The three ways to restart your tablet, and when to use each one
A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running programs, which fixes most freezing, crashing, and slowness problems. There are three levels of restart: a soft reset (the gentlest), a hard reset (stronger), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Start with a soft reset. If that does not work, move to a hard reset. Only do a factory reset if your tablet is broken beyond repair or you are selling it.
The steps differ slightly between iPads and Android tablets, and between older and newer models. This guide covers the most common versions. If your tablet is very old or unusual, the button locations may differ — check your device's manual or the manufacturer's support page if these steps do not match what you see.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset (powering off and back on) fixes most problems and takes one minute with no data loss.
- A hard reset forces the tablet to shut down when ready without saving, which works when soft reset fails but carries a tiny risk of corruption.
- A factory reset erases all your data and returns the tablet to its original state — only do this as a last resort or before selling.
- Back up your photos, documents, and other files before attempting a hard or factory reset.
- If your tablet will not turn on or respond at all, a hard reset is usually the only option.
Soft reset: power off and power on
A soft reset is the safest restart. It closes all programs, clears temporary files, and keeps all your data. Do this first for any problem.
On an iPad: Press and hold the top button (or the top and bottom buttons on older models) until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to the right. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the top button again until the Apple logo appears.
On an Android tablet: Press and hold the power button (usually on the right edge) until a menu appears. Tap "Power off" or "Shut down". Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again until the manufacturer's logo appears.
If the tablet is completely frozen and will not respond to buttons, move to a hard reset instead.
Hard reset: force shutdown when soft reset fails
A hard reset forces your tablet to shut down when ready, even if it is frozen or not responding. It does not erase data, but it carries a tiny risk of file corruption if the tablet is writing to storage at the moment you force it off. Only use this when a soft reset does not work.
On an iPad (2018 or newer): Quickly press and release the volume-up button. Quickly press and release the volume-down button. Then press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears, then hold it for another 10 seconds until the screen goes black and the Apple logo reappears.
On an iPad (2017 or older): Press and hold the top button and the home button together for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. Ignore the power-off slider.
On an Android tablet: Press and hold the power button and the volume-down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black. Release both buttons. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on. (On some older models, hold power and volume-up instead.)
The hard reset will take 30 seconds to a minute. Do not interrupt it or press buttons again until you see the startup screen.
Factory reset: erase everything and start fresh
A factory reset returns your tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory. It erases all your photos, documents, apps, and settings. Only do this if your tablet is seriously broken, you are selling it, or you have already backed up everything you need.
Back up first. Connect your tablet to a computer or cloud service and copy all your important files. On an iPad, use iCloud or connect to a Mac or PC with iTunes. On an Android tablet, use Google Drive, OneDrive, or your manufacturer's cloud service.
On an iPad: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted. Tap "Erase" and confirm. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen.
On an Android tablet: Go to Settings > System > Reset Options (or Settings > About Tablet > Reset, depending on your version). Tap "Erase all data" or "Factory reset". Enter your PIN or password if prompted. Tap "Erase everything" and confirm. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen.
After a factory reset, you will need to sign in with your Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPad) and reinstall your apps.
What to do if your tablet will not turn on at all
If your tablet is completely unresponsive and will not turn on, try charging it first. Connect it to power for at least 15 minutes — sometimes a completely drained battery looks like a broken tablet. Then try the hard reset steps above for your device type.
If the tablet still will not respond after charging and a hard reset, the problem is likely hardware failure (a broken battery, screen, or motherboard). At that point, contact the manufacturer's support line or visit a repair shop. Do not attempt a factory reset on a tablet that will not power on, because you cannot complete it.
When to restart versus when to call for help
A restart fixes most software problems: freezing, crashing apps, slow performance, and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth not working. If a soft reset does not solve the problem, try a hard reset. If the tablet still does not work after a hard reset, the problem is likely hardware damage or a serious software fault that a factory reset will not fix.
Contact the manufacturer's support team or a repair shop if your tablet has physical damage (cracked screen, water damage, dents), the battery drains in minutes, the screen does not light up, or the problem persists after a hard reset. These are not problems a restart can solve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a soft reset delete my photos and files?
No. A soft reset only closes programs and clears temporary memory. All your photos, documents, apps, and settings stay on the tablet. It is completely safe to do as many times as you need.
How long does a hard reset take?
A hard reset itself is when ready — you hold the buttons and the tablet shuts down when ready. But the tablet then takes 30 seconds to a minute to restart and show the home screen. Do not press any buttons during this time.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset permanently erases all data on the tablet. If you did not back up your files first, they are gone. Always back up before doing a factory reset.
What is the difference between a hard reset and a factory reset?
A hard reset forces the tablet to shut down and restart without erasing data — it is like pulling the battery out and putting it back in. A factory reset erases all data and settings and returns the tablet to its original state. Hard reset first; only do a factory reset if nothing else works.
My tablet is stuck on the Apple or Android logo after restart. What do I try next?
Wait at least two minutes — sometimes the startup takes longer than expected. If it is still stuck after two minutes, try the hard reset again. If it gets stuck again in the same place, the tablet likely has a serious software problem that requires professional repair or a factory reset as a last resort.