Two ways to reset your Lenovo tablet

You can reset a Lenovo tablet in two ways: a soft reset (which restarts the device without erasing anything) or a factory reset (which erases all your data and returns the tablet to its original state). A soft reset takes about two minutes and fixes freezing or slow performance. A factory reset takes 10 to 20 minutes and wipes everything—photos, apps, accounts, files—so use it only when you plan to sell the tablet, give it away, or troubleshoot a serious problem that a soft reset won't fix.

Before you factory reset, back up anything you want to keep. After a factory reset, you cannot recover deleted files from the tablet itself. If your files are in Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud service, they will still be there after the reset.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (power off and on) fixes most freezing and slowness without erasing anything and takes two minutes.
  • A factory reset erases all data on the tablet and returns it to the state it came in, so back up your files first.
  • To factory reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data, then confirm twice.
  • The tablet will restart several times during a factory reset; do not turn it off or unplug it during this process.
  • After a factory reset, you will need to sign in with a Google account and set up the tablet again from the start.

How to do a soft reset (restart without erasing data)

A soft reset is the first thing to try if your tablet is slow, frozen, or an app keeps crashing. It closes all running programs and clears the tablet's temporary memory without touching your files or settings.

Press and hold the power button on the side or top of the tablet for 10 seconds until the power menu appears. Tap Power off or Restart. If you tap Power off, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. If you tap Restart, the tablet will turn off and back on automatically. The whole process takes about two minutes. After the restart, check whether the problem is fixed before trying a factory reset.

How to factory reset through Settings

This is the most common way to factory reset a Lenovo tablet. The tablet must be turned on and have enough battery (at least 50 percent charged is safest). If the tablet is frozen and will not respond to touches, skip to the next section instead.

Open Settings and scroll down to find System or About tablet (the exact name varies by model). Tap System, then look for Reset options or Reset. Tap Erase all data or Factory reset. The tablet will ask you to confirm; read the warning, then tap Erase all data again. If you are signed into a Google account, the tablet may ask for your Google password to confirm the reset—enter it and tap Next.

The tablet will restart and show a progress bar. This process takes 10 to 20 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet, unplug it, or remove the battery during this time. The screen may go black or show the Lenovo logo several times—this is normal. When the reset is complete, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen, as if it were brand new.

How to factory reset if the tablet is frozen

If your tablet is completely frozen and will not respond to touches or button presses, you can force a reset using a hardware combination. This works even if the tablet is off or stuck on a screen.

Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. The tablet will vibrate and show the Lenovo or Android logo. Release both buttons. A menu with white text on a black background will appear—this is the recovery menu. Use the Volume Down button to scroll down to Wipe data / factory reset and press the Power button to select it. The next screen will ask you to confirm; scroll to Yes and press Power again. The reset will begin and take 10 to 20 minutes. Do not interrupt it.

What happens after the factory reset is complete

When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when the tablet was brand new. You will need to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one during setup or skip this step (though many Lenovo tablets require a Google account to use the Play Store).

After you sign in, the tablet will read and install any apps that were previously installed on that Google account. This can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. Your files, photos, and messages will not return—they were erased during the factory reset. If those files were backed up to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or another cloud service, you can read them again after setup is complete.

Common mistakes to avoid during a factory reset

The most common mistake is turning off the tablet or unplugging it while the reset is running. The progress bar may seem stuck or the screen may go black for a minute or two—this does not mean the reset failed. Let the tablet finish on its own, even if it takes longer than expected.

Another mistake is forgetting to back up files before the reset. Once the reset starts, there is no way to stop it or recover the data afterward. If you realize you forgot something important, stop and back up to Google Drive or another cloud service before you start the reset.

Do not remove the microSD card (if your tablet has one) during the reset unless you specifically want to erase it too. The factory reset will erase the tablet's internal storage but usually leaves the microSD card untouched. If you want to erase the microSD card as well, remove it before starting the reset.

When to soft reset versus factory reset

Use a soft reset (restart) if the tablet is slow, an app is crashing, or the screen is frozen but you can still access the power button. A soft reset fixes most temporary problems and takes only two minutes. You keep all your data.

Use a factory reset if a soft reset did not fix the problem, the tablet is so frozen that the power menu will not appear, you are selling or giving away the tablet, or you want to remove all personal data before recycling it. A factory reset erases everything, so only do this when you are certain you do not need the data on the tablet anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account?

Yes. The factory reset erases all accounts from the tablet, including your Google account. After the reset, you will need to sign in again with your Google account or create a new one during setup. If you forget your Google password, you can recover it at accounts.google.com before you reset the tablet.

Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?

No. Once you confirm the factory reset, the process will run to completion. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery. If you change your mind, the only option is to wait for the reset to finish, then set up the tablet again and restore your files from a backup.

What if my tablet asks for a password after the factory reset?

If you were signed into a Google account before the reset, the tablet may ask for that Google password to verify you own the device. This is a security feature. Enter the password you used for that account. If you do not remember it, you will need to recover it at accounts.google.com before you can continue.

How long does a factory reset take?

The actual reset process takes 10 to 20 minutes. After that, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen. Setting up the tablet again (signing in, connecting to Wi-Fi, downloading apps) can take another 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed and how many apps you had.

Will a factory reset fix a virus or malware?

A factory reset will remove most malware because it erases everything on the tablet and reinstalls the operating system. However, if malware is on your Google account itself (not just the tablet), it may return when you sign back in. After a factory reset, consider changing your Google password and reviewing which apps have permission to access your account.