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How to Restart Mac with Keyboard

7 min

Restarting your Mac is a simple yet essential task that can help you resolve various software issues and update your system. While restarting your Mac with the mouse is straightforward, you can also use your keyboard to restart it quickly and efficiently. In this guide, we’ll show you how to restart your Mac with a keyboard, including specific instructions for restarting a MacBook Air, force restarting a MacBook Pro, and starting in Safe Mode.

How to Restart Mac Air with Keyboard

Restarting your MacBook Air is just as easy as restarting any other Mac model with a keyboard, but the key combination is slightly different. Here’s how to restart your MacBook Air using only your keyboard:

Step 1: Press and hold the Control key on your keyboard.

Step 2: While holding the Control key, press the top-right key on the keyboard that has a power icon on it. This key is also known as the power button.

Step 3: Keep holding the Control key until the dialogue box appears on your screen.

Step 4: In the dialogue box, select the “Restart” option to restart your MacBook Air.

And that’s it! You have successfully restarted your MacBook Air with your keyboard. Remember that this key combination is specific to the MacBook Air model and may not work on other Mac models.

How to Force Restart MacBook Pro

Sometimes, your MacBook Pro may freeze or become unresponsive, and a normal restart may not work. In such cases, you can force restart your MacBook Pro to resolve the issue. Here’s how to force restart your MacBook Pro:

Step 1: Press and hold the Command + Control + Power buttons on your keyboard.

Step 2: Keep holding these buttons until your MacBook Pro restarts.

Step 3: Release the buttons once you see the Apple logo or hear the startup sound.

And that’s it! Your MacBook Pro should now restart and be responsive again. Keep in mind that force restarting your MacBook Pro may cause you to lose unsaved data, so make sure to save any important work before resorting to a force restart.

If you find that force restarting your MacBook Pro doesn’t solve the issue, you may need to seek further assistance from an Apple Support representative or a certified technician.

How to start in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode in macOS that can help you troubleshoot issues with your Mac. In Safe Mode, your Mac will start up with only the necessary system components, which can help isolate software or hardware issues. Here’s how to start your Mac in Safe Mode:

Step 1: Shut down your Mac by selecting “Shut Down” from the Apple menu or by pressing and holding the Power button until it turns off.

Step 2: Press the Power button to turn on your Mac.

Step 3: Immediately press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.

Step 4: Keep holding the Shift key until you see the login screen. You may see a progress bar during the startup process.

Step 5: Once you’re logged in, you can release the Shift key.

And that’s it! Your Mac should now be in Safe Mode. Keep in mind that Safe Mode disables certain features, such as some display options and startup login items. If you find that the issue you’re experiencing is resolved in Safe Mode, you may need to troubleshoot further by identifying and disabling any problematic login items or software.

To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your Mac normally without holding the Shift key.

FAQ: How to Restart Mac with Keyboard

Q: Why should I restart my Mac with a keyboard?

A: Restarting your Mac with a keyboard can be a faster and more efficient way to restart your system, especially if you’re experiencing issues with your mouse or trackpad.

Q: What keyboard shortcuts can I use to restart my Mac?

A: You can use various keyboard shortcuts to restart your Mac, such as Control + Power button, Control + Eject key, or Control + Command + Power button. The specific shortcut may depend on your Mac model.

Q: How do I restart a MacBook Air with a keyboard?

A: To restart a MacBook Air with a keyboard, press and hold the Control key and then press the top-right key with the power icon.

Q: How do I force restart my MacBook Pro with a keyboard?

A: To force restart a MacBook Pro with a keyboard, hold down the Command + Control + Power buttons until your Mac restarts.

Q: Can I restart my Mac in Safe Mode with a keyboard?

A: Yes, you can start your Mac in Safe Mode with a keyboard by holding down the Shift key during startup.

Q: Will restarting my Mac with a keyboard delete any of my files or data?

A: No, restarting your Mac with a keyboard should not delete any of your files or data. However, force restarting your Mac may cause you to lose unsaved work, so make sure to save any important files before force restarting.

Q: What should I do if restarting my Mac with a keyboard doesn’t resolve the issue?

A: If restarting your Mac with a keyboard doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to seek further assistance from an Apple Support representative or a certified technician.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to restart your Mac with a keyboard, you can quickly and easily resolve various software issues and keep your system up to date. Whether you’re using a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or any other Mac model, you can use the instructions provided in this guide to restart your Mac efficiently. Remember to save any important work before force restarting your Mac and troubleshoot further if needed. With these keyboard shortcuts at your fingertips, you can keep your Mac running smoothly and efficiently.

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