The two ways to restart your tablet

A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and closes all running programs, which often fixes freezing, slowness, or apps that won't respond. There are two methods: a soft restart (the normal way) and a hard restart (the forced way when your tablet won't respond to touches). A soft restart is always your first choice because it closes programs cleanly. A hard restart should only happen when the soft restart doesn't work or your screen is completely frozen.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have an iPad or an Android tablet, and the exact button locations vary by model. This guide covers the most common tablets, but if your specific model isn't listed, the principle is the same: you're either holding down a power button, or combining a power button with a volume button.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart closes all your apps and clears temporary memory without erasing any files or settings you've saved.
  • For most iPads, hold the top button and either volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off.
  • For most Android tablets, hold the power button for 10 to 30 seconds until the restart menu appears, then tap "Restart."
  • A hard restart (holding power and volume buttons together until the screen goes black) should only be used if your tablet won't respond to any touches.
  • After any restart, wait 30 seconds before turning your tablet back on so the system can fully clear.

How to soft restart an iPad

On newer iPads (iPad Pro 2018 and later, iPad Air 2022 and later, iPad 2022 and later), hold down the top button and either volume button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons until you see the power-off slider appear on the screen. This usually takes about 3 to 5 seconds. Then drag the slider to the right to turn off the iPad.

Once the screen goes black, wait about 30 seconds. Then press and hold the top button again until the Apple logo appears. The iPad will restart and you'll see the lock screen when it's done.

On older iPads with a home button (iPad Air 2 and earlier, iPad mini 4 and earlier), hold the top button and the home button together until the power-off slider appears. Follow the same steps: drag to turn off, wait 30 seconds, then hold the top button to turn back on.

How to soft restart an Android tablet

On most Android tablets, press and hold the power button (usually on the right side or top edge) for about 10 to 30 seconds. A menu will appear with options like "Power off," "Restart," or "Reboot." Tap "Restart" if that option is visible. If only "Power off" appears, tap that, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.

Some Android tablets, especially Samsung models, may show a menu with "Power off," "Restart," and "Emergency mode." Choose "Restart" and the tablet will shut down and turn back on automatically. The whole process usually takes 1 to 2 minutes.

If the menu doesn't appear after 30 seconds of holding the power button, your tablet may be frozen. Move on to the hard restart method below.

How to hard restart when your tablet is frozen

A hard restart forces your tablet to shut down when ready without closing apps normally. Use this only when your screen is completely frozen and won't respond to touches, or when a soft restart didn't work.

On an iPad, hold the top button and either volume button together and keep holding them even after the power-off slider appears. Continue holding for about 10 seconds after the slider shows up. The screen will go black and the Apple logo will appear. Release the buttons and let the iPad restart.

On an Android tablet, hold the power button and the volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds. The screen will go black. Release the buttons and wait 30 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on. Some Android tablets may show a boot menu instead of restarting automatically; if that happens, look for an option that says "Reboot" or "Restart system" and tap it.

What to do after your tablet restarts

When your tablet turns back on, it will show the lock screen. Enter your PIN, password, or use your fingerprint or face recognition to unlock it. Your tablet will then load all your apps and settings—this can take 1 to 3 minutes depending on how many apps you have installed.

Check whether the problem that made you restart is gone. If your tablet was slow, it should feel faster now. If an app was frozen, try opening it again. If the same problem happens again within a few hours, the issue may be with a specific app rather than your tablet itself, and you may need to uninstall and reinstall that app.

When to restart versus when to contact support

A restart fixes most temporary problems: freezing, slow performance, an app that won't open, or the screen not responding. If restarting doesn't help and the problem keeps happening, the issue is likely deeper. Try restarting one more time, then leave your tablet off for a full minute before turning it back on.

If the problem persists after two restarts, or if your tablet won't turn on at all, contact the manufacturer's support line. For iPads, that's Apple Support. For Android tablets, contact the tablet maker (Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, etc.). Have the model number and a description of what's happening ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my tablet erase my files or photos?

No. A restart only closes running programs and clears temporary memory. All your saved files, photos, contacts, and settings remain on your tablet. Nothing is deleted.

How often should I restart my tablet?

Most tablets work fine without regular restarts. Restart only when you notice slowness, freezing, or an app not responding. If you find yourself restarting more than once a week to fix problems, something may be wrong with your tablet or an app on it.

What's the difference between a soft restart and a hard restart?

A soft restart closes all your apps cleanly before shutting down. A hard restart forces the tablet off when ready without closing apps. Always try a soft restart first. Use a hard restart only if the soft restart doesn't work or your screen is frozen solid.

My tablet is stuck on the Apple logo or Android boot screen. What do I do?

Try a hard restart again. If it's still stuck after two hard restarts, your tablet may have a software problem that requires professional help. Contact the manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair center.

Can I restart my tablet while it's charging?

Yes, it's safe to restart while plugged in. In fact, if your tablet is very low on battery, charging it for a few minutes before restarting can help. Just make sure the charger is working properly.