The Three Ways to Restart Your Samsung Tablet

A restart clears your tablet's memory and stops background processes that may be slowing it down or causing freezes. Samsung tablets offer three restart methods: a soft restart (power off and on), a forced restart (when the tablet is unresponsive), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Most of the time, a soft restart solves the problem. A forced restart is what you need if your tablet is frozen or won't respond to touch. A factory reset is a last resort that wipes all your data and returns the tablet to factory settings.

Which method you use depends on what is happening. If your tablet is working but slow, use a soft restart. If it is frozen or stuck on a screen, use a forced restart. Only use a factory reset if nothing else works and you have backed up your important files.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart (power off and on) fixes most performance issues and takes less than a minute.
  • A forced restart works when your tablet is frozen or unresponsive and does not erase any data.
  • A factory reset erases all data and apps, so back up your files before you start.
  • The power button location varies by Samsung model — check the edges of your tablet if you cannot find it.

Soft Restart: Power Off and On

A soft restart is the safest and most common restart method. It closes all running apps and clears the tablet's temporary memory without erasing any of your files or settings. Use this method when your tablet is slow, apps are crashing, or the screen is unresponsive but the tablet is still powered on.

Press and hold the power button (usually on the right edge or top of your tablet) until the power menu appears on screen. This takes about 3 to 5 seconds. Tap Power off or Shut down. Wait 10 to 15 seconds after the screen goes black, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The tablet will boot up and you will see the Samsung logo.

If the power menu does not appear, your tablet may have a different button layout. Check the left and top edges as well. Some older Samsung models have the power button on the back.

Forced Restart: When Your Tablet Is Frozen

A forced restart forces your tablet to shut down when ready, even if it is frozen or not responding to touch. This method does not erase any data. Use it when your tablet is stuck on a screen, apps will not close, or the screen does not respond to taps.

Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for 10 to 15 seconds, even if you see the power menu appear. The screen will go black and the tablet will vibrate. Release both buttons. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button alone to turn the tablet back on.

If the tablet does not restart after 15 seconds, try holding the buttons for up to 20 seconds. Different Samsung models respond at different speeds. Once the tablet powers back on, it may take a minute or two to fully load.

Factory Reset: Erasing Everything and Starting Over

A factory reset returns your tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory. This erases all your apps, files, photos, and settings. Only use this method if your tablet has a serious software problem that a soft or forced restart did not fix, or if you are selling or giving away the tablet.

Before you start, back up your important files. Connect your tablet to a computer or use Samsung Cloud or Google Drive to save photos, documents, and other data you want to keep. Once you start a factory reset, there is no way to recover erased files.

Go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. Read the warning message, then tap Reset. Enter your Samsung account password or PIN if prompted. The tablet will restart and erase all data. This process takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it is done, you will see the setup screen as if the tablet is brand new.

If you cannot reach the Settings menu because the tablet is frozen, use the forced restart method first. If the tablet still will not respond, you can perform a factory reset using the recovery menu: press and hold the power button and volume up button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the recovery menu appears, then use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data / factory reset and press the power button to select it.

What to Do After a Restart

After a soft or forced restart, your tablet should work normally. If the same problem happens again within a few hours, the issue may be with a specific app. Try uninstalling recently installed apps one at a time to see if one of them is causing the problem.

If your tablet is still slow after a restart, clear the cache. Go to Settings > Apps, tap the three-dot menu, and select Show system apps. Find Google Play Services and Google Play Store, tap each one, go to Storage, and tap Clear cache. This removes temporary files without erasing your data.

After a factory reset, you will need to sign in with your Google account and read your apps again. If you backed up your files to Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, you can restore them during setup or afterward in the Files app.

Finding the Power Button on Your Model

Samsung tablets have the power button in different locations depending on the model. On most recent models, it is on the right edge when you hold the tablet in portrait mode (tall). On some older models, it is on the top edge. A few models have it on the back.

If you cannot find the power button, check the edges of your tablet carefully. The button is usually a small raised rectangle that clicks when you press it. If your tablet has a case, the case may have a cutout for the power button. If you still cannot locate it, look up your specific model number (found in Settings > About tablet) on Samsung's support website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a restart erase my photos and files?

A soft restart and a forced restart do not erase anything. A factory reset erases all data, apps, and settings. If you only need a soft or forced restart, your files are safe.

How long does a restart take?

A soft restart takes 1 to 2 minutes from the moment you press power off until the tablet is fully loaded again. A forced restart takes about the same time. A factory reset takes 5 to 10 minutes and leaves you at the setup screen.

My tablet is still frozen after a forced restart. What do I do?

If a forced restart does not work, try a factory reset using the recovery menu (power button plus volume up). If that does not work, contact Samsung support — your tablet may have a hardware problem.

Can I restart my tablet while it is charging?

Yes. Restarting while charging is safe and does not damage the battery. In fact, if your tablet is low on battery and unresponsive, charging it for a few minutes before a forced restart may help.

Do I need to back up before a soft restart?

No. A soft restart does not erase anything, so backing up is not necessary. Only back up before a factory reset.