- Forcing a device (like a computer, phone, or router) to shut down and restart completely, often by holding down the power button or using a specific key combination.
- It bypasses the normal shutdown procedure and clears the device's temporary memory (RAM).
Explanation
Origin
- Emerged with the proliferation of electronic devices that could freeze or become unresponsive.
- Hard contrasts with a soft reset (a normal restart using the software menus).
- It signifies a more forceful, hardware-level restart action.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Nuke it (Figurative, implies a drastic reset, sometimes meaning a factory reset)
- Pull the plug (If referring to physically cutting power)
- Give it the beans (UK, very informal, means give it full power/force, could apply to forcing a restart)
Technical/Specific:
- Forced shutdown
- Hardware reset
Milder/General:
- Restart it (Could mean soft or hard reset depending on context)
- Reboot it
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in informal and semi-formal technical contexts (IT support, discussing device issues).
- Might need explanation in non-technical settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Ensure the listener understands the difference between a hard reset (force restart) and a factory reset (wiping all data). This is a critical distinction.
- The exact method for a hard reset varies between devices.
Examples
- My phone froze, so I had to do a hard reset.
- The support technician told me to perform a hard reset on my router.
- A hard reset often fixes temporary software issues.
Dialogue
User: My laptop is completely frozen, the mouse isn't moving.
Support: Okay, let's try a hard reset. Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds until it shuts down completely.
User: Alright, holding it now... okay, it's off.
Support: Good. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on normally.
Social Media Examples
- Phone acting weird? A hard reset might be the answer! Hold Power + Volume Down (on Android). #techtips
- Ugh, Wi-Fi down again. Time for the ritual hard reset of the router. Praying it works...
- My gaming console froze mid-boss fight. Had to hard reset and lost all progress. FML. #gamerproblems
Response Patterns
- Did that fix the problem?
- Okay, I'll try that.
- Yeah, that usually works.
- Is that the one where you hold the power button?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After suggesting or performing a hard reset:
- Ask: Did it work?, Is the device booting up okay now?.
- Action: Wait for the device to restart, check if the original problem is resolved.
- May need to explain *how* to perform a hard reset for the specific device.
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a specific technical action, usually discussed when troubleshooting.
Intonation
- Emphasis typically falls on Hard. HARD reset.
Generation Differences
- Common among people who regularly use and troubleshoot electronic devices (most age groups today).
Regional Variations
- Widely understood in English-speaking regions due to global technology usage.