How to Restart a Computer That Is Not Responding

A frozen computer can trap you on the desktop, a blank screen, or an app that will not close. Start with the clean restart controls when the screen still responds, then use the forced power steps only after the menus and keyboard shortcuts fail. Here are the current restart paths for Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Ubuntu.

1.Windows: Select Start, choose Power, then select Restart.
2.Mac: Open the Apple menu, choose Restart, and deselect Reopen windows when logging back in when you want a cleaner return.
3.Chromebook: Select the time at the bottom right, choose Power, then select Restart.
4.Ubuntu: Open the system menu on the right side of the top bar, click the Shutdown button, then select Restart....

Use the regular menu first when the mouse, keyboard, or touchpad still works. It gives the system a clean shutdown and reduces the chance of losing unsaved work. On a Chromebook with a downloaded update waiting, use the notification next to the date and time and select Restart.

2. Use Keyboard Controls When the Desktop Freezes

When the pointer barely responds but the keyboard still works, use the operating system's restart screen instead of going straight to the power button.

On Windows: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Power in the lower-right corner, then choose Restart. From the desktop, another supported route is to right-click or press and hold Start, select Shut down or sign out, then choose Restart.
On a built-in Mac keyboard without Touch ID: Press Control + Power to open the dialog for restart, sleep, or shut down. Choose Restart.
On Ubuntu: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to show the Power Off dialog, then choose the restart option shown there.

3. Force a Windows PC to Shut Down

Use this only after Start, Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and the Shut down or sign out menu do not respond. Press and hold the physical Power button for about 10 seconds until the PC turns off, then press Power again to turn it back on.

On a Microsoft Surface, the force-restart method depends on the model. On Surface Pro (5th Gen) and later, Surface Pro X, Surface Laptop, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Laptop Go, Surface Go, Surface Studio, and Surface Book 2 and later, press and hold Power until the Surface shuts down, restarts, and shows the Windows logo screen, about 20 seconds in, then release. On earlier models (Surface Pro, Pro 2, Pro 3, Pro 4, the original Surface Book, Surface 2, Surface 3, and Surface RT), press and hold Volume Up + Power until the screen turns off, about 15 seconds, release both, wait 10 seconds, then press Power to turn it back on. This risks losing unsaved work.

4. Restart a Frozen Mac the Hard Way

For a Mac that ignores the Apple menu, press and hold the Power button until the Mac shuts down. Press and release Power to turn it on again.
On Mac laptops with Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID instead.
On built-in Mac keyboards without Touch ID, Control + Command + Power force-restarts the Mac without asking you to save open documents.

Treat that shortcut as the last Mac option.

When the ChromeOS menu still opens, press and hold the Power key for 3 seconds, or hold the physical Power button until the menu appears. Choose Power off or Shut down, then press Power to turn the Chromebook back on.

When that does not work, use Google's hardware reset path:

1.Turn off the Chromebook.
2.Press and hold Refresh.
3.Tap Power.
4.When the Chromebook starts up, release Refresh.

Google also documents Back + Refresh + Power for at least 10 seconds. On ChromeOS tablets, use Volume Up + Power for at least 10 seconds. A hardware reset restarts hardware such as the keyboard and touchpad and risks deleting files in Downloads.

6. Power Off Ubuntu When It Stops Responding

Use the physical button only when Ubuntu will not resume or respond to the normal menu or Ctrl + Alt + Delete. Hold the Power button for 5 to 10 seconds to turn off the computer, then press Power again to turn it on.

When Ubuntu still lets you open Terminal, run sudo shutdown -r now.
You can also run sudo reboot.

Both commands require the right sudo or admin permissions.

7. Restart From a Command Line When Menus Are Broken

Windows: Open Command Prompt, Windows Terminal, Run, or PowerShell, then run shutdown /r /t 0.
Windows PowerShell: Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal, then run Restart-Computer. For an immediate forced restart, run Restart-Computer -Force.
Mac: For a remote Mac with admin rights and SSH access, open Terminal and run ssh -l admin computer, then run sudo shutdown -r now. Replace admin with the short account name and computer with the IP address or host name.
Ubuntu: Open Terminal, then run sudo shutdown -r now or sudo reboot.

A command-line restart fits the narrow case where the desktop is partly broken but a terminal, shell, or remote session still opens.

8. Save Recovery and Admin Tools for Special Cases

Windows has a recovery restart path for startup troubleshooting: select Troubleshoot, choose Advanced options, open Startup Settings, then select Restart. Use it for startup or safe-mode troubleshooting, not as an everyday restart method.

Managed devices need the admin route: managed Macs can be restarted through Remote Desktop by selecting a computer list, selecting one or more computers, choosing Manage, then Restart, choosing the restart type, and clicking Restart. Managed Chromebooks can receive restart prompts for pending updates through administrator policy.

When a work or school device blocks restart options, contact the IT team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a forced restart delete my files?

A forced restart risks losing unsaved work. On Chromebooks, Google says a hardware reset risks deleting files in Downloads.

What should I try before holding the power button?

Use the normal restart menu first. On Windows, use Ctrl+Alt+Delete and Power. On a built-in Mac keyboard without Touch ID, use Control + Power. On Ubuntu, use Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

Can I restart a computer from Terminal or PowerShell?

Yes. Windows supports shutdown /r /t 0 and Restart-Computer. Ubuntu supports sudo shutdown -r now and sudo reboot. A remote Mac with admin rights and SSH access supports sudo shutdown -r now.

Should I use Powerwash to restart a Chromebook?

No. Powerwash is a factory reset path, not a routine restart. It is destructive for local device data, and managed school or work Chromebooks can require an administrator.