What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Android tablet — all apps, photos, messages, settings, and accounts — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful when the tablet is running slowly, freezing often, or behaving erratically. It is also the right move if you are selling or giving away the tablet and want to remove your personal data.
A factory reset is not the same as restarting. Restarting just turns the tablet off and back on. A factory reset wipes the storage completely. Once you start the process, you cannot stop it partway through, so make sure you have backed up anything you want to keep before you begin.
If your tablet is locked with a Google account and you do not remember the password, a factory reset will not help you — Android requires you to sign back in with that account after the reset, and you will be stuck at the lock screen. If you have forgotten your Google password, you will need to recover it through Google's account recovery process before you reset.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, documents, and any other files you want to keep before starting a factory reset, because the process erases everything.
- You can reset your tablet through Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data, or by holding Power and Volume Down together during startup.
- If your tablet is frozen and will not open Settings, use the hardware button method: hold Power and Volume Down until the recovery menu appears, then select Wipe data.
- After a factory reset, you will need to sign back in with your Google account and set up the tablet again from scratch.
- If you have forgotten your Google password, recover it before resetting, because Android will ask for it after the reset is complete.
How to reset through Settings
This is the easiest method if your tablet is still responding to touch and you can open the Settings app. Open Settings and scroll down to find System or About tablet — the exact location varies by manufacturer and Android version. Tap System, then look for Reset options or Reset.
Tap Erase all data or Factory reset. The tablet will ask you to confirm and may ask for your PIN, pattern, or password. Enter it if prompted. The tablet will then erase all data and restart. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.
When the reset is complete, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen, as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. Use the same Google account that was on the tablet before, or a different one if you prefer.
How to reset using hardware buttons if the tablet is frozen
If your tablet is frozen, will not respond to touch, or will not open Settings, you can force a reset using the physical buttons. The exact button combination depends on your tablet model, but the most common is Power + Volume Down. Hold both buttons down at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds, even if you see the power-off menu appear. Keep holding until the tablet vibrates or the screen changes.
You should see a menu with options like Reboot system now, Wipe data/factory reset, or Recovery mode. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to move between options — the touchscreen usually does not work in this menu. Highlight Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it.
The tablet will ask you to confirm. Highlight Yes using the volume buttons and press Power. The reset will begin. This can take 10 to 20 minutes. When it is done, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen. Do not interrupt the process by turning off the tablet.
If you do not see a recovery menu after holding Power and Volume Down, try Power + Volume Up instead, or look up the specific button combination for your tablet model and manufacturer — Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon Fire, and others sometimes use different combinations.
Backing up your data before you reset
Android tablets back up some data automatically if you are signed in to a Google account — your contacts, calendar events, Gmail, and some app data go to Google Drive. However, photos, videos, documents, and files stored locally on the tablet are not backed up automatically and will be erased.
Before you reset, connect your tablet to a computer using a USB cable and copy any files you want to keep to your computer's hard drive. You can also use Google Photos to back up your photos — open the Google Photos app, tap your profile picture, go to Photos settings, and turn on Backup and sync. This uploads your photos to Google Drive, and they will be there after the reset.
For documents and spreadsheets, use Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Dropbox. Open the app, upload your files, and they will be accessible from any device after the reset. Check your tablet's file manager to see what is stored locally and decide what needs to be moved to cloud storage before you proceed.
What happens after the reset is complete
When your tablet restarts after a factory reset, it will look and behave like a new device. You will see the initial setup screen asking you to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi. Sign in with your Google account — the same one you used before, or a new one.
Google will restore some of your data automatically: your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and any apps you had installed from the Google Play Store. This can take a few minutes to an hour, depending on how much data you had. Your photos and videos will not be restored unless you backed them up to Google Photos or another cloud service.
You will need to sign back into any other accounts — social media, email, banking apps, and so on. You will also need to reinstall any apps that were not from the Google Play Store, such as apps you sideloaded or downloaded from other sources. After everything is set up, your tablet should run faster and more smoothly than before.
Resetting a tablet you are selling or giving away
If you are selling or giving away your tablet, a factory reset removes your personal data, but it does not remove the Google account lock. After the reset, the new owner will need to sign in with a Google account — ideally their own. If they do not have a Google account, they can create one for free.
If you want to make it easier for the new owner, you can remove your Google account from the tablet before you reset it. Go to Settings > Accounts (or Users and accounts), tap your Google account, and select Remove account. Then perform the factory reset. The new owner will be able to set up the tablet with their own account without needing to know your password.
After you remove your account and reset the tablet, do not sign back in. The tablet is now ready for the new owner. If you do sign back in, the Google account lock will be active again, and the new owner will be stuck.
Troubleshooting a reset that is not working
If you have tried to reset your tablet and it did not work, the tablet may be stuck in a boot loop, the storage may be corrupted, or the battery may be too low. Try charging the tablet for at least 30 minutes and then attempt the reset again. A low battery can interrupt the process and leave the tablet in an unusable state.
If the tablet is stuck in a boot loop — restarting over and over without reaching the home screen — try the hardware button method. Hold Power and Volume Down until you see the recovery menu, then select Wipe data/factory reset. If that does not work, the tablet may need professional repair or a firmware reinstall, which is beyond what you can do at home.
If you are locked out by a Google account and cannot remember the password, go to accounts.google.com on a computer and use the account recovery process. You will be asked to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. Once you have recovered your password, you can use it to sign back in after the reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my tablet?
Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the tablet, including any malware. However, if you reinstall the same apps that had malware, you could get infected again. After resetting, only install apps from the Google Play Store, and check the permissions each app is asking for before you install it.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once a factory reset is complete, the data is gone. This is why backing up before you reset is important. If you backed up your photos to Google Photos or your contacts to Google, those will be restored when you sign back in with your Google account.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how much data is on the tablet and how fast the storage is. Do not turn off the tablet during the reset. If it seems to be taking longer than 30 minutes, the tablet may be stuck, and you may need to try again.
Do I need to remove my Google account before selling my tablet?
You do not have to, but it makes it easier for the new owner. If you leave your Google account on the tablet, the new owner will need to sign in with their own account after the reset, and they will be able to do so. If you remove your account first, the setup process is slightly faster for them.
What if my tablet will not turn on after the reset?
Charge the tablet for at least an hour. If it still will not turn on, try holding the Power button for 30 seconds. If the tablet has a removable battery, remove it for a few seconds and reinsert it. If none of these steps work, the tablet may have a hardware problem and will need professional repair.