The three ways to reboot a tablet, and when to use each one
A tablet reboot is one of three different things, and which one you need depends on what is wrong. A soft reset closes all apps and clears temporary memory while keeping your files and settings intact — this fixes most freezes and slowdowns. A hard reset erases everything on the tablet and restores it to factory settings — use this only if you plan to sell it, give it away, or the tablet is so damaged that nothing else works. A force restart shuts down the tablet when ready without saving, which works when the screen is frozen and the tablet will not respond to normal commands.
Most of the time, a soft reset is what you want. It takes 30 seconds and solves the problem in roughly 80 percent of cases where a tablet is slow, an app is stuck, or the screen is unresponsive. If that does not work, a force restart is the next step. A hard reset should be rare — it is permanent and you cannot undo it.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset closes all running apps and clears temporary files without erasing your data, and it fixes most freezing and slowness problems.
- A force restart forces the tablet to shut down when ready when the screen is frozen or unresponsive, and it works on any tablet model.
- A hard reset erases everything on the tablet and returns it to factory condition, and it cannot be undone.
- The method for each type of reboot varies by tablet brand and operating system, so you may need to look up the exact button combination for your model.
- Before a hard reset, back up your files to cloud storage or a computer, because all data on the tablet will be deleted.
How to do a soft reset on any tablet
A soft reset is the safest reboot and the one to try first. Power off the tablet completely using the power button or the power menu, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then power it back on. That is the entire process. During those seconds while the tablet is off, the system clears temporary files from memory and resets background processes.
On most tablets, you can access the power menu by holding the power button for a few seconds until a menu appears on screen. Look for "Power off" or "Shut down" and tap it. Wait until the screen goes completely black, count to 15, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The tablet will take a minute or two to fully restart.
If the tablet is completely frozen and the power button does not work, move on to a force restart instead — a soft reset requires the tablet to respond to button presses.
How to force restart a frozen tablet
A force restart bypasses the normal shutdown process and forces the tablet to power down when ready. This works when the screen is frozen, the tablet will not respond to taps, or the power button menu does not appear. The exact method depends on your tablet brand.
On iPad models: Press and quickly release the volume up button, press and quickly release the volume down button, then hold the power button (or the top button on newer models) until the power-off slider appears. Keep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. This usually takes 10 to 15 seconds.
On Samsung Galaxy tablets: Hold the power button and volume down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black and the tablet vibrates. Release both buttons and wait for the tablet to restart.
On other Android tablets: Hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds. If that does not work, try holding the power button alone for 30 seconds. The exact combination varies by manufacturer, so check your tablet's manual or the maker's support website if neither method works.
How to do a hard reset and erase everything
A hard reset erases all data on the tablet — photos, documents, apps, settings, everything — and returns it to the condition it was in when it left the factory. This is permanent and cannot be reversed. Only do a hard reset if you are certain you want to erase the tablet, or if you have already backed up everything you need to keep.
Before you start, connect the tablet to a charger and let it charge to at least 50 percent battery. A hard reset can take 15 to 30 minutes, and if the battery dies during the process, the tablet may not restart properly.
On iPad: Go to Settings, tap General, scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted. The tablet will erase itself and restart to the setup screen.
On Samsung Galaxy tablets: Go to Settings, tap General Management, tap Reset, then tap Factory Data Reset. Tap Reset Device, then tap Delete All. Enter your PIN or password if prompted. The tablet will erase itself and restart.
On other Android tablets: Go to Settings, look for System or About, find Reset or Factory Reset, and tap it. The exact path varies by brand and Android version. If you cannot find it, search "factory reset [your tablet model]" in a search engine to find the specific steps.
What to do if the tablet will not restart after a reboot
If the tablet stays black after a force restart or soft reset, it may be out of battery. Plug it into a charger and wait 10 to 15 minutes, then press the power button. Some tablets take a minute or two to show any sign of life after being completely drained.
If the tablet still does not respond after charging, try a force restart again using the button combination for your model. Hold the buttons longer than you think you need to — some tablets require 20 to 30 seconds of pressure before anything happens.
If the tablet still will not turn on after two or three attempts, the hardware may be damaged. Contact the tablet maker's support line or visit an authorized repair center. Do not attempt to open the tablet yourself or use unofficial repair services, as this can void any remaining warranty.
When to reboot versus when to contact support
A reboot fixes most common problems: apps crashing, the screen freezing, the tablet running slowly, or the touchscreen not responding. If the tablet works normally after a soft reset, you are done. If the same problem happens again within a few days, a reboot is a temporary fix and the real problem is likely a faulty app or a software bug.
Contact the tablet maker's support team if the tablet will not turn on after multiple restart attempts, if it overheats during normal use, if the battery drains in an hour or less, or if the screen is cracked or physically damaged. These are hardware problems that a reboot cannot fix.
If a specific app keeps crashing, uninstall it and reinstall it from the app store before doing a hard reset. Uninstalling and reinstalling is faster and preserves all your other data and settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a soft reset delete my photos and documents?
No. A soft reset only closes running apps and clears temporary memory. All your photos, documents, apps, and settings remain on the tablet. Only a hard reset deletes everything.
How long does a force restart take?
The force restart itself takes 10 to 30 seconds of holding buttons. The tablet then takes another 1 to 3 minutes to fully restart and show the home screen. Do not unplug or interrupt the tablet during this time.
Can I undo a hard reset?
No. A hard reset permanently erases all data on the tablet. If you have backed up your files to cloud storage (like Google Drive or iCloud), you can restore them after the reset. If you have no backup, the data is gone.
What is the difference between a force restart and a hard reset?
A force restart shuts down the tablet when ready and then turns it back on, but keeps all your data and settings. A hard reset erases everything and returns the tablet to factory condition. Force restart is safe to do anytime; hard reset should only be done when you are certain you want to erase the tablet.
My tablet is stuck on the Apple logo or Android logo after a restart. What do I do?
Try a force restart again — sometimes the tablet needs more than one attempt to fully restart. If it is still stuck after three attempts, plug it into a charger and wait 30 minutes, then try once more. If the logo screen persists, contact the tablet maker's support team, as this may indicate a software or hardware problem that requires professional help.