Rebooting your MacBook helps refresh the system, fix minor glitches, install updates properly, and improve performance. Whether your MacBook is running slowly or certain apps aren’t responding, restarting is a simple but effective step. Here’s how to reboot Macook safely and correctly.
- Save Your Work
Before restarting, always save any open documents or files. Unsaved changes can be lost during the reboot process.
- Go through each open app and save your work manually if auto-save is not enabled.
- Close applications you’re not using to avoid error messages or freezing during reboot.
This helps prevent data loss and ensures a smoother restart.
- Use the Apple Menu
The easiest way to reboot is from the Apple menu.
- Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
- Select Restart from the dropdown menu.
- A prompt will appear asking if you want to reopen windows after restart. Choose accordingly and click Restart again.
Your MacBook will close all applications and restart within a minute or two.
- Use the Keyboard Shortcut (If Unresponsive)
If your screen is frozen and you can’t access the menu:
- Press Control + Command + Power (or Touch ID) at the same time.
- This will force a restart without opening menus.
Only use this method if your Mac is completely unresponsive, as it can cause unsaved work to be lost.
- Use the Power Button (For Shutdown and Reboot)
You can also reboot manually using the power button.
- Hold down the Power button (or Touch ID button on newer models) until the screen goes black.
- Wait a few seconds, then press the button again to turn your MacBook back on.
This method is useful if the MacBook is frozen and not responding to keyboard input.
- Restart in Safe Mode (If Problems Persist)
If you’re having persistent issues:
- Shut down the MacBook completely.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release Shift once the login screen appears.
Safe Mode helps diagnose and fix software problems during reboot.
Also Read: How To Put iPhone On Vibrate
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