How to Reboot a Remote Computer Over the Network

The fastest way to reboot a remote computer depends on what access you have

You can reboot a remote computer without walking to it if you have the right tool and the right permissions. The method changes based on whether you are on the same local network, whether you have administrator access, and what operating system the remote computer runs. Most remote reboots take under a minute once you have the connection set up.

The three most common routes are the command line (fastest if you know the computer's name or IP address), remote desktop software (easiest if you are already logged in), and a scheduled task (best if you need the reboot to happen at a specific time). Each one requires the remote computer to be powered on and connected to the network before you start.

Key Takeaways

Windows computers on your local network can be rebooted from the command line using the shutdown command with the computer's name or IP address, and the reboot happens within the timeout window you set.
Remote Desktop Connection (built into Windows Pro and higher) lets you reboot from inside the remote session using the Start menu, just as if you were sitting at the computer.
Mac and Linux computers use the ssh command to connect and the sudo reboot command to restart, and you must have SSH enabled and user credentials beforehand.
Third-party tools like TeamViewer or AnyDesk work across operating systems and networks but require the software to be installed and running on the remote computer before you need the reboot.
Rebooting a remote computer cuts off any active sessions, so notify users before you restart a shared machine.

Rebooting a Windows computer from the command line

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell on your own computer and type the shutdown command with the remote computer's name or IP address. The syntax is shutdown /s /m \\computername /t 60 /c "Reason for restart". Replace computername with the actual name of the remote computer (the one shown in Settings > System > About) or its IP address in the format \\192.168.1.100. The /t 60 sets a 60-second countdown before the restart happens; change the number to give users more warning if needed.

You must have administrator rights on both your computer and the remote computer for this to work. If the remote computer is on a different network or behind a firewall, this method will not reach it. If the command succeeds, you will see a message on the remote computer's screen saying it will restart in the time you specified. If it fails, you will get an error in your Command Prompt window — the most common reason is that the computer name is wrong or the computer is not reachable on the network.

To cancel a restart that is already in progress, type shutdown /a /m \\computername from the same Command Prompt window. This works only during the countdown period you set with the /t parameter.

Using Remote Desktop to reboot from inside the session

If you are already connected to the remote computer using Remote Desktop Connection, you can reboot it the same way you would reboot your own computer. Click the Start button, then the power icon, then select Restart. The remote desktop window will close and the computer will begin its restart sequence. You can reconnect once the startup is complete, which usually takes two to five minutes depending on the computer's age and how many programs it runs at startup.

Remote Desktop Connection is built into Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, but not Home. To check if the remote computer has it enabled, go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop and confirm the toggle is on. You will need the remote computer's name or IP address and a username and password with access to that computer. If you are on the same local network, the computer name usually works; if you are connecting from outside the network, you will need the IP address or a domain name that points to it.

Rebooting Mac and Linux computers over SSH

Open Terminal on your Mac or Linux computer and connect to the remote machine using SSH. Type ssh username@192.168.1.100, replacing username with your account name on the remote computer and the IP address with the remote computer's actual address. You will be asked for your password. Once you are logged in, type sudo reboot and press Enter. The remote computer will restart when ready.

SSH must be enabled on the remote computer before you can use this method. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Sharing and turn on Remote Login. On Linux, SSH is usually enabled by default, but you can check by opening Terminal on the remote machine and typing sudo systemctl status ssh. If the service is not running, type sudo systemctl start ssh. You will need administrator (sudo) rights on the remote computer to reboot it.

If you do not know the remote computer's IP address, you can find it on the remote machine by opening Terminal and typing ifconfig (Mac) or ip addr (Linux). Look for the address that starts with 192.168 or 10.0 if you are on a home or office network.

Remote reboot using third-party software

Tools like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Chrome Remote Desktop let you reboot a computer from anywhere, even across the internet, without needing to be on the same network. read and install the software on both your computer and the remote computer, create an account, and sign in. Once you are connected to the remote desktop, you can reboot using the remote computer's Start menu or power options, just as you would in person.

The main advantage of these tools is that they work across operating systems and networks. The main disadvantage is that the software must be installed and running on the remote computer before you need to reboot it. If the remote computer is already off or the software has crashed, you cannot use it. Most of these tools are free for personal use but charge for business or unattended access.

Scheduling a reboot for a specific time

If you want the remote computer to reboot at a set time rather than when ready, you can create a scheduled task. On Windows, open Task Scheduler on the remote computer (or use Group Policy if it is part of a domain), create a new task, and set the trigger to the date and time you want. Under Actions, select Start a Program and enter shutdown.exe with the argument /s /t 60. This will reboot the computer at the time you specified.

On Mac and Linux, you can use the crontab command to schedule a reboot. Open Terminal and type crontab -e, then add a line like 0 2 * * * /sbin/shutdown -r now to reboot at 2 a.m. every day. The first number is the minute, the second is the hour in 24-hour format. Save and exit the editor. Scheduled reboots are useful for maintenance windows when you know no one will be using the computer, or for explore updates that require a restart.

What to do if the reboot command fails

If the command does not work, first check that the remote computer is powered on and connected to the network. Ping the computer from your own machine by opening Command Prompt and typing ping computername or ping 192.168.1.100. If you get a response, the computer is reachable. If you get "Request timed out" or "Host unreachable", the computer is off or not on the network.

If the ping succeeds but the reboot command still fails, check that you have administrator rights on both computers. On Windows, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator. If you are trying to reboot a computer on a different network or behind a firewall, the command will not work — you will need to use remote desktop software instead. If the remote computer is a Mac or Linux machine, make sure SSH is enabled and you are using the correct username and password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reboot a computer that is turned off?

No. The computer must be powered on and connected to the network for any remote reboot method to work. If the computer is off, you will need to turn it on in person, use a wake-on-LAN tool if it supports that feature, or ask someone at that location to power it on.

Will rebooting a remote computer delete my files?

No. A reboot shuts down the operating system and starts it again, but does not erase any files on the hard drive. Any unsaved work in open programs will be lost, so make sure users have saved their work before you reboot a shared computer.

How long does a remote reboot take?

The reboot command itself takes a few seconds to send. The actual restart usually takes two to five minutes depending on how many programs the computer runs at startup. You can reconnect via remote desktop once the startup is complete.

Do I need to be on the same network to reboot a remote computer?

It depends on the method. Command-line shutdown and SSH work only on the same local network. Remote desktop software like TeamViewer and AnyDesk works across the internet if the software is installed and running on the remote computer beforehand.

What happens to open programs when I reboot a remote computer?

All open programs close without saving. Any unsaved work is lost. Windows will ask if you want to save changes in some programs, but the reboot will proceed after the timeout period you set, whether or not you respond to the prompts.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.