> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.constellationnetwork.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.constellationnetwork.io/run-a-node/validator-node-guides/operational-guides/restart-validator-node-guide.md).

# Restart Validator Node Guide

This guide is intended for restarting your Validator node following a **Hypergraph** or **metagraph** cluster restart.

Cluster restarts may occur for a variety of operational reasons, including:

✅ Network upgrade

✅ Seed list access updates

✅ Cluster-wide error resolution

***

## 🔁 Optional: Auto Restart Feature

If you have the `auto_restart` feature [enabled](/run-a-node/validator-node-guides/enable-auto-restart.md), your node may have already recovered automatically.

{% content-ref url="/pages/oHwJup5GgsducGdQp3LQ" %}
[Enable Auto Restart](/run-a-node/validator-node-guides/enable-auto-restart.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If **`auto_restart` is active**, you can **skip directly to the Confirm Status** step.
{% endhint %}

***

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

## SSH Into Your VPS

### [<kbd>How to SSH into a VPS</kbd>](/run-a-node/references/ssh-remote-access/how-to-ssh-into-vps.md)&#x20;

```bash
ssh -i /path/to/ssh/private/key nodeadmin@<vps_ip_address> -p <port>
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Restart All Node Profiles

```bash
sudo nodectl restart -p all
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Restart Auto Restart Module (Optional)

If you have `auto_restart` [enabled ](/run-a-node/validator-node-guides/enable-auto-restart.md)only:

You should see messages indicating that `nodectl` is disabling the `auto_restart` feature at the beginning of the restart process and re-enabling it once the restart is complete.

If you believe the `auto_restart` feature did not restart for any reason—for example, if you did not see the related messages—you may manually restart it to ensure it is functioning correctly.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Confirm Node Status&#x20;

```bash
sudo nodectl status
```

You should see output indicating that all profiles are in the **Ready** state:

```
JOIN STATE     Ready
IN CONSENSUS   True
```

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

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