The three ways to restart your computer

A restart clears your computer's memory, closes stuck programs, and often fixes slowness or freezing without erasing your files. You have three options: a normal restart through the operating system, a force restart when the system won't respond, and a hard shutdown as a last resort. Which one you use depends on whether your computer is still responding to commands.

Most of the time, a normal restart is the right choice. It gives your operating system time to close programs properly and save any unsaved work before shutting down. A force restart is faster but riskier—it cuts power without warning, which can corrupt files if something was writing to the disk. A hard shutdown (holding the power button) should only happen when nothing else works.

Key Takeaways

  • A normal restart through your operating system is the safest method and should be your first choice whenever your computer responds to clicks or keyboard commands.
  • If your computer is completely frozen and won't respond to the keyboard or mouse, use a force restart by holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Windows and Mac have different restart menus, but both are found in the top-left or top-right corner of the screen.
  • After restarting, wait at least 30 seconds before opening programs again, because your computer needs time to finish loading background services.
  • If your computer freezes repeatedly after restart, a hardware problem or malware may be the cause, and you should check your disk space and run a virus scan.

How to restart Windows normally

Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen. In Windows 10 and 11, this opens a menu. Look for the power icon (a circle with a line at the top) in the bottom-right corner of that menu. Click it, and you will see three options: Sleep, Shut Down, and Restart. Click Restart.

Your computer will close all open programs and shut down, then turn back on automatically. This usually takes two to five minutes. If you have unsaved work, Windows will ask you to save it before restarting. If a program refuses to close, Windows will ask whether you want to force it closed or cancel the restart—choose force close to move forward.

Alternatively, you can restart from the keyboard. Hold Alt + F4 to close your current window, then repeat until all programs are closed. Then press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, click the power icon in the bottom-right corner, and select Restart.

How to restart Mac normally

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select Restart from the dropdown menu. A dialog box will appear asking whether you want to restart now or save open documents first. Click Restart to proceed, or click Cancel if you need to save work first.

Your Mac will close all open programs and restart automatically. This usually takes two to five minutes. If a program is not responding, macOS will ask whether you want to force it to close before restarting—click Force Quit to continue.

You can also restart from the keyboard by pressing Control + Command + Power Button (or Control + Command + Eject on older Macs). This skips the dialog and restarts when ready, so use it only if you have already saved your work.

How to force restart when your computer is frozen

If your computer does not respond to mouse clicks or keyboard commands, a normal restart is not possible. In this case, hold down the power button on your computer for 10 to 15 seconds. The screen will go black and the computer will shut down completely. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on.

A force restart cuts power without warning, so it can cause data loss if a program was writing to the disk when you shut down. However, it is safe to do occasionally—modern computers are designed to handle unexpected shutdowns. Your operating system will check the disk for errors when it restarts, which may add a minute or two to the startup time.

On a laptop, if the power button does not work, try removing the battery (if it is removable) for 30 seconds, then reinstalling it and pressing the power button. If the battery is not removable, plug in the charger, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button for 20 seconds.

What to do after your computer restarts

After your computer turns back on, wait at least 30 seconds before opening programs. During this time, your operating system is loading background services, checking the disk, and preparing to run applications. Opening programs too soon can slow down the startup process or cause them to freeze.

If you used a force restart, your computer may run a disk check automatically. This can take several minutes. Do not turn off the computer during this process—let it finish. Once the check is complete, your desktop will appear and you can use your computer normally.

If your computer restarts but then freezes again when ready, the problem is likely not a temporary glitch. Check your disk space by opening File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and looking at how much space is left. If your drive is more than 90 percent full, delete old files or programs to free up space. If disk space is fine, run a virus scan using your antivirus software.

When to restart instead of shutting down

A restart is different from a shutdown. A shutdown turns off your computer completely and leaves it off until you press the power button again. A restart shuts down and then turns back on automatically. Restart when your computer is slow, freezing, or not responding to commands. Shutdown when you are done using the computer for the day or when you need to move it.

Restarting clears your computer's memory (RAM), which fills up over time as programs run. It also closes stuck background processes that may be slowing down your system. A shutdown does the same thing, but you have to manually turn the computer back on afterward. If you plan to use your computer again within a few hours, a restart is usually faster than a full shutdown and restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting delete my files?

No. A restart only closes programs and clears memory. All your files, documents, photos, and installed programs remain on your hard drive. However, if you had unsaved work open in a program when you restarted, that unsaved work will be lost.

How often should I restart my computer?

Restart your computer when it becomes slow or freezes, or at least once a week if it is running normally. Some people restart daily as routine maintenance. There is no harm in restarting frequently—it only takes a few minutes and can prevent problems from building up.

What is the difference between restart and sleep mode?

Sleep mode puts your computer into a low-power state but keeps it running. You can wake it up when ready by moving the mouse or pressing a key. A restart completely shuts down and restarts the operating system, which takes longer but clears more memory and fixes more problems. Use sleep for short breaks and restart for troubleshooting.

Can I restart my computer while it is updating?

No. If your computer is installing a Windows or macOS update, do not restart or shut down. Let the update finish, even if it takes a long time. Interrupting an update can damage your operating system. If an update seems stuck, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming it has frozen.

What should I do if my computer will not turn back on after a restart?

Wait at least two minutes—your computer may still be starting up. If the screen remains black, try holding the power button for 10 seconds to force it off, then press the power button once to turn it back on. If it still does not start, the problem may be a hardware issue, and you should contact a technician or the computer manufacturer.