“Have you tried restarting your computer?”

You’ve heard it asked before, probably from a coworker or IT professional. It’s even become a running joke these days around most offices. And as an IT support and maintenance services company, we’re very familiar with it, too (both the question AND the jokes). Here are even a few internet memes that we couldn’t resist sharing:

Though we’re not approaching the situation the same way Roy does in The IT Crowd, our team often asks our clients this question when they call us. Why? Restarting your computer (especially when done routinely) can actually resolve and prevent a number of performance issues, such as:

• Slow processing times

• Frozen screens

• Lagging internet

• Software updates

• Driver and hardware errors

• Underperforming applications

Do-It-Yourself IT Hardware Support: Why Restarting Your Computer is So Effective

Have you ever felt refreshed and ready to take on your day after getting a good night’s sleep? Restarting your computer functions in the same way, allowing it to reset from scratch. Here’s why restarting your computer is so often a good first step you can take before contacting your IT support team:

1.   Improves Processing Speed

Over time open programs on your computer can begin to take up too much random access memory (RAM) while they run in the background. This bogs down your computer, causing web pages to load unusually slowly.

However, rebooting your computer flushes out unimportant RAM and stops these unnecessary background programs. As a result, your computer’s processor is freed up to complete the tasks you want, running faster and more efficiently in the process.

2.   Stops Memory Leaks

Sometimes a computer program won’t close correctly, causing it to continue using up memory behind the scenes. This “memory leak” slows your computer down substantially. But with a reboot, your computer automatically resets all programs, putting an end to your memory leaks.

3.   Fixes Spotty Internet Connections

When you have a spotty internet connection, restarting your computer will restart your internet and fix your connectivity issues (even with Bluetooth devices). If this doesn’t improve your internet connection initially, you may want to reboot your internet router as a next step to resolve the problem. 

4.   Addresses Unwanted Bugs and Glitches

Computer bugs and glitches can inevitably happen, especially when your computer hasn’t been rebooted for an extended period of time. If you are experiencing slow-running programs or system freeze-ups, restarting your computer allows your systems’ processors to recharge, which ultimately corrects any bugs or glitches.

The Bottom Line? Restarting Saves Time!

When you’re dealing with connectivity issues and minor everyday errors, restarting your computer is often the quickest solution. It’s usually one of the first questions we ask as it can keep you from spending excess work time with IT support and maintenance services. Most IT computer support professionals even recommend you restart your computer at least once a week to prevent minor issues and keep your systems running efficiently.

Contact Affinity for More IT Support and Maintenance Services

If you’re still having issues even after rebooting your computer, be sure to contact our support team at Affinity Technology Partners. And the next time you’re faced with an unexpected IT problem, just remember: have you tried restarting your computer? Because it so often actually works, this time-saving first step is no joke.