What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung tablet — all apps, photos, documents, settings, and accounts — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. The tablet itself is not damaged; you can set it up again from scratch afterward. A reset is useful when the tablet is running slowly, an app keeps crashing, you are selling or giving it away, or you have forgotten your lock screen password.

Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Any file not backed up to the cloud or a computer will be lost. If you have photos, documents, or other files you want to keep, move them to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or your computer first.

The reset process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on the tablet. The tablet will restart several times during the process, which is normal. Do not turn it off or unplug it while the reset is running.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all data and returns the tablet to its original state, so back up important files before you start.
  • You can reset through Settings on most Samsung tablets, or through the recovery menu if the tablet will not turn on or respond.
  • If you have a Samsung account or Google account linked to the tablet, you will need the password to that account after the reset to use the tablet again.
  • The reset process takes 10 to 30 minutes and the tablet will restart multiple times; do not interrupt it.

Reset through Settings if the tablet turns on

If your Samsung tablet powers on and responds to touch, the easiest path is through the Settings app. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap General management or System (the exact name varies by model and Android version). Look for an option called Reset or Reset options.

Tap Factory data reset or Erase all data. The tablet will show you a warning that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read it, then tap the button to confirm. The tablet will begin the reset process when ready and will restart on its own.

When the reset finishes, the tablet will show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You can now set it up as a new device or sign in to your Samsung or Google account to restore some apps and settings from a backup.

Reset through recovery mode if the tablet will not start

If your Samsung tablet will not turn on, will not respond to touch, or is stuck on a boot screen, you can reset it through recovery mode. This requires using hardware buttons instead of the touchscreen. The button combination varies by model, but the most common is: hold the Power button and Volume Up button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the Samsung logo appears.

Release both buttons. The tablet will load the recovery menu, which shows white text on a black background. Use the Volume Down button to scroll through the options until you see Wipe data/factory reset or Factory reset. Press the Power button to select it.

The next screen will ask you to confirm. Scroll to Yes using Volume Down, then press Power to confirm. The reset will begin. Do not touch the tablet while it is running — it will restart on its own when finished. This can take 15 to 30 minutes.

If the button combination does not work on your model, check the Samsung support page for your specific tablet model number. Different models use different combinations, and using the wrong one will not harm the tablet — it straightforward will not enter recovery mode.

What to do if you forgot your Samsung or Google password

After a factory reset, if the tablet was linked to a Samsung account or Google account, you will see a screen asking you to sign in to that account before you can use the tablet. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from using a tablet they do not own.

If you remember the password, sign in normally. If you do not remember it, you will need to reset the password on a computer or phone before you can proceed. Go to the Samsung account website or Google account recovery page, verify your identity, and create a new password. Then return to the tablet and sign in with the new password.

If you cannot recover the account, contact Samsung support or Google support with proof of ownership. They can help you regain access, though the process may take several days.

Restore your apps and files after the reset

After the tablet finishes resetting and you sign in to your Google or Samsung account, the tablet will offer to restore apps and data from a backup. If you backed up to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud before the reset, tap the option to restore. The tablet will read your apps and some settings automatically.

Files like photos and documents that you moved to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox before the reset will still be in those services. Open the app for that service on the tablet and sign in to access them. If you backed up files to a computer, connect the tablet to the computer with a USB cable and copy the files back.

Not all apps restore automatically — some you may need to read again from the Google Play Store. The tablet will show you a list of apps that were on it before the reset; you can tap each one to reinstall it, or search for it in the Play Store by name.

Troubleshooting if the reset does not work or gets stuck

If the reset starts but the tablet gets stuck on a loading screen or the Samsung logo for more than 45 minutes, try a force restart. Hold the Power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black, then release. Wait 30 seconds and press Power again to turn it back on. The reset should resume or the tablet should boot normally.

If the tablet still will not respond, try the recovery mode reset again, but this time look for an option called Wipe cache partition before you select factory reset. This clears temporary files that sometimes interfere with the reset process. After wiping the cache, go back and select factory reset.

If the tablet still does not respond after multiple attempts, the hardware may have a problem. Contact Samsung support with your tablet model number and a description of what happened. They can advise you on repair or replacement options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the Samsung or Google account from the tablet?

The reset erases the account from the tablet's storage, but the account itself still exists. After the reset, you will be asked to sign in to the account again before you can use the tablet. If you do not want to use that account anymore, you can sign in to a different account instead.

Can I reset a Samsung tablet without losing my photos?

A factory reset erases everything on the tablet, including photos. Before you reset, move your photos to Google Photos, Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or your computer. After the reset, you can sign back in to those services and read the photos again.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most resets finish in 10 to 30 minutes. The time depends on how much data is on the tablet and how fast the storage is. Do not turn off the tablet during the reset — let it restart on its own as many times as it needs to.

What if I change my mind during the reset?

Once you confirm the factory reset in Settings or recovery mode, the process cannot be stopped. The tablet will erase your data. If you realize you forgot to back something up, you cannot undo it after the reset is complete.

Do I need to charge the tablet before I reset it?

Yes. Make sure the battery is at least 50 percent full before you start a factory reset. If the tablet runs out of power during the reset, it may not finish properly and could have problems afterward. Plug it in and let it charge before you begin.