Press and hold the power button until the Samsung logo appears

The power button on a Samsung phone is almost always on the right side of the device, roughly halfway down. Press it and hold it down — do not just tap it. You will feel it click under your finger. Keep holding for about three to five seconds until you see the Samsung logo light up on the screen, usually a white or blue symbol depending on your model.

The screen may stay black for a moment after the logo appears. This is normal. Your phone is loading its operating system. Wait another five to ten seconds and you will see either a lock screen or a setup screen, depending on whether your phone has been turned on before.

If nothing happens after ten seconds of holding the power button, your phone's battery may be completely drained. Plug it into a charger using the cable that came with it, wait two to three minutes, and try again.

Key Takeaways

  • The power button is on the right side of your Samsung phone, about halfway down the edge.
  • Press and hold the power button for three to five seconds until the Samsung logo appears on the screen.
  • Wait another five to ten seconds after the logo for the phone to finish loading.
  • If the screen stays black, your battery may be empty — plug in the charger and wait a few minutes before trying again.
  • Once you see the lock screen or setup screen, your phone is on and ready to use.

What to expect when your phone turns on for the first time

If this is a brand-new Samsung phone or one that has been reset, you will see a setup screen instead of a lock screen. This screen will ask you to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Samsung account or Google account. You do not have to complete this setup right away — you can skip most steps and set them up later.

If your phone has been turned on before, you will see a lock screen with the time and date. You will need to unlock it by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, then entering your PIN, pattern, or fingerprint if you set one up. If you have not set a lock method, the phone will unlock when you swipe up.

The phone is on but the screen is still black

If you held the power button long enough to see the Samsung logo but the screen goes black again, your phone may be stuck in a boot loop. This happens sometimes after an update or if the phone was turned off suddenly. Try holding the power button again for ten seconds to force it to restart.

If the screen stays black after three restart attempts, plug the phone into a charger and leave it plugged in for at least 30 minutes. A completely dead battery can prevent the phone from turning on even if you hold the power button. After charging, try the power button again.

Your phone turns on but will not respond to touches

Occasionally a Samsung phone will turn on and show the lock screen, but tapping or swiping does nothing. This usually means the phone is still loading in the background. Wait 30 to 60 seconds without touching the screen. If it still does not respond, hold the power button for ten seconds to force a restart.

If restarting does not fix it, the phone may have a software problem that requires a factory reset. This erases all your data, so only do this if the phone will not respond at all. You can perform a factory reset by holding the power button and volume-up button together for about ten seconds, then following the menu that appears.

The power button is stuck or broken

If the power button feels stuck, loose, or does not click when you press it, do not force it. Forcing a broken button can damage the inside of the phone. Instead, try using the volume buttons to navigate a recovery menu if your phone is already on.

If your phone is completely off and the power button does not work, you may be able to turn it on by plugging it into a charger. Some Samsung models will automatically power on when connected to a charger if the battery is low enough. If that does not work, you will need to visit a Samsung service center or contact Samsung support to repair or replace the button.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the power button?

Hold it for three to five seconds. You will feel it click and see the Samsung logo appear. If nothing happens after ten seconds, release and try again. Holding it longer than ten seconds will not make it turn on faster.

Is it normal for the screen to stay black for a few seconds after the logo?

Yes. The Samsung logo appears first, then the phone loads the rest of the system. This can take five to ten seconds on older phones or if the phone has not been turned on in a long time. Do not hold the power button again during this time.

What if my phone is plugged in but still will not turn on?

Leave it plugged in for at least 30 minutes. A completely dead battery may not respond to the power button when ready. After 30 minutes, try holding the power button for ten seconds. If it still does not work, try a different charger or cable — the original one may be faulty.

Can I turn on my Samsung phone without using the power button?

On most models, no. The power button is the only way to turn on a phone that is completely off. However, if your phone is already on but the screen is off, you can wake it by pressing the power button, tapping the screen, or picking it up (if that feature is enabled).

Why does my phone turn on but then turn off again?

This usually means the battery is too low to stay on. Plug it in when ready and wait at least one hour before trying to turn it on again. If it keeps turning off even after charging, the battery may be failing and you may need a replacement.