# Restart Stage

Last Updated On: 15 Sep 2026

The Restart stage restarts the device as part of the workflow. Use it when a change only takes effect after a restart, or when the restart itself is the goal — such as enforcing regular reboots on devices that never get one.

**Note**

The device restarts without any warning to the person using it. If they should have a chance to save their work first, add an **Engage** stage before the Restart stage to ask them.

![Workflow canvas highlighting the Restart stage.](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/digital-employee-experience/help/dex/workflow-stages-restart-overview-sep2026-rev2.webp)

## What This Stage Solves

Some fixes aren't finished until the device restarts. Patches sit half-installed, configuration changes don't apply, and performance keeps degrading — often for weeks, because users postpone restarts indefinitely. The Restart stage carries out the restart as part of the workflow, so the fix actually completes.

| The problem | What Restart does about it |
|---|---|
| Users postpone restarts for weeks, so patches never finish installing | Restarts the device once it crosses the threshold you set |
| A configuration change won't take effect until the device restarts | Restarts the device so the change applies |
| Devices left running continuously slow down over time | Restarts them as part of routine maintenance |

## Example

**Managed Device Restart**

In this workflow, the Restart stage is what actually enforces the reboot. The Sensor reads each device's boot time and the Switch checks whether more than 5 days have passed. Devices that cross that line are restarted, so patches finish installing and performance recovers. Devices restarted recently are left alone.

![Managed device restart workflow showing the Restart stage.](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/digital-employee-experience/help/dex/workflow-stages-restart-example-sep2026-rev2.webp)

## How to Configure

1. Drag the **Restart** stage onto the canvas and connect it to the preceding stage.
2. Enter a **Name** for the stage (required).
3. Enter a **Description** (optional).
4. Connect the Restart stage to the next stage in your workflow.

![Restart stage name and description configuration.](https://cdn.manageengine.com/sites/meweb/images/digital-employee-experience/help/dex/workflow-stages-restart-configuration-sep2026-rev2.webp)

## Things to Know

- Restarts the **whole device** — it cannot restart a single service or application
- The user receives **no warning** before the restart happens