When to Restart Using the Power Button
Reserve the power button for system recovery only when your Synology NAS becomes unresponsive. This includes scenarios like a complete freeze, failed remote connections, or inability to access the DiskStation Manager (DSM) interface.
- Appropriate Scenarios: Critical software crashes or firmware issues that prevent normal shutdown via DSM.
- Inappropriate Scenarios: Routine maintenance; always prioritize the Shut Down option in DSM first to avoid data corruption.
- Risks to Avoid: Frequent or premature use risks data loss, hardware damage, or filesystem errors.
How to Perform a Safe Power Button Restart
Follow this step-by-step procedure to minimize risks during a forced restart. Begin by ensuring all active processes are idle.
- Preparation: Verify no active backups, file transfers, or RAID rebuilds are running. Disconnect any external drives.
- Restart Process: Press and hold the power button firmly for approximately 4 seconds—wait for the NAS to power off completely before releasing. Then press it again briefly to turn the system back on.
- Post-Restart Checks: Monitor the status LEDs; allow 5–10 minutes for full boot-up. Log into DSM to verify system health and check logs for errors.
As a best practice, regularly backup data and consult Synology's official resources to prevent incidents.
