The two ways to restart your Samsung Galaxy tablet
A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Samsung Galaxy tablets have two restart methods: a soft reboot (the normal restart) and a hard reboot (a forced restart when the tablet won't respond). A soft reboot is what you should try first—it's gentler on your device and solves most problems.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether your tablet is currently responding to touch or frozen. If your tablet is working but sluggish, use the soft reboot method. If it's completely frozen or won't turn on, use the hard reboot method instead.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot (normal restart) works when your tablet is responsive and takes about 30 seconds to complete.
- A hard reboot (forced restart) works when your tablet is frozen or unresponsive and does not erase your files or settings.
- To soft reboot, hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart" or "Power off" and wait for it to turn back on.
- To hard reboot, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black and the Samsung logo appears.
- If your tablet still won't restart after a hard reboot, charge it for at least 30 minutes before trying again.
How to soft reboot (normal restart)
Use this method when your tablet is working but slow, apps are crashing, or you want a routine restart. Locate the power button on the side or top edge of your tablet. Press and hold it until the power menu appears on your screen—this usually takes 3 to 5 seconds.
Once the menu appears, you will see options including "Power off," "Restart," or "Reboot." If you see "Restart," tap it directly. If you only see "Power off," tap that, wait for the tablet to shut down completely (about 10 seconds), then press the power button again to turn it back on. Either way, your tablet will restart and return to your home screen within 30 seconds.
How to hard reboot (forced restart)
Use this method when your tablet is frozen, unresponsive to touch, or won't turn on. A hard reboot does not erase your files, photos, or settings—it straightforward forces the tablet to shut down and restart. Locate both the power button and the volume down button. On most Samsung Galaxy tablets, these are on the right side edge.
Press and hold both buttons at the same time. Keep holding them for 10 to 15 seconds. You will see the screen go black, and then the Samsung logo will appear. Once you see the logo, release both buttons and let the tablet restart. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Do not release the buttons early or the restart may not complete.
What to do if the hard reboot doesn't work
If your tablet still won't restart after a hard reboot, the battery may be completely drained. Plug your tablet into a charger using the original Samsung cable or a certified third-party charger. Let it charge for at least 30 minutes without touching it, then try the hard reboot again.
If the tablet still does not respond after charging and a second hard reboot attempt, the problem may be a hardware issue rather than a software freeze. At that point, contact Samsung support or visit a repair center. Do not attempt multiple hard reboots in quick succession, as this can sometimes cause other problems.
When to restart versus when to contact support
A restart solves most temporary problems: apps crashing, the tablet running slowly, the screen freezing for a few seconds, or the tablet not responding to touch for a short time. Restart first before trying anything else. If the problem returns within a few hours, restart again.
Contact Samsung support or a repair center if the tablet won't restart at all, restarts but when ready freezes again, shows error messages, won't charge, or has physical damage. These signs point to a hardware problem that a restart cannot fix. You can reach Samsung support through their website or by calling the number on your tablet's documentation.
Preventing the need for frequent restarts
If you find yourself restarting your tablet multiple times a week, something else may be wrong. Close apps you are not using by swiping them away in the recent apps menu. Uninstall apps you no longer need, especially ones that run in the background. Restart your tablet once a week as routine maintenance, even if it seems to be working fine.
Check your storage by going to Settings > Storage. If your tablet is more than 90 percent full, delete old photos, videos, or files you no longer need. A full storage drive causes slowdowns and freezes. If problems continue after these steps, a factory reset may be necessary, but that erases all your files—back up your data first and contact Samsung support before attempting one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a restart erase my files, photos, or settings?
No. Both a soft reboot and a hard reboot leave all your files, photos, apps, and settings exactly as they were. A restart only clears temporary memory. Your data is safe.
How long should I hold the buttons for a hard reboot?
Hold both the power button and volume down button for 10 to 15 seconds. If you release too early, the restart may not work. You will know it is working when the screen goes black and the Samsung logo appears.
Can I restart my tablet while it is charging?
Yes, you can restart while charging. In fact, if your tablet is frozen and the battery is low, charging it first for 15 to 30 minutes before attempting a hard reboot increases the chance of success.
What is the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?
A soft reboot is a normal restart using the power menu—use this when your tablet is working. A hard reboot is a forced restart by holding two buttons—use this when your tablet is frozen or unresponsive. Both are safe and do not erase data.
My tablet restarts but then freezes again when ready. What should I do?
If freezing returns right after a restart, the problem is likely not temporary. Try charging the tablet fully, then perform one more hard reboot. If it still freezes, contact Samsung support, as this may indicate a hardware problem or a corrupted system file that requires professional repair.