The Three Ways to Restart a Samsung Tablet
A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running programs, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Samsung tablets have three restart methods: a soft restart (the safest), a forced restart (when the screen is frozen), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Most of the time, a soft restart solves the problem and takes less than a minute.
The method you use depends on whether your tablet is still responding to touch. If you can tap the screen and see the power menu, use the soft restart. If the screen is frozen or unresponsive, use the forced restart. A factory reset should only be your last resort, because it deletes all your files, photos, and settings.
Key Takeaways
- A soft restart powers off your tablet through the settings menu and takes about one minute; use this method first if your tablet is responding.
- A forced restart holds down the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds when the screen is frozen or unresponsive.
- A factory reset erases all data on your tablet and should only be used if the other two methods do not work.
- After any restart, wait 30 seconds before turning your tablet back on to let the system fully shut down.
Soft Restart: The Safe Method
A soft restart is the gentlest way to restart your Samsung tablet. It closes all programs properly and saves any work in progress before shutting down. Use this method whenever your tablet is responding to touch, even if it is slow or an app has crashed.
Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full notification panel. Look for the power icon (usually a circle with a line at the top) and tap it. A menu will appear with options including "Power off" or "Restart." Tap "Restart" if that option is available; if only "Power off" appears, tap that instead, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on.
Your tablet will shut down and restart automatically. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. You will see the Samsung logo appear, and then the lock screen. Once you see the home screen, the restart is complete.
Forced Restart: When the Screen Is Frozen
A forced restart forces your tablet to shut down when ready, even if the screen is frozen or unresponsive. This method does not erase any data, but it does close all programs without saving. Use this only when the soft restart does not work or when the screen will not respond to touch.
Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Keep both buttons pressed for 10 to 15 seconds. You may see the power menu appear on the screen, but do not release the buttons — keep holding them until the screen goes black and you see the Samsung logo.
Once the Samsung logo appears, release both buttons and let the tablet restart on its own. This takes about 30 to 60 seconds. The tablet will show the lock screen when it is ready.
Factory Reset: The Last Resort
A factory reset erases all files, photos, apps, and settings on your tablet and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This method should only be used if your tablet is so slow or broken that the soft restart and forced restart do not work. Before you do a factory reset, back up any photos or files you want to keep to a cloud service like Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.
To factory reset your tablet, open Settings and scroll down to find "General management" or "System." Tap it, then look for "Reset" or "Reset options." Tap "Reset all settings" or "Erase all data," depending on your tablet model. The tablet will ask you to confirm; tap "Reset" or "Delete all." Your tablet will restart and take 5 to 10 minutes to complete the reset. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen as if the tablet is brand new.
After a factory reset, you will need to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to restore some of your apps and settings. Photos and files that were not backed up will be gone permanently.
What to Do Before You Restart
Before you restart, close any open work or documents if your tablet is still responding. If you have unsaved work in an app, open that app and look for a save option. For email, notes, or documents, most apps save automatically, but it is worth checking.
If your tablet is frozen and you cannot save, a forced restart will close the app without saving, but your other files will be safe. After the restart, reopen the app and check whether your work was saved.
After Your Tablet Restarts
Once your tablet restarts and you see the home screen, wait a few minutes before opening apps. Your tablet is still loading background services and organizing its memory. If you open apps when ready, it may feel slow for the first minute or two.
If the same problem happens again (freezing, crashing, or lag), the issue may be a specific app rather than the tablet itself. Try uninstalling the app that was causing the problem, or check the Google Play Store to see whether an update is available for it. If the problem happens with multiple apps, a factory reset may be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a restart delete my files and photos?
A soft restart and a forced restart do not delete anything. Only a factory reset erases files and photos. If you use a soft or forced restart, all your data stays on the tablet.
How long does a restart take?
A soft restart or forced restart usually takes 30 to 60 seconds from the moment you press the button until you see the home screen. A factory reset takes 5 to 10 minutes because it has to erase and reorganize the entire storage.
What if my tablet still does not work after a restart?
If a soft restart and forced restart do not fix the problem, try a factory reset. If the tablet still does not work after a factory reset, the hardware may be damaged and you may need to contact Samsung support or take it to a repair shop.
Can I restart my tablet while it is charging?
Yes, you can restart your tablet while it is plugged in. In fact, it is a good idea to charge it first so the battery does not run out during the restart process.
What is the difference between restart and power off?
A restart shuts down the tablet and turns it back on automatically. A power off shuts it down and leaves it off until you press the power button. A restart clears more of the tablet's temporary memory, so it is better for fixing freezing and lag.