Start with the battery and charging port
A tablet that won't turn on is usually out of battery, plugged into a broken charger, or has a dirty charging port. Before you assume the device is broken, spend five minutes on these three checks—they solve the problem in most cases.
Plug the tablet into its original charger and leave it connected for at least 15 minutes. Some tablets need a minimum charge before they show any sign of life. While it charges, look at the charging port on the bottom or side of the tablet. Use a flashlight to check for lint, dust, or debris packed inside. If you see buildup, turn off the charger, wait 30 seconds, then gently use a dry toothpick or plastic pick to clear the port. Do not use metal or force—you can damage the contacts inside.
After 15 minutes of charging, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release. The power button is usually on the top or side edge. You may see a logo appear, a vibration, or a light before the screen wakes up. If nothing happens, try a different charger if you have one available. A charger can fail without looking damaged.
Key Takeaways
- Charge your tablet for at least 15 minutes with its original charger before assuming it is broken.
- Check the charging port for lint or dust using a flashlight and a plastic pick, not metal.
- Hold the power button for 10 seconds—some tablets need a longer press than phones do.
- If the screen shows a logo or a low-battery symbol, the tablet is working but needs more charging time.
- A forced restart clears software problems that prevent the tablet from responding to the power button.
Perform a forced restart if the screen is frozen or unresponsive
If your tablet is plugged in and charged but the screen is black or frozen, a forced restart will shut down the system completely and start it fresh. This is different from a normal power-off—it works even when the tablet is not responding to button presses.
The method depends on your tablet model. For most iPads, press and quickly release the volume-up button, then press and quickly release the volume-down button, then press and hold the power button until you see the power-off slider appear on screen (usually 10 to 15 seconds). For Samsung and other Android tablets, press and hold the power button and volume-down button together for 10 seconds. You may feel a vibration or see the manufacturer logo before the screen goes dark. Let go and wait 30 seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on.
If you do not know your tablet's exact model, look on the back or in the Settings app (if you can access it) for the brand name and model number. Search "[brand] [model] forced restart" to find the exact button combination. Different manufacturers use different combinations, and using the wrong one will not harm the device—it just will not work.
Look for signs the tablet is actually on
Sometimes a tablet turns on but the screen stays black because the display is broken, the brightness is turned all the way down, or the device is in a sleep mode that does not respond to touch. Before you give up, check for these signs of life.
Plug the tablet into a charger and watch for a small light on the device itself—many tablets have an LED that glows when powered on or charging. Feel the back or sides of the tablet after it has been plugged in for a few minutes. A working tablet will be slightly warm. A completely dead battery will stay cold.
Try pressing the volume buttons. If the tablet is on, you may hear a sound or see a volume slider appear on screen, even if the rest of the display is black. If you hear a sound or feel a vibration when you press buttons, the tablet is on—the problem is the screen or brightness, not the power system. Try pressing the brightness-up button (usually marked with a sun symbol on the volume keys) or hold down the power button for 3 seconds to see if a brightness menu appears.
Check for water damage or physical damage
If your tablet was dropped, sat in water, or exposed to high heat, physical or water damage may prevent it from turning on. Water damage is not always visible—corrosion inside the device can happen days after the tablet dries on the outside.
Look at the charging port, headphone jack (if your model has one), and the seams around the screen for white, green, or pink discoloration. These colors indicate a moisture indicator has been triggered. If you see discoloration, the tablet has been exposed to water or high humidity. Do not try to charge it—moisture inside can cause a short circuit. Let the tablet sit in a dry place for 48 hours, then try charging again. Some tablets recover after drying completely.
If the tablet was dropped and the screen is cracked, the device may still be on but unable to display anything. Press the volume buttons and listen for sound. If you hear audio, the tablet is working—only the screen is broken. If there is no sound and no response to any button, the impact may have damaged internal components. Physical damage usually requires professional repair.
Try connecting to a computer to see if the tablet responds
If your tablet will not turn on but you suspect it might be powered on with a broken screen, connecting it to a computer can tell you whether the device is actually working. A computer will recognize a powered-on tablet even if the screen is completely black.
Use the original USB cable to connect the tablet to a computer running Windows or Mac. Wait 10 seconds. On Windows, open File Explorer and look for your tablet in the list of drives on the left side. On Mac, open Finder and check the Locations sidebar. If your tablet appears in either place, the device is on and working—the problem is the display, not the power system. If nothing appears, the tablet is either off or too damaged to communicate with the computer.
Some tablets require you to unlock them or tap "Trust This Computer" before they show up on a computer. If the screen is black, you will not see this prompt, but the computer may still recognize the device. This test only tells you whether the tablet is powered on—it does not fix the problem, but it narrows down where the problem is.
Know when to stop troubleshooting and seek repair
If you have charged the tablet for 30 minutes, performed a forced restart, checked for physical damage, and the screen remains completely black with no response to any button, the problem is likely a failed battery, a broken power circuit, or internal water damage. These problems require professional repair and are not something you can fix at home.
Contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair center. Bring the tablet and its charger. Tell the technician what you have already tried—this saves time and helps them diagnose the problem faster. Repair costs vary widely depending on the damage and the tablet model. A battery replacement usually costs between $50 and $150. Screen replacement or logic board repair costs more.
If the tablet is still under warranty, repair may be covered at no cost. Check your purchase receipt or the manufacturer's website to see your warranty status. If you bought the tablet used or more than a year ago, you are likely out of warranty, but it is worth asking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my tablet shows a low-battery symbol but won't fully turn on?
The tablet is on but the battery is critically low. Leave it plugged into the charger for 30 to 60 minutes without touching it. Once the battery reaches about 20 percent, the tablet will usually boot up on its own or respond to the power button. Do not unplug it or force a restart during this time.
Can I use a phone charger to charge my tablet?
Only if the charger has the same connector type as your tablet (USB-C, Lightning, or Micro-USB). Even then, a phone charger may charge the tablet very slowly because it delivers less power. Use the original charger whenever possible. A charger from a different brand with the same connector may work but could damage the battery over time.
My tablet is warm but the screen won't turn on. Is it broken?
Not necessarily. A warm tablet that is plugged in is usually processing something in the background—a forced restart should fix it. If the tablet is hot to the touch (too hot to hold comfortably), unplug it when ready and let it cool for 30 minutes. Overheating can damage the battery. After it cools, try charging again.
How long should I charge a completely dead tablet before trying to turn it on?
At least 15 to 30 minutes with the original charger. Some tablets need 45 minutes or longer if the battery has been completely drained for weeks. If you see no sign of life after 45 minutes of charging, try a different charger or contact the manufacturer.
Will a forced restart erase my files or settings?
No. A forced restart is a hard shutdown that does not delete anything. It is safe to use and will not change your passwords, photos, or apps. It only clears temporary data from the device's memory, which is why it often fixes freezing and unresponsiveness.