The fastest way to reset your Samsung tablet

A factory reset wipes your tablet back to the state it left the factory — all apps you installed are gone, all your files and photos are gone, and all your settings return to default. On a Samsung tablet, you can do this through the Settings menu in about five minutes, or by using hardware buttons if the tablet won't turn on or respond to touch.

The Settings method works on all Samsung tablets running Android 5.0 and newer. If your tablet is frozen or won't boot, the hardware button method (sometimes called a hard reset) will work even when the screen is black.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings menu reset takes five minutes and erases everything on your tablet, including photos, apps, and accounts.
  • You must know your Samsung account password before you start, because the tablet will ask you to sign in after the reset completes.
  • If your tablet is frozen or won't turn on, hold the Power button and Volume Up button together for about 10 seconds to force a restart, then try Settings again.
  • A factory reset cannot be undone, so back up any files or photos you want to keep before you begin.

Reset through Settings on a working tablet

Open Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick panel, then tap the Settings icon (a gear). Alternatively, find Settings in your app drawer. Scroll down and tap General Management or System — the exact name varies by model and Android version.

Inside General Management or System, look for Reset or Reset Options. Tap Factory Data Reset or Reset to Factory Settings. The tablet will show you a summary of what will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read this screen carefully — it lists everything that will be deleted.

Tap the button to confirm (usually labeled Reset or Delete All). The tablet will restart and begin erasing data. This takes two to five minutes. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen you saw the first time you turned on the tablet. You will need to sign in with a Samsung account or Google account to finish setup.

Reset a frozen or unresponsive tablet

If your tablet is stuck, frozen, or won't respond to touch, force it to restart first. Press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up button at the same time for about 10 seconds. You will see the Samsung logo appear, then the tablet will vibrate and restart. Let go of both buttons.

Once the tablet restarts and you can use it again, follow the Settings method above. If the tablet is still frozen after the restart, or if it won't turn on at all, you can perform a hard reset using buttons alone. Power off the tablet completely. Then press and hold Power + Volume Up + Home (if your model has a physical Home button) or Power + Volume Up + Bixby (the button on the side) for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the recovery menu.

The recovery menu uses buttons to navigate. Press Volume Down to highlight Wipe Data / Factory Reset, then press Power to select it. Press Volume Down again to highlight Yes, then press Power to confirm. The tablet will erase everything and restart. This takes several minutes.

What you need before you start

Write down your Samsung account password or Google account password before you begin. After the reset, the tablet will ask you to sign in. If you cannot remember the password, you will not be able to finish setup and use the tablet.

If you have photos, documents, or other files you want to keep, connect the tablet to a computer and copy them to the computer first. You can also upload files to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud service before you reset. Once the reset starts, there is no way to recover deleted files.

Make sure the tablet battery is at least 50 percent charged. A factory reset can take 10 to 20 minutes depending on how much data is on the tablet. If the battery dies during the reset, the tablet may not restart properly.

After the reset is complete

When the tablet restarts after the reset, you will see the initial setup screen. Follow the on-screen steps to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Samsung or Google account. The tablet will read and install any system updates that have been released since it left the factory.

After setup finishes, your tablet will be in the same state as a new one. All your previous apps, files, and settings are gone. You can reinstall apps from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store. If you backed up files to Google Drive or another cloud service, you can read them again.

Why you might need a factory reset

A factory reset solves problems like constant crashes, extreme slowness, or apps that won't open. It also removes malware or unwanted software that won't uninstall normally. If you are selling or giving away the tablet, a factory reset ensures the new owner cannot access your accounts, photos, or personal files.

A factory reset does not fix hardware problems like a broken screen, a dead battery, or a malfunctioning speaker. If your tablet has a hardware problem, a reset will not help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account?

Yes. The reset erases all accounts from the tablet. After the reset, you will need to sign in again with your Google account or Samsung account during setup. Your actual Google account still exists — you are just signing in again on the tablet.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset cannot be reversed. Once it completes, all your files and apps are permanently deleted. This is why backing up important files before you start is essential.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Setup afterward takes another 5 to 15 minutes depending on your Wi-Fi speed and how many system updates need to read. The entire process from start to finish is usually 15 to 30 minutes.

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

Samsung tablets sometimes ask you to sign in with the Samsung account that was previously on the device before you can use it. This is a security feature. If you do not remember the password, you will need to reset it on Samsung's website using your email address, or contact Samsung support for help.

Does a factory reset delete photos stored in the cloud?

No. A factory reset only erases data stored on the tablet itself. Photos in Google Photos, OneDrive, or other cloud services remain in those accounts and are not affected.