What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Samsung tablet — all apps, photos, files, accounts, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a restart, which straightforward turns the device off and back on without deleting anything.
You might need a factory reset if your tablet is running slowly, freezing repeatedly, or behaving erratically. A reset also clears out malware or unwanted apps that won't uninstall normally. If you're selling or giving away the tablet, a reset removes your personal data so the new owner starts fresh.
Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Back up anything you want to keep — photos, documents, contacts — to Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or another cloud service first. Once you start the reset, those files will be gone from the device.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset deletes everything on your tablet and returns it to its original state, so back up your files before you begin.
- You can reset your tablet through Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, or by using the hardware button method if the tablet won't start.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the device.
- After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with your Samsung account or Google account to set up the tablet again.
- If you forget your Samsung or Google password, you may not be able to use the tablet after a reset without contacting Samsung support.
How to reset through the Settings menu
This is the standard method and works when your tablet turns on and responds normally. Open the Settings app — usually a gear icon on your home screen or in the app drawer. Scroll down and tap General Management.
Inside General Management, look for Reset and tap it. You will see several reset options. Tap Factory Data Reset (sometimes labeled Reset Device or Erase All Data depending on your tablet model and Android version). The tablet will ask you to confirm — read the warning carefully, then tap Reset or Delete All.
Your tablet will restart and begin the reset process. You will see a progress bar or spinner on the screen. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the power cable during this time. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, as if it were brand new.
How to reset using hardware buttons if the tablet won't start
If your tablet is frozen, won't turn on, or won't respond to touch, you can force a reset using the physical buttons. The exact button combination depends on your model, but for most Samsung tablets it is: hold the Power button and Volume Up button together for 10 to 15 seconds until the Samsung logo appears.
Release the buttons when you see the logo. The tablet will enter Recovery Mode, which shows a menu with white text on a black background. Use the Volume Down button to navigate to Wipe Data / Factory Reset and press the Power button to select it. A confirmation screen will appear — use Volume Down to highlight Yes and press Power to confirm.
The reset will begin. This method takes longer than the Settings method, sometimes 20 to 30 minutes. Do not interrupt it. When it finishes, you will return to the Recovery Mode menu. Select Reboot System Now using the same button method, and the tablet will restart into the setup screen.
What happens after the reset is complete
Your tablet will boot up and show the initial setup screen, just as it did when new. You will be asked to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. This step is important: Samsung tablets require you to sign in with the same Google or Samsung account that was on the device before the reset, or you may be locked out.
If you remember your Google password, use that account. If you remember your Samsung account credentials, you can use those instead. If you have forgotten both passwords, you will need to recover them before you can proceed. Google and Samsung both offer account recovery options on their websites, but the process can take time.
Once you sign in, the tablet will read and reinstall your apps from the Google Play Store automatically if you choose to restore them. You can also set them up manually. Your backed-up files — photos, documents, contacts — can be restored from Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or whichever service you used to back them up.
Backing up your files before you reset
The safest way to back up is to use Google Drive or Samsung Cloud, both of which sync automatically if you set them up beforehand. Open Settings, tap Accounts and Backup (or Cloud and Accounts, depending on your model), and look for Samsung Cloud or Google Drive. Turn on the toggle to sync photos, contacts, and documents.
If you have files stored in specific folders, you can also manually upload them to Google Drive through the Drive app, or email them to yourself. For photos and videos, open the Gallery app, select the items you want to keep, and use the share menu to upload them to Drive or another cloud service.
Check that your backup is complete before you start the reset. Open Google Drive or Samsung Cloud and confirm that your important files are there. This step takes just a few minutes and can save you from losing irreplaceable photos or documents.
Troubleshooting if the reset doesn't work or gets stuck
If the reset starts but the tablet seems to be stuck on the progress screen for more than 30 minutes, try a hard restart. Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to force the tablet off, wait 30 seconds, then press Power again to turn it back on. The reset should resume or complete.
If the tablet restarts but when ready shows an error message or loops back to the setup screen, the reset may not have completed fully. Try the hardware button method (Power + Volume Up) to enter Recovery Mode and run the reset again from there.
If you are locked out after the reset because you cannot remember your Google or Samsung password, visit accounts.google.com or samsung.com/account on a computer to recover your account. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with the account. Once you recover the password, sign in on the tablet to unlock it.
When to contact Samsung support
If the tablet will not turn on at all, will not respond to the hardware button method, or shows an error code during the reset, the device may have a hardware problem that a reset cannot fix. Contact Samsung support through their website or call their customer service line — the number is on the back of your tablet or in the original documentation.
If you have reset the tablet but it is still running slowly or freezing, the problem may not have been software-related. Samsung support can run diagnostics to check for hardware issues like a failing storage drive or overheating processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the tablet?
Yes, a factory reset removes all accounts from the tablet. After the reset, you will need to sign in again with your Google account or Samsung account. If you forget your password, you can recover it on Google's or Samsung's website before you try to use the tablet again.
Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?
No, once the reset process begins, you cannot stop it without potentially damaging the tablet. Do not turn off the power or remove the battery during a reset. Let it run to completion, even if it takes 20 or 30 minutes.
What if I reset my tablet but forgot to back up my photos?
Once a factory reset completes, your photos are permanently deleted from the tablet and cannot be recovered through normal means. This is why backing up before you reset is so important. In the future, use Google Photos or Samsung Cloud to sync photos automatically so they are safe even if the device is reset.
Do I need to charge my tablet before I reset it?
Yes, make sure your tablet has at least 50% battery before you start a factory reset. If the battery dies during the reset, the process may not complete properly and could leave the tablet in an unusable state. Plug it in and let it charge fully before you begin.
Will resetting my tablet remove viruses or malware?
A factory reset will remove most malware because it deletes all apps and files. However, if malware is embedded in the tablet's firmware (the core software), a standard reset may not remove it. If your tablet continues to behave strangely after a reset, contact Samsung support to check for deeper issues.