How to Soft Reboot an Apple MacBook

Techwalla may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Soft reboots preserve the integrity of your business data.
Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Soft reboots are preferable to hard reboots since a hard reboot can result in corrupt application files, incorrect system permissions and other software-related problems. Hard reboots involve manually shutting down computer by shutting off the power to the system. Soft reboots use software to shut down the computer and shut down any open applications in a manner that is less likely to cause damage to data. If your business computer stops responding, try to use a soft reboot first and save the hard reboots for when all else fails. There are three common options for performing a soft reboot on a Mac.

Advertisement

Step 1

Click the "Apple" menu and select "Restart" from the drop-down menu if you are able to use your mouse to activate menus.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Press "Ctrl-Eject" to activate the shut down options for your computer. Press the "R" key on your keyboard to restart your computer if you chose to display the shut down options.You can also press "Ctrl-Cmd-Eject" to reboot the computer immediately.

Advertisement

Step 3

Press "Ctrl-Cmd-Eject" to reboot the computer immediately, if you don't want to select from a list of shut down options.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Advertisement

references