What a reboot does and when you need one

A reboot is a restart of your phone's operating system. It clears temporary files from memory, stops apps that are running in the background, and refreshes your phone's connection to the network. Most Samsung phones slow down, freeze, or stop responding to touch after running for several days without a restart. A reboot usually fixes these problems without erasing any of your photos, messages, or settings.

You should reboot your Samsung phone if an app keeps crashing, if the screen becomes unresponsive, if your phone is running slowly, or if you cannot connect to WiFi or cellular service. A reboot is also the first step to try before contacting Samsung support or visiting a repair shop.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reboot (holding the power button for 10 seconds) restarts your phone without erasing anything and fixes most freezing and slowness problems.
  • A hard reboot (holding power and volume down together) forces a restart if your phone is completely unresponsive, but does the same thing as a soft reboot.
  • Factory reset erases all your data and should only be used as a last resort after other reboots have failed.
  • You can also reboot through Settings on most Samsung phones by going to Settings > General Management > Restart.

Soft reboot: the easiest method

A soft reboot is the safest way to restart your Samsung phone. Press and hold the power button (usually on the right side of the phone) for 10 seconds. Your phone will vibrate and show a power menu with options to Power Off, Restart, or Emergency Mode.

Tap Restart. Your phone will turn off and turn back on automatically. This takes about 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on your model. During the restart, you will see the Samsung logo on the screen. Do not press any buttons while the phone is restarting.

After your phone turns back on, unlock it and check whether the problem is fixed. Most freezing, slowness, and app crashes are resolved by a soft reboot.

Hard reboot: when your phone does not respond

If your Samsung phone is completely frozen and will not respond to the power button, use a hard reboot instead. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. Your phone will vibrate and restart without showing a menu.

A hard reboot forces your phone to shut down and restart even if the operating system is not responding. It does the same thing as a soft reboot—it does not erase any data. The phone will show the Samsung logo and take about 1 to 2 minutes to fully restart.

If your phone still does not respond after a hard reboot, leave it plugged into a charger for 15 minutes and try again. A completely drained battery can prevent the phone from restarting.

Reboot through Settings

You can also restart your Samsung phone through the Settings app if the phone is responsive enough to unlock and navigate menus. Open Settings, then tap General Management (or About Phone on older models).

Look for a Restart or Reboot option and tap it. Your phone will ask you to confirm. Tap Restart again. The phone will shut down and restart automatically, which takes 1 to 2 minutes.

This method is useful if you want to restart your phone without holding buttons, or if you are scheduling a restart for later. Some Samsung phones let you set a time for the restart to happen automatically.

Factory reset: the last resort

A factory reset erases all your data, settings, photos, messages, and apps from your phone and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it. Only use this method if soft reboots and hard reboots have not fixed your problem, and only after you have backed up your important data.

To factory reset, open Settings, tap General Management, then tap Reset. Choose Factory Data Reset or Reset All Settings depending on your model. Your phone will ask you to confirm and may ask for your Samsung account password. Tap Reset and wait 5 to 10 minutes for the process to complete.

After a factory reset, your phone will restart and show the setup screen as if it were brand new. You will need to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to restore your apps and data from backup. If you do not have a backup, your data will be permanently lost.

Backing up your phone before a factory reset

Before you factory reset, back up your photos, messages, and app data to your Samsung account or Google account. Open Settings, tap Accounts and Backup, then tap Samsung Cloud or Google Account. Choose what you want to back up (photos, contacts, messages, app data) and tap Back Up Now.

The backup process takes 5 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Make sure your phone is plugged in and connected to WiFi during the backup. After the backup is complete, you can safely factory reset your phone knowing your data is saved.

When to contact Samsung support

If your phone still does not work after a soft reboot, hard reboot, and factory reset, the problem is likely a hardware issue rather than a software issue. Contact Samsung support through the Samsung Members app (built into most Samsung phones) or visit Samsung.com to find your country's support number.

Have your phone's model number and serial number ready when you contact support. You can find these in Settings > About Phone. Samsung support can walk you through additional troubleshooting steps or arrange a repair if your phone needs service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a reboot erase my photos and messages?

No. A soft reboot and hard reboot do not erase any data. Only a factory reset erases everything. If you are worried about losing data, back up your phone before doing a factory reset.

How often should I reboot my Samsung phone?

Most people do not need to reboot more than once a week. If your phone freezes or slows down frequently, reboot it once or twice a week to keep it running smoothly. Some people reboot their phone every few days as routine maintenance.

What is the difference between a soft reboot and a hard reboot?

A soft reboot uses the power menu and lets the operating system shut down normally. A hard reboot forces a shutdown by holding power and volume down together. Both do the same thing, but a hard reboot works when the phone is completely frozen and will not respond to the power button.

Can I use my phone while it is rebooting?

No. Do not touch your phone or press any buttons while it is restarting. Wait until you see the lock screen and the phone is fully powered on before unlocking it. Interrupting a reboot can cause problems.

My phone reboots by itself. Is that normal?

Occasional automatic reboots are usually caused by app crashes or software updates. If your phone reboots multiple times a day, try a soft reboot first. If the problem continues, back up your data and do a factory reset. If automatic reboots continue after a factory reset, contact Samsung support because the problem may be a hardware defect.