The Three Ways to Restart a Samsung Tablet

A reboot clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, slow performance, and app crashes. You have three options: a soft reboot (the safest), a forced restart (when the tablet won't respond), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Most of the time, a soft reboot solves the problem in under two minutes.

Which method you use depends on whether your tablet is still responding to touch. If it's frozen solid and won't react to anything, skip straight to the forced restart. If it's sluggish but still working, start with the soft reboot.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reboot takes 30 seconds and fixes most problems—swipe down from the top, tap the power icon, and select Restart.
  • A forced restart works when your tablet is completely frozen; hold the power button and volume down together for 10 seconds until the screen goes black.
  • After any reboot, wait 30 seconds before turning the tablet back on so the system fully clears.
  • A factory reset erases all your data and returns the tablet to its original state; use this only if rebooting doesn't fix persistent problems.

Soft Reboot: The Standard Restart

A soft reboot is the gentlest option and the one to try first. Your tablet stays on the whole time, and no data is lost. This method works on all Samsung tablets running Android 5.0 and newer.

Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel. Look for the power icon (usually a circle with a line at the top). Tap and hold it until a menu appears with options including "Restart" or "Reboot." Tap "Restart." The screen will go black for a few seconds, and your tablet will come back on. Wait 30 seconds after the Samsung logo appears before opening any apps.

If you don't see a Restart option, your tablet may be running an older version of Android. Instead, press and hold the physical power button on the side of the tablet for 10 seconds until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart."

Forced Restart: When Your Tablet Won't Respond

If your tablet is completely frozen and won't respond to touch or button presses, a forced restart forces the system to shut down and restart. This doesn't erase any data, but it does stop all running apps when ready.

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 at least 10 seconds. You may see a "Power off" or "Restart" prompt appear on the screen—if so, tap it. If nothing appears, keep holding until the screen goes black and you see the Samsung logo. Release the buttons. The tablet will restart on its own. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.

Do not let go of the buttons early. If the tablet vibrates or shows a prompt before 10 seconds, keep holding. The forced restart requires a full 10-second hold to work properly.

Factory Reset: Erasing Everything and Starting Over

A factory reset returns your tablet to the exact state it was in when it left the factory. All your apps, photos, contacts, and files are erased. Use this only if your tablet has serious problems that a soft or forced reboot doesn't fix, or if you're selling or giving away the device.

Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. Connect your tablet to a computer or use Samsung Cloud or Google Drive to save photos, documents, and contacts.

Open Settings and scroll down to find "General management" or "System." Tap "Reset options" or "Reset." Select "Erase all data (factory reset)." You'll be asked to confirm—tap "Reset" or "Delete all." The tablet will restart and show a progress bar. This takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, you'll see the initial setup screen as if the tablet is brand new. You can then sign in with your Samsung or Google account to restore some apps and settings.

What to Do If Rebooting Doesn't Fix the Problem

If your tablet still freezes or crashes after a soft reboot and a forced restart, the problem may be a specific app or a software issue. Try opening Settings, going to "Apps," and uninstalling any app you installed right before the problems started. Then restart the tablet again.

If the tablet still doesn't work properly, check for a system update. Open Settings, scroll to "About tablet," and look for "Software update" or "System update." If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and install it. Updates often fix bugs that cause crashes.

If nothing works after a factory reset, the tablet may have a hardware problem. Contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop. Do not attempt to open the tablet yourself.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't hold the power button for only a few seconds and assume the forced restart didn't work. The full 10-second hold is required. If you let go too early, the tablet may just turn off instead of restarting.

Don't assume a soft reboot and a forced restart are the same thing. A soft reboot uses the menu, while a forced restart uses the physical buttons. If the menu doesn't work, the forced restart will.

Don't perform a factory reset unless you've backed up your data first. Once you tap "Delete all," there is no undo. Everything is gone.

Don't unplug your tablet or remove the battery during a restart or factory reset. Let the process finish on its own, even if it seems to take a long time. Interrupting it can damage the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a reboot take?

A soft reboot takes about 30 seconds from start to finish. A forced restart takes 30 to 60 seconds. A factory reset takes 5 to 15 minutes. After any reboot, wait 30 seconds before opening apps so the system fully loads.

Will a reboot delete my photos and files?

A soft reboot and a forced restart do not delete anything. A factory reset erases all data, apps, and settings. If you only need a soft or forced restart, your files are safe.

What's the difference between a soft reboot and a forced restart?

A soft reboot uses the menu and is gentler on the system. A forced restart uses the physical buttons and works when the tablet is frozen. Both clear temporary memory and stop running apps, but a forced restart is more forceful.

Can I reboot my tablet while it's charging?

Yes, you can reboot while charging. In fact, it's fine to leave your tablet plugged in during the restart. Just don't unplug it in the middle of the process.

My tablet is stuck on the Samsung logo. What do I do?

Try a forced restart by holding the power and volume down buttons for 10 seconds. If it's still stuck after that, the tablet may need a factory reset or professional repair. If you're not comfortable doing a factory reset yourself, contact Samsung support.