Whether it’s a phone, computer, or any other technology device, the number one way to troubleshoot is to try turning it off and on again.
Restarting is an obvious solution, so much so that most technicians recommend doing it first. This simple action can resolve basic issues and software glitches on your device. This has been true for many decades.
This method is quick and poses minimal risk to the device. (Photo: Shutterstock).
Even today, with massive and complex machines like cars and refrigerators, restarting is even more useful and common, technology experts told the Wall Street Journal.
The Easiest Way to Solve Any Problem
Unlike the factory reset feature, turning a device off and on again is a lower-risk option. Your data remains intact instead of reverting your device to its original settings. This option is also less dangerous than troubleshooting techniques that require disassembling the device or adding external components.
Kenny Chan, the Chief Technology Officer at Archetype, a media company, reports that he receives about 2-4 reports each week on common errors that can be quickly resolved by restarting.
It’s not just PCs and smartphones that perform better after a restart. Sometimes, airplanes, trains, and cars also need to be turned off and on to operate smoothly. Crews often restart Wi-Fi and entertainment systems on airplanes, while trains may need a reboot if they encounter mechanical issues due to severe weather, loss of communication, or power outages on the tracks, according to an Amtrak spokesperson.
Just by restarting, applications will open normally, without freezing or lagging. (Photo: IDC).
Just as Jason Cerezo (52) settled into his seat on a flight from Portland to Dallas for business, he received a notification from the pilot indicating that the plane had malfunctioned when disconnecting from the gate and needed to be restarted. Cerezo had to leave the plane and reboard once the systems were rebooted.
“Everything operates on computers, so turning the plane off and on again makes complete sense. I would do the same first if I needed to troubleshoot a plane,” Cerezo said.
A common issue that requires a restart is memory leak errors. This occurs when applications encounter coding errors that overload the system. Leaks can lead to slow performance, crashes, and freezes. Similar issues can arise when you leave a device on for too long without closing internal applications.
Temporarily turning off the device will pause those applications, preventing leaks. Aaron Grady, a project director partnered with Windows, mentioned that powering off helps clear some RAM—the short-term memory for the operating system—of the device.
Machines Also Need a “Power Nap”
When users turn their devices back on, applications will open normally, without errors or glitches like before. “This process is similar to taking a quick nap when feeling overwhelmed. When you wake up, you feel refreshed and can handle problems more effectively,” an expert noted.
This tip applies to any product that has software running inside, including cars. They have integrated computers to control various systems like Bluetooth connectivity and GPS navigation.
Gurpiar Gill (27) from Canada works part-time as a truck driver for a construction company during the summer. Two years ago, his boss bought him a 2021 Ford F-150 for use, but just two weeks after receiving the vehicle, he turned it on and found the digital dashboard screen completely white.
Gill began to panic, reading the vehicle’s manual and searching online automotive forums for any viable solutions. However, nothing seemed to work. He had no choice but to turn off the truck and wait a few minutes before turning it back on. Eventually, the engine started functioning again.
As long as it’s a device containing software, the power-off trick can be applied. (Photo: MPM).
“At that moment, I was just a bit surprised. Technology has advanced so much and become increasingly sophisticated, but the simple power-off method that I’ve been using since the early 2000s still works even today,” Gill said.
Expert Aaron Grady added, “Restarting can even help with some hardware-related issues, such as connection errors due to faulty ports or unresponsive displays.”
However, not all issues can be resolved by restarting. For example, if the cause stems from corrupted files stored on the hard drive, you will need to delete them manually, Chan explained. That’s why, in some cases, you may have to clear the cache of your computer that holds those files.
Nevertheless, the advice remains: if you encounter any technology issue next time, turn to the first solution—try turning it off and then back on again.
