Two ways to reset your Onn tablet

You can reset an Onn tablet in two ways: a soft reset (which restarts the device without erasing anything) or a factory reset (which erases all your data and returns the tablet to its original state). A soft reset takes about one minute and fixes freezing, slow performance, or apps that won't close. A factory reset takes five to ten minutes and is the right choice when you're selling the tablet, giving it away, or need to clear everything because the device is severely malfunctioning.

Both methods work the same way on all current Onn tablets, whether you own an Onn 8-inch, 10-inch, or 11-inch model. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you remember your PIN or password, so this guide covers both paths.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset restarts your tablet without erasing anything and fixes most freezing or performance problems in under a minute.
  • A factory reset erases all data, accounts, and apps, so back up photos, documents, and other files before you start.
  • If your tablet is frozen and won't respond, hold the power button for 30 seconds to force a shutdown, then turn it back on.
  • A factory reset requires your Google account password if you set one up, so have that information ready before you begin.
  • After a factory reset, your tablet will restart and ask you to set it up as if it were brand new.

Soft reset: restarting without erasing data

A soft reset is the fastest way to fix a sluggish or frozen Onn tablet. Press and hold the power button on the right or top edge of your tablet for three to five seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off" and "Restart." Tap Restart and wait for the tablet to shut down and turn back on, which usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.

If your tablet is completely frozen and the power menu does not appear, hold the power button for 30 seconds without releasing. The screen will go black and the tablet will force shut down. Wait five seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This hard shutdown works even when the tablet is unresponsive and is safe to use—it is the same as pulling the battery out of an older device.

Factory reset when you know your PIN or password

Open the Settings app, which is usually a gear icon on your home screen or in the app drawer. Scroll down and tap System or About tablet (the exact name varies by Onn model). Look for an option called Reset options, Reset phone, or Erase all data. Tap it.

You will see a warning that all data will be erased. Tap Erase all data or Factory reset to confirm. The tablet will ask you to enter your PIN, password, or Google account password as a security check. Type it in and tap Erase or Reset. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which takes three to five minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.

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

Factory reset when you do not know your PIN or password

If you cannot remember your PIN or password, you can still reset the tablet, but the process is longer. Turn off the tablet completely. Hold down the power button and the volume up button at the same time for about ten seconds until you see the Onn logo or a recovery menu appear. Release both buttons.

You will enter Recovery Mode, a special menu with white text on a black background. Use the volume buttons to move up and down through the options. Look for Wipe data/factory reset or Format data/factory reset. Highlight it and press the power button to select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm by highlighting "Yes" and pressing the power button again. The reset will take three to five minutes.

After the reset completes, you will see "Reboot system now" highlighted in the recovery menu. Press the power button to restart the tablet. It will boot into the setup screen and you can begin using it as a new device.

Back up your files before a factory reset

A factory reset erases everything on your tablet: photos, videos, documents, email accounts, app data, and settings. Before you reset, save anything you want to keep. The easiest way is to sign in with your Google account on the tablet. Google automatically backs up your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and some app data to your Google account, so those items will return when you sign in again on the reset tablet.

For photos and videos, open Google Photos and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Go to Settings and turn on Backup and sync. Let the backup finish before you reset—this may take several minutes if you have many photos. For documents and other files, connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy the files to your computer's hard drive, or upload them to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud storage service.

What to do if the reset fails or gets stuck

If your tablet gets stuck on the setup screen or the reset does not complete after ten minutes, force shut it down by holding the power button for 30 seconds. Turn it back on and try the reset again. If the same problem happens twice, try the recovery mode reset (the method using volume up and power button together) instead, as it is more reliable when the normal reset fails.

If your tablet will not turn on at all after a reset attempt, plug it into a charger and leave it for 15 minutes. The battery may have drained during the reset. Then try turning it on again. If it still will not respond, hold the power button for 30 seconds, wait five seconds, and try again. If the tablet remains unresponsive after these steps, the device may have a hardware problem that requires service from Onn or the retailer where you bought it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset delete my photos or apps?

No. A soft reset only restarts the tablet and leaves all your data, apps, photos, and settings exactly as they were. It is safe to use anytime your tablet is slow or frozen.

Do I need to charge my tablet before resetting it?

Yes. Make sure your tablet has at least 50 percent battery before you start a factory reset. If the battery dies during the reset, the tablet may not restart properly. Plug it in and wait until the battery is full if possible.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset permanently erases all data on the tablet. This is why backing up your files beforehand is important. If you have a Google account backup, you can restore some data by signing in after the reset, but files not backed up to Google or another cloud service cannot be recovered.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset process itself takes three to five minutes. The tablet will then restart and show the setup screen, which takes another two to three minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during any of this time.

What if I forgot my Google account password?

Visit accounts.google.com on a computer or another device and click "Forgot password?" Follow the steps to reset your password using your recovery email or phone number. Once you have reset your password, you can use it to complete the factory reset on your tablet.