Two ways to reset your Samsung Galaxy tablet
You can reset a Samsung Galaxy tablet in two ways: a soft reset, which restarts the device without erasing anything, and a factory reset, which wipes all your data and returns the tablet to its original state. A soft reset fixes freezing, slow performance, and app crashes. A factory reset erases everything—photos, apps, accounts, files—so use it only when you plan to sell the tablet, give it away, or start completely fresh.
Most problems are solved by a soft reset. Try that first. If your tablet is frozen or unresponsive, a soft reset often works even when the screen won't respond to touch. A factory reset should be your last step, and only after you have backed up anything you want to keep.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset (holding the power button for 10 seconds) fixes most problems and keeps all your data intact.
- A factory reset erases everything on the tablet, so back up your photos, files, and account information before you start.
- You can factory reset through Settings or by holding power and volume down together if the tablet is frozen.
- After a factory reset, you will need to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to use the tablet again.
How to do a soft reset
A soft reset is the fastest fix for a frozen or sluggish tablet. Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet for 10 seconds. You will see the power menu appear on the screen. Release the button, then tap Restart. The tablet will turn off and back on within a minute.
If the screen is completely frozen and will not respond to touch, keep holding the power button for the full 10 seconds even if nothing appears on screen. The tablet will restart on its own. This works because a soft reset forces the system to shut down and start fresh without touching any of your files or settings.
How to factory reset through Settings
Open Settings on your tablet. Scroll down and tap General management (or System on some models). Look for Reset or Reset options and tap it. You will see two choices: Reset network settings and Reset all data (sometimes called Factory data reset). Tap Reset all data.
The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully—it will list everything that will be erased. Tap Reset or Delete all to proceed. The tablet will restart and take 5 to 15 minutes to complete the reset. Do not turn it off during this time. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen, just like when the tablet was new.
How to factory reset a frozen tablet
If your tablet is frozen and Settings will not open, you can force a factory reset using hardware buttons. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time for about 10 seconds. Release both buttons when you see the Samsung logo or a recovery menu appear.
Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/Factory reset and press the power button to select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Select Yes using the volume buttons and press power to confirm. The reset will take several minutes. When it finishes, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen.
What to do before a factory reset
Before you factory reset, sign in to your Samsung account or Google account on the tablet and make sure your photos and files are backed up. Open Settings, tap Accounts, and check that your Samsung account and Google account are listed. If they are, your contacts, calendar, and some app data will restore automatically after the reset.
For photos and videos, open Google Photos and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Go to Settings and turn on Backup and sync. This will upload your photos to Google Drive. For files stored in folders, connect the tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy them to your computer's hard drive, or upload them to Google Drive or another cloud service.
Setting up your tablet after a factory reset
When the tablet restarts after a factory reset, you will see the setup screen. Choose your language and country, then connect to Wi-Fi. You will be asked to sign in with a Google account. Use the same account you had before the reset—this will restore your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store.
If you also have a Samsung account, sign in to that after the initial setup. Open Settings, tap Accounts, and select Add account. Choose Samsung account and sign in. This will restore Samsung-specific settings and any data you backed up through Samsung Cloud. The tablet will take a few minutes to read and reinstall your apps.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not unplug the tablet or turn it off during a factory reset. The process can take 10 to 20 minutes, and interrupting it can leave the tablet in an unusable state. If the reset seems to be taking longer than 30 minutes, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a restart, then try again.
Do not assume a soft reset will fix a hardware problem. If the tablet still freezes after a soft reset, or if it overheats, makes strange noises, or has a cracked screen, a factory reset will not help. In those cases, contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop. Also, remember that a factory reset erases everything—if you are not sure whether you have backed up your photos and files, do that before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a soft reset delete my photos and files?
No. A soft reset only restarts the tablet. All your photos, files, apps, and settings stay exactly as they are. It is safe to use whenever your tablet is slow or frozen.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how much data is on the tablet. Do not turn off the tablet during this time. If it takes longer than 30 minutes, the process may have stalled—hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a restart.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset permanently erases all data on the tablet. If you have backed up your photos and files to Google Drive or another cloud service, you can read them again after the reset. Otherwise, they are gone.
What if I forget my password after a factory reset?
During setup, you will be asked to sign in with a Google account. If you forget the password, go to the Google account recovery page on a computer and follow the steps to reset it. You will need access to a phone number or backup email address linked to that account.
Do I need to remove my SD card before a factory reset?
A factory reset only erases the tablet's internal storage, not an SD card. You can leave the card in. If you want to keep files on the SD card, they will still be there after the reset. If you want to erase the SD card too, remove it first, then factory reset the tablet, then erase the card separately.