What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung tablet — all your photos, apps, messages, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful when you're selling or giving away the tablet, when it's running slowly and you want a fresh start, or when you've forgotten your lock screen password and need to regain access.
A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone, so back up anything you want to keep before you start. You can back up photos and documents to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or your computer. Once you begin the reset, you cannot stop it partway through.
Key Takeaways
- Back up your photos, documents, and any files you want to keep before starting a factory reset, because everything will be erased.
- You can reset your tablet through Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, or by holding the power and volume up buttons together if you cannot access Settings.
- The reset takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on your tablet, and your tablet will restart several times during the process.
- After the reset completes, your tablet will ask you to sign in with a Samsung or Google account, just as it did when new.
Reset through Settings if you can still access your tablet
If your tablet turns on and you can unlock it, the easiest path is through the Settings app. Open Settings and scroll down to find General Management (the exact name varies slightly by model, but it's usually near the bottom of the list). Tap it.
Inside General Management, look for Reset. Tap it, then select Factory Data Reset. Your tablet will show a warning that all data will be erased and ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully, because this step cannot be reversed. Tap Reset or Delete All to confirm.
Your tablet will restart and begin erasing data. You'll see a progress bar or spinning icon. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, your tablet will restart again and show the initial setup screen, just as if it were brand new.
Reset using hardware buttons if you cannot unlock the tablet
If you've forgotten your password or your tablet won't respond to touch, you can force a reset using the physical buttons on the tablet. This method works on most Samsung tablets, though the exact button combination varies slightly by model.
Power off your tablet completely. Then press and hold the Power button and Volume Up button at the same time for about 10 seconds. Keep holding until you see the Samsung logo or a recovery menu appear on the screen. Release the buttons.
If a menu appears with options like "Reboot System Now" and "Wipe Data/Factory Reset", use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and press the Power button to select it. Confirm the action when prompted. If the tablet straightforward restarts instead of showing a menu, try the button combination again — timing can be tricky, and you may need to hold the buttons longer or press them in a slightly different order.
The reset will begin automatically. Do not interrupt it. When it finishes, your tablet will restart and display the setup screen.
What to do after the reset is complete
Your tablet will ask you to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi. Follow the on-screen prompts. You'll then be asked to sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. Use the same account you used before the reset if you want to restore your apps and settings from backup.
If you're setting up the tablet for someone else, create a new account at this step. After you sign in, your tablet may take several minutes to read and reinstall your apps from the cloud. Let it finish before you start using it.
Common problems during or after a reset
If your tablet gets stuck on the Samsung logo or a loading screen during the reset, wait at least 10 minutes before assuming something went wrong — the process can be slow on older tablets or those with a lot of data. If it's still stuck after 15 minutes, try a hard restart by holding the Power button for 30 seconds until the screen goes black, then turn it back on.
If you see an error message like "E: failed to mount /cache" or "E: failed to verify whole-file-sha1", the tablet's storage may be corrupted. This is rare, but if it happens, your tablet may need service from Samsung. Contact Samsung support with the exact error message.
If the reset completed but your apps didn't restore, check that you're signed in to the correct Google or Samsung account. Go to Settings > Accounts and make sure the account you used before the reset is listed. If it's not there, add it, and your apps should begin downloading automatically.
Backing up before you reset
The safest approach is to back up your data before you reset. Open Settings, go to Accounts and Backup (or Cloud and Accounts, depending on your model), and select Backup. Make sure it's turned on and that you're signed in to a Google or Samsung account. Your photos, contacts, and app data will sync to the cloud.
For files and documents, open the file manager app and look for important folders. You can copy them to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud service by opening the file, tapping the menu (three dots), and selecting "Share" or "Save to cloud". Alternatively, connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files directly to your computer's hard drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account?
The reset erases all data and settings, but it does not remove your Google account from Samsung's servers. When you set up the tablet after the reset, you'll sign in with the same account, and your apps and settings will restore from backup. If you want to remove the account entirely, sign out of it in Settings before you reset.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets finish in 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how much data is on your tablet and how old the tablet is. Older tablets or those with a lot of files may take 20 to 30 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during the process, even if it seems stuck.
Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?
No. Once you confirm the reset, it cannot be stopped or undone. This is why backing up first is important. If you change your mind before you tap the final confirmation button, you can cancel and go back.
What if I forgot my Samsung account password after the reset?
If you're asked to sign in after the reset and you don't remember your password, tap "Forgot password?" on the sign-in screen. You'll be guided through steps to recover your account using your recovery email or phone number. Have access to the email address or phone number linked to your account before you start.
Do I need Wi-Fi to do a factory reset?
You don't need Wi-Fi to perform the reset itself, but you'll need it afterward to sign in to your account and read your apps. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, you can complete the reset and set up the tablet later when you have internet access.