What a Factory Reset Does and When to Use It

A factory reset wipes your Onn tablet back to the state it left the factory—erasing all your apps, photos, files, accounts, and settings. After the reset completes, the tablet will ask you to set it up as if it were brand new, the same way you did when you first turned it on.

Factory reset your Onn tablet when you want to sell it, give it away, or fix serious problems like constant crashes, freezing, or malware. It is also the right move if you forgot your PIN or password and cannot get back in. Do not factory reset if you just want to free up storage space—deleting individual apps and files does that without erasing everything.

Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. Photos, documents, and other files stored only on the tablet will be gone after the reset. Apps you paid for can usually be reinstalled from the Google Play Store using the same account, but it is worth checking first.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all apps, files, photos, and settings on your Onn tablet and returns it to its original state.
  • Back up your photos, documents, and other files to cloud storage or a computer before you start the reset.
  • You can factory reset through Settings on most Onn tablets, or by holding specific buttons if you cannot access Settings.
  • The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes and the tablet will restart several times during the process.
  • After the reset, you will need to set up the tablet again, including signing into your Google account to restore paid apps.

Factory Reset Through Settings (The Standard Method)

This method works if your tablet turns on and you can reach the Settings menu. Open Settings from your home screen or by swiping down from the top and tapping the gear icon. Scroll down and tap System or About tablet (the exact name varies by Onn model).

Look for an option called Reset options, Reset, or Erase all data. Tap it. The tablet will show a warning that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully—this is your final note to back out. Tap Erase all data or Reset phone (some Onn tablets use "phone" in the label even though they are tablets). The tablet will begin erasing and will restart on its own.

Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during the reset. Let it sit and restart as many times as it needs to. The whole process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen asking you to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.

Factory Reset Using Hardware Buttons (If You Cannot Access Settings)

If your tablet will not turn on, will not respond to touches, or is locked with a PIN you do not remember, you can force a factory reset using the power and volume buttons. The exact button combination depends on your Onn model, but the most common is holding Power + Volume Down together until the tablet vibrates or shows a boot menu.

When the boot menu appears (usually a list of options in white text on a black screen), use the volume buttons to highlight Wipe data/factory reset or Recovery mode. Press the power button to select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm the reset. Use the volume buttons to highlight Yes and press power to confirm.

This method is slower than the Settings method and can take 20 to 30 minutes. The tablet may show a progress bar or a spinning icon. Again, do not interrupt the process. When it finishes, you will return to the setup screen.

What to Do Before You Reset

Back up your photos and videos first. Open the Google Photos app (or your tablet's default camera app) and look for a backup or sync option. Sign in with your Google account and turn on backup. Photos already backed up to Google Photos will be safe even after the reset.

For documents, files, and other data, upload them to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or another cloud service. Open the app, sign in, and upload the folders you want to keep. You can read them again after the reset on any device.

Write down any usernames and passwords you use on the tablet, especially your Google account password. You will need your Google account to set up the tablet after the reset and to restore your paid apps. If you do not remember your password, reset it on a computer or phone before you factory reset the tablet.

Setting Up Your Tablet After the Reset

When the reset finishes, the tablet will show the initial setup screen. Choose your language and connect to Wi-Fi. You will then be asked to sign into a Google account. Use the same Google account you used before the reset—this lets you restore your paid apps and access your backed-up photos and files.

After you sign in, the tablet will read and reinstall your apps from the Google Play Store. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. Let the tablet finish without interrupting it.

Once setup is complete, open Google Photos and Google Drive to read your backed-up photos and files. Your tablet is now reset and ready to use as a fresh device.

Common Problems During a Factory Reset

If the tablet gets stuck on the setup screen or shows an error message, try restarting it. Hold the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down, then press power again to turn it back on. If it is still stuck, try the hardware button reset method instead.

If you see a message saying "Unfortunately, the process did not complete," the tablet may have run out of battery during the reset. Plug it in and try again. Make sure the battery is at least 50 percent charged before you start.

If you cannot remember your Google account password after the reset, you will not be able to finish setup. Go to accounts.google.com on a computer or phone, click Sign in, and follow the password recovery steps. Once you reset your password, use the new one on your tablet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account?

Yes. After the reset, the tablet will ask you to sign into a Google account again during setup. Sign in with the same account you used before, and your apps and backed-up data will be restored. If you sign in with a different account, you will not see your old apps or files.

Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?

No. Once you confirm the reset, the process cannot be stopped. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery. Let it finish, even if it takes longer than expected or restarts multiple times.

What if I factory reset but still have the same problem?

If your tablet crashes or freezes even after a factory reset, the problem may be a hardware issue rather than software. Try the reset one more time to be sure, but if the problem returns, the tablet may need repair or replacement.

Do I lose my Google Play Store purchases after a factory reset?

No. Paid apps are tied to your Google account, not the tablet. After you sign back into your account during setup, you can reinstall any app you paid for without paying again. Free apps work the same way.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset through Settings usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. A reset using hardware buttons can take 20 to 30 minutes. The exact time depends on how much data is on the tablet and how fast your tablet processes. Do not interrupt the process even if it seems to be taking longer than expected.