How to Reboot or Reinstall the Operating System on Your VPS

Rebooting is routine: it applies kernel updates and clears a stuck server. Reinstalling (also called rebuilding) is drastic: it wipes the disk and gives you a fresh operating system. This guide explains both, and when to use each.

Which VPS is this for? These steps are for an Unmanaged VPS, where you log in as root and look after the server yourself. On a Managed VPS we take care of the operating system and server software, and you manage your websites in StackCP instead.

Rebooting

From inside the server (preferred)

sudo reboot

                        
                    

This shuts services down cleanly, so databases close their files properly. Your SSH session disconnects; wait one or two minutes and log in again. Check it came back with uptime, and review services with systemctl --failed.

To schedule a reboot for a quiet time, for example 4 a.m. server time: sudo shutdown -r 04:00 (cancel with sudo shutdown -c).

From your client area (when SSH doesn't respond)

1. Log in to your FimuroHost client area and open Services.
2. Select your VPS.
3. If a Reboot (or power) option is shown, use it.

This is a forced reboot, like pulling the power plug, so only use it when the server doesn't respond to SSH. If you don't see the option, open a support ticket with your VPS IP and we will reboot it for you.

Reinstalling or changing the operating system

A reinstall permanently deletes everything on the VPS: websites, databases, emails, settings and SSH keys. Your IP address normally stays the same.

Reasons to reinstall

• You want a different distribution or a newer release (for example Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04).
• You want to install a control panel, which needs a clean system.
• The server was compromised. After a hack, a clean reinstall plus restoring clean data is the only safe option.
• You experimented and want to start again.

Back up first

• Website files: /var/www and app folders under /home
• Databases: dump them with sudo mariadb-dump --all-databases --single-transaction > all.sql
• Configuration you want to reuse: /etc/nginx or /etc/apache2//etc/httpd, /etc/letsencrypt, crontabs (crontab -l), docker compose files

Download the backups to your computer or another server; anything left on the VPS will be erased. See How to Back Up Your VPS.

How to request the reinstall

1. In your client area, open Services → your VPS.
2. If a Reinstall, Rebuild or Change OS option is shown, choose the operating system and confirm. The new login details appear in the client area or are emailed to you.
3. If there is no such option, open a support ticket in the Support department. Tell us the VPS IP, the exact operating system and version you want, and confirm in writing that all data on the VPS may be erased.

Which operating system should I choose?

The list of available systems can change; common choices include Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, and Windows Server on Windows plans. For a new Linux server we suggest a long-term support release:

If a newer release such as Ubuntu 26.04 LTS or Debian 13 is offered, it is a good choice too, provided the software you need supports it.

After the reinstall

1. Your computer remembers the old server's key, so SSH shows REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED. Clear it with ssh-keygen -R 203.0.113.10.
2. Log in with the new root password and follow First Steps After Your Unmanaged VPS Is Ready.
3. Reinstall your software, then restore files and databases from your backup.

FAQ

Can I upgrade Ubuntu or Debian in place instead?

Yes, with do-release-upgrade (Ubuntu) or by changing the release in the APT sources (Debian), but in-place upgrades on servers can fail part-way. Take a full backup first. AlmaLinux and Rocky do not support in-place major upgrades in the normal way; reinstall instead.

Can a Managed VPS be reinstalled?

On a Managed VPS we manage the operating system for you. If you think it needs attention, open a ticket.

Need help?

If something about the VPS itself is not working (it won't start, you can't reach it, or you need console access, an upgrade or a reinstall), open a support ticket from your client area or message us on WhatsApp at 01818160926. Include your VPS IP address and what you have already tried so we can help faster.