The two ways to restart your Acer Iconia
A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops frozen apps. There are two methods: a soft reboot (which you should try first) and a hard reboot (which forces the tablet off if it is not responding). Most of the time a soft reboot solves the problem—apps run faster, freezes stop, and you do not lose any data.
A soft reboot is a normal restart through the settings menu. A hard reboot forces the tablet off by holding the power button, which is stronger but should only be your second choice. Both methods take less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot through Settings is the safest first step and solves most tablet slowness or freezing problems.
- Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds if your tablet is frozen and will not respond to taps.
- After a reboot, your files and accounts stay on the tablet—rebooting does not erase anything.
- If rebooting does not fix the problem, check which apps are running in the background and close the ones you are not using.
How to do a soft reboot through Settings
Open the Settings app on your home screen or in your app drawer. Tap the gear icon if you see one, or look for a Settings label. Once Settings opens, scroll down to find the option labeled "System" or "About tablet"—the exact name depends on your Iconia model and Android version.
Scroll to the bottom of that screen and look for "Restart" or "Reboot." Tap it, and your tablet will shut down and turn back on automatically. The whole process takes about 30 seconds. You will see the Acer logo while it restarts.
If you cannot find a Restart button in Settings, use the power button method instead—it works just as well.
How to do a hard reboot with the power button
Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet. Do not let go. After about 10 to 15 seconds, you will see the power-off screen appear, or the tablet will vibrate. Keep holding until the screen goes black completely.
Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. You will see the Acer logo and the startup animation. This method works even if your tablet is frozen and will not respond to taps or swipes.
A hard reboot is safe to use—it does not delete your files, photos, or accounts. It straightforward forces the tablet to shut down and start fresh.
What to do if your tablet stays frozen after rebooting
If the tablet is still slow or freezing after a reboot, check which apps are running in the background. Open Settings, find "Apps" or "process Manager," and look at the list. Tap each app you are not actively using and select "Force Stop." This closes apps that are using battery and memory even when you are not looking at them.
Pay special attention to apps you installed recently—a new app sometimes causes slowness. If you suspect one app is the problem, you can uninstall it by opening Settings, going to Apps, selecting the app, and tapping "Uninstall." You can always reinstall it later if you change your mind.
If the tablet is still having problems, try clearing the cache. Go to Settings, find "Storage" or "Device Storage," and look for an option to clear cache or temporary files. This removes data that apps have stored but do not need to keep.
When to reboot before trying anything else
Reboot first if your tablet is running slowly, an app keeps crashing, the screen is not responding to taps, or you notice the battery draining faster than usual. A reboot fixes most of these problems because it clears out temporary files and stops apps that are stuck in the background.
You should also reboot after installing a large update or after your tablet has been on for several days without shutting down. Think of it the same way you would restart a computer—it is a straightforward first step that often solves the problem without any other work.
What happens to your files and accounts when you reboot
Rebooting does not erase anything. Your photos, documents, emails, and all your accounts stay on the tablet. The only thing that changes is that apps close and restart, which clears temporary memory. Any unsaved work in an app will be lost, but that is the only data that goes away.
If you are worried about losing work, save it before you reboot. For example, if you are writing an email, send it or save it as a draft before you restart the tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a reboot take?
A soft reboot through Settings takes about 30 seconds total. A hard reboot with the power button takes about 20 seconds. You will see the Acer logo while the tablet restarts, and then your home screen will appear.
Will rebooting delete my photos or files?
No. Rebooting only clears temporary memory and closes running apps. All your photos, documents, emails, and accounts stay on the tablet. The only data lost is unsaved work in apps that were open when you rebooted.
What is the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?
A soft reboot is a normal restart through Settings and is gentler on the tablet. A hard reboot forces the tablet off by holding the power button and is stronger. Use soft reboot first; use hard reboot only if the tablet is frozen and will not respond.
My tablet is completely frozen and will not turn on. What do I do?
Hold the power button for 15 to 20 seconds even if nothing appears on screen. The tablet may be off but still powered. After it goes black, wait 5 seconds and press the power button again to turn it on. If it still does not respond, the battery may be dead—plug it in and wait 10 minutes before trying again.
Do I need to reboot my tablet regularly?
You do not need to reboot every day, but rebooting once a week or whenever you notice slowness keeps your tablet running smoothly. If you use it heavily or install many apps, rebooting every few days helps prevent problems.