Start with the basics: power and charging
A tablet that won't work usually has one of three problems: it has no power, it's frozen, or it has a software glitch. The fastest way to find out which is to check whether the battery is actually dead.
Plug your tablet into its charger and leave it connected for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Many tablets won't show any sign of life until the battery reaches a minimum charge level — usually around 5 percent. If you see a charging indicator (a lightning bolt, a glowing light, or a percentage on the screen), the tablet has power and you can move to the next step. If nothing appears after 20 minutes of charging, try a different outlet and a different charging cable if you have one, because the cable itself fails more often than the tablet does.
If the tablet still shows no sign of charging after trying a different outlet and cable, the charging port may be damaged or the battery may have failed completely. This is the point to contact the tablet's manufacturer or a repair shop, because you cannot fix either of those yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Charge your tablet for at least 15 to 20 minutes before assuming the battery is dead, because many tablets show no response until they reach a minimum charge level.
- A frozen tablet usually responds to a force restart, which is different from a normal shutdown and forces the device to reboot even if it appears unresponsive.
- If your tablet charges but won't start up, or starts but gets stuck on a logo screen, a software problem is more likely than hardware failure.
- Overheating, water damage, and physical damage to the screen or charging port all require professional repair and cannot be fixed by restarting or updating.
Force restart your tablet when it's frozen or stuck
If your tablet is charging but the screen is black, or if it's showing a logo and not moving past it, or if it's responding very slowly to taps, a force restart often fixes the problem. A force restart is different from turning the tablet off normally — it forces the device to shut down and restart even when it's not responding to your touch.
The method depends on your tablet's model. For most iPads, press and release the volume-up button, then press and release the volume-down button, then press and hold the top button (or the side button on newer models) until you see the power-off slider or the Apple logo appears. For most Android tablets, press and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black or you see a restart menu. Hold it even if you see "Power off" — keep holding until the device actually restarts.
After the restart, let the tablet sit for a minute before using it. If it starts up normally, the freeze is usually resolved. If it freezes again when ready, move to the next section.
Check for software updates and clear storage space
A tablet that restarts but then freezes or runs very slowly often has a software problem or is running out of storage space. Both are fixable without professional help.
First, check whether an update is waiting. On an iPad, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. On an Android tablet, go to Settings, then About Tablet (or System), then System Update. If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and install it. Do not interrupt the update or turn off the tablet while it's installing — let it finish completely, even if it takes 30 minutes.
If no update is waiting, or if the update didn't fix the problem, check how much storage space is left. On an iPad, go to Settings, then General, then iPad Storage. On Android, go to Settings, then Storage. If you have less than 1 or 2 gigabytes of free space, the tablet will slow down significantly. Delete apps you don't use, clear the browser cache, and move photos and videos to cloud storage or a computer. After freeing up space, restart the tablet again.
Restart in safe mode to rule out problem apps
If your tablet still freezes or crashes after updating and clearing space, a recently installed app may be causing the problem. Safe mode disables all third-party apps and runs only the tablet's built-in software, which tells you whether the problem is the tablet itself or something you installed.
On an iPad, safe mode is not available, so skip this section. On an Android tablet, restart the device and hold down the power button when you see the manufacturer's logo. Keep holding until a menu appears with options including "Safe Mode" or "Safe Boot". Tap it. The tablet will restart with only built-in apps running. Use it normally for a few minutes — open email, browse the web, check settings. If it works smoothly in safe mode, one of your installed apps is the problem. If it still freezes, the problem is the tablet's software or hardware.
If you identify a problem app, restart normally and uninstall it. Go to Settings, then Apps (or process Manager), find the app, and tap Uninstall. If you're not sure which app is causing the problem, uninstall the ones you installed most recently first.
Physical damage, water, and overheating
Some problems cannot be fixed by restarting or updating. If your tablet has been dropped, sat in water, or is too hot to hold, the damage is physical and requires professional repair.
Water damage is not always obvious — a tablet that got wet may work for hours or days before the moisture causes a short circuit. If your tablet was exposed to water, do not charge it or turn it on. Let it dry in a warm, dry place for at least 48 hours, then try charging it. If it still won't work, water has likely damaged the internal components and a repair shop will need to open it to dry the inside.
Overheating is usually caused by a problem app running in the background, a full storage drive, or a battery that's failing. If your tablet is too hot to hold, force restart it and let it cool for 30 minutes before using it again. If it overheats repeatedly, the battery or a component inside may be failing, and you should contact the manufacturer or a repair shop.
If the screen is cracked, the charging port is bent or broken, or the tablet was dropped hard, the damage is physical. These repairs require opening the device and replacing parts, which is not something you can do yourself.
When to contact the manufacturer or a repair shop
Contact the tablet's manufacturer if the device is still under warranty and you have tried all the steps above. Most manufacturers offer phone support, and some offer mail-in repair. Have the tablet's model number and serial number ready — you can find these in Settings under About Tablet or About iPad.
If the tablet is out of warranty, a local repair shop is usually faster and cheaper than the manufacturer. Search for "[your tablet brand] repair near me" to find shops in your area. Before you go, write down exactly what the tablet does (won't turn on, freezes after 5 minutes, won't charge, etc.) and what you've already tried. This information helps the technician diagnose the problem quickly.
If the repair cost is more than half the price of a new tablet, replacing it may make more sense than fixing it. Ask the repair shop for an estimate before you authorize any work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I charge a dead tablet before I assume it's broken?
At least 15 to 20 minutes with the original charger or a high-quality replacement. Many tablets show no response until the battery reaches 5 percent charge. If you see any charging indicator after 20 minutes, the battery is working. If nothing appears after trying a different outlet and cable, the charging port or battery has likely failed.
What's the difference between a force restart and a normal shutdown?
A normal shutdown waits for the tablet to respond to your commands. A force restart bypasses that and forces the device to shut down when ready, even if it's frozen or not responding. Use force restart when the tablet is stuck or frozen. Use normal shutdown when the tablet is working normally but you want to turn it off.
Can I fix a tablet that won't turn on without opening it?
Yes, if the problem is software — charging it fully, force restarting it, or updating it often works. No, if the problem is hardware — a broken charging port, water damage, or a failed battery requires opening the device. If restarting and updating don't fix it, the problem is likely hardware and you need professional repair.
Is it safe to use my tablet while it's charging?
Yes, it's safe. Using a tablet while it charges generates heat, but modern tablets are designed to handle this. If the tablet gets very hot (too hot to hold comfortably), stop using it and let it cool. Repeated overheating can shorten the battery's life, but occasional use while charging is fine.
Why does my tablet work for a while and then freeze?
Usually because an app is using too much memory, the storage is almost full, or the battery is failing. Try uninstalling recently installed apps, clearing storage space, and checking for software updates. If it still freezes, the battery or a component inside may be failing and needs professional diagnosis.