The Three Ways to Restart an ASUS Tablet

You can restart an ASUS tablet in three ways: a soft restart (power off and back on), a force restart (holding buttons when the tablet is frozen), and a factory reset (erasing everything and returning to original settings). Most of the time, a soft restart solves problems like apps crashing, the screen freezing, or the tablet running slowly. A force restart is what you do when the tablet won't respond to normal button presses. A factory reset is a last resort that wipes all your data, photos, and settings.

This guide covers all three methods and when to use each one. Start with the soft restart—it fixes the majority of problems and takes less than a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart (power off, then power on) fixes most tablet problems and should be your first step.
  • A force restart uses specific button combinations and works when your tablet is completely frozen or unresponsive.
  • Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds during a force restart; the timing matters more than the exact button combination.
  • A factory reset erases all your data, photos, and apps, so back up your files before you start.
  • If your tablet still won't restart after trying all three methods, the hardware may need repair.

Soft Restart: Power Off and Back On

A soft restart is the gentlest way to restart your tablet and the one that works most often. Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet until a menu appears on the screen. This usually takes 3 to 5 seconds. You will see options like "Power off" or "Shut down"—tap the one that says "Power off."

Wait 10 to 15 seconds after the screen goes black. This pause lets the tablet's memory clear completely. Then press the power button again to turn it back on. The ASUS logo will appear, and the tablet will boot up normally. This entire process takes about a minute and solves problems like slow performance, apps freezing, or the screen not responding to touch.

Force Restart: When Your Tablet Is Frozen

A force restart forces the tablet to shut down when ready without waiting for apps to close. Use this when your tablet is completely frozen, the screen won't respond, or the power button menu won't appear. The button combination depends on your ASUS model, but the principle is the same: hold down specific buttons for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black or the ASUS logo appears.

For most ASUS tablets, hold the power button and the volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding even if you see vibrations or the screen flashes. The timing matters more than the exact buttons—holding for the full 15 seconds ensures the force restart works. Release both buttons when the screen goes black or you see the ASUS startup logo. The tablet will restart on its own.

If the power and volume down combination does not work, try holding only the power button for 15 to 20 seconds. Some older ASUS models respond to the power button alone. If neither works, check your tablet's model number (usually on the back) and search "ASUS [model number] force restart" to find the exact button combination for your device.

Factory Reset: Erasing Everything and Starting Over

Warning: A factory reset erases all your photos, videos, apps, and personal files. Only do this if your tablet has serious problems that soft and force restarts did not fix. Before you start, back up any files you want to keep by copying them to a computer or cloud storage like Google Drive.

To factory reset, go to Settings on your tablet. Scroll down and tap System or About tablet (the exact name varies by model). Look for an option called Reset, Reset options, or Erase all data. Tap it, then confirm by tapping Reset tablet or Erase everything. The tablet will restart and return to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box.

The factory reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Your tablet will restart several times and show the ASUS logo. Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen as if the tablet is brand new. You can then sign back into your Google account to restore some apps and settings, but your personal files will be gone unless you backed them up.

Common Mistakes That Prevent Restarts From Working

The most common mistake is not holding the button long enough during a force restart. Many people hold for 3 to 5 seconds, see nothing happen, and give up. The tablet needs 10 to 15 seconds of continuous pressure to force restart. Count slowly to 15 in your head while holding, or use a clock to time it.

Another mistake is restarting when the battery is very low. If your tablet's battery is below 10 percent, plug it in and let it charge for at least 15 minutes before you restart. A low battery can prevent the restart from completing. Also, do not interrupt a restart once it has started—let the tablet finish booting up on its own, even if it takes a few minutes and shows the ASUS logo multiple times.

Finally, do not assume a factory reset will fix hardware problems. If your tablet still will not turn on, the screen is cracked, or the power button is physically broken, a restart will not help. In those cases, the tablet needs professional repair.

When to Restart vs. When to Seek Repair

Restart your tablet if it is slow, apps are crashing, the screen is frozen, or it is not responding to touch. These are software problems that a restart usually fixes. You should also restart if you have not restarted in several weeks—tablets benefit from a restart every few weeks, just like computers.

Do not restart if the tablet will not turn on at all, the screen is physically cracked or shattered, the power button is broken, or water has gotten inside. These are hardware problems. If your tablet will not respond to any restart method after you have tried soft restart, force restart, and waited at least 30 minutes, the hardware likely needs repair. Contact ASUS support or take the tablet to a repair shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my tablet erase my photos and files?

A soft restart and a force restart do not erase anything. A factory reset erases everything, including photos, videos, apps, and personal files. If you only do a soft or force restart, all your data stays on the tablet.

How long does a restart take?

A soft restart takes about 1 minute from start to finish. A force restart takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes. A factory reset takes 5 to 15 minutes and involves multiple restarts. Do not interrupt the process—let the tablet finish on its own.

What should I do if my tablet is stuck on the ASUS logo?

Wait 2 to 3 minutes first—sometimes the tablet is still booting and just needs time. If the logo does not change after 3 minutes, do a force restart by holding the power and volume down buttons for 15 seconds. If that does not work, try a factory reset through the recovery menu (hold power and volume up together when powering on, then select "Wipe data").

Can I restart my tablet while it is charging?

Yes, restarting while plugged in is fine and actually recommended if the battery is low. The tablet will continue charging during and after the restart. Just make sure the charger stays connected until the restart is complete.

Why does my tablet keep freezing even after I restart it?

Repeated freezing after a restart usually means an app is causing the problem. Restart in safe mode (hold power and volume down, then select "Safe mode") to see if the freezing stops. If it does, an app is the culprit—uninstall recently added apps one at a time. If freezing continues in safe mode, try a factory reset as a last step before seeking repair.