Gadgets have become an integral part of our lives, and if something suddenly goes wrong with them, we immediately start to panic. After all, remaining completely isolated from the virtual world seems impossible and unbearable. However, this panic passes almost instantly, because in most cases all problems can be solved with a simple reboot – the process of temporarily turning off the device and then turning it on. It helps to eliminate minor errors and failures in the operating system, improves performance and frees up RAM.
Smartphones and tablets
Nowadays, both Android and iOS and other operating systems manage resources quite efficiently, i.e. they do not overload RAM and do not fill up the application cache, so there should be no need to reboot the phone to clear RAM or application cache. However, even the most advanced memory management algorithms can sometimes encounter situations when resource optimization is disrupted. For example, this can happen during long-term continuous use of the device, installation of a large number of applications or launching resource-intensive games and programs. In such cases, RAM can fill up with fragmented data, which leads to a slowdown in the system.
Additionally, some applications may contain bugs that often lead to memory leaks, a situation where a program continues to occupy resources after it has finished running. This can also negatively affect the overall performance of the device.
The moral of this story is this: reboot your tablets and smartphones once a week, and then you will not encounter crashes or slowdowns in the operation of your gadgets.
Personal computers and laptops
We often turn these devices off completely, unlike tablets and phones, which are forced to work on a continuous basis – unless their battery is completely discharged. So they do not need regular rebooting, since you essentially restart it every day and when necessary, for example, after installing new software. The main thing is to remember to save all open files and completely close applications before turning off or rebooting.
Wi-Fi routers
They, like smartphones, work continuously. Therefore, they definitely need to be restarted once, or better yet, a couple of times a month for several reasons.
- The router stores temporary data about connections and packet routing, and over time this cache can accumulate and cause delays or errors in data transmission. Restarting can clear this cache and improve network performance.
- Like any electronic device, the router may encounter minor software glitches. A reboot will fix these issues and return the device to normal operation.
- Long-term operation of the router can lead to accumulation of load on its processor, which causes a slowdown in data transfer speed.
- In some cases, especially with older router models, rebooting can help improve the quality of your Wi-Fi signal by eliminating potential interference and improving network coverage.
The easiest way to reboot your router is to unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.
Smart watch
You might not even think about them. But these devices work hard most of the day, perform many functions and constantly interact with various sensors and applications! So what if they have simpler software than phones and tablets, they can still encounter numerous problems. So it is worth rebooting your smartwatch about once a month.
Smart TVs
You press a button on the remote control and think that in this state the TV is completely turned off, and when you turn it on, the entire system reboots? Alas, it works a little differently. Most models go into standby mode when you activate the “Power off” button on the remote control: in this state, the TV continues to consume a small amount of electricity to remain ready to quickly turn on and perform various functions, such as receiving signals from the remote control or updating software.
The only way to completely turn off the TV is to pull the plug out of the socket or use a special energy saving mode, which can be accessed through the settings menu. Turn off the device using the button on the remote control, pull the plug out of the socket, wait 30 seconds and plug the device back into the network.
Smart Home Devices
Smart speakers, light bulbs, displays, and various sensors need to be constantly on and connected to function properly, which sometimes makes them vulnerable to various technical failures.
To ensure that they serve you faithfully for as long as possible, remember to update the software regularly and reboot each device about once a month or as needed by completely disconnecting them from the network and waiting at least 30 seconds before reconnecting.