The Two Ways to Restart a Samsung Tablet

A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Samsung tablets have two restart methods: a soft restart (power off and back on) and a hard restart (force shutdown). A soft restart is what you should try first—it's gentler on your device and solves the problem in most cases. A hard restart forces the tablet to shut down when ready, even if it's frozen or unresponsive, and you'll use it only when the soft restart doesn't work.

Both methods take less than two minutes and won't erase any of your files, photos, or settings. The steps differ slightly depending on whether your tablet has physical buttons or uses gesture controls, but the principle is the same on all Samsung models.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart powers your tablet off normally and back on, which fixes most performance problems and is the safest first step.
  • Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Power off" to do a soft restart.
  • A hard restart forces shutdown by holding the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds, and you use it only when your tablet won't respond.
  • Neither restart method erases your files, photos, apps, or settings—they only clear temporary memory.
  • If your tablet still freezes after a restart, the problem may be a specific app or a storage issue that needs troubleshooting beyond a restart.

How to Do a Soft Restart

A soft restart is the standard way to turn your tablet off and back on. Start by locating the power button—on most Samsung tablets, it's on the right edge or the top right corner. Press and hold the power button until the power menu slides up on your screen. This usually takes 2 to 3 seconds.

Once the menu appears, you'll see options including "Power off" and sometimes "Restart." Tap "Power off" and wait for the screen to go completely black. This takes about 10 seconds. After the screen is dark, wait another 10 seconds before pressing the power button again to turn it back on. The Samsung logo will appear, and your tablet will boot up normally. The entire process takes about one minute.

If you see a "Restart" option in the power menu instead of "Power off," you can tap that directly—it will shut down and restart automatically without you having to press the power button again. Either method works the same way.

How to Do a Hard Restart When Your Tablet Is Frozen

A hard restart is a forced shutdown that works even when your tablet is completely frozen and won't respond to taps or button presses. Locate both the power button and the volume down button on your tablet. On most Samsung models, the power button is on the right edge and the volume down button is just below it.

Press and hold both buttons at the same time. Keep holding them for at least 10 seconds—don't let go early. You may see the Samsung logo appear on the screen, or the screen may flash. Continue holding both buttons until the tablet vibrates or the screen goes black. Once you see the vibration or black screen, release both buttons when ready.

Wait 10 seconds for the screen to stay dark, then press the power button alone to turn the tablet back on. The boot-up process is the same as a soft restart. A hard restart is more forceful on your device's hardware, so use it only when a soft restart doesn't work or when your tablet is completely unresponsive.

What to Do If Your Tablet Won't Turn Back On

If your tablet's screen stays black after a restart, it may have a low battery. Plug it into a charger using the original Samsung cable and let it charge for at least 15 minutes before trying to turn it on again. A completely drained battery can take longer to show any sign of life.

If the tablet still won't turn on after charging, try the hard restart again—sometimes a frozen device needs a second attempt. Press and hold the power button and volume down button together for the full 10 seconds, even if nothing appears on the screen. The tablet may be restarting in the background even though you can't see it.

If your tablet remains unresponsive after two hard restarts and 30 minutes of charging, the problem is likely beyond a restart and may require service. Contact Samsung support or visit a service center with your tablet and charger.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Restart

The most common mistake is letting go of the power button too early during a hard restart. Many people hold for only 3 to 5 seconds and think the restart didn't work because nothing happened on the screen. The full 10 seconds is necessary—the tablet is processing the command even if you can't see it.

Another mistake is restarting too frequently. If your tablet freezes once, a single restart usually fixes it. If it freezes multiple times in the same day, restarting over and over won't solve the underlying problem—something else is causing the issue, such as a problematic app or low storage space. After two restarts, move on to other troubleshooting steps.

Don't panic if the screen goes black or the Samsung logo appears during startup. This is normal. The tablet is booting up, and it may take 30 to 60 seconds to fully load. Avoid pressing buttons or tapping the screen during this time.

When to Restart vs. When to Try Something Else

Restart your tablet when it's running slowly, an app keeps crashing, the screen is frozen, or the touchscreen isn't responding. These are all signs that temporary memory is full or an app has crashed, and a restart clears both problems. Restart is also the first step if your tablet is overheating—shutting it down lets it cool.

Don't rely on restart alone if the problem keeps happening. If your tablet freezes every time you open a specific app, that app may be corrupted or incompatible. If it freezes when you have very little storage space left, you may need to delete files or apps. If it freezes after you installed a new app, uninstall that app and see if the problem stops. A restart fixes the when ready problem but won't prevent it from happening again if the root cause is still there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my tablet erase my files or photos?

No. A restart only clears temporary memory and stops running apps. All your files, photos, apps, settings, and accounts stay exactly as they were. Nothing is erased or lost during a soft or hard restart.

How often is it safe to restart my tablet?

You can restart your tablet as often as needed without damage. Restarting once or twice a week is normal for most users. If you're restarting multiple times a day, something else is wrong and a restart won't fix it permanently.

What's the difference between a soft restart and a hard restart?

A soft restart powers the tablet off normally through the menu and back on—it's gentler and the standard method. A hard restart forces an when ready shutdown by holding two buttons and is used only when the tablet is frozen or won't respond. Both are safe, but soft restart is always the first choice.

My tablet is still slow after restarting. What should I do?

Check how much storage space you have left. Go to Settings, then About Tablet, then Storage to see the percentage used. If you're using more than 85% of your storage, delete unused apps, photos, or videos. Low storage causes slowness that a restart won't fix.

Can I restart my tablet while it's charging?

Yes, you can restart while charging. In fact, it's fine to do a soft restart while plugged in. For a hard restart, it's safer to unplug first, do the restart, then plug back in—but it's not required.