What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung tablet — all apps, photos, documents, settings, and accounts — and returns it to the state it left the factory. After the reset completes, you will see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned on the tablet.
You need a factory reset when the tablet is running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving unpredictably after months of use. A reset also removes malware or unwanted software that uninstalling alone cannot touch. If you are selling or giving away the tablet, a factory reset ensures the next owner cannot access your personal data.
A factory reset is not reversible. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep — photos, documents, contacts, and login credentials for apps and accounts. Samsung tablets can back up to a Samsung account or to Google Drive; either method takes a few minutes and saves you from losing data you need later.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, documents, and account information before starting, because a factory reset erases everything on the tablet permanently.
- The fastest method is Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, which takes about five to ten minutes.
- If you cannot turn on the tablet or access Settings, use the hardware button method: power off, then hold Volume Up and Power together until the recovery menu appears.
- After the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, and you can sign back into your Samsung or Google account to restore backed-up data.
How to factory reset through Settings
This is the standard method and works on all Samsung tablets that power on normally. Open Settings from your home screen or app drawer. Scroll down and tap General Management (the name may vary slightly depending on your tablet model — look for "System" or "About Device" if you do not see General Management).
Tap Reset, then select Factory Data Reset or Reset Device. The tablet will show a warning that all data will be erased. Read it, then tap Reset or Delete All to confirm. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which typically takes five to ten minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.
When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and display the initial setup screen. You can now set it up as new or sign into your Samsung account or Google account to restore your backed-up data, contacts, and some app settings.
Using the hardware button method if Settings will not open
If your tablet will not turn on, will not respond to touch, or freezes before you can reach Settings, use the hardware button combination to force a reset. Power off the tablet completely. If it is frozen, hold the Power button for ten to fifteen seconds until it shuts down.
Once the tablet is off, hold the Volume Up button and the Power button together for several seconds. Keep holding both buttons until the Samsung logo appears and the recovery menu displays on screen. This usually takes five to ten seconds. Release the buttons when you see the menu.
Use the Volume buttons to navigate the menu and highlight Wipe Data / Factory Reset. Press the Power button to select it. The menu will ask you to confirm; use Volume buttons to highlight Yes and press Power to confirm. The reset will begin when ready. The tablet will show a progress bar and restart when finished.
What to do after the reset is complete
When the tablet restarts, you will see the initial setup screen asking you to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi. Complete these steps. The tablet will then ask you to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account.
If you backed up your data to Google Drive, sign in with the Google account you used for the backup. The tablet will offer to restore your apps, contacts, and settings from that backup. If you backed up to Samsung Cloud, sign in with your Samsung account instead. Either way, the restore process happens automatically in the background and may take several minutes depending on how much data you backed up.
After sign-in and restore are complete, your tablet will look and behave much like it did before the reset, except it will be faster and cleaner. Any apps you had installed will reappear, and your photos and documents will return if you backed them up.
Backing up your data before you reset
The simplest backup method is to sign into your Google account on the tablet, open Settings, and tap Google or Accounts and Backup. Look for an option called Backup or Back Up Now. Tap it and wait for the backup to finish. This backs up your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and some app data to Google Drive.
For photos and videos, open the Google Photos app (read it free from the Google Play Store if it is not already installed). Tap your profile icon in the top right, then Photos Settings, then Backup and Sync. Turn on the toggle. Google Photos will then back up all your photos and videos to your Google account. The first backup may take an hour or more if you have thousands of photos.
If you use Samsung Cloud instead, open Settings, tap Accounts and Backup, then Samsung Cloud. Tap Back Up and select what you want to back up — contacts, messages, apps, and settings are the main options. Samsung Cloud gives you a limited amount of free storage, so check how much space you have before backing up large files.
Troubleshooting a reset that will not start or finish
If the reset starts but the tablet gets stuck on a loading screen or progress bar, do not force it off when ready. Wait at least thirty minutes; large resets can take longer than expected. If nothing changes after thirty minutes, hold the Power button for ten to fifteen seconds to force the tablet off, then try the hardware button method instead.
If the hardware button method does not work either, the tablet may have a software problem that requires professional service. Contact Samsung support through their website or visit a repair center. Bring proof of ownership if the tablet is still under warranty.
If the reset completes but the tablet will not turn on afterward, try charging it for at least thirty minutes, then hold the Power button for ten seconds. If it still does not respond, the battery may be completely drained. Charge it overnight and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the tablet?
Yes, the reset removes all accounts from the tablet. When the tablet restarts, you will need to sign back into your Google account or create a new one. If you sign back into the same Google account you used before, your backed-up data will restore automatically.
Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?
No. Once the reset begins, you cannot stop it without potentially damaging the tablet's software. Let it finish, even if it takes longer than expected. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during the reset.
What if I forgot my Google password and cannot sign back in after the reset?
Go to the Google account recovery page on a computer or another device and reset your password. Once you have a new password, use it to sign into the tablet during setup. You can then restore your backed-up data.
Does a factory reset remove the operating system?
No. A factory reset only erases your personal data and apps. The Samsung operating system stays on the tablet. After the reset, the tablet will have the same version of Android or Samsung software it had before.
How long does a factory reset usually take?
A reset through Settings typically takes five to ten minutes. A reset using the hardware button method may take ten to fifteen minutes. After the reset finishes, the initial setup and sign-in process can add another five to ten minutes.