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How to Remotely Restart a Device?
The Restart Device remote action allows IT administrators to trigger an over-the-air reboot of managed endpoints from the Hexnode UEM console to assist in troubleshooting, system testing, or finalizing pending updates.
Why Remotely Restart a Managed Device?
Remote restarts are essential for enterprise maintenance, especially when physical access to the device is limited. It ensures that system changes are finalized and performance issues are resolved without requiring user intervention.
- Finalize Updates: Completes pending OS or software installations that require a reboot.
- Troubleshooting: Clears temporary system glitches and refreshes device connectivity.
- Testing: Ensures configuration changes and policies are correctly applied post-boot.
- Automation: Allows for bulk maintenance of digital signage, kiosks, and employee workstations.
Prerequisites and Compatibility
Before executing a restart command, ensure the target devices meet the following platform-specific requirements:
| Platform | Requirements & Supported Versions |
|---|---|
| Android | Android 5.0+ (Samsung Knox, Rooted, or Hexnode as System App). Android 7.0+ (Device Owner). |
| iOS | Supervised devices running iOS 10.3 or later. |
| macOS | Devices running macOS 10.13 or higher. |
| Windows | Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, Education (v1703+) and Windows 11. |
| tvOS | Supervised devices running tvOS 10.2 or higher. |
| ChromeOS | All managed ChromeOS devices. |
| Linux | Supported Linux distributions. |
| Zebra Printers | Printers running Link-OS v5.0 or higher. |
Step-by-Step Guide: Executing a Remote Restart
Administrators can initiate a restart for a single device or perform bulk actions for multiple endpoints.
Users are not notified; any unsaved work will be lost.
1. Restart a Single Device
- Log in to the Hexnode UEM portal.
- Navigate to the Manage tab.
- Select the target device to open the Device Summary page.
- Navigate to Actions > Device Control > Restart Device.
- For Linux: Enable the Force restart option in the dialog to terminate all processes immediately.
- Click Restart in the confirmation dialog.
2. Restart Devices in Bulk
- Navigate to Manage > Devices.
- Select the checkboxes for all required devices.
- Select Actions > Device Control > Restart Device.
- Click Restart in the confirmation dialog.
Troubleshooting Guides
| Problem | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Action fails on Android devices | Verify that the Power Off option under Basic restrictions is not disabled. If restricted, the restart command cannot execute. |
| iOS device loses connectivity after restart | Passcode-protected iOS devices may fail to auto-join Wi-Fi after a reboot. Manually unlock the device to restore communication with the Hexnode server. |
| Device is not restarting immediately | For Macs, Windows, ChromeOS, and Linux, the process may take 5-10 minutes to initiate after the command is received. |
| Command remains in “Pending” status | Ensure the device has an active network connection. Check the status in Manage > Devices > [Select Device] > Action History. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will the user be prompted to save their work before the restart?
No. The Restart Device action is executed without user notification. It is recommended to inform users beforehand to prevent data loss.
Can a policy block a remote restart command?
No. Any configured policies on the device will not prevent the reboot from occurring once the command is confirmed in the portal.
Is the “Force restart” option available for all platforms?
The Force restart checkbox is specifically available for Linux devices. It terminates all active processes immediately to ensure the reboot proceeds.
Does a restart help in applying new MDM policies?
Yes. Restarting a device is a common troubleshooting step to ensure that newly associated policies or profiles are correctly initialized by the device operating system.
