The three ways to restart a Samsung device

A restart clears your device's memory, closes stuck apps, and fixes many common problems without erasing your data. Samsung devices offer three restart methods: a soft reboot using the power menu, a force restart when the screen is frozen, and a factory reset if you need to erase everything and start over. Most of the time, the power menu restart is all you need.

Which method you use depends on whether your device is responding. If your Samsung is working normally, use the power menu. If the screen is frozen or an app won't close, use the force restart. A factory reset is a last resort that erases all your files, photos, and settings.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reboot through the power menu takes 30 seconds and fixes most problems without losing any data.
  • A force restart works when your screen is frozen or unresponsive by holding the power and volume down buttons together.
  • A factory reset erases everything on your device, so back up your photos and files first if you choose this route.
  • The exact button combination varies slightly between Samsung phones and tablets, but power and volume down is the standard for most models.

Soft reboot: using the power menu

This is the gentlest restart and the one to try first. Press and hold the power button on the side of your device until the power menu appears on screen. This usually takes 2 to 3 seconds. You will see options including Power Off, Restart, and Emergency Mode.

Tap Restart or Reboot. Your device will turn off and back on automatically. The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your apps, photos, files, and settings stay exactly as they were.

If the power menu does not appear after holding the button for 5 seconds, your device may be frozen. Move to the force restart method instead.

Force restart: when your screen is frozen

Use this method when your Samsung is completely unresponsive — the screen won't wake, apps are frozen, or the power menu won't appear. A force restart is safe and does not erase your data.

Press and hold the power button and volume down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for 10 to 15 seconds. You may see the Samsung logo appear and disappear. Keep holding until the device vibrates and restarts. This usually happens around the 10-second mark, but some models take longer.

Release both buttons once the device vibrates or the logo appears. Let it restart fully — this can take a minute or two. Do not press any buttons during the restart. Your data and settings remain unchanged.

Factory reset: erasing everything

A factory reset returns your Samsung to the state it was in when it left the factory. All your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings are permanently deleted. Use this only if your device has serious problems that other restarts did not fix, or if you are selling or giving away the device.

Back up your photos, files, and contacts before you proceed. You can use Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, or your computer to save your data. Once you start a factory reset, there is no way to recover what you delete.

To factory reset, go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset. Tap Reset and enter your PIN or password if prompted. The device will restart and erase itself. This process takes 5 to 10 minutes. Your device will restart with no apps, no data, and no accounts signed in.

Some Samsung devices also allow a factory reset from the recovery menu if your device won't start normally. Press and hold power and volume up together until the Samsung logo appears, then use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Data / Factory Reset and press power to confirm.

What to do after a restart

After a soft reboot or force restart, your device should work normally. Open your apps and check that everything is running smoothly. If the same problem returns within a few hours, the issue may be with a specific app rather than the device itself.

If you restarted because of a frozen screen or slow performance, check which apps are using the most battery or memory. Go to Settings > Battery and Device Care > Battery or Memory to see a list. Uninstall or disable apps that are using too much power or space.

If you performed a factory reset, you will need to sign back into your Google account and reinstall your apps. This can take 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed and how many apps you had.

When a restart won't fix the problem

Some issues go deeper than a restart can reach. If your device still does not work after trying all three methods, the problem may be a hardware issue, a corrupted system file, or a problem with your carrier or internet connection.

Try these steps before taking your device to a repair shop: clear the cache for individual apps by going to Settings > Apps, tapping an app, and selecting Storage > Clear Cache. Check for system updates by going to Settings > About Phone > Software Update. Restart your Wi-Fi router or toggle airplane mode on and off to reset your connection.

If the device still has problems after these steps, contact Samsung support or visit an authorized repair center. Bring your device and any proof of purchase you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a restart erase my photos and files?

No. A soft reboot and a force restart both keep all your data intact. Only a factory reset erases everything. If you are doing a soft reboot or force restart, your photos, messages, contacts, and files will be exactly as they were before.

How often should I restart my Samsung?

Restart your device when you notice it is slow, an app is frozen, or the battery is draining faster than usual. Many people restart once a week as routine maintenance. There is no harm in restarting daily if you want to keep your device running smoothly.

What is the difference between a soft reboot and a force restart?

A soft reboot uses the power menu and is the normal way to turn your device off and on. A force restart bypasses the power menu by holding two buttons at once and is used when the screen is frozen or unresponsive. Both are safe and keep your data.

Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?

Once a factory reset begins, you should not interrupt it. Let it finish completely, even if it takes several minutes. Turning off the device during a factory reset can damage the system and make the device unusable. If you change your mind before tapping the final confirmation button, you can cancel and go back.

Why is my Samsung still slow after I restarted it?

Slow performance after a restart usually means an app is using too much memory or battery. Check Settings > Battery and Device Care to see which apps are running in the background. You may also need to clear cached files by going to Settings > General Management > Storage and tapping Cached Data.