How to restart n8n after configuration changes?

To restart n8n after configuration changes, you simply need to restart the n8n process itself. Changing environment variables or config files does nothing until n8n is fully stopped and started again. The exact command depends on how you run n8n: Docker container → restart the container, systemd service → restart the service, n8n cloud → no restart possible (changes must be applied through the UI), local dev → stop the process and run it again.

 

How to Restart n8n in Each Real-World Setup

 

Below are the actual valid ways people run n8n in production and how you restart it safely after changing configuration (like environment variables, database settings, webhook URLs, execution mode, etc.).

• Docker (most common in production)
  When n8n runs as a Docker container, config changes usually go into docker-compose.yml or container environment variables. After you update those, you restart the container so it launches with the new values.
  
  \`\`\`shell docker compose down docker compose up -d \`\`\` This fully recreates the container and reloads all environment variables.
  
  If you only need a simple restart without rebuilding:
  \`\`\`shell docker compose restart \`\`\`
• systemd service (common on VPS servers)
  Some people run n8n as a service at /etc/systemd/system/n8n.service. After changing environment variables or that service file, reload systemd and restart:
  
  \`\`\`shell sudo systemctl daemon-reload // picks up service file changes sudo systemctl restart n8n \`\`\`
• PM2 or Node process (dev mode or simple server)
  If n8n runs under PM2:
  
  \`\`\`shell pm2 restart n8n \`\`\`
  Or if you're running it manually:
  
  Stop the terminal process (Ctrl+C), then start it again:
  \`\`\`shell npx n8n \`\`\`
• n8n Cloud
  In n8n Cloud you cannot restart the instance yourself. All config is handled through the cloud UI and infrastructure. If something critical needs restarting (very rare), you open a support ticket and they perform it.

 

Why a Restart Is Required

 

n8n loads configuration (environment variables, database settings, encryption key, queues, webhook base URL, etc.) once at startup. After that, it does not re-read config files or environment variables. So even if you edit docker-compose.yml or systemd files, n8n keeps running with the old settings until it is restarted.

A restart does not delete workflows or data. It only restarts the service process.

 

Safe Restart Tips for Production

 

• Don’t restart during active long-running executions unless you know they can safely retry.
• Webhook workflows waiting for a trigger are not affected by a restart; they simply reload.
• Always restart all containers if you run n8n with Redis or queue mode (to avoid version mismatches).
• Check logs after restart to make sure n8n boots cleanly:
  
  \`\`\`shell docker logs n8n \`\`\`

 

In short: update your configuration → restart n8n according to your deployment method → verify logs. That’s the safe production workflow.