The three ways to restart your Android tablet
A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running programs. Most of the time, a soft restart — powering off and back on normally — fixes freezing, slow performance, and app crashes. If your tablet is completely unresponsive, a force restart forces it off without the normal shutdown sequence. A factory reset erases everything and returns the tablet to its original state, which you should only do if you plan to sell it, give it away, or troubleshoot a serious problem you cannot fix any other way.
The method you choose depends on whether your tablet is responding to touch and button presses. Start with the softest option — a normal restart — and move to force restart only if that does not work.
Key Takeaways
- A soft restart (power off, then power on) fixes most freezing and slowness and takes about two minutes.
- A force restart holds the power button for 10 to 30 seconds and works when your tablet will not respond to normal shutdown.
- The exact button combination for a force restart varies by manufacturer — Samsung, Apple iPad, Amazon Fire, and others each have different steps.
- A factory reset erases all your data and should only be done if you are troubleshooting a serious problem or preparing to sell the device.
- Back up your photos, documents, and other files before attempting a factory reset.
How to do a soft restart on any Android tablet
A soft restart is the safest option and works for most problems. Press and hold the power button until a menu appears on your screen. The menu will show options like "Power off," "Restart," or "Shut down." Tap "Power off" or "Restart" if that option is available.
If you tap "Power off," wait 10 seconds after the screen goes black, then press the power button again to turn it back on. If you tap "Restart," the tablet will shut down and start up on its own — you do not need to press anything else. Either way, wait for the tablet to fully load before opening apps, which usually takes 30 seconds to a minute.
How to force restart when your tablet is frozen
If your tablet does not respond to touch or the power button menu does not appear, a force restart will shut it down without asking. The button combination depends on your tablet's brand and model.
For Samsung tablets: Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. The screen may show a logo or go black. Keep holding until you see the Samsung logo appear, then release both buttons. The tablet will restart on its own.
For Amazon Fire tablets: Press and hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds. The screen will go black. Release the button and wait for the Amazon logo to appear. The tablet will restart.
For other Android tablets: Press and hold the power button for 10 to 30 seconds. If nothing happens, try holding the power button and volume down button together. Check your tablet's manual or the manufacturer's website if you are unsure which combination to use.
Do not worry if the screen goes black or shows a logo — this is normal. The tablet is shutting down and will restart automatically. Do not press any buttons while it is restarting.
How to factory reset your Android tablet
A factory reset erases all your files, photos, apps, and settings and returns the tablet to the state it was in when you first bought it. Only do this if you are selling or giving away the tablet, or if you are troubleshooting a serious problem that a soft restart and force restart did not fix.
Before you reset, back up your data. Connect your tablet to a computer or use a cloud service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox to save your photos and important files. Once you start the reset, you cannot undo it.
To factory reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options (or About tablet > Reset, depending on your tablet). Tap Erase all data or Factory reset. You may be asked to enter your PIN or password. Confirm that you want to erase everything. The tablet will restart and take several minutes to complete the reset. Do not turn it off during this time.
When the reset is done, your tablet will show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new. You will need to sign in with your Google account and read your apps again.
When to use each restart method
Use a soft restart first for any problem — freezing, slow performance, an app that will not close, or a notification that will not go away. It takes two minutes and does not erase anything.
Use a force restart if the soft restart did not work or if your tablet is completely frozen and will not respond to the power button menu. Force restart is safe and does not erase your data.
Use a factory reset only if you have tried soft and force restarts and the problem persists, or if you are preparing to sell or donate the tablet. A factory reset is the last step because it erases everything.
What to do if your tablet still does not work after restarting
If your tablet is still slow, freezing, or crashing after a soft restart and a force restart, the problem may be a broken app, not enough storage space, or a hardware issue. Try uninstalling recently downloaded apps one at a time to see if one of them is causing the problem. Check your storage by going to Settings > Storage — if you are using more than 90 percent of your space, delete old photos and videos or move them to cloud storage.
If the problem continues, a factory reset may help, but back up your data first. If the tablet still does not work after a factory reset, the hardware may be damaged and you may need to contact the manufacturer or a repair service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a soft restart erase my files and apps?
No. A soft restart only clears temporary memory and stops running programs. All your files, photos, apps, and settings stay on your tablet. It is completely safe to do as often as you need.
How long does a force restart take?
The force restart itself takes 10 to 30 seconds of holding the button. The tablet then takes another 30 seconds to a minute to fully restart and load. Do not press any buttons while it is restarting.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset permanently erases all your data. This is why you must back up your files before you start. If you have backed up to Google Drive or another cloud service, you can read your files again after the reset is complete.
What if my tablet is stuck on the startup screen?
Try a force restart first. If that does not work, try a factory reset. If the tablet is still stuck after both, the hardware may be damaged and you should contact the manufacturer or a repair service.
Do I need to charge my tablet before restarting?
It is a good idea to have at least 20 percent battery before you restart, especially for a factory reset, which can take several minutes. If your tablet is completely dead, charge it for at least 15 minutes before attempting any restart.