The Three Ways to Restart Your Android Tablet

A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and connection problems. You have three options: a soft restart (the safest), a forced restart (when the tablet won't respond), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Most of the time, a soft restart solves the problem in under a minute.

Which method you use depends on whether your tablet is still responding to touch and button presses. If it is, use the soft restart. If it is frozen solid, use the forced restart. Only use a factory reset if you are trying to clear all your data or if the other two methods have not worked.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart shuts down your tablet normally through the power menu and takes about 30 seconds.
  • A forced restart holds down the power button for 10 to 20 seconds when your tablet is frozen and will not respond.
  • A factory reset erases all your apps, photos, and settings, so back up your data first if you want to keep anything.
  • After any restart, wait a full minute before opening apps so your tablet can finish loading in the background.

How to Do a Soft Restart

A soft restart is the normal way to turn your tablet off and back on. Press and hold the power button (usually on the right or top edge) until a menu appears on your screen. This takes about 2 to 3 seconds. You will see options that say "Power off" or "Shut down" and sometimes "Restart" or "Reboot".

If you see a "Restart" or "Reboot" option, tap it and your tablet will shut down and turn back on by itself. If you only see "Power off", tap that, wait 10 seconds for the screen to go dark, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Either way, your tablet will take 30 to 60 seconds to fully load after the restart.

How to Do a Forced Restart When Your Tablet Is Frozen

If your tablet is not responding to touches or button presses, a forced restart forces it to shut down when ready. Press and hold the power button for 10 to 20 seconds without letting go. You may see a vibration or a shutdown menu appear, but keep holding. The screen will go black.

Once the screen is dark, wait 5 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The tablet will restart and load normally. This method works on almost all Android tablets, though some older models may require holding the power button for up to 30 seconds. Do not worry about damaging the tablet — a forced restart is a safe way to stop a frozen device.

How to Do a Factory Reset

A factory reset erases all your apps, photos, messages, and settings and returns your tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory. Only do this if you are selling the tablet, giving it away, or if restarting has not fixed your problems. Before you start, back up any photos, documents, or other files you want to keep.

To factory reset, open Settings, scroll down and tap "System" or "About tablet" (the exact name varies by brand), then look for "Reset options" or "Factory reset". Tap it, read the warning, and confirm. Your tablet will restart and erase everything. This takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it is done, you will see the setup screen as if the tablet is brand new.

What to Do After a Restart

After any restart, your tablet needs time to load all its background processes. Wait at least one full minute before opening apps or connecting to the internet. During this time, you may see the Android logo, a loading animation, or a blank screen — this is normal.

If you restarted because an app was crashing, do not open that app right away. Open Settings instead and check for updates in the Google Play Store. Tap your profile icon in the top right, then "Manage apps and device", then "Updates available". Install any updates for the app that was causing problems. Updated versions often fix crashes and freezing.

When a Restart Does Not Fix the Problem

If your tablet is still slow, freezing, or crashing after a soft restart and a forced restart, the problem may be a broken app, not enough storage space, or a hardware issue. Check how much storage you have left by opening Settings, tapping "Storage" or "Device storage", and looking at the bar. If it shows more than 90 percent full, delete photos, videos, or apps you do not use.

If storage is not the problem, uninstall any apps you installed just before the problems started. Open Settings, tap "Apps" or "process manager", find the app, and tap "Uninstall". If the tablet still does not work after that, a factory reset may help, but if it does not, the tablet may have a hardware problem that requires repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a restart delete my photos and files?

No. A soft restart and a forced restart do not delete anything — they just shut down and turn the tablet back on. Only a factory reset erases your data. If you want to keep your photos and files, use a soft or forced restart.

How long does a restart take?

A soft restart takes about 1 to 2 minutes from the moment you tap "Power off" until the tablet is fully loaded. A forced restart takes about the same time. A factory reset takes 5 to 15 minutes and will show a progress bar on the screen.

What if my tablet is still frozen after a forced restart?

Try holding the power button for a full 30 seconds instead of 10 to 20. If that does not work, plug the tablet into a charger and wait 15 minutes, then try the forced restart again. If it is still frozen, the tablet may have a hardware problem and may need repair.

Can I restart my tablet while it is charging?

Yes, restarting while charging is safe and will not damage the tablet. In fact, if your tablet is low on battery and frozen, charging it for a few minutes before a forced restart can help.