ubuntu restart network

Restarting the network is often necessary for implementing new settings, or for fixing minor networking issues. There are multiple ways to do this on Ubuntu.

The steps can differ depending on which backend you’re using for network configuration. But there are universal methods to restart the network as well, regardless of the daemon in use. 

Restart Network Graphically

Ubuntu desktops use the NetworkManager daemon by default for network configuration. You can access the NetworkManager applet from the system tray to easily reset your connection.

  1. Click on the top-right panel and turn off your connection.
    ubuntu system tray turn off connection
  2. Click there again and turn the connection back on.
    connect to network ubuntu

Alternatively, you can also restart the network from the control center.

  1. Search and open the Settings app.
    ubuntu control center app
  2. Go to the Network (Ethernet) or WiFi tab and toggle the connection off-on.
    reset connection ubuntu

Restart NetworkManager

We reset a specific connection earlier, but you can also deactivate and reactivate all interfaces managed by NetworkManager like so

sudo nmcli networking off
sudo nmcli networking on

Alternatively, you can also restart NetworkManager.service using systemctl.

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Restart networkd Service

The networking daemon choice is mostly a matter of preference. NetworkManager is more popular with Ubuntu users these days, but networkd is still commonly used on servers. If you’re using networkd, you can restart your network like so

sudo systemctl restart systemd-networkd

Restart Interface with ip Command

You can set the administrative state of a device to down and up with the ip utility. The exact resulting behavior depends on the network driver, but typically, this leads to the driver reloading. 

This method isn’t useful for applying config changes. But if you’re just trying to restart a specific interface, you can check the interface name with

ip link show

And you can set the interface state to down and up like so

sudo ip link set enp42s0 down && sudo ip link set enp42s0 up
Anup Thapa

Senior Writer

Anup Thapa is a Linux enthusiast with an extensive background in computer hardware and networking. His goal is to effectively communicate technical concepts in a simplified form understandable by new Linux users. To this end, he mainly writes beginner-friendly tutorials and troubleshooting guides. Outside of work, he enjoys reading up on a range of topics, traveling, working out, and MOBAs.