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Restart your PC?

You’re here because we’ve asked you to Restart your PC to try and solve a problem. It’s important to note that “restarting” is a specific procedure which is not the same as switching off/on. There are several ways to achieve a Restart which are detailed below – for example if you cannot get the START menu to open there are alternative options, but please work through them to find one that works.

Doing a Restart” can solve a multitude of problems including: START button not working, WiFi not connecting, VPN not connecting, Print problems, issues with speed/performance to name only a few. It should always be one of the first troubleshooting options to try.

Note that after initiating a successful restart your PC will probably take longer to reload than normal. Please allow some extra time before deciding it is not going to work.

Method 1: Use the START menu

Click on the START button at the bottom-left of your screen (if you have previously moved the taskbar your START button may be in a different corner), then the “Power” symbol, then choose the “Restart” option as shown in the image below. If some situations you may not be able to get the START menu to open, if that happens move on to Method 2.

Windows 10 Start Menu

Method 2: Use the START context-menu

Right-click on the START button, when the context menu appears choose “Shut down or sign out”, and then “Restart” as shown below.

START button context menu

Method 3: Windows Security Options

It clicking on the START button doesn’t produce the expected results above the next option is to try the Windows Security options page as follows: Press CTRL, ALT, and DEL keys together, once the security page appears click the Power symbol at the bottom right and from there the Restart option – as shown below.

Windows Security screen

Method 4: Force a complete shutdown

As a last resort, if all the previous methods have failed, you can interrupt the power to your PC to cause it to totally shut down. Note that this is very much a last resort as it doesn’t allow your PC to complete a controlled close down and in rare cases can actually cause issues which then prevent Windows from starting properly.

Desktop PC only: If your PC is mains powered (ie. doesn’t contain a battery) you can simply switch off the power at the wall outlet, wait at least 30 seconds, switch the outlet back on and then use the PC power button in the normal way to switch back on.

Desktop & Laptop PC: Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. Before trying it is important to note that the moment you press the power button the screen may go blank or show “Shutting Down” but you must continue to hold the power button or a full restart won’t be achieved. Once you’ve held the power button and the PC is off, press the button in the usual way to switch back on.

I still have problems!

If you still have issues please get back in touch and we can look at other possible solutions.

Written by David Spink, January 2021. This guide is intended for our own customers while we are assisting with an issue. If you find these instructions useful and use them without our guidance you do so at your own risk.