The Two Ways to Restart Your Samsung Tablet
A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running programs, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Samsung tablets have two restart methods: a soft reboot (power off and back on) and a hard reboot (force restart). A soft reboot is gentler and should be your first choice. A hard reboot forces the tablet to shut down when ready, even if it is frozen or unresponsive.
Both methods take less than two minutes and do not erase your files, photos, or settings. The difference is when to use each one: soft reboot for routine slowness, hard reboot when the screen is frozen or the tablet will not respond to touch.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot powers off your tablet normally through the settings menu, then powers it back on—use this first for routine problems.
- A hard reboot forces an when ready shutdown by holding the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds, even if the screen is frozen.
- Neither reboot erases your files, photos, apps, or login information—they only clear temporary memory.
- After any reboot, wait 30 seconds before opening apps so the tablet has time to finish loading.
How to Do a Soft Reboot (Normal Restart)
A soft reboot is the standard way to restart your tablet and is safe to do anytime. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full notification panel, then look for the power icon (usually a circle with a line at the top). Tap it, and a menu will appear with options including "Power off" or "Restart."
If you see a "Restart" button, tap it directly—your tablet will shut down and turn back on automatically. If you only see "Power off," tap that, wait for the screen to go black, then press the power button once to turn it back on. The restart takes about 30 to 60 seconds. Do not press any buttons while the Samsung logo appears on the screen.
How to Do a Hard Reboot (Force Restart)
Use a hard reboot only when your tablet is frozen, unresponsive, or will not turn off normally. Locate the power button on the side or top edge of your tablet. On most Samsung tablets, you will also need the volume down button, which is usually just below or above the power button on the same edge.
Press and hold both the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Keep holding for about 10 seconds. You may see the Samsung logo appear, or the screen may flash—this is normal. Do not let go until the tablet vibrates or the screen goes black. Release both buttons, wait 5 seconds, then press the power button once to turn the tablet back on. The restart takes 30 to 90 seconds.
If the tablet does not respond after 10 seconds, try holding for 15 seconds instead. Different Samsung models vary slightly, so a longer hold is sometimes needed.
What Happens During a Reboot and What Gets Cleared
When your tablet reboots, it closes all open apps and clears the temporary memory (called RAM) that stores information about what you were doing. This is why a reboot fixes freezing and lag—the tablet starts fresh without the clutter of half-closed programs and cached data that slowed it down.
A reboot does not erase your files, photos, videos, documents, or any apps you installed. It does not change your passwords, log you out of accounts, or delete your home screen layout. Your tablet will look and feel exactly the same after the restart, except it will run faster because the temporary memory is empty.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Rebooting
Do not hold the power button alone for more than 10 seconds on most Samsung tablets—this can trigger a factory reset menu, which you do not want. Always use the power button plus volume down together for a hard reboot, not the power button alone.
Do not unplug or remove the battery during a reboot (if your tablet has a removable battery). Let the tablet complete the restart on its own, even if it seems to take longer than expected. If the screen stays black for more than two minutes, then try a hard reboot again.
Do not open apps when ready after the tablet turns back on. Wait 30 to 60 seconds for the system to finish loading in the background. Opening apps too soon can cause them to crash or freeze because the tablet is still organizing its memory.
When to Reboot and When to Try Something Else
Reboot your tablet if it is slow, an app keeps crashing, the screen is frozen, or it will not respond to touch. A reboot fixes most of these problems in under two minutes. If the problem returns within an hour, the issue may be with a specific app rather than the tablet itself—try uninstalling and reinstalling that app.
If your tablet still freezes after a reboot, or if it reboots on its own repeatedly, the problem may be a software update that needs to finish installing, or a hardware issue. In that case, check your settings for pending updates, or contact Samsung support if the problem continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rebooting erase my files and photos?
No. A reboot only clears temporary memory and does not touch your files, photos, apps, or settings. Everything you saved will still be there after the restart.
How often should I reboot my tablet?
There is no set schedule. Reboot when you notice slowness, freezing, or app crashes. Some people reboot once a week as routine maintenance, but it is not required unless you are having problems.
What is the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?
A soft reboot powers off normally through the settings menu. A hard reboot forces an when ready shutdown by holding buttons, even if the screen is frozen. Use soft reboot first; use hard reboot only when the tablet will not respond.
My tablet is still frozen after a hard reboot. What should I do?
Wait a full two minutes to make sure the reboot is complete. If it is still frozen after that, try the hard reboot again. If the problem continues, check your settings for a pending software update, or contact Samsung support.
Can I reboot my tablet while it is charging?
Yes, rebooting while plugged in is safe and will not damage the battery. The tablet will continue charging during and after the restart.