reiniciar

Reiniciar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese to refer to the action of starting something again or restoring it to its initial state. It can be applied to devices, software, processes, or plans that have paused, failed, or been interrupted. In a broader sense, reiniciar can also mean to begin anew or to refresh a situation.

Origin and sense: The word combines the prefix re- (again) with iniciar (to begin). In both languages, reiniciar is the common term for returning to a starting point after an interruption, as opposed to related terms that emphasize other kinds of resetting or reinitialization.

Computing and technology: In computing, reiniciar usually means to reboot a computer, smartphone, or network device. A soft restart closes running programs and restarts the operating system without a full power cycle, while a hard reset involves cycling the device’s power. Usage varies by platform: graphical interfaces typically include a Restart option; Windows commonly uses a restart command, Linux often uses reboot or systemctl reboot, and macOS provides a restart option from the menu.

Other uses: Beyond devices, reiniciar can describe restarting a process, service, project, or plan after a pause, or reinitializing configurations, counters, or workflows in software systems. The term is common in technical, business, and everyday language for indicating a fresh start or renewed operation.

See also: reinicio, reinicialización, restablecer, resetear.