Why Does Restarting Fix Computer Problems?

When you have computer problems, experts often tell you to restart your computer. And often that fixes the problem. Why does this work? Is it really the best technique for dealing with computer issues? If you need to restart often, does that mean you should have an expert take a look at your computer?

Comments: 8 Responses to “Why Does Restarting Fix Computer Problems?”

    Carlos Rivera
    7 years ago

    I assume if you are having a problem then it would also make a sense to uncheck the box "Reopen windows when logging back in" from the Log Out window. This option sets whether your apps should re-open the next time you log in.

    7 years ago

    Carlos: That option would be useful if you want to pick up right where you left off after a restart. Better than re-launching the apps and re-opening the documents manually.

    Ron Seddon
    7 years ago

    I find all of the vids I've watched informative and extremely helpful, long may you continue with these!
    agree that finding the offending app can take an age to do, but for some time now, start up takes a very very long time. Given this I often find it quicker to find the app that is causing the problem.
    It may be worthwhile doing a vid as to how we can speed the start up process up?

    Bradley Dichter
    7 years ago

    You could mention that a primary reason why restarting fixes computer problems is because they have run out of memory and this clears it. A memory leak, often caused in a web browser running Adobe Flash player, will use up more memory over time which is not cleared even when the browser is quit. Many people's computer's don't have enough memory for all the programs they run simultaneously. They sleep the computer rather than power off and back on, so the problem is never resolved.

    Ron Seddon
    7 years ago

    I use the memory clean app to rid any unwanted use.

    Ronnie
    7 years ago

    First, thank your for your work with MacMost. You state that once a week is sufficient to restart the unit. How about running disk utilities immediately after restarting? Is that recommended?

    7 years ago

    First, you only need to restart if there is a problem. If there is not a problem, don't restart. I'm suggesting that if you are restarting more then once a week (and you are not a developer or beta tester) then you should probably figure out what the problem is. If you suspect a problem (regardless of restarting), you know how to use Disk Utility and feel that you should, then by all means go ahead and try it. But problems there (or no problems found) could be completely unrelated.

    Glenn
    7 years ago

    The only reason why I would restart my computer is to load between OS X 10.8.5 and MacOS 10.12.2.

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