No Ticket Needed

Appearance

How to Fix Common Computer Glitches by Restarting

Applies toWindows 10, Windows 11, Microsoft Office, General System Performance
6 min fix Updated 14 Jan 2026 · 8 months ago

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

Click the Start button, click the Power icon, and explicitly select Restart. Do not choose Shut Down, as Fast Startup prevents a full system reset.

Checked against Microsoft Learn - Windows release health between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Summary ​

Many common computer issues—such as freezing applications, strange File Explorer behavior, or vague Outlook errors—are caused by temporary system glitches. This article explains why and how to perform a proper restart to resolve these problems.

Before You Start ​

Instructions ​

1. Perform a Proper Restart ​

Shutting down and turning the power button back on is not the same as a Restart due to Windows "Fast Startup" technology. Make sure you specifically select "Restart".

  1. Click the Start button (Windows logo).
  2. Click the Power icon.
  3. Select Restart.
    • Note: Do not select "Shutdown".
  4. Wait for the computer to reboot and return to the login screen.
  5. Log in and test if the issue persists.

If the same freeze or the same error is still there on a freshly restarted machine, the restart has done its job and the cause sits in one app rather than in Windows. Continue to Step 2 to record how long the machine had been running, then open How to Fix Slow Performance on Windows 11 if the whole machine is sluggish, or raise a ticket naming the app, the exact error text, and the Up time figure Step 2 shows you.

2. Verify System Uptime (Optional) ​

You can check how long it has been since your last full restart.

  1. Right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. Click the Performance tab.
  3. Look for Up time at the bottom.
    • If this says several days (e.g., 5:00:00:00), your system needed this restart!

Troubleshooting ​

DANGER

A restart fixes about 80% of daily quirks. If the issue continues immediately after a fresh restart, it may require IT support. For what to include so it gets picked up first time, see How to Submit an Effective IT Support Ticket.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Issue persists after RestartSoftware CorruptionSubmit an IT Ticket with details.
Computer is "Always On"Fast StartupEnsure you are selecting Restart, not Shutdown.

Last updated:

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn't turning the computer off and on again work?
Windows 10 and 11 use 'Fast Startup', which hibernates the system instead of fully shutting it down. Clicking Restart is the only way to clear the memory completely.
How often should I restart my work computer?
It is a best practice to restart your computer at least once a week to install background updates and clear out temporary files that cause glitches.