# How to Restart Or Force Restart a Mac/MacBook?

*English*

## How to restart a Mac?

**Quick Answer:**

There are three common ways:

[1. Through the Apple menu bar](#way1): the Apple menu \> Restart [2. With a key combination](#way2): Control \+ Command \+ Power button / Touch ID / Eject keys [3. Through manual restart](#way3): Press the power button to shut down the Mac and then press it on

From[iBoysoft](https://iboysoft.com/)

![restart Mac](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/restart-mac/summary-restart-mac.jpg)

Restarting the Mac is always the simplest and quickest fix to get it back on track if:

- Your [MacBook Pro is overheating](https://iboysoft.com/tips/macbook-pro-overheating.html)
- Your Mac is running sluggishly
- The apps crash frequently
- Your Mac is frozen

To restart a Mac, simply**click on the Apple menu**in the upper left corner of your screen and then select**Restart**.

However, if your Mac is not responding, you can't move the cursor and[fix the frozen Mac](https://iboysoft.com/mac-data-recovery/fix-frozen-mac.html)with a normal restart. In this case, you have to**force restart your Mac**. Force restart enables a problematic Mac that cannot recognize the restart command to reboot compulsorily.

**How to restart or force restart a Mac/MacBook:**

| Ways for restarting a Mac | Specific operation | Applicable scenarios |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Restart a Mac through the Apple menu | Click on theApple menu\>Restart. | The cursor is moving and Mac is not frozen. |
| Restart a Mac with a key combination | Press down theControl\-Power button/Touch IDkeys together. | The cursor is moving and Mac is not frozen. |
| Force restart your Mac with keyboard commands | Press downControl\-Command\-Power button/Touch ID. | Mac or the cursor is frozen. |
| Force restart your Mac through a manual shutdown | Press down thepower button/Touch IDfor about 10 seconds toturn off the Macand then press the power button/Touch ID toturn it on. | Mac is irresponsive or can't be unfrozen or turned on after force restating with commands. |

## How to restart your Mac/MacBook

If your computer does not perform well, like[MacBook Pro screen is flickering](https://iboysoft.com/mac-data-recovery/macbook-pro-screen-flickering.html), reboot it will help it back to normal. You can follow one of the ways below to reboot your iMac, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air.

### Restart a Mac through the Apple menu bar

There is a Restart button on a Mac, which supplies you with a quick Mac restart with one click.

![Select the Shut Down button on the Apple menu bar](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/restart-mac/apple-menu-shutdown-button.jpg)

Click the Apple menu and select**Restart**. If there are any files that are being edited, it will ask if you'd like to save them. And if you want the opened apps or windows to reopen when the Mac reboot, check the "Reopen windows when logging back in" option.

![select the Restart button on the pop\-up window](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/restart-mac/confirm-to-shut-down-mac-in-popup-window.jpg)

Then, your computer will automatically shut down and reboot in a short time.

### Restart a Mac with a key combination

If[Mac won't restart](https://iboysoft.com/howto/fix-mac-wont-restart.html)using the methods we mentioned before, simultaneously press down the**Control \+ Power button / Touch ID / Eject**key commands \(According to your Mac model\).

![press the power button and Control key to force restart the Mac](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/restart-mac/press-control-power-button-to-force-restart-mac.jpg)

Then, select the "Restart" button on the popup window that queries whether you are sure to shut down your computer now or not.

![select the restart button on the dialog box](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/restart-mac/select-restart-on-the-dialog-box.jpg)

Then, wait a moment to let your Mac restart automatically.

Share the common ways to restart a Mac with more people.

## How to force restart your Mac/MacBook

Unfortunately, your operating system freezes, or even your[Mac won't turn on](https://iboysoft.com/howto/macbook-wont-turn-on.html)but shows a black screen. In that case, the normal restart button or shortcut key won't work either. Because the OS won't let you bring up any programs or options with your cursor.

Note:If it's just an app that's unresponsive rather than the Mac, there is no need to restart the Mac. Force quit the app \(use[Ctrl\-Alt\-Delete on Mac](https://iboysoft.com/wiki/ctrl-alt-delete-mac.html)\) is okay.

In this situation, you need to**force restart your Mac**. This method also applies to a Mac that's not starting up to the desktop as usual or a regular restart is not possible.

### Force restart your Mac with keyboard commands

Hold down the**Control \+ Command \+ Power button / Touch ID / Eject keys**at the same time for a few seconds. Your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro will shut down and then force restart automatically.

![press down the Command \+ Control \+ Power keys to force restart the Mac](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/restart-mac/press-control-command-power-keys-to-force-restart-mac.jpg)

### Force restart your Mac through a manual shutdown

If your Mac shows no response to the force restart keyboard command, you need to go ahead to manually shut it down.

- Press and hold the power button for several seconds to fully turn off your Mac.
- Wait 10 seconds or so, and press the power button again to turn on the Mac.

There are cases where your Mac fails to be unfrozen or turned on after a force restart. We understand that you certainly worry about your files stored on the computer. To get files off a Mac that refuses to force reboot to the desktop, check this guide to[recover data in macOS Recovery](https://iboysoft.com/mac-data-recovery/how-to-run-mac-data-recovery-in-recovery-mode.html).

Tell your friends how to force restart a MacBook.

## FAQs about force restart Mac

APress down the power button \(Touch ID\) for around 10 seconds to completely shut down your Mac. Wait a moment and then press the power button to restart the MacBook.

AForce quit all running apps first, press Option \- Command \- Esc keys together to force quit running apps. Then, click the Apple menu \> Restart.

APress down the power button for about 10 seconds to force shut down it. Wait a moment and press the power button to turn it on.

APress Control\-Command\-Power shortcuts.

AIt is to force shut down the Mac and then restart it.