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Leslie Meredith <!–
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With just about any device that’s powered by electricity, turning it off and on is the first thing to do when something goes wrong. Your laptop, phone, smart TV and other devices are no exception. The technical term is reboot, and in most cases, a regular reboot can be scheduled or automated. In this week’s column, we’ll go through the how-tos of rebooting the most common devices to maximize your chances at a trouble-free future.
Let’s start with laptops and desktops, the cornerstone of most people’s digital lives. The problem with rebooting your device is that it can often take a minute or two to fully get started, which can be frustrating when you’re running late and a conference call is starting. While best practice says you should shut down your computer every night and start up again the next day, you can schedule reboots on days that work best for your schedule, but the minimum frequency should be once a week.
Beginning with Windows 8 and 10, Microsoft changed what happens when users restart their PCs. Surprisingly, choosing to restart your computer instead of shutting it down results in a cleaner slate. For those who enjoy a more technical explanation, the operating system’s kernel goes into a hibernation state when shut down and is restored when the computer is rebooted. In contrast, a restart reinitializes the kernel, which can eliminate any hardware driver problems. To keep it simple, choose restart.
In advice to IT professionals, Microsoft said restarting closes all the software running on a PC. “That software includes dozens of services that might have been started by various programs and never stopped,” it said. “This practice helps in fixing mysterious performance problems when the exact cause is hard to pinpoint.”
To schedule an automatic restart, use Windows’ Task Scheduler, a handy app you can find by typing Task Scheduler into the search bar. Click “Create basic task” on the right under Actions and name it AutoRestart. You have a number of options, including daily, weekly and “when I log on.” Click next and choose the time of day you’d like for the restart. Keep the action set to “Start a program.” In the next screen, scroll down to find and select the Shutdown Application, then click Open. In the “Add arguments box” type /r, click Next and then Finish. You can always go back into the Scheduler to make changes.
Mac users can also schedule automatic restarts. Click the Apple icon at the top left, then System Preferences, and choose Battery, then click Schedule. Choose the Sleep, restart or shut down checkbox and select Restart in the pop-up menu, pick the day and time and click Apply.
Moving on to your phone, you should know that they are not subject to the same glitchy issues as a computer. This means that shutting down your phone can be much less frequent, say once a month to be on the safe side.
To reboot your iPhone, hold down the Power button on the side and either volume button on the other side until you see “Slide to power off” pop up. If you have an older iPhone with a Touch ID or Home button, just hold the Power button. Wait a few seconds and then press the Power button again to turn the device back on.
For those with an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy or similar), hold down the Power button until the power menu pops up and tap Restart. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Samsung Galaxy phones also offer an option to schedule automatic reboots. Open Settings and search for Auto restart at set times. It’s also accessible in Settings, then “Battery and device care,” by tapping the three dots and selecting Automation. This feature lets you pick a day and time for a regular automatic reboot.
Your Wi-Fi router can also benefit from a regular reboot, and if you have smart home devices connected to it, the reboot may be good for them as well. A restart keeps its firmware up to date, help your internet connections run more smoothly and removes unwanted devices from the network. If your router is no more than a couple of years old, a monthly reboot is enough, but if you have an older device, weekly may be more effective. Just unplug it, wait about a minute and then plug it back in. Your router’s software may have an auto restart function, so check the manufacturer’s website or the app you use with the device. Smart TVs should be handled much the same way. To automate a restart, use a smart plug and set a once-a-month schedule.
Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at [email protected].