The quickest way to restart your ASUS tablet
A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running programs at once, which often fixes freezing, lag, or apps that won't close. On most ASUS tablets, you hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black, then wait 30 seconds before pressing the power button again to turn it back on. This is called a hard reboot or force restart, and it works even when your tablet is completely unresponsive.
If your tablet is still working but just slow, you can also do a gentler restart: press the power button once, tap "Power off" or "Restart" from the menu that appears, and wait for it to shut down completely before turning it back on. This takes a bit longer but gives apps a chance to close properly.
Key Takeaways
- A hard reboot (holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds) works on any ASUS tablet, even when it is completely frozen.
- The power button location varies by model—check the edges of your tablet if you cannot find it on the right side.
- Wait at least 30 seconds after the screen goes black before turning the tablet back on, so the system fully shuts down.
- If rebooting does not fix the problem, clearing the cache or doing a factory reset may be necessary, but that erases your data.
Where the power button is on different ASUS models
Most ASUS tablets have the power button on the right edge when you hold the tablet in portrait mode (tall). Some older models or specialty tablets place it on the top edge instead. If you cannot find it, look for a small button that is slightly raised or recessed compared to the rest of the edge.
If you are not sure which button is the power button, press it gently—the tablet will show a menu with options like "Power off," "Restart," or "Emergency call." If nothing happens, you have the wrong button. Once you know where it is, you can do a hard reboot by pressing and holding that button.
How to do a hard reboot step by step
A hard reboot forces your tablet to shut down when ready, even if it is frozen or not responding to touch. This is the most reliable way to restart when something has gone wrong.
- Locate the power button on the edge of your tablet.
- Press and hold the power button without letting go.
- Keep holding for 10 to 15 seconds. You may see a "Power off" menu appear—keep holding anyway.
- The screen will go black. Release the button.
- Wait 30 seconds. Do not press anything during this time.
- Press the power button once to turn the tablet back on.
- Wait for the ASUS logo to appear and the system to fully load (usually 30 to 60 seconds).
Your tablet should now be responsive. If it is still frozen or slow, try the steps again, or move on to clearing the cache or checking for software updates.
When to use a soft restart instead
A soft restart is gentler on your system and is the better choice if your tablet is still responding to touch. Press the power button once, and a menu will appear with options. Tap "Power off" or "Restart" (the exact wording depends on your ASUS model and Android version). Then wait for the tablet to shut down completely before pressing the power button again.
A soft restart gives running apps time to save their state and close properly, which can prevent data loss. Use this method when your tablet is slow but not frozen. If the menu does not appear or the tablet does not respond, switch to a hard reboot instead.
What to do if rebooting does not fix the problem
If your tablet is still slow or freezing after a reboot, the next step is usually to clear the cache—temporary files that apps store but do not need to keep. Go to Settings, then Storage or Apps, and look for an option to clear cache. This frees up space without erasing your photos, messages, or other data.
You can also check for software updates: go to Settings, then About tablet or System, and look for "System update" or "Check for updates." Installing the latest version can fix bugs that cause freezing or lag. If neither of these works, you may need to do a factory reset, but that erases everything on your tablet, so back up your data first. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, contact ASUS support or visit a repair shop.
Why your tablet might freeze or slow down
Tablets freeze or lag when the system is trying to do too much at once—running too many apps in the background, storage is nearly full, or a software bug is causing a problem. A reboot clears the memory and stops all background processes, which solves most of these issues temporarily. If freezing happens again soon after a reboot, something is using too much power or storage, and you may need to uninstall apps, delete old files, or update your software.
Heat can also cause slowness. If your tablet feels hot, turn it off and let it cool for 15 minutes before rebooting. Tablets are designed to slow down when they overheat to protect the hardware, so if it keeps getting hot, there may be a hardware problem and you should contact ASUS support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rebooting erase my photos or files?
No. A reboot shuts down the system and starts it again, but does not touch your data. Everything you saved before the reboot will still be there after. Only a factory reset erases your files, and that requires you to choose that option deliberately.
How long should I wait after the screen goes black?
Wait at least 30 seconds. This gives the system time to fully shut down and clear the memory. If you turn it back on too quickly, some background processes may still be running and the problem might not be fixed.
What if the power button does not work?
Try pressing it harder or holding it longer—sometimes the button is stiff or requires firm pressure. If it still does not work, the button may be broken. Contact ASUS support or a repair shop, as you will not be able to turn the tablet on or off without it.
Is a hard reboot bad for my tablet?
No. A hard reboot is safe and is the standard way to fix a frozen device. It is designed to work this way. The only downside is that apps do not get a chance to save their state, so you might lose unsaved work in an app, but the tablet itself will not be damaged.
Should I reboot my tablet regularly?
You do not need to reboot regularly if your tablet is working well. Reboot only when it is slow, freezing, or an app is not responding. If you find yourself rebooting more than once a week, something else may be wrong—try clearing the cache, uninstalling unused apps, or checking for software updates.