If your server is slowing down or acting up, it might be time for a reboot. Restarting helps to keep your server running smoothly and efficiently. In this article, we’ll look at why, when, and how to reboot your server, along with tips for troubleshooting any issues that may arise.
Why Should You Reboot Your Server?
Rebooting is often necessary when installing new patches, applying updates, or adding new features. It also helps improve performance and stability. Over time, servers accumulate temporary files, background processes, and cached data. Restarting clears the system memory (RAM) and resets services, giving your server a fresh start.
Regular reboots also serve two key purposes:
Testing reliability – Ensuring the server can restart successfully without errors.
Applying critical updates – Some patches only take effect after a reboot.
In short, periodic restarts help maintain your server’s long-term health and performance.
When Should You Reboot?
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to reboot your server every six months. Servers are, after all, computers—and just like your personal computer, they benefit from an occasional restart.
You can reboot your VPS via our client area at any time.
Here is a guide on how to do this.
What to Check After a Reboot
Once your server has restarted, perform a few quick checks to make sure everything is functioning properly:
Confirm that all service accounts and logins (e.g., FTP, SSH) are working.
Review the error logs for any new warnings or issues.
Monitor network traffic to identify any performance bottlenecks.
Update outdated plugins or software to avoid compatibility problems.
Verify that email services are operational.
Check disk space and bandwidth usage to ensure sufficient capacity.
Confirm that memory log areas have adequate available space.
Taking these steps ensures your server returns to full operational efficiency after a reboot.
Unable to Access the Server After Reboot
If you cannot access the server after reboot, it might be related to your VPS configuration. It might be that you configured the server without the option to start SSH service automatically or RDP (Windows VPS).
In this case, you should connect to your VPS via the Emergency console and check why the server is not accessible via reboot.
Here is a guide on how to access the server via Emergency Console.
What Could Go Wrong During a Reboot?
Rebooting a VPS is generally safe and rarely causes serious problems—especially when done through your hosting control panel or with proper system commands. However, as with any restart, a few issues can occur if the reboot isn’t handled carefully.
Here are some potential problems to watch for:
Incomplete or interrupted processes: If your VPS is rebooted while applications are writing to a database or file, the process may not finish properly. This can lead to data inconsistencies or, in rare cases, file corruption.
Service startup failures: Some services or daemons may fail to start automatically after a reboot due to misconfigured startup scripts or dependency issues.
Network configuration hiccups: Occasionally, network interfaces or firewall rules may not load correctly after a reboot, causing temporary connectivity issues.
Corrupted temporary files or cache: If your VPS crashes or loses power during a reboot, temporary data may become corrupted, leading to unexpected behavior once it’s back online.
Unsaved configuration changes: If recent system or software configurations weren’t saved before rebooting, those changes may be lost.
To minimize these risks:
Always shut down running applications gracefully before rebooting.
Check logs after the reboot to confirm all services started correctly.
Ensure backups are up to date in case something goes wrong.
When performed correctly, a VPS reboot is a routine maintenance task that refreshes system resources and helps maintain stability—just be sure to prepare properly before restarting.
Note 1: The reboot will not affect VPS data or VPS hostname, or IP address.