The Two Ways to Restart Your Tablet
A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running programs, which often fixes freezing, slow performance, or apps that won't close. You have two options: a soft reboot (the normal restart) and a hard reboot (a forced restart when the tablet won't respond). Most of the time, a soft reboot solves the problem. A hard reboot is what you do when your tablet is completely frozen and won't turn off normally.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have an iPad or an Android tablet, and the exact button locations vary by model. This guide covers both, with the specific steps for the most common devices.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot (normal shutdown and restart) fixes most tablet problems and takes about two minutes from start to finish.
- A hard reboot forces the tablet to shut down when ready without saving, which you use only when the tablet is completely frozen and won't respond to touch.
- On iPads, you hold the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears; on Android tablets, you usually hold just the power button for 10 to 30 seconds.
- After a reboot, wait 30 seconds before turning the tablet back on so the system can fully clear its memory.
- If your tablet reboots but the same problem returns within hours, a factory reset or a visit to the manufacturer's support site may be necessary.
How to Do a Soft Reboot on an iPad
A soft reboot is a normal shutdown and restart. On an iPad with a home button (iPad Air 2 and earlier, iPad mini 4 and earlier, or iPad 5th generation and earlier), press and hold the top power button until the "slide to power off" slider appears on the screen. Drag the slider to the right. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again until the Apple logo appears.
On an iPad with Face ID (iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch, iPad Air 3 and later, or iPad mini 5 and later), press and hold both the top power button and either volume button at the same time until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to the right. Wait 30 seconds, then press the top power button again until the Apple logo appears.
The entire process takes about two minutes. Your apps and files remain unchanged — a soft reboot only clears the temporary memory that programs use while running.
How to Do a Soft Reboot on an Android Tablet
On most Android tablets, press and hold the power button (usually on the right edge or top edge) for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off" or "Restart." Tap "Restart" if that option is available. If only "Power off" appears, tap it, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn the tablet back on.
On Samsung tablets, you may see "Restart" as a direct option. On other brands like Lenovo, Amazon Fire, or Google Pixel Tablet, the menu layout varies slightly, but the power button hold-and-wait method works on all of them. If the menu does not appear after holding the power button for three seconds, hold it for five to ten seconds instead.
Wait 30 seconds after the tablet shuts down before pressing the power button to restart. This pause lets the system clear its temporary memory completely.
How to Do a Hard Reboot When Your Tablet Is Frozen
A hard reboot forces the tablet to shut down when ready, even if the screen is frozen and you cannot touch anything. Use this only when a soft reboot is not possible because the tablet will not respond.
On an iPad with a home button, press and hold the top power button for at least 10 seconds, even if you see the power-off slider. Keep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. On an iPad with Face ID, press and hold the top power button and either volume button together for at least 10 seconds until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
On an Android tablet, press and hold the power button for 10 to 30 seconds. The screen will go black. Keep holding even after it goes dark — some tablets require a longer hold. When the manufacturer's logo appears, you can release the button. The tablet will restart automatically.
A hard reboot does not delete your files or settings. It only forces the system to stop and restart, the same way pulling the battery would on an older device.
What to Do After the Reboot Is Complete
Once your tablet restarts and you see the home screen, wait another 30 seconds before opening apps. This gives the system time to finish loading background processes. Open the app that was causing problems and test whether it works normally now.
If the problem returns within a few hours, the issue may be with a specific app rather than the tablet itself. Try uninstalling and reinstalling that app, or check the app store for an update. If the problem happens with multiple apps or the tablet is still slow after a reboot, visit the Apple Support website (for iPad) or your tablet manufacturer's support page (for Android) to see whether a software update is available.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not hold the power button for only one or two seconds — the tablet needs at least three seconds to register the command on most Android devices, and at least 10 seconds for a hard reboot. If you release too early, nothing will happen and you will have to start over.
Do not turn the tablet back on when ready after it shuts down. The 30-second wait is not optional — it allows the system to fully clear its memory. Restarting too quickly can leave some programs still running in the background, which defeats the purpose of the reboot.
Do not confuse a reboot with a factory reset. A reboot restarts the system and keeps all your files and settings. A factory reset erases everything and returns the tablet to its original state. Only do a factory reset if a reboot does not solve the problem and you have backed up your data first.
When to Seek Further Help
If your tablet reboots successfully but the same problem (freezing, slowness, or an app crashing) happens again within hours, the issue is likely a software bug or a problem with a specific app, not a temporary glitch. Check whether your tablet's operating system has an update available by going to Settings > General > Software Update (iPad) or Settings > About Tablet > System Update (Android).
If an update is available, install it. If the problem persists after updating, uninstall any recently installed apps, as a new app may be causing the conflict. If you still have trouble after these steps, contact the tablet manufacturer's support team through their website — they can walk you through more advanced troubleshooting or determine whether the tablet needs service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reboot delete my files or photos?
No. A soft reboot or hard reboot does not delete anything. Your files, photos, apps, and settings all remain exactly as they were. A reboot only clears the temporary memory that programs use while running.
How often should I reboot my tablet?
You do not need to reboot on a schedule. Reboot only when your tablet is slow, freezing, or an app is not responding. If you notice problems happening regularly (more than once a week), a software update or factory reset may be necessary.
What is the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?
A soft reboot is a normal shutdown where the system closes programs gracefully and saves any temporary data. A hard reboot forces the system to stop when ready without saving. Use a soft reboot first; use a hard reboot only when the tablet is completely frozen and will not respond to any touch or button presses.
My tablet is still frozen after I hold the power button. What do I do?
Make sure you are holding the correct button or button combination for your model. On iPads with Face ID, you must hold the power button and a volume button together, not just the power button alone. On Android tablets, try holding the power button for a full 30 seconds. If the screen still does not go black, your tablet may have a hardware problem and you should contact the manufacturer.
Can I reboot my tablet while it is charging?
Yes, you can reboot while the tablet is plugged in. It is actually safer to reboot while charging so the battery does not run out during the restart process.