Press and hold the power button until the Samsung logo appears
The power button on a Samsung tablet is almost always on the right edge of the device, about halfway down. Press and hold it firmly — do not just tap it. You will feel it click under your finger.
Keep holding for about three to five seconds. The screen will light up and show the Samsung logo in the center. This is normal. Keep holding the button until you see the lock screen appear, which usually takes another two to three seconds after the logo shows.
Once the lock screen is visible with the time and date, you can release the button. Your tablet is now on. The entire process from first press to lock screen typically takes five to eight seconds on a tablet with a charged battery.
Key Takeaways
- The power button is on the right edge of the tablet, roughly halfway down the side.
- Press and hold the button for five to eight seconds total — tapping it will not work.
- You will see the Samsung logo first, then the lock screen; both are signs the tablet is starting up normally.
- If nothing happens after ten seconds of holding, the battery may be completely empty and you will need to charge it first.
- Once the lock screen appears, swipe up or enter your PIN or pattern to access your home screen.
What to do if the screen stays black
If you hold the power button for ten seconds and the screen remains completely black, your tablet's battery is likely empty. Plug it into a charger using the USB cable that came with it or a compatible Samsung charger.
Let it charge for at least fifteen to twenty minutes before trying to turn it on again. Some tablets take a minute or two to respond after being completely drained. You may see a charging icon on the screen — a battery symbol with a lightning bolt — which means power is flowing in.
If you are using a new charger, make sure it is rated for your tablet model. Samsung tablets typically use USB-C charging ports on newer models, though some older tablets use micro-USB. Using the wrong connector type will not charge the device at all.
Unlocking the tablet after it turns on
When the lock screen appears, you will see the time, date, and sometimes a background image. To get to your home screen and apps, you need to unlock it. Swipe your finger upward from the bottom of the screen, or swipe in any direction from the lock screen — the exact motion depends on your Samsung model and Android version.
If you set up a PIN, pattern, or fingerprint, the tablet will ask for it after you swipe. Enter your PIN using the on-screen keypad, trace your pattern on the grid, or place your registered finger on the fingerprint sensor if your model has one. Once you unlock it, you will see your home screen with your apps and widgets.
If you forget your PIN or pattern, you can sign in with your Samsung account or Google account instead. Tap the option on the lock screen that says "Forgot PIN" or "Forgot Pattern" and follow the prompts to verify your identity.
Hard restart if the tablet is frozen or unresponsive
If your tablet is on but the screen is frozen and will not respond to touches, you can force it to restart. Press and hold the power button for ten to fifteen seconds — longer than a normal startup. The screen may go black, and you might see a "Power off" menu appear.
Keep holding until the screen goes completely black and the Samsung logo reappears. This is a hard restart and will not erase your data. It straightforward forces the tablet to shut down and turn back on, which often fixes freezing or lag.
A hard restart is different from a normal shutdown. It bypasses the usual shutdown process and is useful when your tablet stops responding to normal commands. After the restart completes and you see the lock screen again, your tablet should respond normally to touches and swipes.
Checking the battery level on startup
When your tablet first turns on, look at the top right corner of the lock screen. You will see a battery icon showing how much charge is left. If it is very low — below 10 percent — your tablet may turn itself off again soon, so plug it in while you use it.
The battery percentage may also appear as a number next to the icon, depending on your settings. If the battery is critically low, the tablet may show a red battery icon and a warning message before shutting down.
Some Samsung tablets display the battery percentage in the status bar at the top of the screen even after you unlock it. This lets you monitor how much charge you have throughout the day and plan when to plug in next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Samsung tablet not turn on even after charging?
Try a hard restart by holding the power button for fifteen seconds. If the screen remains black after that, the charger itself may be faulty — try a different USB cable or charger if you have one available. If it still does not respond, the tablet may need service.
Is it normal for the Samsung logo to stay on the screen for a long time?
The logo usually appears for just a few seconds. If it stays on for more than thirty seconds without changing, release the power button and try again. If it happens repeatedly, the tablet may be stuck in a startup loop and a hard restart may help.
Do I need to turn off my Samsung tablet every night?
No. Modern Samsung tablets are designed to stay on and go into sleep mode when not in use, which uses very little battery. Turning it off every night is not necessary, though it will not harm the device if you choose to do so.
What is the difference between sleep mode and powering off?
Sleep mode happens automatically when you do not use the tablet for a few minutes — the screen goes dark but the tablet stays on and ready to wake when ready. Powering off completely shuts down the device and takes longer to start back up, but uses no battery at all.
Can I turn on my tablet by pressing any other button?
No. The power button is the only way to turn on a Samsung tablet from a completely powered-off state. Volume buttons and other controls will not work when the tablet is off. Make sure you are pressing the correct button on the right edge of the device.