# Power On, Off and Restart

Source: https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-power

You can start, stop and restart your server from the top of its page in KPanel. This guide explains what each button does, when to use it, and what happens to billing while a server is off.

## Where the Power Buttons Are

1. Sign in to [KPanel](https://kpanel.kapsulehost.com).
2. In the sidebar, open the section for your server type, for example **Standard Cores**.
3. Click your server.

The power buttons are in the header, next to the server's name and status:

| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| **Start** | Starts a stopped server |
| **Shut Down** | Asks the system to close down cleanly. Shown when your server supports it. |
| **Reboot** | Restarts a running server |
| **Power Off** | Cuts the power at once, after you confirm |
| **Reset** | Restarts at once without a clean shutdown, after you confirm. Shown when your server supports it. |

While a power action runs, the status shows **Starting**, **Shutting Down**, **Rebooting**, **Powering Off** or **Resetting**, and the page checks again by itself until the server settles. The buttons are greyed out while the server is **Setting Up**, **Rebuilding** or **Deleting**.

![The power buttons in a server's header in KPanel](https://support.kapsulehost.com/help/screenshots/cloud-servers-power.838830a2.webp)

## Reboot

**Reboot** restarts the server. Your server is offline for a short time while it restarts. Use it after installing updates, or when the server is slow or stuck.

## Stop a Server Safely

Click **Shut Down** when it is shown. It lets programs close and save their work before the server stops.

If **Shut Down** is not shown, stop your app and database first, or run `sudo shutdown -h now` inside the server, then use **Power Off**.

## Power Off and Reset

> **Warning:** **Power Off** "cuts the power at once, like pulling the plug. Anything not saved to disk is lost. Shut Down is the safer choice when the server still responds." **Reset** restarts the server at once without letting the system close, with the same risk.

Click the button, read the warning, then click it again in the box to confirm. Powering off deletes nothing: your disk, data and IP addresses are kept.

## Start

**Start** starts a stopped server. It boots exactly as you left it. Give it a minute, then connect as usual.

## Several Servers at Once

On a server type's list page, tick the servers you want, then click **Start**, **Reboot** or **Power Off** with the number in brackets. Only servers that can take that action are counted.

## Metal Servers

Metal servers also have **Power Control** on their **Hardware** tab, which works through the machine's own management controller even when the system is frozen. See [Managing a Dedicated Server](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/dedicated-servers-management).

## Billing While a Server Is Off

A stopped server keeps its disk and its IP addresses. A switched-off server is still charged at its full price until you delete it. Deleting the server stops its charges. If you do not need the server again, delete it. See [Cancelling a Server and Refunds](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-cancel-refunds).

> **Important:** Hourly GPU servers are different. Start and stop them with **Start Server** and **Stop Server** on their **GPU** tab. Shutting one down from inside the operating system does NOT stop the charge. See [Hourly GPU and Credits](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-gpu).

## Using Kora

You can also ask Kora in KPanel to start, stop or restart a server. Kora asks you to type a confirmation first.

## Troubleshooting

**The server does not come back after a reboot.** Wait two minutes and reload the page. If it still does not answer, try **Power Off** and **Start**, or use [Rescue Mode](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-rescue) to check what happened.

**"This server cannot be started while its billing is stopped. Check Billing, then try again."** Pay any unpaid invoice in **Billing**, then start the server.

**"The server is busy with another change. Try again in a minute."** Wait for the current change to finish.

**The power buttons are greyed out.** Your team role may only allow viewing servers. Only the Owner and Admin roles can use them. Ask the account owner.

## Related Articles

- [Rebuilding a Server](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-rebuild)
- [Rescue Mode](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-rescue)
- [Hourly GPU and Credits](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-gpu)
- [Server Troubleshooting](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-troubleshooting)
- [Server Billing and Terms](https://support.kapsulehost.com/en-us/cloud-servers-pricing-gst)