Why Can’t I Restart My Laptop? | Fix It Now

Guide / By

Laptop restart failures usually stem from stuck apps, pending updates, driver faults, corrupted files, or power and firmware settings.

You click Restart and nothing happens. Or the screen goes dark and the fans stay on. This guide explains why you can’t restart your laptop and shows fast checks and deeper fixes for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Start at the top and go step by step. Save open work as you go.

Why Can’t I Restart My Laptop: Common Causes And Fixes

Most restart problems trace back to a short list. Knowing the pattern speeds up the fix. Here are the usual suspects and the moves that clear them.

Stuck Or Misbehaving Apps

Apps can hang during shutdown and block the restart. You may also see a spinner that never ends. Close the app from the taskbar or menu. If it will not close, force it.

Force Quit Options

  • Windows: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc → highlight the app → End task.
  • macOS: Press Option+Command+Esc → select the app → Force Quit.
  • Linux GNOME/KDE: Use the system monitor to end the task.

If the system itself is frozen, hold the power button for 5–10 seconds to force power off. Then boot clean and try a normal restart. Use this only when the system is dead and unresponsive.

Pending Updates Or Installer Prompts

Windows and macOS queue updates that tweak the shutdown flow. If an installer is waiting for input, the restart can stall. Finish pending updates, or pause them for a moment while you test a clean reboot.

Drivers, Peripherals, And Fast Startup

Old drivers or buggy devices can keep a session alive when it should close. So can Fast Startup on Windows, which uses a hybrid hibernation file. Unplug non-essential USB gear and try again. If that helps, update the device driver from the vendor site.

Corrupted System Files

Missing or damaged system files can block services that handle shutdown. On Windows, built-in repair tools can heal them. On macOS, the disk utility can repair the startup volume in Recovery. On Linux, check logs for errors and repair packages.

Power, Firmware, And Security Controls

Some laptops hold power states that glitch after sleep. Firmware options, encryption, or vendor management tools can change the path a restart takes. A full power drain or a reset of low-level settings often clears it.

Quick Triage: Try These In Order

  1. Save work in every open app.
  2. Close all apps, then send a restart again.
  3. Unplug docks, USB drives, printers, and hubs.
  4. Run the platform steps below for your operating system.
  5. Check logs and update drivers or the OS.

Windows Fixes That Solve Most Restart Loops

End Processes And Send A Fresh Restart

Open Task Manager, sort by CPU or Status, and end any app stuck at “Not responding.” Then use Start → Power → Restart. If it still hangs, send a command restart.

shutdown /r /t 0

Repair System Files With DISM And SFC

Run these from an elevated Command Prompt. They repair the Windows image and core files that can block a clean restart.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

If SFC reports repairs, restart and test again. For full instructions and messages you might see, read Microsoft’s guide to System File Checker and DISM.

Turn Off Fast Startup And Test

Fast Startup can leave a session in a hybrid state that resists a full restart. Turn it off as a test.

  1. Open Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
  2. Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
  3. Uncheck “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” → Save changes.

Now restart. If the issue clears, leave Fast Startup off. If the option is missing, enable hibernation, then check again:

powercfg /h on

Boot Clean To Rule Out Conflicts

A startup app or service may be blocking shutdown. Use a clean boot to test.

  1. Press Windows+R, type msconfig, press Enter.
  2. On Services, tick “Hide all Microsoft services,” then click “Disable all.”
  3. On Startup, click “Open Task Manager,” and disable items with High impact.
  4. Restart. If the restart works, re-enable items in batches to find the culprit.

Use Startup Settings And Recovery Tools

If Windows will not restart at all, use the recovery menu. Hold Shift while clicking Restart to enter Advanced startup. Then go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options. Safe Mode can help you uninstall a bad driver, and Startup Repair can fix boot files.

Check Event Viewer For Shutdown Hints

Open Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System. Filter for Event IDs 41, 1074, 6006, and 6008 to see power loss, planned restarts, service stops, and unexpected shutdowns. Match the time with your stall.

Power And Firmware Resets

Shut down. Unplug the charger. Hold the power button for 15 seconds to clear residual charge. Plug back in and boot. If your laptop has a pinhole reset, press it with a paperclip with power removed, then try again.

Extra Windows Tweaks That Help

  • Rebuild the shell when the screen stays black with a cursor: taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe
  • Scan the disk online: chkdsk /scan from an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Reset power plans: powercfg -restoredefaultschemes then pick Balanced and test.
  • Update BIOS or UEFI from the vendor page if release notes mention power or sleep fixes.

macOS Steps That Clear Stubborn Restarts

Force Quit And Restart

Use Command → Option → Esc to close frozen apps. Then choose Apple menu → Restart. If the Mac is stuck, press and hold the power button until it turns off, wait a few seconds, and power it on.

Safe Mode And Disk Repair

Boot in Safe Mode to clear caches and run checks. On Apple silicon, hold the power button until “Loading startup options,” pick your disk, hold Shift, then Continue in Safe Mode. On Intel, hold Shift during boot. If restarts fail, boot to Recovery and run Disk Utility → First Aid on the startup volume.

Apple documents Safe Mode, force shutdowns, and restart behavior here: Mac restart and shutdown guide.

NVRAM Or SMC Resets (Intel Macs)

For older Intel models, NVRAM and SMC store power and device settings that can trip a restart. Reset NVRAM with Option-Command-P-R at boot. Reset the SMC using the sequence for your model, then test a restart.

Check Login Items And Launch Agents

Go to System Settings → General → Login Items. Remove tools you do not need. Then try a restart. If it works now, add items back one by one to find the blocker.

Linux: Logs And Clean Shutdown Paths

Send A Clean Reboot And Review Journals

Use a proper service call so daemons can close.

sudo systemctl reboot

If the system does not come back cleanly, review the last boots.

journalctl --list-boots
journalctl -b -1 -p err
journalctl -u systemd-logind

Watch for disk, GPU, or ACPI messages near shutdown. Update the kernel or the graphics stack if errors repeat. If a file system error appears, run the file system checker from a live USB.

When The Button Does Nothing At All

Sometimes the power button itself is mapped to Sleep, Do nothing, or a vendor tool blocks it. Check your power button action in settings. On Windows, open Power Options and set the button to Shut down. On macOS laptops, the power key doubles as Touch ID; press and hold to force off only when the Mac is unresponsive.

Deeper Fixes For Tough Cases

Update Chipset, Storage, And GPU Drivers

Grab the OEM driver pack for your model. Storage and graphics drivers have a direct line to the kernel and can hang a shutdown. Update BIOS or UEFI from the vendor page if a newer build lists power fixes.

Repair Startup Files

On Windows, run Startup Repair from Advanced options if boot files are damaged. On macOS, reinstall the OS over your data from Recovery; it keeps your files and resets system bits. On Linux, reinstall the bootloader from a live environment if the logs point there.

Encryption And Management Tools

BitLocker, FileVault, and enterprise agents can hold a restart to complete tasks. Leave the laptop powered and connected for a while, then try a restart again. If it is a work device, check with IT about enforced shutdown policies.

Symptom-To-Fix Cheatsheet

Symptom Likely Cause Fast Fix
Restart never finishes Hung app or driver End tasks, unplug USB, update drivers
Restarts loop back to login Fast Startup or image damage Disable Fast Startup, run DISM and SFC
Button does nothing Power action mapped or firmware quirk Set button to Shut down; do a power drain
Black screen with cursor GPU handoff or explorer hang Force power off, update GPU, rebuild shell
Random restarts Power loss or thermal Check adapter, vents, and event logs

Copy-Paste Blocks For Quick Testing

Windows Admin Commands

:: Restart now
shutdown /r /t 0

:: Repair image and system files
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

:: Toggle hibernation so the Fast Startup option reappears
powercfg /h off
powercfg /h on

macOS Safe Boot And Recovery Shortcuts

  • Apple silicon: Hold the power button until “Loading startup options,” pick your disk, hold Shift, then Continue in Safe Mode.
  • Intel: Hold Shift right after chime for Safe Mode. Press Option-Command-P-R for NVRAM reset.

Linux Journal Shortcuts

# Show boots and last shutdown errors
journalctl --list-boots
journalctl -b -1 -p err

Make The Fix Stick

Leave Fast Startup off if it caused the stall. Keep vendor drivers current. Give your system time to finish heavy updates before closing the lid. Keep a tiny checklist on your desktop: save work, close apps, then restart. Simple habits prevent most repeats.

Still Stuck? What To Note For Help

Write down the exact point the restart stops, any error line, and what changed recently. Snap a photo of event IDs or panic text. Share your laptop model, OS build, and steps already tried. With that detail, a technician can spot the fix fast.