An information processing apparatus includes an interface and circuitry. The interface communicates with an auxiliary device via a first communication channel and a second communication channel. The first communication channel and the second communication channel are each separately exchange communications between the information processing apparatus and the auxiliary device. The circuitry obtains failure information indicating a communication failure occurring in the first communication channel, sends a shutdown instruction via the second communication channel in response to a determination to reboot the information processing apparatus, the shutdown instruction instructing the auxiliary device to shut down, and reboots the information processing apparatus.