The three ways to restart a Samsung tablet

A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and closes all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Samsung tablets have three restart methods: a soft restart (the safest), a forced restart (when the screen is frozen), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Most of the time, a soft restart is all you need.

The method you use depends on whether your tablet is responding to touch. If it's working normally, use the soft restart. If the screen is frozen or the tablet won't respond, use the forced restart. A factory reset should only be your last resort, because it deletes all your files, apps, and settings.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart takes 30 seconds and closes all apps without erasing anything — use this first if your tablet is responding.
  • A forced restart works when your screen is frozen or unresponsive and forces the tablet to shut down when ready.
  • The button combination for a forced restart varies by model: most use Power + Volume Down, but some older models use Power + Volume Up.
  • A factory reset erases all your files, photos, and apps, so only use it if your tablet won't start or you're selling it.
  • After any restart, your tablet takes one to three minutes to fully boot up — wait before assuming something went wrong.

Soft restart: the normal way to restart

A soft restart is the safest method and works when your tablet is responding to touch. Open the power menu, tap Restart, and your tablet shuts down cleanly and boots back up. All your files and apps stay in place.

To perform a soft restart: Press and hold the Power button (usually on the right or top edge) until the power menu appears on screen. This takes about two seconds. Tap Restart or Reboot — the exact wording depends on your Samsung model and Android version. Your tablet will shut down and turn back on automatically. The whole process takes about 30 seconds, plus one to two minutes for the tablet to fully load.

If you don't see a Restart option, only Power Off, tap Power Off and wait 10 seconds. Then press the Power button again to turn it back on. This achieves the same result.

Forced restart: when the screen is frozen

A forced restart is a hard shutdown that works even when your tablet won't respond to touch. It forces the tablet to power off when ready without closing apps normally, so use it only when the screen is frozen or the tablet is completely unresponsive.

The button combination depends on your Samsung model. For most current Samsung tablets (Galaxy Tab S series and newer): Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding even if you see the power menu — ignore it and keep pressing. The screen will go black and the tablet will restart. For older Samsung tablets, the combination may be Power + Volume Up instead. If you're unsure which buttons your model uses, check the label on the back of your tablet or your user manual.

After the screen goes black, wait 10 to 15 seconds before releasing the buttons. Your tablet will boot up on its own. This usually takes two to three minutes. Do not press any buttons during this time — let it finish loading completely.

Factory reset: erasing everything and starting fresh

A factory reset returns your tablet to the state it left the factory — all your files, photos, apps, and settings are deleted. Only use this if your tablet won't start at all, you're selling it, or you've tried a soft and forced restart and the tablet still won't work properly.

To perform a factory reset through Settings: Go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset. Tap Reset and confirm. Your tablet will erase all data and restart. This takes five to ten minutes.

If your tablet won't turn on or respond at all, you can force a factory reset using buttons: Power off the tablet completely. Then press and hold Power + Volume Up (or Power + Volume Down, depending on your model) until the Samsung logo appears. Release the buttons. Use the Volume Down button to navigate to Wipe Data / Factory Reset and press the Power button to select it. Confirm the reset. This method is more complex and should only be attempted if your tablet is completely unresponsive.

Before a factory reset, back up your important files to a cloud service like Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or OneDrive. Once the reset is complete, you cannot recover deleted files.

What to do if your tablet won't restart

If your tablet won't turn back on after a restart attempt, wait at least five minutes. Sometimes a tablet takes longer to boot than expected, especially if it was frozen. Plug it into a charger and wait another five minutes — a drained battery can prevent startup.

If the tablet still won't start, try a forced restart again using the correct button combination for your model. Press and hold for the full 15 seconds, even if nothing appears on screen. If that doesn't work, your tablet may have a hardware problem and should be checked by a Samsung service center or a may have access to technician.

Restart versus other fixes

A restart fixes most temporary problems: apps crashing, the screen freezing, slow performance, or Wi-Fi not connecting. It does not fix problems caused by physical damage, a cracked screen, or hardware failure. It also does not remove viruses or malware — for that, you may need to run a security scan through your tablet's built-in security app or perform a factory reset.

If restarting doesn't solve the problem, the issue is likely deeper. Try these steps in order: clear the cache for the problematic app (Settings > Apps > select the app > Storage > Clear Cache), uninstall and reinstall the app, or check for system updates (Settings > About Tablet > Software Update). If none of these work, contact Samsung Support or visit a service center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting delete my files or photos?

No. A soft restart and a forced restart both keep all your files, photos, and apps. Only a factory reset deletes everything. If you're worried about losing data, a soft or forced restart is completely safe.

How long should I wait after pressing the restart button?

After you tap Restart in the power menu, your tablet shuts down when ready and boots back up. The whole process takes about one to three minutes. During this time, the screen will be black or show the Samsung logo. Do not press any buttons — just wait for the home screen to appear.

What's the difference between Power Off and Restart?

Power Off shuts down your tablet completely. You then have to press the Power button again to turn it back on. Restart does both automatically — it shuts down and turns back on without you having to press anything else. The end result is the same, but Restart is faster.

Can I restart my tablet while it's charging?

Yes. Restarting while plugged in is safe and sometimes helpful if your tablet is overheating. In fact, if your tablet is frozen and won't respond, plugging it in before attempting a forced restart can help.

What if the forced restart button combination doesn't work?

Make sure you're holding both buttons at the same time for the full 10 to 15 seconds. If your tablet is very old, the combination might be different — check your user manual or the Samsung support website for your specific model number. If you've tried multiple times and nothing happens, the Power or Volume button may be damaged and need professional repair.