboot — let it finish on its own. Interrupting a reboot can damage your system files.
When to reboot versus when to call for help
A reboot fixes most temporary problems: a program that has stopped responding, your internet dropping out, your computer running slowly, or your mouse and keyboard not working. Try rebooting first before you assume something is broken.
If your computer will not turn on at all, if it restarts over and over without loading the desktop, if you see error messages during startup, or if it reboots and the problem returns when ready, those are signs of a deeper problem that a reboot cannot fix. In those cases, contact the manufacturer's support line or take your computer to a repair shop. If you use a work computer, contact your IT department before rebooting if you are unsure.
Restarting versus shutting down: what is the difference
Shutting down turns your computer off completely. Restarting (or rebooting) shuts it down and then turns it back on automatically. Both clear your computer's memory and stop all running programs. The difference is that a restart gets you back to work faster because you do not have to manually turn the computer back on.
Use Restart when you are trying to fix a problem or after installing updates. Use Shut Down when you are done for the day or when you will not use the computer for several hours. Putting your computer to Sleep (on Windows) or closing the lid (on Mac) does not reboot — it just pauses everything and uses a small amount of power. Sleep is useful if you step away for a few minutes, but it does not fix performance problems the way a reboot does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rebooting delete my files or lose my work?
Rebooting will not delete files stored on your computer. However, any work you have not saved in open programs will be lost when you reboot, because rebooting closes all programs without saving. Always save your documents before you restart.
Do I need to unplug my computer to reboot it?
No. Never unplug your computer during a reboot. Use the Restart option in the Start menu (Windows) or Apple menu (Mac) instead. Unplugging during a reboot can damage system files. Only unplug as a last resort if your computer is completely frozen and will not respond to the power button.
Why does my computer keep restarting on its own?
Automatic restarts are usually caused by Windows or macOS installing updates in the background. Check your system settings to see if updates are pending. If restarts continue after updates finish, or if your computer restarts during startup, contact the manufacturer's support line — this can indicate a hardware problem.
How often should I reboot my computer?
Reboot at least once a week to keep your computer running smoothly. If you use your computer every day, rebooting once or twice a week is ideal. You should also reboot after installing software updates, when you notice performance problems, or when a program stops responding.