The Two Ways to Restart Your Samsung Tablet

A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Samsung tablets have two restart methods: a soft reboot (the normal restart) and a hard reboot (a forced restart when the tablet won't respond). A soft reboot takes about 30 seconds and is what you should try first.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether your tablet is responding to touch or completely frozen. If your tablet is working but slow or an app is stuck, use the soft reboot. If the screen is frozen and won't respond to taps, use the hard reboot.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reboot (normal restart) works when your tablet is responding—swipe down from the top, tap the power icon, then select Restart.
  • A hard reboot (forced restart) works when your tablet is frozen—hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds until the Samsung logo appears.
  • After either reboot, wait 30 seconds before using the tablet again so all systems can fully load.
  • A soft reboot is always safer and should be your first choice unless the tablet is completely unresponsive.

Soft Reboot: The Normal Restart Method

Use a soft reboot when your tablet is still responding to touch but is slow, freezing, or has an app that won't close. This is the gentler option and the one you should try first.

Step 1: Open the power menu. Swipe down from the very top of the screen with one finger. You will see the quick settings panel. Swipe down again to see more options, or look for the power icon (usually a circle with a line at the top). Tap and hold the power icon until a menu appears with options like "Power off," "Restart," or "Reboot."

Step 2: Select Restart. Tap the word "Restart" or "Reboot" (the exact wording depends on your tablet model and Android version). A confirmation message may appear asking if you want to restart—tap "Restart" or "OK" to confirm.

Step 3: Wait for the restart. The screen will go black, the Samsung logo will appear, and the tablet will boot back up. This takes about 30 seconds. Do not press any buttons or touch the screen during this time. Once you see the lock screen, your tablet has finished restarting.

Hard Reboot: Forcing a Restart When the Tablet Is Frozen

Use a hard reboot only when your tablet screen is frozen, won't respond to taps, or won't turn off normally. This method forces the tablet to restart without using the touch screen.

Step 1: Locate the buttons. On most Samsung tablets, the power button is on the right edge and the volume down button is below it (or on the left edge, depending on the model). If you are unsure which is which, the power button is usually slightly larger or in a different position than the volume buttons.

Step 2: Press both buttons together. Hold down the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Keep holding them—do not let go. The screen may flash or show a "Power off" message, but ignore it and keep holding.

Step 3: Wait for the Samsung logo. After about 10 seconds, the Samsung logo will appear on the screen. Once you see the logo, release both buttons. The tablet will now restart on its own. This takes another 20 to 30 seconds. Do not touch the screen or press buttons again until the lock screen appears.

What to Do If Your Tablet Still Won't Restart

If the hard reboot did not work and your tablet is still frozen, the battery may be completely drained. Plug the tablet into a charger and leave it connected for at least 15 minutes. Then try the hard reboot again—sometimes a completely dead battery prevents the restart from working.

If the tablet still will not restart after charging, try holding the power button alone for 30 seconds. Some older Samsung models respond to this method. If none of these steps work, the tablet may have a hardware problem and should be checked by a Samsung service center or a may have access to technician.

Common Mistakes That Prevent a Successful Reboot

The most common mistake is not holding the buttons long enough during a hard reboot. You need to hold the power and volume down buttons for the full 10 seconds—if you release them too early, the restart will not happen. Another mistake is touching the screen or pressing buttons while the tablet is restarting. Let it finish completely before you interact with it again.

Some people also confuse the volume up and volume down buttons. If you press volume up instead of volume down during a hard reboot, nothing will happen. Double-check which button is which before you start. Finally, do not unplug the tablet during a restart—let it finish even if it takes longer than expected.

When to Reboot vs. When to Turn Off Completely

A reboot restarts the operating system while keeping the tablet's settings and files intact. A complete power-off shuts down the tablet entirely. For most problems like lag, freezing, or stuck apps, a reboot is the right choice. A complete power-off is useful if you want to save battery for a long time or if you are not going to use the tablet for several days.

To turn your tablet completely off (instead of restarting), use the soft reboot method but select "Power off" instead of "Restart." The tablet will shut down and stay off until you press the power button again. If your tablet is frozen and you want to turn it off instead of restarting, use the hard reboot method but do not press any buttons after the Samsung logo appears—just wait and the tablet will power down instead of restarting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a reboot take?

A soft reboot takes about 30 to 45 seconds from the moment you tap Restart until the lock screen appears. A hard reboot takes about 40 to 60 seconds because the tablet has to force-shut down first, then restart. Do not interrupt the process—let it finish completely.

Will a reboot delete my files or settings?

No. A reboot only restarts the operating system. Your photos, documents, apps, passwords, and all settings stay exactly as they were. A reboot is completely safe and will not erase anything.

What is the difference between a reboot and a factory reset?

A reboot restarts the tablet and keeps everything on it. A factory reset erases all your files, apps, and settings and returns the tablet to how it was when new. Never do a factory reset unless you specifically want to erase everything. A reboot is what you want for fixing freezes and lag.

Can I reboot my tablet while it is charging?

Yes, it is safe to reboot while the tablet is plugged in. In fact, if your tablet is frozen and the battery is low, charging it first and then doing a hard reboot often works better than rebooting a nearly-dead tablet.

My tablet rebooted on its own. Is something wrong?

Occasional unexpected reboots can happen if an app crashes or if the system runs into a temporary error. If it happens once, it is usually not a problem. If your tablet reboots multiple times a day, try uninstalling recently added apps or doing a soft reboot to clear memory. If the problem continues, contact Samsung support.