Two ways to reset your Samsung Galaxy tablet

A Samsung Galaxy tablet can be reset in two ways: 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, slow performance, and app crashes. A factory reset is for selling the tablet, giving it away, or clearing everything when nothing else works.

Choose a soft reset first if your tablet is running slowly or an app keeps crashing. Choose a factory reset only if you want to erase everything on the device. A factory reset cannot be undone, so back up your photos, documents, and other files before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset takes 30 seconds and fixes most performance problems without erasing any data.
  • A factory reset erases everything on your tablet and cannot be reversed, so back up your files first.
  • To soft reset, hold the power button for 10 seconds until the power menu appears, then tap Restart.
  • To factory reset, go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset and confirm twice.
  • If your tablet is frozen and won't respond, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds to force a restart.

How to soft reset your Samsung Galaxy tablet

A soft reset restarts your tablet without erasing photos, apps, documents, or settings. It takes about 30 seconds and fixes most problems like freezing, slow performance, or an app that won't close.

Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet for 10 seconds. A power menu will appear on the screen with options like Power Off, Restart, and Emergency Mode. Tap Restart. Your tablet will turn off and turn back on automatically. Wait 30 to 60 seconds for it to fully restart and show the lock screen.

If the power button does not respond or your tablet is completely frozen, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds. This forces a restart even if the tablet is not responding. Release both buttons when you see the Samsung logo appear on the screen.

How to factory reset your Samsung Galaxy tablet

A factory reset erases all data on your tablet—photos, videos, documents, apps you installed, and all settings—and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it. This action cannot be undone. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep by transferring files to a computer, cloud storage, or an external drive.

Open Settings on your tablet. Scroll down and tap General Management. Tap Reset. You will see three options: Reset Network Settings, Reset App Preferences, and Factory Data Reset. Tap Factory Data Reset.

A screen will appear asking you to confirm. It will show how much data will be deleted. Read the warning carefully. Tap Reset at the bottom of the screen. A second confirmation screen will appear asking "Delete all data?" Tap Delete All or Delete (the exact wording varies by model). Your tablet will restart and begin erasing data. This process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.

When the reset is complete, your tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You will need to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to set it up again.

Back up your files before a factory reset

Before you factory reset, save your important files. The easiest way is to use Samsung Cloud, which is built into your tablet. Open Settings, tap Accounts and Backup, then Samsung Cloud. Tap Backup and select what you want to save: contacts, messages, app data, home screen layout, and settings. Tap Back Up Now. This uploads your data to Samsung's servers so you can restore it later.

You can also back up to Google Drive, which works on any tablet. Open Settings, tap Google, then Manage Your Google Account. Go to the Data & Privacy tab and tap Data from apps and services. Make sure backup is turned on. Your contacts, calendar, and Gmail will sync automatically.

For photos and videos, connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files to a folder on your computer. Or open the Gallery app, select the photos you want to keep, tap the menu (three dots), and choose Move to Cloud or Copy to Cloud if you use OneDrive or Google Photos.

What to do if your tablet won't turn on after a reset

If your tablet does not turn on after a soft reset, plug it into a charger for at least 15 minutes. The battery may be completely drained. Press the power button and hold it for 10 seconds. If the Samsung logo appears, the tablet is starting up normally.

If your tablet is stuck on the Samsung logo or boot screen after a factory reset, it may not have completed the reset properly. Try a force restart: hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds, then release. If that does not work, plug the tablet into a computer and contact Samsung support through their website. Do not attempt multiple resets in a row, as this can damage the device.

When to soft reset versus factory reset

Use a soft reset when your tablet is slow, an app keeps crashing, the screen is frozen, or the tablet is not responding to touches. A soft reset fixes these problems 80 percent of the time and takes only 30 seconds. Your data stays on the device.

Use a factory reset when you are selling or giving away the tablet and want to erase all your personal information, when you have tried a soft reset and the problems continue, or when you want to start completely fresh. A factory reset is also the last step before contacting Samsung support if nothing else has worked.

If you are having problems with a single app, try uninstalling and reinstalling it instead of resetting the whole tablet. Open Settings, tap Apps, find the app, tap it, and tap Uninstall. Then open the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store and read it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset delete my photos and files?

No. A soft reset only restarts your tablet. All photos, videos, documents, apps, and settings stay on the device. Nothing is erased.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from the moment you tap Delete All until the tablet restarts and shows the setup screen. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset cannot be undone. Once you tap Delete All and confirm, all data is permanently erased. This is why backing up before a factory reset is important.

What if I forgot my Samsung account password after a factory reset?

After a factory reset, your tablet will ask you to sign in with the Samsung account or Google account that was on the device. If you forgot the password, go to the login screen and tap "Forgot password?" You will be guided through steps to reset it using your email address or phone number.

Do I need to charge my tablet before resetting it?

For a soft reset, no—it takes only 30 seconds. For a factory reset, charge your tablet to at least 50 percent battery first. If the battery dies during a factory reset, the process may not complete properly and could damage the device.