The three ways to restart a tablet
A restart clears your tablet's memory and stops all running programs, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. You have three options: a soft restart (power off and back on), a force restart (holding buttons until the screen goes black), and a factory reset (erasing everything and starting over). Most problems need only a soft restart. A force restart is for when your tablet won't respond to normal commands. A factory reset is a last resort that wipes all your data, photos, and settings.
Which method you use depends on what your tablet is doing — or not doing. If it's slow or an app keeps crashing, try a soft restart first. If the screen is frozen and buttons don't work, use a force restart. If nothing else works and you're willing to erase everything, a factory reset may be your only option.
Key Takeaways
- A soft restart (turning the tablet off and back on) fixes most freezing and app problems and takes about two minutes.
- A force restart works when your tablet is completely frozen and won't respond to the power button or touch screen.
- The button combination for a force restart is different on iPad, Android Samsung, and other Android tablets — check your model before you start.
- A factory reset erases all your data, photos, and apps, so back up anything you need before you begin.
- After any restart, your tablet will take a few minutes to boot up and may run slowly for the first few minutes while it rebuilds its cache.
How to do a soft restart on any tablet
A soft restart is the safest and fastest fix. It closes all running programs without erasing anything. On most tablets, hold the power button until a menu appears on the screen, then tap "Power off" or "Shut down". Wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the tablet turns back on.
On an iPad, hold the power button (or the top button on newer models) and either volume button until the "slide to power off" screen appears. Swipe the power icon to the right. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo.
On a Samsung tablet, hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Power off". Wait 10 seconds and hold the power button again to turn it back on.
How to force restart when your tablet is frozen
If your tablet won't respond to the power button or touch screen, a force restart is your next step. This forces the tablet to shut down when ready without saving anything, but it won't erase your data. The button combination varies by model, so find your tablet type below.
iPad (most models): Hold the top button and either volume button at the same time for about 10 seconds until you see "slide to power off", then keep holding until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. On older iPad models with a home button, hold the top (or side) button and the home button together for 10 seconds.
Samsung Galaxy Tab: Hold the power button and the volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black. Release both buttons and wait for the Samsung logo to appear.
Other Android tablets: Hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds. If that doesn't work, try the power button and volume up button instead. Different manufacturers use different combinations.
After the screen goes black, wait 30 seconds before turning the tablet back on. The force restart process can take a few minutes, and your tablet may show a boot screen or logo during this time.
How to factory reset your tablet
A factory reset erases everything on your tablet — all apps, photos, messages, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it. Only do this if a soft restart and force restart have not fixed your problem, or if you are selling or giving away the tablet. Before you start, back up any photos, documents, or files you want to keep.
On an iPad: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You may need to enter your Apple ID password. Tap "Continue" and then "Erase". The process takes 5 to 15 minutes.
On a Samsung tablet: Go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset. Tap "Reset" and then "Delete All". You may need to enter your PIN or password. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes.
On other Android tablets: Go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (or "Factory Reset"). The exact path varies by manufacturer. Tap the reset option and confirm. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes.
After a factory reset, your tablet will restart and show the setup screen as if it were brand new. You can then sign back into your accounts (Google, Apple, Samsung, etc.) to restore some of your apps and data, though photos and documents you didn't back up separately will be gone.
What to do after your tablet restarts
After any restart, your tablet will take 2 to 5 minutes to fully boot up. During this time, the screen may show a logo, loading bar, or blank screen. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this process.
Once the home screen appears, your tablet may still be slow for another minute or two while it rebuilds its cache and reloads your apps. This is normal. Avoid opening multiple apps right away. If you did a soft or force restart, all your apps and data will be exactly as they were before. If you did a factory reset, you will need to sign into your accounts and reinstall your apps.
When to restart versus when to seek other help
A restart fixes most common problems: freezing, slow performance, apps that crash, and the tablet not responding to touch. If a restart does not fix the problem, the issue may be a broken app, a hardware problem, or a software bug that needs a different solution.
If one app keeps crashing after a restart, try uninstalling and reinstalling that app instead of restarting the whole tablet. If your tablet is physically damaged, overheating, or making unusual sounds, a restart will not help — contact the manufacturer or a repair shop. If your tablet is very old and slow even after a restart, it may straightforward not have enough memory or processing power for newer apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting my tablet erase my photos and files?
A soft restart and a force restart will not erase anything. A factory reset will erase everything, including photos, files, and apps. 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 2 to 5 minutes from the moment you hold the power button until the home screen appears. A force restart takes about the same time. A factory reset takes 5 to 15 minutes and requires you to set up the tablet again afterward.
What's the difference between a soft restart and a force restart?
A soft restart uses the normal power menu and is gentler on your tablet. A force restart forces the tablet to shut down when ready by holding buttons, which is needed when the tablet is completely frozen. Both are safe and won't erase your data.
Can I restart my tablet while it's charging?
Yes, you can restart your tablet while it's plugged in. In fact, it's a good idea to make sure your tablet has at least 20 percent battery before you start a factory reset, so plugging it in first is wise.
What should I do if my tablet won't turn back on after a restart?
Plug it in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes, then try turning it on again. If it still won't turn on, try a force restart using the button combination for your model. If it remains unresponsive, the battery or hardware may be damaged and you may need to contact the manufacturer.