How to Reboot a Linux Server with SSH | Hostvento Knowledge Base

What is SSH?

SSH is a safe way to control a server from your own computer by typing commands. It is like a remote control with a keyboard. A reboot means turning the server off and on again. This can fix slowness, finish updates, or clear stuck programs.

Warning

A reboot stops your website, email and apps for a short time. Visitors will see errors during that time. Save open work and take a backup before you start. Do not reboot during a big update or while files are being copied.

Steps

Open a terminal on your computer. On Windows, use PowerShell or a tool like PuTTY.
Connect to your server. Use your own details:

ssh root@your-server-ip

This logs you in. Your server's address and login are in your welcome email.

Type the password if asked. Nothing shows on screen while you type. This is normal.
Run the reboot command:

sudo reboot

This restarts the server safely.

Your SSH window will close.
Wait one to three minutes.
Connect again with the same SSH command.
Check how long the server has been on:

uptime

If it shows a short time, the reboot worked.

Other ways to reboot

sudo shutdown -r now
sudo systemctl reboot

Both restart the server at once. The -r means restart.

Reboot later

sudo shutdown -r +5

This waits five minutes first. Cancel it with sudo shutdown -c.

If SSH does not work after the reboot

Wait a little longer. Large servers can take time.
Check that your IP address has not changed.
Open a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php if you still cannot connect.

Tip: Check that your services start by themselves after a reboot. Run systemctl is-enabled nginx or the name of your web server.

Quick recap

Connect with SSH.
Run sudo reboot.
Wait a few minutes and log in again.
Back up first, since sites go down for a short time.