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

A factory reset erases all your personal data, apps, and settings from your Lenovo tablet and restores it to the condition it left the factory. This is useful when you're selling or giving away the device, troubleshooting serious software problems, or clearing out years of accumulated files and apps that have slowed things down. The process is permanent — once you start, you cannot undo it — so back up anything you want to keep before you begin.

Lenovo tablets run either Android or Windows, depending on the model, and the reset process differs slightly between them. Both methods take 10 to 30 minutes and require your tablet to have enough battery power (at least 50 percent charged is safest) to complete without shutting down mid-process.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, documents, and any files you want to keep before starting a factory reset, because the process permanently deletes everything on the tablet.
  • Android tablets use the Settings menu under System or About Tablet, while Windows tablets use Settings under System and Recovery.
  • You will need to know your Google account password if your Android tablet is running Android 5.1 or later, because you must sign back in after the reset completes.
  • Charge your tablet to at least 50 percent battery before beginning, and do not interrupt the reset once it starts.
  • If your tablet is frozen or will not boot into Settings, you may need to use hardware buttons to force a reset instead.

Factory reset on an Android Lenovo tablet

On most Lenovo Android tablets, open Settings and scroll down to find System or About Tablet (the exact name depends on your Android version). Tap it, then look for Reset, Reset Options, or Factory Reset. You will see a button labeled Erase All Data or Reset Phone — tap it.

The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully: it will list everything that will be deleted. Tap the confirmation button (usually labeled Erase or Delete All) and the reset will begin. The screen may go black or show a progress bar. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery — let it finish, which usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.

When the reset is complete, your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new. You will need to sign in with a Google account. If your tablet is running Android 5.1 or later, Google's Factory Reset Protection requires you to sign in with the same Google account that was on the device before the reset. If you do not remember that password, you will need to recover it through Google's account recovery process before you can proceed.

Factory reset on a Windows Lenovo tablet

On a Windows Lenovo tablet, open Settings (press the Windows key and type "Settings" if you cannot find it in the app menu). Go to System, then scroll down and select Recovery. Under Reset this PC, you will see a button labeled get your free guide or Reset PC.

Click it and Windows will ask whether you want to Keep my files or Remove everything. Choose Remove everything for a full factory reset. Windows will then ask where to reinstall Windows from — Cloud read is usually faster and more reliable than a local reinstall. Click Next and review the final warning, then click Reset.

The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which can take 20 to 45 minutes depending on your tablet's speed and storage. You will see progress messages on the screen. When it finishes, Windows will restart and show the initial setup screen. You will need to sign in with a Microsoft account to complete setup.

What to do if your tablet is frozen or will not start

If your Lenovo tablet is completely frozen, will not turn on, or will not open Settings, you can force a factory reset using hardware buttons. The exact button combination varies by model, but the most common method on Android tablets is to hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a recovery menu.

Once the recovery menu appears, use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select. Look for an option labeled Wipe data/factory reset or Factory reset and select it. Confirm the action and the reset will begin. This process takes longer than the Settings method — often 20 to 30 minutes — and the screen may appear to be stuck or frozen. Do not interrupt it.

If you are unsure of the button combination for your specific Lenovo model, search online for "[your model number] factory reset buttons" or check your tablet's manual. Lenovo's support website also lists the correct combination for each model.

Back up your data before you reset

Before you start a factory reset, move anything you want to keep to cloud storage or an external device. For photos and videos, use Google Photos (Android) or OneDrive (Windows) to back them up automatically. For documents, use Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. For contacts on Android, make sure they are synced to your Google account by opening Settings, going to Accounts, selecting your Google account, and tapping Sync.

If you have apps you paid for or want to reinstall later, write down their names or take a screenshot of your app list. On Android, your paid apps are tied to your Google account and will be available to reinstall after you sign back in. On Windows, apps from the Microsoft Store work the same way. Third-party apps you sideloaded will need to be reinstalled manually from their original source.

What happens after the reset is complete

Your tablet will restart and show the setup screen as if it were new. You will need to sign in with your Google account (Android) or Microsoft account (Windows) and go through the initial setup process again. This usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. After that, your tablet is ready to use, but it will not have any of your old apps or data — you will need to reinstall apps from the Google Play Store (Android) or Microsoft Store (Windows).

If you are selling or giving away the tablet, sign out of your account before handing it over. On Android, go to Settings, Accounts, select your Google account, and tap Remove account. On Windows, go to Settings, Accounts, and select Your info, then Sign in with a local account instead. This ensures the new owner can set up their own account without being locked out by Factory Reset Protection or Microsoft account requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A factory reset will remove most malware because it deletes everything on the device and reinstalls the operating system fresh. However, if malware is stored in your Google or Microsoft account, it may return when you sign back in. After resetting, avoid signing into compromised accounts until you have changed their passwords and run a security check.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

No. Once you confirm the reset, the process cannot be stopped or undone. If you turn off the tablet during a reset, it may become stuck or fail to boot. Always let the reset complete, even if it takes longer than expected.

What if I forget my Google account password after the factory reset?

You will be locked out of your tablet until you recover your Google account password. Go to accounts.google.com on another device and use the account recovery process. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number linked to that account. Once you have reset your password, you can sign back into your tablet.

Do I need to remove my microSD card before resetting?

No. A factory reset only erases the tablet's internal storage, not files on a microSD card. However, if you want to erase the card as well, you can remove it before the reset, or format it separately through Settings after the reset is complete.

How long does a factory reset usually take?

Most factory resets take 10 to 30 minutes from start to finish, depending on your tablet's speed and storage capacity. Older tablets or those with large amounts of data may take longer. The tablet will restart several times during the process, which is normal.