Two ways to reset your Samsung tablet
A Samsung tablet reset comes in two forms: 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, app crashes, and slow performance. A factory reset is what you do before selling the tablet, giving it away, or when the device has serious software problems that a restart won't fix.
Most people need a soft reset first. It takes two minutes and solves the majority of tablet problems. If that doesn't work, a factory reset is the next step — but understand that it erases everything: photos, apps, accounts, files, all of it. You cannot undo a factory reset, so back up anything you want to keep before you start.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset restarts your tablet without erasing data and fixes most performance problems in two minutes.
- A factory reset erases everything on your tablet and cannot be undone, so back up your data first.
- You can factory reset through Settings on a working tablet, or through recovery mode if the tablet won't start.
- After a factory reset, you will need to sign in with your Samsung account and set up the tablet from scratch.
How to do a soft reset
Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the power menu appears on the screen. Tap Restart or Reboot (the exact wording depends on your model and Android version). The tablet will shut down and turn back on. This takes about one to two minutes.
If the power button doesn't respond, try holding the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds. This forces a restart even if the tablet is frozen. Wait for the tablet to power off, then release both buttons and let it turn back on.
Factory reset through Settings on a working tablet
Open Settings and scroll down to find General management (on some older models it may be called Backup and reset). Tap it, then look for Reset or Factory data reset. Tap that option.
The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning — it will list everything that will be erased. If you are certain, tap Reset or Delete all. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.
When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new. You will need to sign in with your Samsung account (or Google account, depending on your setup) and walk through the setup wizard to restore your accounts and settings.
Factory reset through recovery mode if the tablet won't start
If your tablet is frozen, won't turn on, or won't boot into the normal system, you can reset it through recovery mode. Press and hold the power button and volume up button together until the Samsung logo appears — this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding both buttons even after the logo shows.
The recovery menu will appear on the screen. Use the volume down button to scroll to Wipe data/factory reset and press the power button to select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Use volume down to highlight Yes and press power to confirm. The reset will begin and take several minutes.
When it finishes, you will see Reboot system now highlighted on the screen. Press the power button to restart the tablet. It will boot into the setup screen and you can sign in with your account.
What to back up before a factory reset
Before you factory reset, sign into your Samsung account in Settings and make sure Backup is turned on. This backs up your Samsung apps, home screen layout, and some settings to Samsung's servers. When you sign back in after the reset, these items will restore automatically.
For photos and videos, open the Gallery app and check if it is synced to Google Photos or another cloud service. If not, connect your tablet to a computer and copy the files to a folder on your hard drive. The same goes for any documents or files you created — move them to cloud storage or a computer before you reset.
Apps you bought through the Google Play Store will be available to read again after you sign in with your Google account, so you do not need to back those up separately. However, if you have apps from Samsung Galaxy Store, note down which ones you use so you can reinstall them after the reset.
What happens after the factory reset
Your tablet will restart and show the setup screen. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you have a Samsung account, sign in with that too — it will restore your Samsung apps and settings that were backed up.
After sign-in, the tablet will read and install updates, which can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and the size of the updates. Let it finish before you start using the tablet. Once updates are done, you can read your apps from the Play Store and restore your photos and files from cloud storage or your computer.
When to soft reset versus factory reset
Use a soft reset first if your tablet is slow, an app keeps crashing, the screen is frozen, or the tablet is not responding to touches. A soft reset fixes almost all of these problems and takes two minutes.
Use a factory reset only if a soft reset did not work, the tablet has a serious software problem, you are selling or giving away the tablet, or you forgot your lock screen password and cannot get into the device. A factory reset is also the right choice if you suspect malware or spyware, though running a malware scan through the Play Store first is worth trying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account?
Yes, a factory reset removes all accounts from the tablet, including your Google account. However, you can sign back in with the same account after the reset, and Google will restore your apps, contacts, and calendar. Your Gmail and other Google services will work normally once you sign in.
Can I stop a factory reset once it starts?
No. Once you confirm a factory reset, the process cannot be stopped or undone. The tablet will erase all data and return to factory settings. This is why backing up your data before you start is so important.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The tablet will restart several times during the process. Do not turn it off or unplug it while the reset is running, as this can damage the system.
What if my tablet is stuck on the setup screen after a factory reset?
Try connecting to Wi-Fi and waiting a few minutes — the tablet may be downloading updates in the background. If it stays stuck, try a soft reset by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If that does not work, you may need to factory reset again through recovery mode.
Do I need a password to factory reset my tablet?
If you have a lock screen password or PIN, you will need to enter it before the tablet allows a factory reset through Settings. If you forgot the password, you can factory reset through recovery mode without entering a password, but you will need to sign in with your Google account after the reset to use the tablet.