The old IT mantra of “have you tried turning it off and on again?” is much maligned and ridiculed. It even became a kind of catchphrase on “The IT Crowd” where one technician even went so far as to make an answerphone recording taking users through the familiar script.
The truth of the matter, however, is that this has become a familiar saying in IT support circles for a reason. The impact of turning a gadget off and then back on again is very powerful! Even if it does not resolve the issue, it is important to rule out basic causes before summoning a technician to visit; no one likes a wasted journey, even if it is just to another desk in the office.
Wireless routers can fail occasionally. Removing the power by switching off at the mains can restore the internet connection. It is important to remember to use the power switch and leave the RESET button well alone. The former allows the settings to stay intact, whereas the latter will restore the factory settings, and the router will need to be configured again.
Even when the router appears to be working, a restart can make a marked improvement to the internet performance.
Restarting a computer allows updates to be applied, increasing security and bringing the latest versions of programs into use. If a computer freezes up, forcing it off and on again will trigger the checking process, which can detect and rectify errors. If nothing else, a restart allows you to go back to a clean slate; as you accumulate a number of open windows through your working session, your computer can start to struggle under the strain. It’s good to give your machine a chance to perform well by letting it concentrate on a couple of processes.
So, please don’t mock when your IT professional asks if you have tried switching it off and starting it up again; they may be doing your computer a favour!
