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, app crashes, and slow performance. Samsung tablets have two restart methods: a soft reboot (which you should try first) and a hard reboot (which forces the tablet off if it is completely unresponsive).
A soft reboot is safe and takes about 30 seconds. A hard reboot is more forceful but does not erase your files or settings—it just cuts power when ready. Most of the time, a soft reboot solves the problem.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot uses the power menu and is the safest first step when your tablet is slow or an app is frozen.
- Hold the power button and volume down together for 10 seconds to force a hard reboot if your tablet will not respond to touch.
- Neither reboot erases your files, photos, or settings—they only stop running programs and clear temporary memory.
- If your tablet still does not work after a hard reboot, the problem may be a stuck app or a software issue that needs troubleshooting beyond a restart.
How to Do a Soft Reboot (Power Menu Method)
This is the normal way to restart your tablet and works when the screen responds to touch. Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet for about 3 seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off" or "Restart."
If you see a "Restart" option, tap it directly. If you only see "Power off," tap that, wait for the tablet to shut down completely (the screen will go black), then press the power button again to turn it back on. The whole process takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
How to Do a Hard Reboot (Force Restart)
Use this method when your tablet is frozen, will not respond to touch, or the power menu does not appear. Press and hold the power button and volume down button at the same time for about 10 seconds. Do not let go early—keep holding both buttons.
The tablet will vibrate, the screen may flash, and then it will shut down. Release both buttons. Wait 5 to 10 seconds, then press the power button alone to turn it back on. The Samsung logo will appear, and the tablet will restart. This takes about 1 to 2 minutes total.
If your tablet has a removable battery (older Samsung models), you can also remove the battery for 30 seconds, then reinsert it and press power. Most newer tablets do not have removable batteries, so the button method is your only option.
What Happens During a Reboot
When you restart your tablet, it stops all running apps, clears temporary files from memory, and reloads the operating system fresh. This fixes problems caused by apps using too much memory, conflicting with each other, or getting stuck in a loop. Your files, photos, contacts, and settings stay exactly as they were—a reboot does not erase anything.
The tablet may take longer than usual to start up the first time after a reboot, especially if you have many apps installed. This is normal. Once the home screen appears and you see all your icons, the reboot is complete.
When to Reboot and When to Troubleshoot Further
Reboot your tablet if an app keeps crashing, the screen freezes, the tablet is very slow, or it stops responding to touch. A reboot fixes most of these problems within minutes. However, if the problem returns when ready after restarting, or if your tablet will not turn back on after a hard reboot, something else is wrong.
If rebooting does not help, try clearing the cache of the problem app (go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap "Storage" > "Clear Cache"), or uninstall and reinstall the app. If the entire tablet is slow even after a reboot, you may have too many apps running at startup—check Settings > Apps > Startup to disable apps you do not need to launch automatically.
If your tablet will not turn on at all after a hard reboot, plug it into a charger for at least 15 minutes. A completely drained battery can prevent the tablet from responding. If it still will not start, contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop—the issue may be a hardware problem.
Rebooting Before You Troubleshoot Anything Else
A reboot should always be your first step when something goes wrong, before you try anything more complicated. It takes less than 2 minutes and fixes the majority of temporary glitches. Many tablet problems that seem serious—freezing, app crashes, slow performance—disappear after a single restart.
If you are about to factory reset your tablet, back up your files first. A factory reset erases everything and returns the tablet to its original state, which is much more drastic than a reboot. A reboot is always worth trying first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reboot erase my files or settings?
No. A reboot only stops running programs and clears temporary memory. All your files, photos, contacts, apps, and settings remain exactly as they were. Your tablet will look and work the same after it restarts.
How often should I reboot my tablet?
You do not need to reboot on a schedule. Reboot only when your tablet is slow, an app crashes, or it stops responding. Some people reboot once a week or once a month as routine maintenance, but it is not required unless you notice a problem.
What if my tablet is stuck on the Samsung logo after a hard reboot?
Wait at least 5 minutes—sometimes the tablet takes longer to start up after a hard reboot. If the logo stays on the screen for more than 10 minutes, plug the tablet into a charger and wait another 10 minutes. If it still does not progress, the tablet may have a software issue that requires professional help.
Is a hard reboot safe to do repeatedly?
Yes. A hard reboot is safe to repeat as many times as you need. It does not damage the tablet or its storage. However, if you find yourself doing a hard reboot multiple times a day, something is wrong—contact Samsung support or a repair shop to diagnose the underlying issue.
Can I reboot my tablet while it is charging?
Yes, you can reboot while charging. In fact, if your tablet is low on battery, it is a good idea to plug it in before doing a hard reboot, since the restart process uses a small amount of power.