Restart-Service
Use Restart-Service to stop and then start one or more Windows services.
Documentation: Microsoft Learn — Restart-Service
Syntax
See the command anatomy
Read the command and its supplied arguments. This example requires real PowerShell or its module; this diagram does not execute it.
Restart-Service [-Name] <String[]> [-Force] [-PassThru] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]- Stage 1Restart-Service
-Name -Force -PassThru -WhatIf -Confirm
Try it
PowerShell example · browser support is limited.
Execution scope: The full example below requires PowerShell outside this browser. You can edit this runner to use the supported practice commands; unsupported syntax returns an explanation.
Follow the objects
Run the command to inspect each stage.
Examples
Restart-Service -WhatIf
Show reference output
Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing
What if: Performing the operation "Restart-Service" on target "Spooler".
Restart-Service -PassThru
Show reference output
Sample output · fictional data, shaped like the real thing
Name Status ---- ------ Restart-Service Completed
Parameters
Parameter definitions:
-Name-Force-PassThru-WhatIf-Confirm
Practical use and troubleshooting
Practical scenario: Use Restart-Service when you need to stop and then start one or more Windows services. Review syntax and sample output, then try an example in the browser lab. Start with one identified target and inspect the returned values before extending the operation to a list. Keep the identity in your report so you can trace each result back to the object or path that produced it.
Common error and fix: A restart failure can leave the service stopped if the start operation fails. Inspect its current status and event logs rather than reporting success solely because the stop phase completed. In an unattended script, capture this failure with its original error record and record which target failed. An empty result and an unsuccessful query must remain distinguishable in the final report.
See also: Set-Service. Set-Service changes supported service properties or status; Restart-Service performs a stop followed by a start. Changing StartupType is not equivalent to restarting a service. Read the linked command before substituting it; similar names do not imply identical inputs or output.
Recap
Restart-Service Use Restart-Service to stop and then start one or more Windows services.
Next: Stop-Service