The quickest way to power down your Nook
To turn off your Nook tablet, press and hold the power button on the right edge of the device for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off." Tap "Power off" and the tablet will shut down completely within a few seconds.
The power button is located on the right side of the tablet, roughly halfway down. On some Nook models, it may be slightly recessed, so you may need to press firmly. If nothing happens after three seconds, make sure you are pressing the actual power button and not the volume controls, which are located nearby.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the power button on the right edge for three seconds to bring up the power menu.
- Tap "Power off" from the menu that appears to shut down the tablet completely.
- If your Nook is frozen or unresponsive, hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds to force a shutdown.
- Putting your Nook to sleep by pressing the power button once is different from powering it off and uses much less battery.
The difference between sleep mode and power off
Your Nook tablet has two different states: sleep mode and powered off. Sleep mode happens when you press the power button once—the screen goes dark, but the tablet is still using a small amount of battery power. The tablet wakes up when ready when you press the power button again or touch the screen.
Power off is a complete shutdown. The tablet uses no battery while it is off, and it takes longer to start back up—usually 30 to 60 seconds. Use sleep mode for short breaks during the day, and use power off when you will not be using the tablet for several hours or longer.
What to do if your Nook is frozen or not responding
If your Nook tablet is frozen and the normal power-off method does not work, perform a force shutdown. Press and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds, even if nothing appears on the screen. The tablet will vibrate or the screen may flash, and then it will shut down.
After a force shutdown, wait 30 seconds before pressing the power button again to turn the tablet back on. This gives the system time to reset. If your Nook freezes regularly, consider restarting it once a week to clear temporary files and improve performance.
Charging your Nook after powering it off
When your Nook is powered off, you can still charge it using the USB cable and power adapter that came with the tablet. Plug the cable into the charging port at the bottom of the device. A small light on the tablet will indicate that charging has started.
Your Nook does not need to be powered on to charge. In fact, charging is often faster when the tablet is off. Most Nook tablets take two to three hours to charge fully from completely empty. You can power on the tablet while it is charging if you need to use it before the battery is full.
Restarting your Nook instead of just powering off
Sometimes you may want to restart your Nook rather than straightforward power it off. A restart clears temporary files and can fix minor problems like slow performance or apps that are not working correctly. To restart, power off the tablet completely using the method described above, then wait 10 to 15 seconds and press the power button to turn it back on.
A full restart takes longer than just putting the tablet to sleep, but it is one of the most effective ways to solve problems without losing any of your books, notes, or settings. If your Nook is running slowly or an app keeps crashing, try a restart before contacting support.
What happens to your books and settings when you power off
Powering off your Nook tablet does not delete any of your books, reading progress, notes, or settings. Everything you have stored on the device remains exactly as it was. When you power the tablet back on, you will return to the same place in your book or the same home screen you left.
Your Nook syncs your reading progress and library to your Barnes & Noble account, so even if something happens to the tablet, your books and bookmarks are safe. You can read the same book on another device and pick up where you left off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will powering off my Nook damage the battery?
No. Powering off your Nook does not harm the battery. In fact, letting the battery drain completely and then charging it fully once a month can help keep the battery healthy over time. Regular use and charging is normal and safe.
How long does it take for my Nook to turn back on after I power it off?
A full startup usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. The screen will show the Nook logo while the tablet boots up. If startup takes much longer than this, try restarting the tablet again or charging it to make sure the battery is not too low.
Can I turn off my Nook while it is charging?
Yes. You can power off your Nook while it is plugged in, and it will continue to charge. The tablet does not need to be on to charge the battery. Turning it off while charging may actually speed up the charging process slightly.
What if the power button is stuck or not working?
If the power button is physically stuck or broken, you may still be able to power off the tablet by letting the battery drain completely. Once the battery is empty, plug in the charger and the tablet should start normally. Contact Barnes & Noble support if the power button remains unresponsive.
Is there a difference between powering off different Nook models?
The power-off process is the same on all recent Nook tablets—press and hold the power button for three seconds and tap "Power off." Older Nook models may have slightly different menu layouts, but the basic steps are the same. Check your device manual if you have an older model and the menu looks different.