How to Restart Ubuntu Linux: A Complete Guide

This post describes the steps to restart a PC running Ubuntu Linux.

There are multiple ways to restart a PC with Ubuntu Linux, all of which work well. Some work well in certain situations, but they all accomplish the same goal: to restart Ubuntu Linux.

For example, if your PC running Ubuntu Linux is stuck and not responding to keyboard or mouse commands, simply pressing the power button to shut down won’t hurt in many cases.

Press the power button again to start your Ubuntu Linux machine. This is also considered a restart, even though it is not your usual restart process.

This behavior can be changed in the Settings app in Ubuntu Linux.

So, whatever method you use to restart Ubuntu Linux, you’ll want to pick a restart method that works best for you. Oh, unless, in extreme cases, shutting down your PC using the power button and then starting back up is not recommended.

How to restart Ubuntu Linux from the system menu

The standard and common way to restart a PC running Ubuntu Linux are using the system menu. The system menu is in the top-right corner of the top bar.

To restart in Ubuntu Linux, click the top-right of the system menu, then select the Power Off / Log Out on the context menu to expand.

Select the Restart command highlighted below on the expanded Power Off / Log Out system menu.

Next, click the Restart button to restart your Ubuntu Linux PC.

Restart Ubuntu Linux from the command line

If you prefer the Ubuntu Linux command line, open it by pressing the CTRL + ALT + T on your keyboard and run the commands below to restart your PC.

sudo shutdown -r now

If you want to schedule a restart at a specific time, use the 24-hour time format and specify the time with the shutdown command.

Example: restart at 5:00 PM

sudo shutdown -r 17:00 

You can also specify the wait time before shutting down. For example, to restart in 15 minutes, use the command options below:

sudo shutdown -r +15

Restart Ubuntu Linux using the PC Power button

Hold the power button for up to 20 seconds to shut down your PC if all the restart methods above fail. Then press again to turn on your PC. If that also fails, pull the power plug from the wall (LOL).

Hopefully, these restart methods will help you get your computer restarted.

Conclusion:

• There are multiple ways to restart a PC running Ubuntu Linux, including the system menu, the command line, and the power button.
• The system menu provides a standard and common method to restart Ubuntu Linux, accessible from the top-right corner of the top bar.
• Using the command line allows for more precise control, including scheduling restarts at specific times or with a specified wait time.
• As a last resort, holding the power button for up to 20 seconds is also an option to shut down and restart the PC.
• It’s important to choose a restart method that works best for individual situations, and to avoid using the power button as the primary restart method.