The basic power-off method
To turn off a Samsung tablet, press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears on your screen. The Power button is usually located on the right edge or top edge of the tablet, depending on your model. Hold it for about three seconds — you will see a menu with options like "Power off" and "Restart".
Once the menu appears, tap "Power off" or "Shut down" (the exact wording varies by model and Android version). The tablet will then display a countdown or confirmation message before the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds for the device to fully power down.
If you want to restart instead of shutting down completely, tap "Restart" from the same menu. This is useful if your tablet is running slowly or an app is not responding.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the Power button on the edge of your tablet for about three seconds until the power menu appears.
- Tap "Power off" from the menu to shut down your tablet completely.
- If your tablet is frozen and will not respond to the Power button, hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 to 15 seconds to force it off.
- You can also turn off your tablet through Settings by going to Settings > Device care > Battery > Power off, though the Power button method is faster.
What to do if the Power button does not work
If your Power button is broken or stuck, you can shut down your tablet through the Settings menu instead. Open Settings, then tap Device care or About device (depending on your Android version). Look for a "Power off" or "Shut down" option and tap it.
This method takes longer than using the Power button, but it works on any tablet where the screen is still responsive. If your screen is also unresponsive, you will need to use the force shutdown method described in the next section.
Force shutting down a frozen tablet
If your tablet is frozen and will not respond to taps or the Power button alone, you can force it to shut down. Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. Do not release either button until the screen goes black or you see a boot menu appear.
This method forces the tablet to power off when ready without saving open work, so use it only when the normal shutdown method does not work. After the tablet turns off, wait 10 seconds before pressing the Power button again to turn it back on.
If even this does not work, your tablet may have a hardware problem. Let the battery drain completely (which can take several hours), then plug it in and try turning it on again.
Putting your tablet to sleep instead of shutting it down
If you want to save battery without fully powering off, you can put your tablet to sleep instead. Press the Power button once (do not hold it) and the screen will turn off. The tablet will still be on and will wake up quickly when you press the Power button or touch the screen again.
Sleep mode uses much less battery than leaving the screen on, but more battery than a full shutdown. Most people use sleep mode during the day and full shutdown at night or when they will not use the tablet for several hours.
Scheduled power-off through settings
Some Samsung tablets have a Scheduled power on/off feature that lets you set a time for the tablet to turn off automatically. Open Settings, then go to Device care or Battery. Look for "Scheduled power on/off" or "Auto power on/off" and toggle it on.
You can then set the time you want the tablet to shut down each day. This is useful if you want to save battery overnight without having to remember to turn it off manually. The exact menu location varies by model and Android version, so check your tablet's Settings if you cannot find it in the locations listed above.
What happens when you turn off your tablet
When you shut down your Samsung tablet, all running apps close and the screen goes black. Any unsaved work in open apps will be lost, so save your files before shutting down if you are working on something important. The tablet will not respond to any button presses or touches while it is off.
Turning off your tablet completely is different from sleep mode. A powered-off tablet uses almost no battery, while a tablet in sleep mode still drains the battery slowly over time. If you will not use your tablet for more than a few hours, a full shutdown is better for battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a Samsung tablet to turn off?
A normal shutdown takes 5 to 15 seconds from the moment you tap "Power off" until the screen goes completely black. A force shutdown (Power + Volume Down) happens faster, usually within 3 to 5 seconds. If your tablet takes longer than 30 seconds to shut down, it may be frozen or have a software problem.
Will turning off my tablet delete my files or photos?
No. Turning off your tablet does not delete anything. All your files, photos, apps, and settings will still be there when you turn it back on. Only unsaved work in open apps will be lost — for example, if you were typing a message and did not send it, that message will disappear.
Can I turn off my Samsung tablet with voice commands?
If your tablet has Google Assistant or Samsung Bixby enabled, you can say "Hey Google, turn off my device" or "Hey Bixby, power off." The tablet will ask you to confirm before shutting down. This works only if your tablet is awake and listening — you cannot use voice commands to turn off a tablet that is already in sleep mode.
What is the difference between power off and restart?
Power off shuts down your tablet completely and it stays off until you press the Power button. Restart shuts down your tablet and then turns it back on automatically. Restart is useful when your tablet is slow or an app is not working — turning it off and back on often fixes these problems.
Is it bad to leave my Samsung tablet on all the time?
Leaving your tablet on continuously drains the battery and can shorten its lifespan over time. It is better to turn it off or put it in sleep mode when you are not using it. If you use your tablet daily, turning it off at night is a good habit that will help the battery last longer.