Press and hold the power button until the screen lights up

The power button on most tablets is located on the right edge or top edge of the device. Press and hold it for three to five seconds. You will see the manufacturer's logo appear on the screen — this is normal. Keep holding until you see the lock screen or a welcome message.

On some older tablets, the power button may be on the back or bottom edge. If you cannot find it on the sides, check those locations. The button is usually slightly raised so you can feel it without looking.

If nothing happens after ten seconds of holding the button, your tablet battery may be completely empty. Plug it into a charger using the cable that came with it, wait five minutes, and try again.

Key Takeaways

  • The power button is almost always on the right or top edge of the tablet, and you must hold it down for three to five seconds.
  • You will see the manufacturer's logo appear on screen while the tablet is starting up — this means it is working correctly.
  • If the screen stays black after ten seconds, the battery is likely empty and you need to charge the tablet first.
  • Once the lock screen appears, you may need to enter a PIN, pattern, or password before you can use the tablet.
  • If your tablet still will not turn on after charging for thirty minutes, try a force restart by holding the power button for ten to fifteen seconds.

What to expect when the tablet starts up

After you release the power button, the screen will stay black for a few seconds while the tablet loads. Then the manufacturer's logo will appear — this is the boot screen, and it means the tablet is starting normally. This process takes between thirty seconds and two minutes depending on the tablet model and age.

Next, you will see the lock screen. This shows the time, date, and sometimes a background image. On most tablets, you swipe up from the bottom of the screen or tap the screen to move past the lock screen. Some tablets ask you to enter a PIN, draw a pattern, or use your fingerprint before you can proceed.

If you have never set up this tablet before, you may see a welcome screen with language options and setup instructions. Follow the on-screen prompts to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your account.

Charging your tablet before the first startup

If your tablet is brand new or has not been used in months, the battery may be completely empty. Plug the charging cable into the tablet's charging port — this is usually at the bottom or side of the device. Plug the other end into a wall outlet or USB power adapter.

Most tablets need to charge for at least thirty minutes before they have enough power to turn on. A small light on the tablet or charging cable may turn on to show that charging is happening. Do not try to turn on the tablet while it is charging for the first time — wait at least thirty minutes.

Once the battery has some charge, follow the power button steps above. The tablet may show a low battery warning on the lock screen, but it should still turn on and let you use it while charging.

Troubleshooting if the tablet will not turn on

If the screen stays completely black after holding the power button for ten seconds, try a force restart. This is different from a normal power-on and can fix frozen tablets. Hold the power button down for ten to fifteen seconds without releasing, even if you see the power-off menu appear. Keep holding until the screen goes black again, then release.

Wait five seconds, then press the power button again for three to five seconds to turn the tablet back on. This force restart clears the tablet's temporary memory and often fixes startup problems.

If the tablet still will not turn on after a force restart and thirty minutes of charging, the battery or power button may be damaged. Contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit a repair shop. Do not try to take the tablet apart yourself.

Understanding the lock screen and getting to the home screen

Once the tablet finishes starting up, you will see the lock screen. This is a security feature that prevents anyone from using your tablet without permission. The lock screen shows the time and date, and usually a background image or wallpaper.

To move past the lock screen, swipe your finger up from the bottom of the screen, or tap anywhere on the screen. Some tablets ask you to swipe in a specific direction or pattern. If you set up a PIN, password, or fingerprint lock, you will need to enter it now before you can reach the home screen.

The home screen is where your apps and widgets appear. This is the main screen you see when the tablet is ready to use. You can tap any app icon to open it, or swipe left and right to see more screens.

Turning on the tablet after it has been off for a while

If your tablet has been turned off for days or weeks, the battery may have drained completely. Plug it in and charge for at least thirty minutes before trying to turn it on. This is especially true for tablets that are several years old.

Once you have charged it, press and hold the power button for three to five seconds. The startup process will be the same as the first time you turned it on. You may see a message saying the tablet is optimizing or updating — this is normal and can take a few minutes.

If the tablet shows a very low battery warning, let it charge for another fifteen minutes before using it. Using the tablet while the battery is critically low can cause it to shut down suddenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the power button on my tablet?

The power button is almost always on the right edge or top edge of the tablet. It is a small, slightly raised button that you can feel with your finger. If you cannot find it there, check the back or bottom edge. The button may be labeled with a power symbol (a circle with a line at the top).

How long should I hold the power button?

Hold the power button for three to five seconds. You do not need to hold it longer than that for a normal startup. If nothing happens after five seconds, release and try again. If you hold it for ten to fifteen seconds, you will trigger a force restart instead, which is only needed if the tablet is frozen.

My tablet shows a logo but the screen is not changing — is it broken?

No, this is normal. The logo screen means the tablet is starting up. Wait one to two minutes for the lock screen to appear. If the screen stays on the logo for more than three minutes, try a force restart by holding the power button for ten to fifteen seconds.

Do I need to charge my tablet before turning it on for the first time?

Yes, charge it for at least thirty minutes first. New tablets usually ship with a partially charged battery, but it may not be enough to turn on. Plug it in, wait thirty minutes, then try the power button. If it still will not turn on, charge for another thirty minutes.

What should I do if the tablet turns on but then when ready turns off?

The battery is probably too low. Plug the tablet in and let it charge for at least one hour without trying to turn it on. Then try the power button again. If it keeps turning off after a few seconds, the battery may be damaged and you should contact the manufacturer.