The Two Ways to Restart Your Samsung Galaxy Tablet
A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running programs, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. You have two options: a soft reboot (the normal restart) and a hard reboot (a forced restart when your tablet won't respond). A soft reboot takes about 30 seconds and is what you should try first. A hard reboot forces the tablet off when ready and is only necessary when the screen is frozen or the tablet won't turn on.
Both methods are safe and won't erase your files, photos, or settings. Your tablet will restart with everything exactly as you left it, except that all open apps will close.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot (normal restart) is done through Settings and takes about 30 seconds; this is the first thing to try when your tablet is slow or an app is frozen.
- A hard reboot forces the tablet off by holding the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds; use this only when the screen won't respond.
- Your files, photos, and account settings stay on your tablet after either type of reboot.
- If your tablet still has problems after a reboot, try clearing the cache or restarting individual apps before considering a factory reset.
How to Do a Soft Reboot Through Settings
This is the standard restart and the one to use when your tablet is working but slow or an app is misbehaving. Open Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings panel, then tap the gear icon. On some Samsung models, you can also find Settings in your app drawer.
Scroll down and tap General Management (or System on newer models). Look for Restart or Reboot and tap it. Your tablet will ask you to confirm. Tap Restart again. The screen will go black, and your tablet will power back on with the Samsung logo. This takes about 30 seconds total.
While your tablet restarts, don't press any buttons or try to turn it back on. Let it complete the restart on its own. Once you see your lock screen, you can unlock it and use your tablet normally.
How to Do a Hard Reboot When Your Tablet Is Frozen
Use a hard reboot only when your tablet's screen is completely frozen, won't respond to touches, or won't turn on at all. This method forces the tablet off without going through the normal shutdown process.
Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for 10 to 15 seconds. You may see the Samsung logo or a power menu appear, but keep holding. The screen will go black, and the tablet will vibrate once. Release both buttons when ready after the vibration.
Wait 5 to 10 seconds, then press the Power button alone to turn your tablet back on. The startup will take about 30 seconds. This method is safe and won't damage your tablet or erase your data.
What to Do If Your Tablet Still Won't Respond After a Hard Reboot
If your tablet won't turn on after a hard reboot, plug it into a charger and wait 15 minutes. A completely drained battery can prevent the tablet from responding. After charging, try the hard reboot again.
If the tablet still won't turn on, try holding the Power button alone for 30 seconds without releasing. Some Samsung tablets have a deep power cycle that requires a longer hold. If nothing works after that, your tablet may have a hardware problem and should be checked by a Samsung service center or the retailer where you bought it.
Clearing Your Tablet's Cache Without a Full Reboot
If your tablet is slow but not frozen, clearing the cache can help without needing a full restart. The cache is temporary data that apps store to load faster, but it can build up and slow your tablet down.
Go to Settings > General Management > Storage. Tap Cache Memory and then Delete. Your tablet will clear temporary files from all apps. This takes less than a minute and won't affect your photos, messages, or app data.
If a single app is the problem, you can clear just that app's cache. Go to Settings > Apps, find the app, tap it, then tap Storage > Clear Cache. This is faster than restarting your whole tablet.
When to Reboot Versus When to Try Something Else
A reboot fixes most temporary problems: slow performance, an app that won't open, the keyboard not appearing, or the touchscreen being sluggish. If your tablet is just running slowly overall, a reboot is the first step.
A reboot will not fix problems that come back when ready after restart, like an app that crashes every time you open it or a connection that drops constantly. If the problem returns within minutes, the issue is deeper than a temporary glitch. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the problem app, or check for system updates in Settings > About Tablet > Software Update.
If you've rebooted and cleared the cache and your tablet is still having the same problem, a factory reset may be necessary, but that erases all your files and settings. Before doing that, back up your important data and contact Samsung support or your tablet's retailer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reboot erase my files or photos?
No. A reboot only restarts the operating system and closes running apps. All your files, photos, messages, and account settings stay on your tablet exactly as they were. Your tablet will look and work the same after the restart.
How often should I reboot my tablet?
You don't need to reboot on a schedule. Reboot only when you notice a problem like slowness, freezing, or an app not working. If your tablet is running smoothly, there's no reason to restart it regularly.
What's the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?
A soft reboot is a normal restart done through Settings and gives your tablet time to shut down apps properly. A hard reboot forces the power off when ready by holding buttons. Use soft reboot first; use hard reboot only when the tablet won't respond to touches or Settings.
Can I use my tablet while it's restarting?
No. During a reboot, the screen will be black or show the Samsung logo. Don't press buttons or try to unlock it. Let the restart finish on its own, which takes about 30 seconds. Once you see your lock screen, the reboot is complete and you can use your tablet.
My tablet is stuck on the Samsung logo after a hard reboot. What do I do?
Wait at least 2 to 3 minutes. Sometimes the tablet takes longer to start up after a hard reboot. If the logo is still there after 5 minutes, plug the tablet into a charger and wait another 10 minutes. If it still won't move past the logo, contact Samsung support or visit a service center.