Start with the battery and charging port
A tablet that won't turn on is almost always a power problem, not a broken screen or dead processor. The first thing to check is whether the battery has any charge at all. Plug the tablet into its original charger — not a phone charger or a borrowed one — and leave it connected for at least 30 minutes. Some tablets need 15 to 20 minutes of charging before they show any sign of life, even if the battery is completely drained.
While it charges, look at the charging port itself. If you see lint, dust, or corrosion inside the port, that connection is broken and the tablet cannot charge. Use a flashlight to look straight into the port. If it looks dirty, turn the tablet off completely (if possible) and use a wooden toothpick or a plastic dental pick to gently scrape the inside of the port. Do not use metal, which can short the circuit. If the port looks physically damaged — bent pins, cracked plastic, or loose metal — the tablet will need professional repair.
Key Takeaways
- Charge your tablet with its original charger for at least 30 minutes before assuming it is broken, because completely drained batteries show no signs of life.
- Check the charging port for lint or corrosion with a flashlight, and clean it gently with a wooden toothpick if needed.
- Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds even if nothing appears on screen, because the tablet may be unresponsive but still powered on.
- If your tablet was wet or dropped recently, water damage or a loose internal connection may be the cause, and you should not keep charging it.
- A hard reset erases all data but can fix software problems that prevent startup; back up your files first if the tablet will turn on at all.
Try a force restart before assuming the screen is broken
Many tablets appear completely dead when they are actually frozen or in a deep sleep state. The screen may not light up, but the device is still powered on and unresponsive. Press and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds without letting go. You may see nothing happen for several seconds, then the tablet may vibrate or show a logo. This is a force restart, and it works even when the normal power button press does nothing.
The exact button combination varies by brand. On most iPads, hold the top button and either volume button together for 10 seconds. On Samsung tablets, hold the power button and volume-down button together. On Amazon Fire tablets, hold the power button for 40 seconds. Check your tablet's manual or the manufacturer's website if you are unsure which buttons to use. After you see the startup logo, release the buttons and let the tablet boot normally.
Check for water damage or physical damage
If your tablet was dropped, sat in water, or exposed to humidity recently, internal damage may prevent it from turning on even though the battery has charge. Water damage does not always show obvious signs — the tablet may look dry on the outside but have corrosion on the circuit board inside. If you suspect water damage, do not keep plugging it in and trying to turn it on, because charging can spread the corrosion and make the damage worse.
Instead, turn off the charger, remove any case or screen protector, and let the tablet sit in a dry place for 24 to 48 hours. Do not use heat like a hair dryer or oven, which can damage components. After the waiting period, try charging again. If the tablet still will not turn on and you know it was wet, the internal circuits are likely damaged and the tablet will need professional repair or replacement.
Perform a hard reset if the tablet turns on but is stuck
If your tablet powers on but is frozen on a logo, stuck in a boot loop, or unresponsive to touch, a hard reset may fix it. A hard reset erases all data on the tablet and returns it to factory settings, so only do this if you have backed up your files or if the tablet is too broken to access anyway. The steps differ by brand and model.
On iPads, connect to a computer with iTunes or Finder, put the tablet in recovery mode (the button combination varies by model), and choose "Restore." On Samsung tablets, hold power and volume-up together until the recovery menu appears, then select "Wipe data/factory reset." On Amazon Fire tablets, hold the power button for 40 seconds, then hold power and volume-down together to enter recovery mode. Look up your exact model number before you start, because the wrong button combination can leave the tablet in an unusable state.
Know when to stop troubleshooting and seek repair
If you have charged the tablet for an hour with the original charger, tried a force restart, checked the charging port for damage, and waited 48 hours after any water exposure, and the tablet still shows no signs of life, the problem is likely internal hardware failure. This includes a failed battery, a broken charging circuit, or damage to the main processor board. These problems cannot be fixed at home.
Contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair center. Bring your proof of purchase if the tablet is still under warranty, because some manufacturers cover hardware failure for one to two years. If the tablet is out of warranty, ask for a repair quote before you authorize any work. In many cases, the repair cost is close to the price of a new tablet, so you may want to compare options before deciding.
Prevent future power problems
Use only the charger that came with your tablet or a charger certified by the manufacturer for your model. Third-party chargers may deliver the wrong voltage and damage the battery or charging circuit over time. Keep the charging port clean and dry — do not charge the tablet in humid bathrooms or near water. If you store the tablet for more than a month, charge it to 50 percent before putting it away, because batteries that sit completely empty or completely full for long periods lose capacity faster.
Protect the tablet from drops by using a case with corner protection, not just a thin sleeve. Most tablets that won't turn on after a drop have internal damage that is invisible from the outside. If you drop your tablet, turn it off when ready and inspect the charging port and screen for cracks. If you see damage, do not charge it until you know whether water got inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my tablet shows a charging symbol but won't actually turn on?
The charging symbol means the battery is receiving power, but the tablet may be stuck in a boot loop or have a software problem. Try a force restart by holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds. If that does not work, let the tablet charge for another hour, then try again. If it still will not boot, the tablet likely needs a hard reset or professional repair.
Can I use a phone charger on my tablet?
Most phone chargers deliver less power than tablets need, so charging will be very slow or may not work at all. Some tablets will not charge at all from a phone charger because the voltage is wrong. Always use the charger that came with your tablet or one certified by the manufacturer for your specific model.
How long should I charge a completely dead tablet?
A completely drained tablet may need 20 to 30 minutes of charging before it shows any sign of life. Leave it plugged in for at least an hour before you assume the charger or battery is broken. Some tablets take even longer, especially if they have been sitting unused for months.
Will a hard reset fix a tablet that won't turn on?
A hard reset only works if the tablet can turn on but is frozen or stuck in a boot loop. If the tablet shows no signs of power at all — no light, no vibration, no sound — a hard reset will not help because the tablet is not running any software to reset. In that case, the problem is a dead battery or hardware failure.
What should I do if my tablet got wet?
Stop charging it when ready and let it dry in a warm, dry room for 24 to 48 hours without using heat. Do not try to turn it on or charge it during this time. After waiting, try charging with the original charger. If it still will not turn on, water likely reached the internal circuits and the tablet needs professional repair.