A factory reset wipes your tablet and returns it to its original state

A factory reset erases all your personal data, apps, photos, and settings, then restores your tablet to the condition it was in when it left the factory. This is useful if your tablet is running slowly, you're selling it, you forgot your password, or you want to start fresh. The process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is stored.

Before you begin, understand that a factory reset cannot be undone. Everything on your tablet will be deleted. Back up any photos, documents, or files you want to keep by transferring them to a computer, cloud storage (like Google Drive or OneDrive), or an external drive.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all your personal files, photos, and documents before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything permanently.
  • You can factory reset through Settings on most Android tablets, or by holding specific buttons during startup if you cannot access Settings.
  • The process takes 10 to 30 minutes and your tablet will restart several times — do not turn it off during this time.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with a Google account and set up the tablet again from the beginning.

Factory reset through Settings (the standard method)

This is the easiest route if your tablet turns on and you can access the Settings menu. Open Settings and look for System or About tablet — the exact location varies by manufacturer and Android version. Scroll down and tap Reset options or Reset.

You will see Erase all data (factory reset) or similar wording. Tap it. The tablet will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Google account password or PIN to prevent unauthorized resets. Enter it if prompted. The tablet will then begin erasing data and restarting. This takes 10 to 20 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time.

When the reset finishes, your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the tablet was brand new. You can then sign in with your Google account and restore apps and data from your Google backup if you created one before the reset.

Factory reset using hardware buttons (if Settings is locked)

If you cannot turn on your tablet, forgot your password, or Settings is not responding, you can force a factory reset by holding specific buttons during startup. The button combination varies by manufacturer — common ones are Volume Down + Power, or Volume Up + Volume Down + Power. Look up your specific tablet model online to find the correct combination, as pressing the wrong buttons will not work.

Power off the tablet completely. Then press and hold the button combination while the tablet is off. Keep holding until you see a menu with options like Recovery mode or Bootloader. Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select. Find and select Wipe data/factory reset or Factory reset. Confirm the action. The tablet will erase data and restart, which takes 10 to 30 minutes.

This method is more technical and varies widely between tablet brands. If you are unsure about the button combination for your model, search online for "[your tablet model] factory reset buttons" before you start. Pressing the wrong combination repeatedly can cause problems.

What to do if the reset gets stuck or fails

If the reset appears to hang or freeze, wait at least 30 minutes before assuming it has failed — large tablets with lots of data can take longer than expected. If the screen shows no change after 30 minutes, try a hard restart by holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the tablet shuts down completely, then turn it back on.

If the tablet will not turn on at all after a failed reset, or if you see error messages, the tablet may have a hardware problem or corrupted system files. At this point, contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit a repair shop. Attempting further resets or button combinations may make the problem worse.

Restoring your data after the reset

After the reset completes and you set up the tablet again, you can restore some of your data if you backed it up beforehand. Sign in with the same Google account you used before the reset. The tablet will offer to restore apps, contacts, and calendar events from your Google backup — this happens automatically if you had backup turned on.

Photos and documents you saved to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or another cloud service will still be there — you just need to sign into those apps and read them again. Files you backed up to a computer or external drive will need to be transferred back manually using a USB cable and file manager.

Preparing your tablet for sale or giving it 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 that was originally set up on it. After the reset, the tablet will ask for that original Google account password before it will let anyone use it — this is a security feature called Factory Reset Protection.

Before you hand over the tablet, sign in with your Google account one more time, go to Settings, and remove the account from the device. Then do the factory reset. This way, the new owner can set up the tablet with their own account without needing your password. If you forget to remove your account, the new owner will be stuck at the setup screen and will need to contact you or Google to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my tablet?

A factory reset will remove most malware because it deletes all apps and files. However, if malware is in the system firmware itself (which is rare), a factory reset may not remove it. For most cases, a factory reset is an effective way to clean an infected tablet. If problems return after the reset, the tablet may have a deeper hardware or firmware issue.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

No. Once you confirm the reset, it cannot be stopped or reversed. The tablet will continue erasing data even if you try to turn it off. Let it finish completely, which usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. Interrupting the process by removing the battery or forcing a shutdown can leave the tablet in an unusable state.

What if I forgot my Google account password and cannot complete the setup after the reset?

Visit the Google Account Recovery page on a computer and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number associated with your account. Once you reset your password, use the new one to sign in on your tablet during setup.

Do I need to be connected to Wi-Fi during a factory reset?

You do not need Wi-Fi for the reset itself to work. However, you will need Wi-Fi or mobile data after the reset is complete so you can sign in with your Google account and read your apps and data again. If your tablet does not have cellular service, make sure you are near a Wi-Fi network before you start.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take 10 to 20 minutes on tablets with average storage. Tablets with large amounts of data or older models may take up to 30 minutes. The tablet will restart several times during the process. Do not turn it off or remove the battery while it is working.