What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Onn tablet — all apps, photos, videos, documents, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. The tablet itself keeps working; you are just clearing the storage and starting fresh.

You might factory reset an Onn tablet if it is running slowly, freezing often, or behaving unpredictably. You might also reset it before selling or giving it away, or if you forgot your PIN or password and cannot get past the lock screen. A reset is also the standard troubleshooting step when an app will not uninstall or the system will not update.

A factory reset is permanent — once you start, you cannot undo it. Back up anything you want to keep before you begin. If your tablet is frozen and will not respond to any button presses, you may need to force a restart first, which is different from a factory reset.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up all photos, documents, and files you want to keep before starting a factory reset, because the process erases everything on the tablet.
  • The most common path is Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data, though the exact menu names vary slightly by Onn model and Android version.
  • If your tablet is frozen and will not open Settings, you can force a restart by holding the power button for 10 to 30 seconds, then try the reset again.
  • After the reset completes, the tablet will restart and ask you to set up as if it were new — you will need a Google account to sign in and read apps again.

How to factory reset through Settings on a working tablet

If your Onn tablet turns on and responds to touch, the Settings menu is the straightforward route. Open the Settings app — usually a gear icon on your home screen or in the app drawer — and look for a System or About section near the bottom of the menu.

Tap System, then look for Reset options or Reset. You will see choices like "Reset Wi-Fi", "Reset app preferences", or "Erase all data". Tap Erase all data (some Onn models call it "Factory reset" or "Reset to factory defaults"). The tablet will ask you to confirm — this is your final note to change your mind. Tap the confirmation button, and the reset will begin. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. The tablet will restart on its own when it is done.

If you cannot find Reset options in System, try looking in Settings > Apps or Settings > Storage. Some older Onn models put the reset option in a different location. If you are still stuck, check the model number on the back of your tablet and search "Onn [model number] factory reset" to find the exact path for your version.

Forcing a restart if the tablet is frozen

If your Onn tablet is stuck, frozen, or will not respond to touch, you need to force it to restart before you can factory reset it. Find the power button on the edge of the tablet — usually on the right or top side — and hold it down for 10 to 30 seconds without letting go.

You may see a power menu appear with options like "Power off" or "Restart". If you do, tap "Restart". If nothing appears, keep holding the power button until the screen goes black. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Once the tablet restarts and responds normally, you can open Settings and perform the factory reset as described above.

Do not hold the power button for more than 30 seconds — that can damage the battery. If the tablet still will not respond after a force restart, the hardware may have a problem, and you may need to contact Onn support or take it to a repair shop.

What happens after the reset completes

When the factory reset finishes, your Onn tablet will restart and show a welcome screen, as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. You need a Google account to use the tablet and to read apps from the Google Play Store.

If you have a Google account, sign in with the email and password you use for Gmail or other Google services. If you do not have one, you can create one for free during setup. After you sign in, the tablet will sync your Google account data — contacts, calendar, email — if you had those backed up to Google before the reset.

Apps you previously installed will not automatically return. You will need to open the Google Play Store and read them again. If you backed up photos or documents to Google Drive or another cloud service before the reset, you can read them back to the tablet once you sign in.

Backing up your data before a reset

The easiest way to back up an Onn tablet is to sign in with a Google account and let Google handle it automatically. Open Settings > Google, make sure your account is listed, and tap it. Look for "Manage your Google Account" and go to the Backup tab. Turn on backup for apps, settings, and SMS if those options appear. Photos and videos can be backed up through Google Photos — read the app from the Play Store, sign in, and turn on backup.

For documents and files, use Google Drive. read the Drive app, sign in, and upload any files you want to keep. You can also email files to yourself or use a USB cable to copy them to a computer before the reset. If you have a microSD card slot on your tablet, you can move files to the card, remove it, and put it back in after the reset.

Do not rely on the tablet's internal storage alone. Once you start the factory reset, everything on the tablet is gone, and there is no way to recover it.

Resetting a tablet you cannot unlock

If you forgot your PIN, password, or pattern and cannot get past the lock screen, you still have options. On most Onn tablets, after several wrong attempts, you will see a "Forgot password?" or "Forgot PIN?" button. Tap it and follow the prompts — usually you will need to sign in with your Google account to verify your identity.

If that button does not appear or you do not remember your Google password, you can force a restart (hold the power button for 10 to 30 seconds) and then try to access Settings before the lock screen fully loads. Some Onn tablets allow you to reach Settings from the lock screen by swiping down from the top and tapping the gear icon.

If none of those work, you will need to factory reset using the hardware buttons. Turn off the tablet completely. Then hold the power button and the volume-up button together for about 10 seconds until you see a recovery menu. Use the volume buttons to navigate to "Wipe data / factory reset" and press the power button to select it. Confirm the reset, and the tablet will erase and restart. This method varies by Onn model, so search your specific model number plus "recovery mode" if you get stuck.

Troubleshooting a reset that will not start or complete

If you tap "Erase all data" and nothing happens, try restarting the tablet first. Hold the power button, tap "Restart", and wait for it to fully boot. Then go back to Settings and try the reset again.

If the reset starts but gets stuck on a loading screen, do not turn off the tablet — let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Factory resets can take longer than expected, especially on older tablets or those with a lot of storage. If it is still stuck after 30 minutes, force a restart by holding the power button for 10 to 30 seconds, then try the reset one more time.

If the reset fails repeatedly or the tablet will not turn back on after a reset attempt, the storage may be corrupted or the hardware may be failing. At that point, contact Onn support through their website or reach out to the retailer where you bought the tablet. They can advise you on repair or replacement options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the password from my Google account?

No. A factory reset only erases the tablet itself. Your Google account password stays the same. After the reset, you will need to sign in with that same password to use the tablet again. If you forgot your Google password, you can reset it on Google's account recovery page before you factory reset the tablet.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

Not safely. Once you confirm the reset, the process begins and erasing data. Turning off the tablet or pulling the battery during a reset can corrupt the system and make the tablet unusable. Let the reset finish, even if it takes longer than expected.

Do I need Wi-Fi to factory reset an Onn tablet?

You do not need Wi-Fi to perform the reset itself. However, you will need Wi-Fi after the reset completes, because the tablet will ask you to sign in with a Google account and read apps. If you do not have Wi-Fi at home, you can use a phone's hotspot or go to a library or coffee shop with public Wi-Fi.

What if my Onn tablet is still slow after the factory reset?

A factory reset removes software problems, but if the tablet is still slow after a reset, the hardware may be aging or damaged. Older tablets naturally slow down over time. Try closing unused apps, clearing the cache regularly, and keeping the storage from getting completely full. If it is still unusable, the tablet may need repair or replacement.

Can I factory reset an Onn tablet without a Google account?

You can perform the factory reset without a Google account, but after the reset completes, the tablet will require you to sign in with a Google account to proceed. You cannot use an Onn tablet without one. If you do not have a Google account, you will need to create one during the setup process after the reset.