A restart stops and starts a device or application again so it begins a new running session. It can clear temporary state or release resources, but it does not normally change a subscription's expiry, repair an unavailable media source or install an update automatically. Application restart and whole-device restart also have different scopes in troubleshooting.
A practical example
A viewer can first close and reopen a player, then try a supported device restart if the problem affects more than one app. Recording which scope changed the behaviour helps support distinguish an application state issue from a wider system problem.
A common misunderstanding
Restarting repeatedly without recording results can waste time and hide a recurring pattern. Also distinguish restart from reset: a factory reset can erase settings that an ordinary restart preserves.
Related terms
Stable technical definition. Editorial approach