The Two Ways to Restart an RCA Tablet

A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and closes all running programs, which often fixes freezing, slow performance, or apps that won't respond. RCA tablets run Android, and you have two options: a soft reboot (restart while keeping all your files and settings) or a hard reboot (a factory reset that erases everything). Most of the time, a soft reboot is what you need.

A soft reboot takes about two minutes and solves the majority of performance problems. A hard reboot should only happen if your tablet won't turn on, won't respond to touch, or you are preparing to sell or give it away. This guide covers both methods step by step.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reboot (normal restart) fixes most tablet slowdowns and freezes without erasing any of your files, photos, or apps.
  • Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart" or "Power off" and wait 30 seconds before turning it back on.
  • If your tablet is completely frozen and won't respond to the power button, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds to force a shutdown.
  • A hard reboot (factory reset) erases everything on your tablet and should only be used if the soft reboot does not work or you are wiping the device before giving it away.
  • Before doing a hard reboot, back up any photos, documents, or files you want to keep by connecting to a computer or uploading to cloud storage.

How to Do a Soft Reboot (Normal Restart)

A soft reboot is the safest and fastest way to fix a sluggish or frozen RCA tablet. Your files, photos, apps, and login information all stay in place. The process takes less than five minutes from start to finish.

Locate the power button on the edge of your tablet—usually on the right side or top. Press and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds. A menu will appear with options like "Power off," "Restart," or "Shut down." If you see a "Restart" option, tap it. If you only see "Power off," tap that, wait 30 seconds for the screen to go completely black, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The tablet will boot up and show the lock screen after about 30 to 60 seconds.

Do not interrupt this process by pressing buttons or plugging in the charger while the tablet is restarting. Let it complete fully before using it again. Once you see the lock screen, your reboot is complete.

What to Do If Your Tablet Is Frozen and Won't Respond

If your RCA tablet is completely unresponsive—the screen won't wake up, taps don't register, or apps are stuck—you need a forced shutdown. This is different from a normal restart and forces the tablet to turn off when ready.

Hold down the power button and the volume down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not let go. The screen may flash or show a logo, but keep holding both buttons. After 15 seconds, release them and wait 10 seconds. The tablet should be off. Press the power button alone to turn it back on. This process does not erase your files—it just forces the device to shut down and restart.

If the tablet still will not respond after a forced shutdown, plug it into a charger for at least 15 minutes. Sometimes a completely drained battery prevents the tablet from responding. After charging, try the forced shutdown again.

How to Do a Hard Reboot (Factory Reset)

A hard reboot, also called a factory reset, erases all files, photos, apps, and settings and returns your tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory. Only do this if a soft reboot did not fix your problem, or if you are preparing to give the tablet away or sell it. You cannot undo a factory reset, so back up anything you want to keep first.

To back up your files before a factory reset, connect your RCA tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy photos and documents to your computer's hard drive. Alternatively, upload important files to Google Drive, Dropbox, or another cloud service by opening the app on your tablet and following the upload instructions.

Once you have backed up your files, go to Settings on your tablet. Scroll down and tap System or About tablet (the exact name varies by RCA model). Look for an option called Reset, Factory reset, or Erase all data. Tap it. The tablet will ask you to confirm—tap Yes or Erase. The reset will take 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time. When it finishes, the tablet will restart and show a setup screen as if it were brand new.

Backing Up Your Files Before a Reboot

If you are doing a soft reboot, you do not need to back up anything—your files stay on the tablet. But if you are doing a hard reboot or worried that something might go wrong, backing up takes only a few minutes and protects your photos and documents.

The easiest method is to use Google Drive, which comes built into most RCA tablets. Open the Google Drive app, tap the plus sign (+), and select Upload. Choose the photos or files you want to save. They will upload to your Google account and stay there even if your tablet is reset. You can read them later on any device by logging into Google Drive with the same email address.

If you prefer to back up to a computer, connect your tablet to a Windows or Mac computer with a USB cable. A folder window should open showing your tablet's files. Drag photos and documents to a folder on your computer. Once they are copied, safely eject the tablet from your computer before unplugging the cable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Reboot

The most common mistake is interrupting the reboot by pressing buttons, unplugging the charger, or closing the case while the tablet is restarting. Let the tablet finish completely—it usually takes 60 to 90 seconds. If you interrupt it, the tablet may not start up properly and could require a hard reboot to fix.

Another mistake is doing a hard reboot when a soft reboot would have worked. Always try a soft reboot first. Hard reboots should be a last resort because they erase everything. If your tablet is slow or an app is frozen, a soft reboot fixes it about 90 percent of the time.

Do not forget to back up your files before a hard reboot. Once the reset starts, there is no way to stop it or recover your files. If you have photos or documents you care about, upload them to Google Drive or copy them to a computer before you begin.

When to Reboot vs. When to Seek Help

A soft reboot is the right choice if your tablet is slow, an app keeps crashing, the screen is unresponsive, or the battery drains quickly. These are almost always fixed by restarting. A soft reboot is also safe to try as many times as you need—it will not damage your tablet or erase your data.

A hard reboot is necessary only if a soft reboot did not work, your tablet will not turn on at all, or you see error messages that mention "system failure" or "boot loop." If your tablet still will not work after a hard reboot, the problem is likely a hardware issue (a broken screen, battery, or circuit board) and you should contact RCA support or take it to a repair shop.

If your tablet is still under warranty, check your warranty paperwork or the RCA website before attempting a hard reboot. Some warranties cover repairs but not user-caused damage, and a factory reset may affect your coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reboot delete my photos or files?

No. A soft reboot (normal restart) keeps all your photos, files, apps, and settings exactly as they are. Only a hard reboot (factory reset) erases everything. If you are just restarting your tablet to fix a freeze or slowdown, your data is completely safe.

How long does a reboot take?

A soft reboot usually takes 2 to 3 minutes from the moment you hold the power button until the lock screen appears. A hard reboot takes 5 to 10 minutes and will show a progress bar or spinning icon while it works. Do not turn off the tablet during a hard reboot.

What if my tablet still won't turn on after I reboot it?

Plug it into a charger for at least 30 minutes—the battery may be completely empty. If it still will not turn on after charging, try holding the power button for 30 seconds (longer than usual) to see if it responds. If nothing works, the problem is likely hardware-related and you should contact RCA support.

Can I reboot my RCA tablet while it is charging?

Yes, you can restart your tablet while it is plugged in. In fact, it is fine to leave it charging during the reboot. Just do not unplug it in the middle of the restart process—let the reboot finish completely before unplugging the charger.

Do I need to remove the SIM card before a hard reboot?

No. A hard reboot does not affect the SIM card. If your RCA tablet has a SIM card slot and you use it for cellular service, the SIM card will continue to work after the reset. You will just need to log back into your accounts and reinstall your apps.