Remote reboot methods depend on what access you already have
You can reboot a computer remotely through Windows Remote Desktop, SSH command line, third-party software like TeamViewer or AnyDesk, or built-in system tools if you have administrator rights on the machine. The fastest method depends on whether the computer is on your home network, a work network, or somewhere else entirely — and whether you need to see what happens on screen or just need the restart to happen.
The most common scenario is rebooting a computer on your own network from another device. Windows Remote Desktop works well for this if both machines are on the same network and you know the target computer's name or IP address. For remote locations or untrusted networks, a dedicated remote access tool gives you more security and control.
Key Takeaways
- Windows Remote Desktop is built into Windows Pro and higher editions and works best when both computers are on the same network or connected through a VPN.
- The command shutdown /s /m \\computername /t 60 reboots another Windows machine on your network without needing to open Remote Desktop first.
- SSH and the sudo reboot command work on Linux and Mac machines if you have remote login enabled and know the password or SSH key.
- Third-party tools like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Chrome Remote Desktop work across networks and operating systems but require the software to be installed and running on the target machine beforehand.
- Task Scheduler on Windows and cron jobs on Linux let you schedule reboots for specific times without needing to trigger them manually.
Using Windows Remote Desktop to reboot another computer
Remote Desktop is the simplest method if you are rebooting another Windows machine on your home or work network. Open Remote Desktop Connection on your computer (search for "Remote Desktop" in the Windows search bar), enter the name or IP address of the computer you want to reboot, and connect. You will need the password for an account on that machine.
Once you are connected, you can restart the machine the normal way: click the Start menu, select Power, and choose Restart. The computer will reboot while you watch, and you will be disconnected when it shuts down. If you want to reboot without watching, use the Command Prompt instead: press Windows key + R, type cmd, and run shutdown /s /m \\computername /t 60 (replace "computername" with the actual name of the target machine). The /t 60 gives it 60 seconds before rebooting — change that number if you need more or less time.
Remote shutdown command for Windows machines on your network
If you do not want to open Remote Desktop, you can reboot a Windows machine from the Command Prompt on your own computer. This method works as long as both machines are on the same network and you have administrator rights on the target machine.
Open Command Prompt on your computer and type shutdown /s /m \\computername /t 60 /c "Message here". Replace "computername" with the actual computer name (you can find this in Settings > System > About on the target machine). The /c flag lets you add a message that will appear on the target machine before it reboots. If you want to restart instead of shut down, use /r instead of /s. If the command does not work, the target machine may have a firewall blocking the shutdown port — you will need to adjust firewall rules or use Remote Desktop instead.
SSH and command line for Linux and Mac machines
On Linux and Mac, SSH (find Shell) is the standard way to reboot remotely. Open Terminal on your computer and type ssh username@ipaddress, then enter the password for that account. Once you are logged in, type sudo reboot and press Enter. The machine will restart when ready.
If you have set up SSH keys instead of passwords, you do not need to type a password — the connection happens automatically. The target machine must have SSH enabled in its settings (this is usually on by default for Linux servers but may be off for personal computers). If you get a "connection refused" error, SSH is not running on the target machine, and you will need to enable it in System Settings or through a local terminal before you can connect remotely.
Third-party remote access software for any network
TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Chrome Remote Desktop work across any network and any location, not just your home network. These tools let you see the screen of the remote computer, control it, and reboot it just as if you were sitting in front of it. The trade-off is that the software must be installed and running on the target machine before you need to use it.
read and install the software on both your computer and the target machine. Create an account, log in, and you will see a list of computers you can connect to. Click the one you want to reboot, enter any required password, and you will see its screen. Then reboot it the normal way through the Start menu or System Preferences. These tools are useful if you manage computers in multiple locations or need to help someone else reboot their machine — they handle firewalls and network changes automatically.
Scheduling automatic reboots without manual triggering
If you need a computer to reboot at a specific time without you having to trigger it, use Task Scheduler on Windows or cron on Linux. On Windows, open Task Scheduler (search for it in the Start menu), click Create Basic Task, give it a name, set the trigger to the time you want the reboot to happen, and set the action to shutdown.exe with the argument /r /t 60. The computer will reboot automatically at that time.
On Linux, open a terminal and type crontab -e, then add a line like 0 2 * * * /sbin/shutdown -r +5 to reboot at 2 a.m. every day (the +5 means it will happen 5 minutes after the scheduled time). This is useful for servers or computers that need regular maintenance reboots without manual intervention.
Troubleshooting when remote reboot does not work
If a remote reboot command fails, the most common causes are firewall rules, incorrect computer names or IP addresses, or missing administrator rights. Check that you have the correct name or IP address of the target machine — you can find the IP address by opening Command Prompt on that machine and typing ipconfig. If the firewall is blocking the shutdown port, you will need to add an exception in Windows Defender Firewall or contact your network administrator.
If you are using SSH and get a "permission denied" error, you may not have sudo rights on that account. If Remote Desktop says "connection refused," the target machine may have Remote Desktop disabled — you will need to enable it in Settings > Remote Desktop on that machine. For third-party tools, make sure the software is actually running on the target machine and that you are logged into the same account on both devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reboot a computer remotely if I do not know the password?
No. You need either the password for an account on that machine, administrator rights on your network, or the remote access software to be already installed and running. If you have forgotten the password, you will need to reset it locally or contact the computer's owner.
Does the computer have to be turned on to reboot it remotely?
Yes. Remote reboot methods only work if the computer is already running. If it is off, you cannot turn it on remotely unless the machine has Wake-on-LAN enabled and you have the right hardware setup.
What is the difference between shutdown and reboot?
Shutdown turns the computer off completely. Reboot (or restart) shuts it down and turns it back on automatically. Use /r for reboot and /s for shutdown in command-line tools.
Is it safe to reboot a computer remotely while someone is using it?
No. A sudden reboot can cause data loss if files are open and unsaved. Always warn the user before rebooting, or schedule the reboot for a time when you know the machine will not be in use.
Can I reboot a work computer from home?
Only if your company has set up remote access tools or Remote Desktop, and only if you have permission to do so. Check with your IT department before attempting to reboot any work machine remotely.