How to Completely Restart a MacBook

MacBooks are typically trouble-free, but they can benefit from a restart occasionally.

Completely restarting your MacBook can be a cure-all for a variety of issues you may encounter while working on it. Network or Internet connectivity issues, locked-up applications, scrambled screens or redrawing issues, and the unrelenting spinning beach ball are all problems that can occur. When you restart your MacBook, all of your active settings are reset, and programs are quit and shut down. Restarting your MacBook is one of the quickest administrative and diagnostic steps you can perform.

Instructions

1. Click the Apple menu on the menu bar.

2. Scroll down and click on "Restart."

3. Respond to the dialog box that asks you to confirm your restart. Click the blue "Restart" button or do nothing and let the MacBook restart on its own. Click on the "Cancel" button if you change your mind at this point.

   Alternatively, push your MacBook's power button once and release it. Respond to the dialog box that offers you the option to "Restart," "Sleep," "Cancel" or "Shut Down." Click "Restart."

4. Save any open, unsaved documents or discard changes when prompted.

5. Wait until the MacBook restarts. The computer will shut down, and the startup chimes will be audible when it restarts.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are connected to the Internet via a wireless connection, you will have to reconnect after you restart.

References

• Apple: MacBook 13-Inch Manual