Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again? You may have heard this line used as a joke in television shows or any dialogue about computer humor and laughed, especially because it seems so simple. In fact, you have probably had plenty of minor issues with your own computer or devices freezing or somehow malfunctioning, and your solution was to turn it off and on again. Then, like magic, your problems are often resolved, even if you aren’t quite sure what they were in the first place. So, what is happening here, when you restart your computer? Why is it one of the first things people try when a computer is having problems? Does it work for all computers and devices? Here is a basic look into what happens when you reset your computer, and what sort of problems it can resolve.
What Happens When You Restart?
When you restart your computer, the current state of the running software is wiped clean, like erasing a chalk board. This means that whatever has slowed down, or somehow stopped running properly, is taken away, and when you turn the computer back on, it startup will occur normally and bring the system up new. It usually begins working just as it was before the error occurred. Some of the problems that can be cleared this way:
- A slow moving or frozen computer. If you have a program that is malfunctioning, it could be using up most of the power your computer’s power, meaning that anything else running simultaneously will make little or no progress. This can be very frustrating if you are trying to get something done, or even if you are just browsing. The task manager is a good way to take care of such a program, but if you are unfamiliar with using the task manager, resetting works too.
- Clear the memory. Sometimes your computer has a program that won’t release the memory, but rather continues to store information as it runs until there isn’t enough memory for you to run any other program. Restarting your machine will clear the memory away and allow you to start over, dealing the memory out to your programs properly.
- Fix other devices. Turning something on and off fixes problems in many other things besides a computer. It often works for routers, modems, cell phones, iPod or MP3 players, and many other electronics and devices. If you are having problems connecting to the internet in your home, you may need to unplug your modem or router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in, effectively resetting it. If your smartphone isn’t working properly, turn it off and then on. It really is one of the first things to try, which works on just about everything.
Give it a Try
This quick fix works for Mac and PC, laptop and desktop, and mobile devices too. If you are having a minor issue, try turning it off and then on again. This will probably fix your problem. Of course, if the problem happens over and over again, resetting won’t really help you. In such a case, you should think about calling a computer repair specialist. They can take a deeper look into your technology malfunction, and help you find a solution.
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