Restart Your Computer

Restarting your computer will briefly shut your device down, then automatically turn it back on a few seconds later. This is a quick and easy step that can often be a catch all for a number of software malfunctions.

1. If you have a Mac, click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your display.
2. In the dropdown menu that appears, select Restart.
3. When your computer asks you to confirm this action, click Restart again.
4. Your Mac should turn off and back on automatically.
5. If you use a Windows computer, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard.
6. Select the Power icon that appears in the bottom right of your display.
7. Click Restart.
8. If your computer asked you to confirm the restart, click Restart again.
9. Your computer should power down and turn back on automatically after you click Restart.

Why this works:

Computers are complex machines. Sometimes they get overwhelmed or experience a minor malfunction. Luckily, a quick restart can get your computer up and running normally in just a few minutes.

Pro tip:

• Make sure you save any unfinished work before restarting your computer. Otherwise, it might get deleted accidentally when your device powers down.
• It can take a few minutes for a computer to restart, especially if it’s already malfunctioning. Don’t panic if your computer doesn’t boot back up automatically.