As the stereotype goes, when you report a problem to your IT team, their first question is often, "Have you tried restarting your computer?" or "Have you tried turning it off and on again?". While it might seem annoying, the reality is that many issues can indeed be fixed with a straightforward reboot. The longer you keep your computer running without a restart or shutdown, the higher the chances of encountering problems.
As a general practice, it's advisable to shut down computers running older versions of Windows every night to ensure optimal performance. On the other hand, computers running newer versions of Windows and Macs can be shut down or restarted less frequently. It's important to note that a computer entering sleep mode isn't the same as a complete shutdown; background processes continue to run during sleep mode.
Suppose you encounter problems, and your computer has been continuously operational for over a week. In that case, it's advisable to initiate a restart before delving into any additional troubleshooting, whether by yourself or with the assistance of your IT team. Over time, it's normal for a computer to exhibit decreased performance when left running without interruption. Restarting it leads to performance improvements. This phenomenon occurs because a reboot effectively liberates memory space and eliminates temporary files accumulated from various software applications.
Rebooting your computer frequently resolves problems related to freezing or unresponsive applications. In cases where your computer becomes unresponsive, and you can't access the start menu to perform a restart, you can manually power it down. This process is done by pressing the power button, allowing a brief pause after it shuts down, and then pressing the power button again to restart it. If the issue persists after the reboot, contacting your IT team for further assistance may be prudent.
Whenever you install a Windows update, it’s important to restart your computer. This rule also applies to numerous software updates or installations.
A computer restart can also be a solution for network drive-related problems. If you encounter difficulties in connecting to one or all of your network drives, performing a computer reboot makes it attempt the connection again.
Frequently rebooting your computer, especially when encountering the described problems, can significantly reduce IT support inquiries. Reboots save you valuable time and cut down on business expenses. Furthermore, it streamlines troubleshooting for your IT team, as they will know that a reboot has been attempted before seeking their assistance. And, perhaps most importantly, being able to confidently respond with "Yes, indeed!" when asked, "Have you tried restarting your computer?" can be pretty satisfying.
Are issues still persistent in your computer after a reboot? We can help! Contact us today at 903-347-0073.
