What a reset does and which type you need

A reset wipes your tablet back to factory settings. Samsung Galaxy tablets offer two kinds: a soft reset (restart) and a hard reset (factory reset). A soft reset straightforward turns the device off and back on—it fixes freezing, slow performance, and app crashes without erasing anything. A hard reset erases all your data, apps, photos, and settings, returning the tablet to the state it left the factory. Choose a soft reset first if your tablet is just running slowly or an app has crashed. Choose a hard reset only if you plan to sell or give away the tablet, or if a soft reset did not solve the problem.

Before you do a hard reset, back up anything you want to keep. Photos, documents, and app data can be saved to your Samsung account or Google account. Once you start a hard reset, there is no way to undo it.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (restart) fixes most performance problems and does not erase any data—hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap Restart.
  • A hard reset erases everything on your tablet and returns it to factory settings, so back up your data first using your Samsung or Google account.
  • To perform a hard reset, go to Settings, then About tablet, then Reset, then Factory data reset, and confirm your choice.
  • If your tablet is frozen and will not respond to touch, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds to force a restart.
  • After a hard reset, you will need to sign in with your Samsung or Google account again to restore some apps and settings.

How to do a soft reset (restart)

A soft reset is the safest first step. Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet until the power menu appears on screen. This usually takes 3 to 5 seconds. Tap Restart or Reboot (the exact wording depends on your tablet model and Android version). The tablet will turn off and back on automatically. Wait 30 seconds for it to fully load.

If the tablet is frozen and will not respond to the power button, try a forced restart instead. Hold down the power button and the volume down button at the same time for about 10 seconds. The screen will go black and the tablet will restart. This works even when the tablet appears completely unresponsive.

How to back up your data before a hard reset

If you plan to do a hard reset, save your important files first. Open Settings, then tap Accounts and backup (or Accounts, depending on your Android version). Select Samsung account or Google account—whichever one you use most. Tap Backup and choose what to back up: contacts, calendar events, app data, and device settings. The backup will save to the cloud, and you can restore it after the reset.

For photos and videos, open the Gallery app and check whether it is already syncing to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud. If it is not, open Settings, search for Cloud, and turn on photo backup. You can also connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files manually to your computer's hard drive.

How to do a hard reset

Open Settings on your tablet. Scroll down and tap About tablet (sometimes labeled About device). Scroll to the bottom and tap Reset or Factory data reset. The exact name varies by model. Read the warning message—it will tell you that all data will be erased. Tap Reset or Factory data reset again to confirm.

Your tablet will restart and show a progress bar. The reset can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the battery during this time. When the reset is complete, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it just came from the store.

What to do after a hard reset

When your tablet restarts after a hard reset, you will see the setup wizard. Follow the on-screen steps to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Samsung account or Google account. Signing in is important—it will restore your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and any apps you had installed from the Google Play Store.

If you backed up your data before the reset, you can restore it now. After you sign in, go to Settings, then Accounts and backup, then Restore. Select the backup you created and choose what to restore. Apps will read again from the Play Store, but this can take a while depending on how many you had. Your photos and videos will reappear if they were backed up to Google Photos or Samsung Cloud.

When to call Samsung support instead

If your tablet will not turn on at all, or if it restarts over and over without loading, a reset may not help. The problem could be a hardware issue or a corrupted system file that a reset cannot fix. Contact Samsung support through their website or call their customer service line. Have your tablet's model number ready—you can find it in Settings > About tablet > Model number, or on the back of the tablet itself.

If you forgot your Samsung account password and cannot sign in after a reset, you will need to recover your account before the tablet will let you proceed. Go to the Samsung account recovery page on a computer or another device, enter your email address, and follow the steps to reset your password. Then use the new password on your tablet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset delete my photos or apps?

No. A soft reset (restart) only turns the tablet off and back on. Nothing is erased. All your photos, apps, messages, and files stay exactly where they are.

How long does a hard reset take?

A hard reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The tablet will restart and show a progress bar while it erases everything and reinstalls the system. Do not interrupt it by turning off the tablet.

Can I undo a hard reset?

No. Once a hard reset is complete, all data is permanently erased. That is why backing up to your Samsung or Google account before you reset is so important. You can restore from that backup after the reset is done.

What if my tablet is stuck on the Samsung logo after a reset?

This sometimes happens if the reset was interrupted or if there is a system problem. Try a forced restart by holding the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds. If the tablet still will not load, contact Samsung support—this may require a repair.

Do I need to sign in to my Samsung account after a reset?

You will be asked to sign in during setup. Signing in restores your contacts, apps, and settings from your backup. If you do not have a Samsung account, you can sign in with your Google account instead, and your Google apps and data will restore.