How To Restart Genshin Impact : Verifying Game File Integrity

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Genshin Impact sometimes needs a full restart to fix connection errors or graphical issues after a patch. If you are wondering how to restart genshin impact properly, you have come to the right place. Restarting the game can solve many common problems like lag, black screens, or stuck loading screens. This guide covers every method for PC, PlayStation, mobile, and even the launcher itself.

Sometimes the game freezes or a quest wont progress. A simple restart often clears these glitches. But there is more than one way to do it. You can restart the game client, the launcher, or even your whole device. Each method has its own steps.

Let us start with the most direct way. This is the method most players use daily. It works on all platforms.

How To Restart Genshin Impact On Pc

On PC, you have two main options. You can close the game from the taskbar or use the launcher. Both work well. But the launcher method is safer if the game is stuck.

Method 1: Close From Taskbar

This is the quickest way. It takes only a few seconds.

  1. Press Alt + F4 on your keyboard while the game is open.
  2. If that does not work, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager.
  3. Find GenshinImpact.exe in the list of processes.
  4. Right-click it and choose End Task.
  5. Wait 10 seconds, then open the game again from the launcher.

Method 2: Use The Launcher

If the game is frozen, the launcher can help you restart it cleanly.

  1. Press Windows key and type Genshin Impact.
  2. Open the launcher (not the game directly).
  3. Click the Launch button. If the game is already running, the launcher will ask if you want to close it.
  4. Confirm and then click Launch again.

Method 3: Restart The Launcher Itself

Sometimes the launcher has its own errors. Restarting it can fix update issues.

  1. Close the launcher completely by right-clicking its icon in the system tray (near the clock) and selecting Exit.
  2. Open it again from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.
  3. Log in and launch the game.

How To Restart Genshin Impact On Playstation

PlayStation players have a few options too. The game can be restarted from the home screen or by clearing the cache.

Method 1: Close Application

This is the standard method for PS4 and PS5.

  1. Press the PS button on your controller to go to the home screen.
  2. Highlight the Genshin Impact icon.
  3. Press the Options button (the one with three lines).
  4. Select Close Application.
  5. Wait 15 seconds, then open the game again.

Method 2: Restart The Console

If the game is still glitchy, a full console restart helps.

  1. Hold the PS button on your controller.
  2. Select Power and then Restart PS5 (or Turn Off PS4).
  3. Wait for the console to fully shut down, then turn it back on.
  4. Launch Genshin Impact.

Method 3: Clear Cache On Ps5

This step removes temporary files that might cause issues.

  1. Turn off your PS5 completely.
  2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the console.
  3. Wait 2 minutes.
  4. Plug it back in and turn on the console.
  5. Start Genshin Impact.

How To Restart Genshin Impact On Mobile

Mobile players often need to restart the game after a patch or when the screen freezes. Here are the best methods.

Method 1: Force Close The App

This works on both Android and iOS.

  1. On Android: Open the recent apps menu (swipe up or tap the square button). Swipe Genshin Impact off the screen.
  2. On iPhone: Swipe up from the bottom and pause. Swipe the Genshin Impact card up to close it.
  3. Wait 10 seconds, then tap the app icon to reopen.

Method 2: Restart Your Phone

If the game keeps crashing, restart your device.

  1. Hold the power button and volume down button (Android) or power button and either volume button (iPhone).
  2. Select Restart or Power Off.
  3. Wait for the phone to turn back on.
  4. Open Genshin Impact.

Method 3: Clear App Cache (Android Only)

This removes temporary data without deleting your account.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Genshin Impact.
  2. Tap Storage.
  3. Tap Clear Cache (not Clear Data).
  4. Restart the game.

How To Restart Genshin Impact When The Game Is Stuck

Sometimes the game freezes on a loading screen or a black screen. Normal restart methods may not work. Here is what to do.

Force Restart On Pc

If the game is completely unresponsive, use Task Manager.

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
  2. Select Task Manager.
  3. Find GenshinImpact.exe.
  4. Right-click and choose End Task.
  5. If the game does not close, click More details and find the process again. Then click End process tree.

Force Restart On Playstation

If the game is frozen on PS4 or PS5, use the controller.

  1. Press and hold the PS button for 10 seconds.
  2. Select Close Application from the menu that appears.
  3. If that does not work, hold the power button on the console for 10 seconds until it beeps twice and shuts down.
  4. Unplug the power cord for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and restart.

Force Restart On Mobile

If the app is frozen, you may need to force close it.

  1. On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Genshin Impact > Force Stop.
  2. On iPhone: Double-click the home button (or swipe up from bottom) and swipe the app away. If it is still stuck, restart the phone by holding the power and volume buttons.

How To Restart Genshin Impact After A Patch

After a big update, the game might need a fresh restart to apply changes properly. Here is the best approach.

Step 1: Close The Game Completely

Do not just minimize it. Close it fully using the methods above.

Step 2: Restart The Launcher

On PC, close the launcher from the system tray. On mobile, close the app from recent apps. On PlayStation, close the application from the home screen.

Step 3: Restart Your Device

This clears any leftover files from the old version. A full restart is recommended after every patch.

Step 4: Verify Game Files (Pc Only)

If issues persist, verify the game files through the launcher.

  1. Open the Genshin Impact launcher.
  2. Click the Settings icon (gear) near the bottom left.
  3. Select Repair Game Files.
  4. Wait for the process to finish. This may take 10-15 minutes.
  5. Launch the game again.

Common Issues That Require A Restart

Not every problem needs a restart, but many do. Here are the most common signs.

  • Connection error: The game cannot connect to the server.
  • Black screen: The game loads but shows only a black screen.
  • Stuck on loading screen: The progress bar stops moving.
  • Graphical glitches: Textures are missing or colors are wrong.
  • Audio issues: Sound cuts out or is delayed.
  • Quest not progressing: A quest objective does not update.
  • Lag or stuttering: The game runs slowly after a patch.

If you see any of these, try a restart first. It solves most problems quickly.

How To Restart Genshin Impact Without Losing Progress

Restarting the game does not delete your save data. Your account is stored on the server. So you can restart as many times as you need. But there is one thing to watch out for.

If you are in the middle of a domain or boss fight, you may lose that progress. The game saves automatically at certain points, but not during combat. So try to finish your current activity before restarting. If you cannot, you will just have to redo the fight.

Also, if you have used a fragile resin or a key item, it will be consumed. So be careful. Restarting is safe for your account, but not for your current session.

How To Restart Genshin Impact Launcher On Pc

The launcher itself can have problems. Sometimes it does not update or shows errors. Restarting it is simple.

Method 1: Close From System Tray

  1. Look at the bottom right of your screen near the clock.
  2. Find the Genshin Impact icon (a small circle with a star).
  3. Right-click it and select Exit.
  4. Wait 5 seconds, then open the launcher from the Start menu.

Method 2: Use Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and open Task Manager.
  2. Find Genshin Impact Launcher in the list.
  3. Right-click and choose End Task.
  4. Reopen the launcher.

How To Restart Genshin Impact On Ios

iPhone and iPad users have specific steps. The process is similar to Android but with small differences.

Method 1: Swipe Up To Close

  1. On iPhones with Face ID: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause. Swipe the Genshin Impact card up.
  2. On iPhones with a home button: Double-click the home button and swipe the app up.
  3. Tap the app icon to restart.

Method 2: Restart The Iphone

  1. Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn off the phone.
  3. Wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
  4. Open Genshin Impact.

How To Restart Genshin Impact On Android

Android users have more options for clearing data. But be careful not to delete your account.

Method 1: Force Stop

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Genshin Impact.
  2. Tap Force Stop.
  3. Wait 5 seconds, then open the app again.

Method 2: Clear Cache

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Genshin Impact > Storage.
  2. Tap Clear Cache.
  3. Restart the game. This does not delete your login info.

How To Restart Genshin Impact On Ps4

PS4 players can also restart the console to fix issues.

Method 1: Close Application

  1. Press the PS button to go to the home screen.
  2. Highlight Genshin Impact and press Options.
  3. Select Close Application.
  4. Reopen the game.

Method 2: Rebuild Database

If problems persist, rebuild the PS4 database. This does not delete your data.

  1. Turn off the PS4 completely.
  2. Hold the power button until you hear two beeps (about 7 seconds).
  3. Connect a controller via USB and press the PS button.
  4. Select Rebuild Database from the Safe Mode menu.
  5. Wait for the process to finish. It may take a few hours.
  6. Restart the console and launch Genshin Impact.

How To Restart Genshin Impact On Ps5

PS5 has a similar process but with a few extra steps.

Method 1: Close Application

  1. Press the PS button to go to the home screen.
  2. Highlight Genshin Impact and press the Options button.
  3. Select Close Application.
  4. Open the game again.

Method 2: Clear Cache

  1. Turn off the PS5 completely.
  2. Unplug the power cord for 2 minutes.
  3. Plug it back in and turn on the console.
  4. Launch Genshin Impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Restarting Genshin Impact Delete My Progress?

No. Your progress is saved on the server. Restarting only affects your current session. You may lose unsaved progress in a domain or boss fight.

How Often Should I Restart Genshin Impact?

Restart the game after every patch or update. Also restart if you notice lag, glitches, or connection errors. Some players restart daily to keep the game running smoothly.

Can I Restart Genshin Impact Without Closing The Launcher?

Yes. On PC, you can close the game from the taskbar and reopen it from the launcher. The launcher stays open. On mobile and PlayStation, you must close the app completely.

Why Does Genshin Impact Need A Restart After A Patch?

Patches update game files. A restart ensures the new files load correctly. Without a restart, old files may cause errors or crashes.

What If Restarting Does Not Fix The Problem?

Try verifying game files on PC. On console, clear the cache. On mobile, clear the app cache. If the problem continues, contact HoYoverse support.

Final Tips For Restarting Genshin Impact

Restarting is the first troubleshooting step for most issues. It is quick, safe, and effective. Keep these tips in mind.

  • Always close the game completely before reopening.
  • Restart your