How to restart your HP laptop

⚡ Fast fix

• Laptop acting strange? Start with a normal restart before trying anything more complicated.
• Frozen screen? Hold the power button until the laptop turns off.
• Can't use the mouse? Ctrl + Alt + Delete can help you restart with the keyboard.
• Still having problems after a restart? Safe Mode can help narrow down the cause.

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Have you noticed your laptop acting sluggishly or experiencing frequent errors and crashes? Whether due to a problematic update, a persistent virus, or glitchy software, sometimes the simplest fix is a restart.

The experts at Asurion can handle any tech issue, from repairing broken computers to walking you through how to reset your HP laptop. We’ve got you covered.

What is the difference between restart types?

Let's clarify the differences between the types of restarts.

• A soft restart closes applications, signs you out if needed, and restarts Windows normally. This is the safest and most common way to restart your laptop.
• A hard restart (also called a forced restart) is performed by holding the Power button until the laptop shuts down. This is useful when the laptop is frozen or completely unresponsive. You may lose unsaved work, but files that were already saved should remain intact.

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Ways to restart an HP laptop

Next, we'll explore different methods to restart your HP laptop. This section provides detailed steps to make the process smooth.

Restart via the Start menu

This is the preferred restart method whenever Windows is responding normally.

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Select the Power icon.
3. Choose Restart.

Restart using keyboard shortcuts

If your touchpad or mouse isn't working, keyboard shortcuts can help.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
2. Press Tab until the Power icon is highlighted.
3. Press Enter.
4. Use the arrow keys to highlight Restart.
5. Press Enter again.

Hard restart

If your laptop is frozen and won't respond, try a forced restart.

1. Press and hold the Power button until the laptop turns off.
2. Wait a few seconds.
3. Press the Power button again to turn it back on.

If the problem continues, you can perform a full power drain:

1. Disconnect the laptop from docking stations and accessories.
2. Unplug the power adapter.
3. If your HP model has a removable battery, remove it. Most modern HP laptops use internal batteries, so this step won't apply to everyone.
4. Press and hold the Power button for about 15 seconds.
5. Reconnect the battery (if removed) and power adapter.
6. Turn the laptop back on.

Using Command Prompt

You can also restart Windows directly through Command Prompt.

1. Type cmd into the Windows search bar.
2. Open Command Prompt.
3. Type: shutdown /r
4. Press Enter.

Windows will begin the restart process.

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How to restart your HP laptop in Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows using only the essential drivers and services needed to run. This can be helpful when troubleshooting software issues, startup problems, crashes, or driver conflicts.

If Windows is still working

1. Click the Start menu.
2. Select the Power icon.
3. Hold the Shift key while clicking Restart.
4. Select:
   • Troubleshoot
   • Advanced options
   • Startup Settings
   • Restart
5. Choose Safe Mode from the list of startup options.

If Windows won't start normally

If Windows won't boot, repeatedly interrupt startup by powering the laptop off during boot. Windows may automatically launch the recovery environment, where you can access the same Safe Mode options.

Need help factory resetting your laptop? We’ve got that covered, too.

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FAQ

How often should I restart my HP laptop?

There's no strict schedule, but restarting every few days or once a week can help clear temporary files and resolve minor software issues.

Does restarting a laptop delete anything?

No. A normal restart won't delete files, applications, or settings. Unsaved work may be lost.

Why won't my HP laptop restart?

Software crashes, stuck updates, driver conflicts, or hardware issues can all interfere with restarting.