Unlike a normal computer, a server is constantly writing data to its hard drive in the background. Simply yanking the power cord out of the wall can corrupt databases. Here is how to properly shut down or restart the LocalNode.
Overview
The LocalNode uses a specialized, highly resilient Linux filesystem (BTRFS), which is designed to survive sudden power loss. However, the databases running inside Docker (like Nextcloud's MariaDB or Home Assistant's SQLite) can still get corrupted if they are killed mid-write. A proper restart sends a "stop" signal to all apps, allowing them to save their work before the power turns off.
Method 1: The Dashboard (Recommended)
If the dashboard is accessible, this is always the safest way to reboot the machine.
Go to http://localnode.local.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to the System section.
Click the Restart Server (or Shut Down) button.
A confirmation modal will appear. Confirm your choice.
The dashboard will immediately go offline. The server will take about 10 seconds to gracefully close all apps, and then it will reboot. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes for all services to come back online fully.
Illustration pending
LocalNode dashboard footer with Restart / Shut Down controls after you confirm from System settings.
Reserved for a LocalNode product screenshot when available; UI layout may differ from third-party docs.
Method 2: The Physical Button
If the dashboard will not load because the network crashed, but the server is still running (blue light is on), you can use the physical power button on the front of the device.
A single, quick press: This sends a soft "shut down" signal to the operating system. The server will safely close all apps and power off after about 15 seconds.
Press and hold for 10 seconds: This is a "Hard Kill". It instantly cuts power to the motherboard. Only do this if the server is completely frozen and unresponsive to a single press.
Method 3: Unplugging (Emergency Only)
If the server is locked up and the physical power button is broken or unresponsive, your only option is to pull the plug from the wall.
When you plug it back in, the LocalNode will automatically boot up (due to the BIOS "Restore on AC Loss" setting). When it boots, it will detect that it was shut down improperly and will automatically run a filesystem check to repair any corrupted data before launching the apps. This boot process may take 5 to 10 minutes longer than normal.
⚠️ Warning: Do not unplug the server while the yellow/green drive activity light on the front is blinking rapidly, as this guarantees it is in the middle of writing data. Wait for the light to go solid or turn off.