The quickest way to shut down your Nook

To turn off your Nook tablet, press and hold the power button on the right edge of the device for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off." Tap that option and the tablet will shut down completely within a few seconds.

If your Nook is frozen or unresponsive and the power button method does not work, you can force it to shut down by holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black. This is a harder shutdown and should only be used when the normal method fails.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the power button on the right edge for three seconds to bring up the power menu, then tap "Power off."
  • A force shutdown (holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds) works when the tablet is frozen or not responding.
  • Putting your Nook to sleep by tapping the power button once is different from powering it off completely.
  • Your Nook will retain all your books, notes, and settings whether you power it off or put it to sleep.

The difference between sleep mode and power off

When you tap the power button once (not holding it), your Nook enters sleep mode. The screen goes dark, but the device is still on and using a small amount of battery power. You can wake it up when ready by tapping the power button again or swiping the screen.

Powering off completely shuts down all processes and uses no battery power while off. It takes longer to turn back on (usually 30 seconds to a minute), but it is the right choice if you will not be using the tablet for several days or longer. Sleep mode is better for daily use when you plan to pick it up again soon.

What happens to your books and data when you power off

Turning off your Nook does not delete anything. All your downloaded books, bookmarks, notes, and reading progress stay on the device. Your library and account information remain intact. When you power the tablet back on, everything will be exactly as you left it.

If you are concerned about losing your place in a book, your Nook automatically saves your reading position every time you close the book or exit the reading app. You do not need to do anything manually to protect your progress.

When to power off instead of using sleep mode

Use power off when you will not touch the tablet for more than a few days. Sleep mode drains the battery slowly over time, and a tablet left in sleep mode for weeks may lose its charge entirely. A powered-off Nook can sit unused for months without significant battery loss.

Power off is also the right choice if your Nook is running slowly, acting glitchy, or having minor software problems. A complete shutdown and restart often clears temporary issues that sleep mode does not fix. If restarting does not solve the problem, you may need to contact Barnes & Noble support.

Troubleshooting if your Nook will not turn off

If the power button does not respond at all, try charging your Nook for at least 15 minutes. A completely drained battery can make the device unresponsive even though it is not truly frozen. Plug it in and wait before trying the power button again.

If the tablet still will not respond after charging, try the force shutdown method: hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds without releasing. You should see the screen flicker or go black. This forces the system to shut down even if software is stuck. After a force shutdown, wait 30 seconds before pressing the power button to turn it back on.

Restarting your Nook after powering it off

To turn your Nook back on after a complete shutdown, press the power button once and release it. The Nook logo will appear on the screen, and the tablet will take 30 seconds to a minute to fully boot up. Do not press the power button again during this time—let it finish starting on its own.

Once the home screen appears, your Nook is ready to use. All your content and settings will be there. If you notice the battery is low after a long shutdown, plug the tablet in before using it for extended reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off my Nook erase my books?

No. Powering off your Nook does not delete any books, notes, bookmarks, or reading progress. Everything stays on the device and will be there when you turn it back on. Your library and account information are also preserved.

How long does it take for my Nook to turn back on?

A complete restart usually takes 30 seconds to one minute from the moment you press the power button. The Nook logo appears first, then the home screen loads. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong with your tablet.

Will my Nook lose its charge if I leave it powered off?

A powered-off Nook loses charge very slowly—much slower than one left in sleep mode. You can safely leave it off for weeks or even months without the battery draining completely. Sleep mode, by contrast, will drain the battery over several weeks of non-use.

What should I do if the power button is stuck or broken?

If the physical power button does not work, contact Barnes & Noble customer support. They can walk you through alternative methods or discuss repair options. Do not try to force a stuck button, as this can damage the device further.