What a reset does and when you need one

A reset clears your tablet back to factory settings — it erases all your apps, photos, files, and accounts. You should reset only when your tablet is frozen, won't start, or you're selling it and want to wipe your data. If your tablet is just slow or buggy, a restart (turning it off and back on) often fixes the problem without erasing anything.

Samsung Galaxy tablets offer two types of reset. A soft reset is a forced restart that keeps your data intact. A factory reset (also called a hard reset or wipe) erases everything. Know which one you need before you start, because a factory reset cannot be undone.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset forces your tablet to restart without erasing data — try this first if your tablet is frozen or unresponsive.
  • A factory reset erases all apps, photos, files, and accounts and cannot be reversed, so back up your data first.
  • Before a factory reset, sign out of your Samsung account and Google account, or you may be locked out of your own tablet after the reset.
  • The exact button combination for a soft reset varies by model — check your tablet's model number on the back or in Settings to find the right steps.
  • If your tablet won't turn on or respond to buttons, you may need to charge it for 15 minutes before attempting any reset.

How to do a soft reset (forced restart)

A soft reset forces your tablet to shut down and restart. It does not erase anything. This is the safest first step if your tablet is frozen, apps are crashing, or the screen is unresponsive.

The button combination depends on your tablet model. For most recent Samsung Galaxy Tab models (Tab S series, Tab A series), hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Samsung logo or a restart menu. Release both buttons and let the tablet restart.

If your tablet has a physical home button (older models), you may need to hold Power + Home + Volume Down instead. Check the back or bottom of your tablet for the model number (it looks like "SM-T###"), then search "Samsung [your model number] soft reset" to confirm the exact button combination for your device.

If the buttons do not respond, your tablet may have no battery. Plug it in and let it charge for at least 15 minutes, then try again.

Back up your data before a factory reset

A factory reset erases everything on your tablet — all photos, videos, documents, installed apps, and account information. Once it is done, you cannot get the data back. Before you proceed, back up anything you want to keep.

The easiest way is to sign into your Google account on the tablet and turn on automatic backup. Go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Backup, and make sure Backup to Google One is turned on. This backs up your photos, contacts, calendar, and some app data to your Google account. It may take a few minutes to complete.

For photos and videos, you can also connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files manually. Or use Samsung Cloud: go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud and sign in with your Samsung account to back up photos and documents there.

Sign out of accounts before you factory reset

Before you wipe your tablet, sign out of your Google account and Samsung account. If you do not, your tablet will ask for the password to that account after the reset completes — a security feature called Factory Reset Protection. If you forget the password, you will be locked out of your own tablet.

Go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts. Tap each account (Google, Samsung, Microsoft, etc.) and select Remove account. You will be asked to confirm; tap Remove. Repeat for every account on the tablet.

After you remove the accounts, go back to Settings > Accounts and backup and confirm the list is empty. Then you are ready to factory reset.

How to factory reset through Settings

This is the safest way to factory reset because you can see what is happening and stop if you change your mind.

Open Settings and scroll down to General management (or System on some models). Tap Reset or Reset options. You will see Reset all settings and Erase all data (or Factory data reset). Tap Erase all data.

The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully — it will list everything that will be erased. If you are sure, tap Reset or Erase. The tablet will restart and begin wiping. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time.

When the reset is complete, your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new. You can then sign in with your Google account to restore your backed-up data.

How to factory reset using hardware buttons (if Settings won't open)

If your tablet is so frozen that you cannot open Settings, you can force a factory reset using the power and volume buttons. This method is riskier because you cannot see what is happening, so use it only if the Settings method does not work.

First, turn off the tablet completely. Press and hold the Power button until it shuts down. If it will not respond, hold Power for 30 seconds to force it off.

Once the tablet is off, hold Power + Volume Up (or Power + Volume Down, depending on your model) until you see the recovery menu — a screen with options like "Reboot system now" and "Wipe data/factory reset". Use the volume buttons to highlight Wipe data/factory reset, then press the Power button to select it. The tablet will ask for confirmation; select Yes using the volume buttons and Power button.

The reset will begin. Wait until you see "Data wipe complete" or the tablet restarts on its own. This can take 10 to 20 minutes. Do not interrupt it.

What to do after the reset is complete

When your tablet finishes resetting, it will show the setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you backed up your data to Google, sign in with the same account you used before, and your photos, contacts, and some app data will restore automatically.

If you backed up to Samsung Cloud instead, sign in with your Samsung account after setup is complete, then go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud and tap Restore to bring back your photos and documents.

Reinstall any apps you need from the Google Play Store. Your tablet is now clean and ready to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset erase my photos and apps?

No. A soft reset is just a forced restart — it keeps all your data, apps, and accounts intact. It is safe to try if your tablet is frozen or slow.

What if I forgot my Google password and the tablet asks for it after the reset?

Go to the Google Account Recovery page on a computer and reset your password. Then enter the new password on your tablet. If you cannot recover your account, you may need to contact Google support or take the tablet to a Samsung service center.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

If you are resetting through Settings, you can usually cancel before the final confirmation. Once the reset begins, do not interrupt it — stopping it mid-process can damage the tablet. If you are using the hardware button method, you cannot cancel once the recovery menu appears.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how much data is on your tablet. Larger tablets with more storage may take longer. Keep the tablet plugged in and do not turn it off during the process.

Do I need to charge my tablet before resetting?

Yes. Plug in your tablet and let it charge to at least 50 percent before you start a factory reset. If the battery dies during the reset, your tablet may not restart properly.