Power Cycle
Is your computer experiencing strange problems?
Or maybe your laptop or smartphone is no longer charging?
Issues with your device are often resolved by a power cycle.
What is a power cycle?
The unit's power is turned off completely and then turned back on.
This has two purposes: resetting the RAM and discharging the capacitors.
It differs from a regular restart because the power remains on and the electrical state of the device stays unchanged.
For devices with a battery, it is more challenging to completely shut off the power.
What does a power cycle do?
The purpose of a power cycle is to allow the device to start up from a neutral state.
The hardware, as well as the software, can then start with a clean slate.
A power cycle may resolve the following issues:
- Frozen software: All processes are terminated during a power cycle. After restarting, you can try the software again.
- Problems with working memory (RAM): The RAM is used by nearly everything on the computer or smart device. If a temporary issue occurs here, it can cause strange problems in all possible areas.
- Stored charge in capacitors: Because the power regulation is not perfect, there are certain components that retain power for a while. Sometimes they fail to release this power properly, with all the consequences that entails.
Performing a power cycle
How best to apply a power cycle depends on the type of device.
This is a list of commonly used methods; some models have their own set of instructions.
Desktop
- Turn off the device.
- If the device does not respond, press and hold the power button until it turns off.
- Remove the power cable from the desktop.
- This prevents new power from being supplied.
- Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
- This uses all excess power so it is fully electrically discharged.
- Connect the power cable to the desktop.
- Turn on the device.
- After a power cycle, it may take a little longer to start up, be patient.
Laptop
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the power button if the device does not respond.
- Remove the charger from the charging port.
- This ensures that no new power is supplied.
- If you have a removable battery, disconnect it.
- Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
- This removes all excess power.
- For devices with built-in batteries, you may need to hold it a little longer.
- Unfortunately, this method does not always work for devices with built-in batteries.
- If you have a removable battery, insert it back into the laptop.
- Connect the charger to the laptop.
- Turn on the device.
Smartphone & Tablet
Smartphones and Tablets often have their own specific instructions that you need to look up.
Note that this is often not a true power cycle.
Click here for instructions for iPhones. (please note the iOS version)
For most Android devices, you must press and hold the power button and volume down button together.
Conclusion
A power cycle is always the first step in diagnosing a device.
In some cases, a power cycle solves the problems completely.
It is worth trying!
