Have you ever encountered an unresponsive computer, leaving you frustrated and unable to continue your tasks? In such situations, a simple restart can often resolve the issue, but what if your mouse or trackpad is not responding? Fear not! You can effortlessly restart your computer using just your keyboard, empowering you to regain control over your device without the need for any additional peripherals.
This convenient technique is particularly useful in scenarios where your mouse or trackpad malfunction, or during troubleshooting processes when you need to access the BIOS or troubleshoot hardware issues. By harnessing the power of keyboard shortcuts, you can navigate the operating system and initiate a restart with ease. Let’s delve into the step-by-step guide to master this essential keyboard-based restart technique.
First, locate the “Windows key” on your keyboard, typically found between the “Ctrl” and “Alt” keys. Press and hold this key while simultaneously pressing the “R” key to launch the Run dialog box. In the text field, type “shutdown /r” (without quotation marks) and press the “Enter” key. Your computer will initiate the restart process, and you will be presented with a confirmation message. Press “Enter” again to confirm the restart, and your computer will begin the reboot process, allowing you to resolve any issues and resume your work seamlessly.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Restarting a Computer
Ctrl + Alt + Del
This is the most common keyboard shortcut for restarting a computer. When you press this combination, a blue screen will appear with several options. Select the "Restart" option from the menu.
Important Notes:
- On some keyboards, the "Ctrl" key may be labeled as "Control."
- If your computer is locked or frozen, you may need to press and hold the "Ctrl" and "Alt" keys simultaneously for several seconds before pressing the "Del" key.
- If you are using a laptop, you may need to press the "Fn" key along with "Ctrl" and "Alt."
Other Keyboard Shortcuts:
Windows:
- Windows key + R: Open the "Run" dialog box. Type "shutdown /r" and press "Enter."
- Windows key + L: Lock the computer. Press the "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "Del" combination to restart from the lock screen.
Mac:
- Command + Control + Power Button: Force restart the computer.
- Command + Option + Control + Power Button: Shut down the computer. Turn it back on to restart.
Other Methods:
- Start Menu: Click on the "Start" button or press the "Windows" key. Select "Restart" from the menu.
- Power Button: Press and hold the power button for a few seconds to force restart the computer. However, this method may not be available on all computers.
Restarting in Windows Operating System (OS)
Pressing Alt + Ctrl + Del Key Combination
This is the most commonly used method to restart a Windows computer using the keyboard. When you press this key combination, the Windows Security screen will appear. From here, you can use the Tab key to navigate to the Power button located in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Once the Power button is highlighted, press the Enter key to open a list of options, including Restart. Use the arrow keys to select Restart and press Enter to initiate the restart process.
Using the Run Command Window
The Run command window provides a quick way to open programs and perform various tasks in Windows. To restart your computer using the Run command window, press the Windows key + R key combination to open the window. In the Run field, type “shutdown /r” without the quotation marks and press Enter. This will immediately restart your computer.
Restarting Using Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal is a command-line interface for Windows that can be used to perform a variety of tasks, including restarting the computer. To restart your computer using Windows Terminal, press the Windows key + X key combination to open the Power User menu. Select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the menu to open Windows Terminal with administrator privileges. In the Windows Terminal window, type “shutdown /r” without the quotation marks and press Enter. This will immediately restart your computer.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Alt + Ctrl + Del |
|
| Run command |
|
| Windows Terminal |
|
Restarting in macOS OS
To restart a Mac computer using the keyboard, follow these steps:
- Press the Control (Ctrl) and Command (⌘) keys simultaneously.
- While holding these keys, press the Power button.
- Release all three keys.
- If prompted, confirm that you want to restart your computer by clicking the Restart button.
Additional Details for Subsection 4:
When prompted to confirm the restart, you may encounter the following options:
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Restart | Restarts your computer immediately. |
| Restart Later | Schedules a restart at a later time. |
| Cancel | Cancels the restart process. |
If you choose Restart Later, you can specify the time at which you want your computer to restart. To do this, click the Schedule button and select the desired time from the pop-up menu.
Using the System Keyboard Shortcut
This method is the most straightforward and works on all Windows operating systems. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys simultaneously to open the Windows Security screen. Then, select the “Restart” option from the menu that appears.
Step-by-step Instructions
- Press the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys simultaneously.
- In the Windows Security screen that appears, select “Restart” from the menu.
- Confirm your selection by clicking on the “Restart” button in the confirmation window.
Alternative Method Using the Task Manager Shortcut
This method is an alternative to the System Keyboard Shortcut that also works on all Windows operating systems.
Step-by-step Instructions
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, click on the “File” menu and select “Run new task”.
- In the “Create new task” window, type “shutdown /r” (without quotes) in the “Open” field and ensure that the “Run as administrator” checkbox is selected.
- Click on the “OK” button to run the shutdown command.
Recovery Mode
If your computer is experiencing problems booting up, you can use the System Keyboard Shortcut to enter Recovery Mode. This mode allows you to access advanced troubleshooting options and potentially fix the issue preventing your computer from restarting properly.
Step-by-step Instructions
- Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys simultaneously.
- In the Windows Security screen that appears, hold down the Shift key while clicking on the “Restart” option.
- Your computer will reboot into Recovery Mode.
Utilizing the Windows Logo Key
The Windows logo key, typically located on the bottom-left corner of your keyboard, can be used conveniently to restart your computer. Follow these steps:
1. Press and Hold Windows Logo Key
Begin by pressing and holding down the Windows logo key.
2. Press X
While holding down the Windows logo key, press the letter X on your keyboard.
3. Select U for Shut Down or Sign Out
A menu will appear. Press the letter U to navigate to the “Shut Down or Sign Out” options.
4. Select R for Restart
Use the arrow keys to highlight the “Restart” option. Press the letter R to initiate the restart process.
5. Confirm Restart
A confirmation window may appear. Click on the “Restart” button to proceed with the restart.
6. Detailed Steps to Restart Using Windows Logo Key:
Step
Key
Action
1
Windows Logo Key
Press and hold
2
X
Press while holding Windows Logo Key
3
U
Press to navigate to “Shut Down or Sign Out”
4
Arrow Keys
Highlight “Restart” option
5
R
Press to initiate restart
6
Restart Button
Click to confirm and proceed with restart
Employing the Alt + Ctrl + Delete Combination
The Alt + Ctrl + Delete combination is a widely known and frequently employed method to initiate a computer restart. It entails simultaneously pressing these three keys, which will invoke a pop-up window. To restart your computer using this technique, adhere to the following steps:
1. Locate and press the Alt key, situated to the left of the spacebar.
2. Concurrently press the Ctrl key, positioned below the Caps Lock key, with your other hand.
3. Simultaneously press the Delete key, usually placed above the arrow keys or to the right of the function keys.
4. Keep all three keys depressed until a pop-up window emerges.
5. Select the “Restart” option from the pop-up window.
6. Confirm your selection by clicking “OK” or “Yes” on the subsequent dialog box.
7. Your computer will forthwith commence the restart process. During this period, the screen may momentarily go black, and the computer may emit audible signals or display status messages. The duration of the restart process varies depending on the computer’s hardware and software configuration and may take several minutes to complete.
In lieu of selecting “Restart” from the pop-up window, you can alternatively opt to access the Task Manager by selecting “Task Manager” from the pop-up window. Within the Task Manager, you can manually initiate the restart process by clicking on the “File” menu and selecting “Restart”.
Step
Action
1
Press Alt + Ctrl + Delete
2
Select “Restart” from the pop-up window
3
Computer restarts
How to Restart a Computer with Keyboard
Press Ctrl + Alt + Del, then use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Restart” option and press Enter.
Troubleshooting Common Issues During Restart
If your computer does not restart:
Issue
Solution
Power supply is not plugged in or is faulty.
Check the power cord and outlet, and try a different power supply if possible.
Motherboard or CPU failure.
Contact a qualified technician to diagnose and repair the hardware.
Operating system or hard drive corruption.
Try booting from a recovery USB drive or DVD and repairing the system.
Malware infection.
Run a malware scan and remove any detected threats.
Overheating.
Check if the computer’s fans are working and clean any dust buildup from the vents.
Faulty RAM.
Remove and reinsert the RAM sticks, or try a different set of RAM.
BIOS settings have been changed.
Reset the BIOS settings to their default values.
Graphic card has failed.
Try reseating the graphics card or using a different one.
Hard drive is full.
Free up some space on the hard drive or use a larger one.
Incompatible software has been installed.
Uninstall the suspect software and restart the computer.
How To Restart A Computer With Keyboard
If you have a Windows PC, you can restart it without using the mouse by using the following steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type shutdown -r -t 0 into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
Your computer will restart immediately.
People Also Ask
How to restart a computer with keyboard Mac?
To restart a Mac with a keyboard, press and hold the Control, Option, and Power keys simultaneously.
How to restart a computer without keyboard or mouse?
If you don’t have a keyboard or mouse, you can restart your computer by pressing the power button on your computer for about 10 seconds.
How to restart a computer from command prompt?
To restart a computer from the command prompt, type shutdown /r and press Enter.
How To Restart A Computer With Keyboard
If you have a Windows PC, you can restart it without using the mouse by using the following steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type shutdown -r -t 0 into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
Your computer will restart immediately.
People Also Ask
How to restart a computer with keyboard Mac?
To restart a Mac with a keyboard, press and hold the Control, Option, and Power keys simultaneously.
How to restart a computer without keyboard or mouse?
If you don’t have a keyboard or mouse, you can restart your computer by pressing the power button on your computer for about 10 seconds.
How to restart a computer from command prompt?
To restart a computer from the command prompt, type shutdown /r and press Enter.
