The Two Ways to Restart Your Samsung Tablet

A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which often fixes freezing, slow performance, or apps that won't open. Samsung tablets have two restart methods: a soft reboot (the normal restart) and a hard reboot (a forced restart when the tablet won't respond). Most of the time, a soft reboot is what you need—it takes about two minutes and keeps all your files and settings intact.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether your tablet is currently responding to touches and button presses. If your screen is frozen or the tablet won't wake up, you'll use the hard reboot method instead. Both methods are safe and won't delete anything.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reboot uses the Settings menu or power button and is the standard way to restart when your tablet is working normally.
  • A hard reboot forces a restart by holding the power and volume down buttons together for 10 to 15 seconds, even if the screen is frozen.
  • After a reboot, wait 30 seconds before using the tablet again so it can fully load all background processes.
  • Rebooting does not erase photos, files, apps, or passwords—it only clears temporary data that apps were using.

Soft Reboot Using the Settings Menu

This is the gentlest restart method and works when your tablet is responding normally. Open Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings panel, then tap the gear icon. Scroll down and tap General management (on some older Samsung tablets, this may be labeled About device or System).

Look for Restart or Reboot and tap it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to restart. Tap Restart again. Your tablet will go black, show the Samsung logo, and come back on within 30 to 60 seconds. Do not touch the screen or buttons while it restarts.

Soft Reboot Using the Power Button

If you prefer not to navigate the Settings menu, you can restart using just the power button. Press and hold the power button (usually on the right edge or top of the tablet) for three to five seconds until a menu appears on the screen. You should see options including Power off, Restart, and sometimes Emergency mode.

Tap Restart. The tablet will shut down and turn back on automatically. This takes about one minute. If you see only a Power off option and no Restart button, tap Power off, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on—that also counts as a reboot.

Hard Reboot When Your Tablet Is Frozen

If your screen is frozen, won't respond to touches, or won't turn on, use a hard reboot. This forces the tablet to restart even when it's not responding. Locate the power button and volume down button (usually on the right edge). Press and hold both buttons at the same time.

Keep holding for 10 to 15 seconds. You may see the Samsung logo appear and disappear, or the screen may flash. Do not let go until you see the logo appear a second time or the screen goes completely black and then lights up again. Release both buttons. The tablet will restart, which takes about 60 seconds. This method is safe—it does not erase anything, even if the tablet was completely unresponsive.

What Happens After a Reboot

After your tablet restarts, the home screen will appear and you can use it normally. However, wait at least 30 seconds before opening apps or doing heavy tasks. During this time, the tablet is loading background services and organizing temporary files in the background. If you start using it when ready, it may feel slow for another 10 to 20 seconds.

All your apps, photos, files, passwords, and settings remain exactly as they were. A reboot only clears the temporary data that apps were actively using in memory—it does not delete anything permanent. If the problem you were experiencing (freezing, slow speed, an app crashing) returns after a few hours, the issue may be with a specific app rather than the tablet itself.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not hold the power button for longer than 15 seconds during a hard reboot. Holding it for 30 seconds or more may trigger a factory reset on some Samsung models, which would erase everything. If you're unsure, release after 15 seconds and let the tablet restart.

Do not unplug or remove the battery during a reboot (if your tablet has a removable battery, which most newer models do not). Let the tablet complete the restart on its own. If the reboot seems to be taking longer than two minutes, it may be stuck—wait another minute before trying again.

Do not assume a reboot failed if the screen stays black for 10 to 20 seconds. This is normal. The tablet is loading. If the screen remains black for more than three minutes, try the hard reboot method instead.

When to Reboot vs. When to Seek Other Help

A reboot fixes most temporary problems: apps crashing, the tablet running slowly, the screen freezing, or the tablet not waking from sleep. If rebooting does not solve the problem, the next step is usually to clear the cache for the app that's causing trouble, or to uninstall and reinstall that app.

If the tablet still has problems after a reboot and clearing cache, and the problem happens with multiple apps rather than just one, the issue may be a software update that needs to be installed. Check Settings > About device > Software update to see if an update is waiting. If problems persist after an update, contact Samsung support or visit a service center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rebooting erase my photos or files?

No. A reboot only clears temporary data that apps were using while running. All photos, documents, apps, contacts, and settings stay on your tablet. The only way to erase files is to manually delete them or perform a factory reset, which is a completely different process.

How often should I reboot my tablet?

There is no set schedule. Reboot when you notice the tablet is slow, an app is crashing, or the screen is freezing. Many people reboot once a week or once a month as routine maintenance, but it is not required. If your tablet runs smoothly, you do not need to reboot regularly.

What is the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?

A soft reboot uses the normal shutdown process through the Settings menu or power button menu. A hard reboot forces a restart by holding the power and volume buttons together, bypassing the normal shutdown. Use a soft reboot when the tablet is responding, and a hard reboot only when the screen is frozen or unresponsive.

My tablet is still frozen after a hard reboot. What should I do?

If a hard reboot does not fix the problem, the tablet may have a hardware issue or a serious software problem. Try charging it for at least 30 minutes, then attempt the hard reboot again. If it remains frozen, contact Samsung support or visit an authorized service center.

Can I reboot my tablet while it is charging?

Yes, it is safe to reboot while charging. In fact, if your tablet is low on battery and unresponsive, charging it for a few minutes before attempting a hard reboot can sometimes help. Just make sure the charger is plugged in securely before you start.