The Three Ways to Restart a Samsung Tablet

A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and connection problems. Samsung tablets support three restart methods: a soft restart (the safest), a forced restart (when the screen is frozen), and a factory reset (which erases everything). For most situations, a soft restart is all you need and takes less than two minutes.

The method you choose depends on whether your tablet is responding to touch. If you can still tap the screen and see the menu, use the soft restart. If the screen is completely frozen or won't respond, use the forced restart. Only use a factory reset if you are selling the tablet, giving it away, or troubleshooting a serious problem that other restarts did not fix.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart through the Settings menu is the safest option and works when your tablet is responding normally.
  • A forced restart (holding the power and volume buttons together) works even when the screen is frozen or unresponsive.
  • A forced restart does not erase your files or apps, so it is safe to try if your tablet is stuck.
  • A factory reset erases everything on your tablet and should only be used as a last resort or before giving the device away.
  • After any restart, your tablet may take one to two minutes to fully load all apps and services.

Soft Restart: The Standard Method

A soft restart is the gentlest way to restart your tablet and is the right choice when your device is working but running slowly or acting buggy. Open Settings, scroll down to the bottom, and tap Restart. Your tablet will show a confirmation message asking if you want to restart now or later. Tap Restart now.

Your screen will go black, and you will see the Samsung logo appear. This takes about 30 seconds. Once the lock screen appears, your tablet is restarted. You can unlock it and use it normally. All your files, photos, apps, and settings remain exactly as they were.

If you do not see a Restart option at the bottom of Settings, your tablet model may use a different path. Instead, hold down the Power button on the side of the tablet until a menu appears with options like "Power off" or "Restart." Tap Restart if that option is shown. If only "Power off" appears, tap it, wait 10 seconds for the screen to go completely black, then press the Power button again to turn it back on.

Forced Restart: When Your Tablet Is Frozen

A forced restart works when your tablet's screen is frozen, unresponsive, or stuck on one app. This method forces the tablet to shut down when ready without going through the normal shutdown process, so it is safe to use even if nothing is responding. You will not lose any files or settings.

Locate the Power button and Volume Down button on the side of your tablet. Press and hold both buttons at the same time. Keep holding them for 10 to 15 seconds. You may see a "Power off" menu appear on the screen, but do not tap it—keep holding the buttons. The screen will go black, and the Samsung logo will appear.

Release the buttons once you see the logo. Your tablet will restart, which takes about 30 to 60 seconds. The lock screen will appear when it is ready. This method does not erase anything, so your apps, photos, and settings are still there.

If your tablet has the Power button on the top edge instead of the side, the process is the same—press Power and Volume Down together for 10 to 15 seconds until the logo appears.

Factory Reset: Erasing Everything

A factory reset returns your tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory. This erases all your files, photos, apps, and settings. Only do this if you are troubleshooting a serious problem that soft and forced restarts did not fix, or if you are preparing to sell or give away your tablet.

Before you factory reset, back up anything you want to keep. Open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, and tap Back up to Samsung Cloud or Google Account to save your photos, contacts, and app data. This takes a few minutes depending on how much you have.

Once you have backed up, open Settings, scroll down, and tap General management. Tap Reset, then Factory data reset. Read the warning message carefully—it will list everything that will be erased. Tap Reset to confirm. Your tablet will restart and erase everything. This takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it finishes, you will see the initial setup screen as if the tablet is brand new.

What to Do If Your Tablet Still Will Not Restart

If your tablet will not respond to either a soft or forced restart, the battery may be completely drained. Plug it into a charger using the original Samsung cable and let it charge for at least 30 minutes without touching it. Then try the forced restart again (Power and Volume Down for 10 to 15 seconds).

If it still does not respond after charging, try a different charger or cable if you have one available. A damaged cable can prevent the tablet from charging enough to restart. If you have access to a computer, you can also connect the tablet to it using a USB cable—sometimes this triggers the tablet to charge even if the wall charger is not working.

If none of these steps work, your tablet may have a hardware problem. Contact Samsung support through their website or visit an authorized Samsung service center. Bring your tablet and proof of purchase if you have it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not hold the Power button alone for more than a few seconds—this will only turn the tablet off, not restart it. You must hold Power and Volume Down together for a forced restart to work. If you only hold Power, your tablet will shut down, and you will need to press Power again to turn it back on, which is slower than a proper restart.

Do not unplug your tablet during a restart. Let it complete the process even if it seems to be taking a long time. Interrupting a restart can cause files to become corrupted. If your tablet is restarting, the screen will show the Samsung logo or a loading animation. Wait until you see the lock screen before assuming something went wrong.

Do not factory reset unless you are certain you want to erase everything. There is no undo button for a factory reset. If you are not sure whether you need one, try a soft restart and a forced restart first. Most problems are fixed by one of those two methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a restart take?

A soft restart usually takes 30 to 60 seconds from the moment you tap "Restart now" until the lock screen appears. A forced restart takes about the same time. If your tablet is still loading after two minutes, something may be wrong—try a forced restart if it is stuck on the Samsung logo.

Will restarting delete my photos or apps?

No. A soft restart and a forced restart do not erase anything. Only a factory reset erases your files, photos, and apps. If you are not doing a factory reset, everything stays on your tablet.

What is the difference between Power off and Restart?

Power off shuts down your tablet completely. Restart shuts it down and then turns it back on automatically. Restart clears the temporary memory that apps use while running, which often fixes lag and freezing. Power off alone does not clear that memory unless you wait a minute before turning it back on.

Can I restart my tablet while it is charging?

Yes, it is safe to restart while charging. In fact, if your tablet is running slowly, restarting while plugged in can help because it will not drain the battery during the restart process.

What should I do if my tablet restarts but then freezes again right away?

Try a forced restart again. If it freezes repeatedly after restart, one of your apps may be causing the problem. After the next restart, go to Settings, tap Apps, and uninstall any app you recently installed before the freezing started. If that does not help, a factory reset may be necessary.