Azure VM Auto restart

Question

Azure VM Auto restart

Vittal Kasaram 20

I need to set up an auto restart for VMs in Azure. Can some one suggest on this.

Vittal Kasaram 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T04:35:36.9533333+00:00

I Need step by step information how to setup auto restart VM.
TP 155.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-03T05:55:12.24+00:00

Hi Vittal,

Please clarify, are you wanting to auto restart a VM that will be already running (at the time of restart), or will the VM be stopped and you want to auto-start it? Is the VM OS Windows or Linux?

If you want to auto-start a VM on a certain schedule you can navigate to your VM in portal, click Automation -- Tasks on left, click Add task, Start Virtual Machine, fill out wizard, etc. Below video walks through process:

Auto Shutdown and Auto Start an Azure VM

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/it-ops-talk/auto-shutdown-and-auto-start-an-azure-vm

If you want to restart a VM that is already running, you can make a few small edits to start task created above using Logic Apps designer, or create scheduled task/cron job inside of VM that will periodically restart the VM. I can provide more details if this is what you need.

Thanks.

-TP
Ankit Yadav 13,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-03T09:12:48.01+00:00
Hello Vittal,

If you are looking for auto-shutdown and start of the VM, you can use any of the below 2 options:

A. Using the built-in Auto-shutdown / Auto-start task (for stopped → start)

In the Azure portal go to your VM.

Under Operations click Automation → Tasks.

Click Add task.

Choose “Start Virtual Machine.”

Fill out the schedule details (time, time zone) and save.

That gives you an automatic “start” at your chosen time every day.

B. Access Azure Automation:

Go to the Azure portal and open Azure Automation.

Create Automation Account:

If you don't already have one, create a new Azure Automation account.

Deploy Start/Stop VMs Solution:

Deploy the "Start/Stop VMs during off-hours" solution. This can be found under the Automation Account.

Configure Schedules:

Configure the schedules for starting and stopping the VMs. Specify the times (e.g., stop at 5:00 PM, start at 8:00 AM).

Assign VMs to the Schedules:

Assign the VMs to these schedules. You can target specific VMs or resource groups.

Configure Runbooks:

The solution includes preconfigured runbooks. You may customize them if needed for more specific control over the VMs.

Hope this helps, let me know if it answers your query or you still require assistance on it.

Credits:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1439565/how-to-automate-shutdown-and-auto-start-for-vms-in
Vittal Kasaram 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T10:27:45.99+00:00

Thank you TP and Ankit Yadav for sharing the Auto Start and Auto Shut down..

But my concern is to Auto restart...VMs which i schedule the time..

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Vittal Kasaram 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T04:35:36.9533333+00:00

I Need step by step information how to setup auto restart VM.
TP 155.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-03T05:55:12.24+00:00

Hi Vittal,

Please clarify, are you wanting to auto restart a VM that will be already running (at the time of restart), or will the VM be stopped and you want to auto-start it? Is the VM OS Windows or Linux?

If you want to auto-start a VM on a certain schedule you can navigate to your VM in portal, click Automation -- Tasks on left, click Add task, Start Virtual Machine, fill out wizard, etc. Below video walks through process:

Auto Shutdown and Auto Start an Azure VM

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/shows/it-ops-talk/auto-shutdown-and-auto-start-an-azure-vm

If you want to restart a VM that is already running, you can make a few small edits to start task created above using Logic Apps designer, or create scheduled task/cron job inside of VM that will periodically restart the VM. I can provide more details if this is what you need.

Thanks.

-TP
Ankit Yadav 13,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-03T09:12:48.01+00:00

Hello Vittal,

If you are looking for auto-shutdown and start of the VM, you can use any of the below 2 options:

A. Using the built-in Auto-shutdown / Auto-start task (for stopped → start)

In the Azure portal go to your VM.

Under Operations click Automation → Tasks.

Click Add task.

Choose “Start Virtual Machine.”

Fill out the schedule details (time, time zone) and save.

That gives you an automatic “start” at your chosen time every day.

B. Access Azure Automation:

Go to the Azure portal and open Azure Automation.

Create Automation Account:

If you don't already have one, create a new Azure Automation account.

Deploy Start/Stop VMs Solution:

Deploy the "Start/Stop VMs during off-hours" solution. This can be found under the Automation Account.

Configure Schedules:

Configure the schedules for starting and stopping the VMs. Specify the times (e.g., stop at 5:00 PM, start at 8:00 AM).

Assign VMs to the Schedules:

Assign the VMs to these schedules. You can target specific VMs or resource groups.

Configure Runbooks:

The solution includes preconfigured runbooks. You may customize them if needed for more specific control over the VMs.

Hope this helps, let me know if it answers your query or you still require assistance on it.

Credits:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1439565/how-to-automate-shutdown-and-auto-start-for-vms-in
Vittal Kasaram 20 Reputation points

2026-04-03T10:27:45.99+00:00

Thank you TP and Ankit Yadav for sharing the Auto Start and Auto Shut down..

But my concern is to Auto restart...VMs which i schedule the time..

Answer 1

Ankit Yadav 13,050 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hey @Vittal Kasaram,

thank you for clarifying your ask.

For a fixed-time restart of an Azure VM, the most common option is Azure Automation with a scheduled runbook that runs Restart-AzVM on the VM at the time you choose. Microsoft’s Azure VM reboot guidance also notes that reboots can be triggered from the Azure portal, PowerShell, CLI, or REST API, so automation via one of those paths is the right approach for a recurring schedule.

Best options:

Azure Automation runbook: Best if you want a true recurring schedule, such as every day at 2:00 AM. You create a schedule and attach it to a PowerShell runbook that restarts the VM.
Logic Apps: Good if you prefer a low-code workflow with a built-in recurrence trigger and an action to restart the VM.
Azure Functions + timer trigger: Good if you want code-based control and more custom logic.
Azure Monitor action group or alert automation: Better for event-driven actions, not ideal for a fixed daily restart.

What I’d recommend

If your goal is simply “restart this VM at the same time every day,” use Azure Automation. It is the cleanest and most standard option for scheduled VM operations.

If you found this helpful, please don't forget to click on "Accept Answer"

Ankit Yadav 13,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-06T10:25:13.89+00:00

Hello Vittal,

Just checking in if you had the chance to review my earlier response.

If you found this helpful, please don't forget to click on "Accept Answer"
Vittal Kasaram 20 Reputation points

2026-04-07T03:35:52.65+00:00

Hi Ankit,

Thank you so much..

Logic Apps: Good if you prefer a low-code workflow with a built-in recurrence trigger and an action to restart the VM.

Could you please show me the steps for logic apps pls..
Ankit Yadav 13,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-07T08:48:12.8+00:00

Hey Vittal,

For that can you please post a new query over the Q&A forum as per Microsoft Q&A guidelines: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/ask/

You can also refer to the Microsoft Q&A guidelines here for more details: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/support/quality-question#avoid-posting-multiple-questions-in-a-single-thread

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