Reboot a Server from Command Line?

Question

How do I reboot a Ubuntu Server from the command line? sudo reboot now never seems to work for me. Because its a server, I don't have a window manager installed, so I can't do it from a GUI (which always seems to work).

I've had the problem for years on different versions of the operating system. It happens in virtual machines and on real metal. The same problem exists with sudo shutdown now, too.

I've lived with it in the past. The difference now is I don't want to just hit the power button because I might lose data.

Solution 1

Try using the following command to safely reboot:

sudo reboot

If, instead, you want to shut down the server safely, use this command:

sudo shutdown -h now

Solution 2

For reboot, type the following

sudo shutdown -r now

Solution 3

As an alternative to sudo shutdown -r now, this command also effects an immediate shut-down:

sudo shutdown -h +0

Add the -r command to reboot:

sudo shutdown -r -h +0

---

Output (running as root):

root@mydevwkstn:~# shutdown -r -h +0

Broadcast message from cjbs@mydevwkstn
        (/dev/pts/10) at 14:41 ...

The system is going down for halt NOW!
root@mydevwkstn:~#

Solution 4

An alternate way:

sudo init 6

---

[NOTE]:

Without the init program there could be no command interpreter process.

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Comments

[ASCIIbetical]

Have you tried sudo shutdown -r now ?

[sourav c.]

sudo reboot now is not a valid option. see man 8 reboot

[Admin]

Thanks souravc - that's interesting. The command never complains about an invalid option. I'll test some of these when I get out of mysql.

[Danatela]

sudo init 6 must always work. Also, there are Ctrl+Alt+Del and REISUB.

[rap-2-h]

You did not mention "safely" in the sudo reboot method, it may mislead some users.

[wisbucky]

@rap-2-h Wait, so do you mean sudo reboot is safe or not safe?

[Jay]

@wisbucky : sudo reboot is safe

[Gansheim]

had a debate with a coworker about this today. Is this method preferred over sudo poweroff?

[Jay]

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