The two ways to reset a Lenovo tablet
A Lenovo tablet can be reset in two ways: a soft reset, which restarts the device without erasing anything, and a factory reset, which wipes all your personal data and returns the tablet to its original state. A soft reset fixes freezing, app crashes, and slow performance. A factory reset is what you do when you're selling the tablet, giving it away, or when the device has serious problems that a restart won't fix.
The method you use depends on what problem you're trying to solve and whether you want to keep your files and apps. If your tablet is just acting sluggish or an app won't close, a soft reset takes 30 seconds. If you need to erase everything, a factory reset takes 5 to 10 minutes but deletes all photos, documents, installed apps, and account information.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset (power off and back on) fixes most temporary problems and takes less than a minute with no data loss.
- A factory reset erases everything on the tablet and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it.
- Before a factory reset, back up any photos, documents, or files you want to keep, because they cannot be recovered after the reset completes.
- The exact steps for a factory reset vary slightly between Lenovo tablet models, but all involve going to Settings and finding the Reset option.
- If your tablet won't turn on or respond to button presses, you may need to use hardware buttons to force a reset instead of the Settings menu.
How to do a soft reset on your Lenovo tablet
A soft reset is the first thing to try when your tablet is frozen, slow, or an app has stopped responding. It does not erase any data. Hold down the power button on the side or top of your tablet for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the power-off menu appear on the screen. Tap "Power off" or "Shut down" and wait for the tablet to turn completely off—this usually takes 5 to 10 seconds.
Once the screen goes black, wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn the tablet back on. The Lenovo logo will appear, and the tablet will boot up normally. This straightforward restart clears the device's temporary memory and stops any apps that were causing problems. Most freezing, lag, and app crashes are fixed by a soft reset alone.
How to do a factory reset through Settings
A factory reset erases all your personal data and apps, so back up anything you want to keep before you start. Photos, documents, and files stored in cloud services like Google Drive or OneDrive are safe, but anything stored only on the tablet itself will be deleted. Open the Settings app on your Lenovo tablet—it usually looks like a gear icon and is found on the home screen or in the app drawer.
Scroll down and look for "System" or "About tablet" (the exact name varies by model). Tap it, then look for "Reset" or "Reset options." You may see "Reset this device," "Erase all data," or "Factory reset"—all of these mean the same thing. Tap the reset option, and the tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully: it will tell you that all data will be erased. Tap "Reset" or "Erase everything" to confirm.
The tablet will restart and begin the reset process. This takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time. When it finishes, you'll see the initial setup screen, just as if you had bought the tablet brand new. You'll need to sign in with a Google account or Lenovo account to finish setup.
Factory reset using hardware buttons (if the tablet won't respond)
If your Lenovo tablet won't turn on, won't respond to touch, or is so frozen that you can't open Settings, you can force a reset using the physical buttons on the device. This method is also called a hard reset or recovery reset. First, turn off the tablet completely by holding the power button for 20 seconds, even if nothing appears on the screen.
Once the tablet is off, hold down the power button and the volume-down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a boot menu or recovery screen appear. This screen usually shows options in white text on a black background. Use the volume buttons to navigate to "Wipe data/factory reset" or "Factory reset," then press the power button to select it. The tablet will ask for confirmation—select "Yes" to proceed. The reset will take several minutes. When it finishes, the tablet will restart to the setup screen.
The exact button combination and menu names vary between Lenovo tablet models. If the volume-down method doesn't work, try holding power and volume-up instead, or search for your specific model number plus "recovery mode" to find the correct combination.
What to do before you reset
Before any factory reset, make sure important files are saved somewhere other than the tablet. Photos and videos can be backed up to Google Photos, Microsoft OneDrive, or Amazon Photos—all of these are cloud services that keep copies of your files even after the tablet is reset. Documents can be saved to Google Drive or OneDrive. If you use email on the tablet, your email account information (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) will be stored on Google or Microsoft's servers, so you won't lose access to old messages.
Apps you've installed from the Google Play Store can be reinstalled after the reset, so you don't need to save them. However, if you've purchased apps or made in-app purchases, make sure you're signed in with the same Google account before the reset—that way, when you sign back in afterward, your purchases will be available to read again. If the tablet is connected to a Wi-Fi network, make sure you know the password before you reset, because you'll need it to reconnect during setup.
After the reset is complete
When your Lenovo tablet finishes resetting, it will show the initial setup screen. You'll be asked to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. Use the same Google account you used before the reset if you want to restore your apps and settings. The tablet will then read and reinstall any apps that were previously installed on that account.
If you're giving the tablet to someone else, do not sign in with your account. Instead, let the new owner complete the setup with their own Google account. If you're selling the tablet, complete the setup with a temporary account, then do another factory reset to remove that account before handing it over. This ensures the new owner gets a completely clean device.
When to reset versus when to call for help
A soft reset fixes most problems: freezing, slow performance, apps that won't close, and Wi-Fi connection issues. Try a soft reset first before considering a factory reset. A factory reset is necessary if the tablet has a virus or malware, if you're selling or giving away the device, if an app keeps crashing no matter how many times you restart, or if the tablet is so slow that it's unusable.
However, if your tablet won't turn on at all, won't charge, has a cracked screen, or makes unusual sounds, a reset won't help—these are hardware problems. Contact Lenovo support or take the tablet to a repair shop. If you've done a factory reset and the tablet still won't work properly, the device may have a hardware fault that requires professional service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my tablet?
Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the device, including any malicious software. However, if you reinstall the same apps that caused the problem, you may reinfect the tablet. After a reset, be careful about which apps you install, and only read from the official Google Play Store.
Can I undo a factory reset after I've started it?
No. Once a factory reset begins, it cannot be stopped or reversed. This is why backing up important files before you start is so important. If you realize you've made a mistake, turn off the tablet when ready—but if the reset has already progressed past the initial confirmation screen, the data is already being erased.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 10 minutes from start to finish. The tablet will restart several times during the process. Do not turn it off or remove the battery while the reset is happening, or you may damage the device.
Do I need to remove my Google account before I reset?
No. A factory reset removes all accounts from the tablet, but you'll need to sign back in with your Google account during setup to restore your apps and settings. If you're giving the tablet to someone else, you should remove your account before handing it over—but do this after the reset is complete, not before.
What if my Lenovo tablet is frozen and I can't open Settings?
Use the hardware button method: hold power and volume-down together for 10 to 15 seconds to enter recovery mode, then navigate to the factory reset option using the volume buttons. This works even when the tablet's screen is completely unresponsive to touch.