Two ways to reset your Samsung Galaxy tablet

A reset clears your tablet back to factory settings, removing all your apps, photos, files, and accounts. Samsung Galaxy tablets offer two methods: a soft reset, which restarts the device without erasing anything, and a factory reset, which wipes everything. Most people need the soft reset when the tablet freezes or runs slowly. Use the factory reset only when you plan to sell the device, give it away, or troubleshoot a serious problem you cannot fix any other way.

Before you factory reset, back up anything you want to keep. Photos, documents, and app data stored in your Google account will restore automatically when you sign back in, but files saved only on the tablet itself will be gone. If you are unsure what is backed up, check your Google Drive and Google Photos first.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset restarts your tablet without erasing anything and fixes most freezing and slowness problems in under a minute.
  • A factory reset removes all apps, files, photos, and accounts, so back up anything you need before starting.
  • To soft reset, hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap Restart.
  • To factory reset, go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset, then confirm twice.
  • After a factory reset, your tablet will restart and ask you to sign in with your Samsung or Google account to restore backed-up data.

How to soft reset without losing anything

A soft reset takes about 30 seconds and fixes most problems. Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet until the power menu appears on screen. You will see options including Power Off and Restart. Tap Restart. The tablet will turn off and back on automatically, and you will be back at your lock screen in under a minute.

Everything on your tablet stays exactly as it was. Use this method first if your tablet is frozen, apps are crashing, or the device is running slowly. Most of the time, a soft reset solves the problem without any other steps.

How to factory reset your Samsung Galaxy tablet

A factory reset erases everything and returns the tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory. Open Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen twice to open the quick settings panel, then tap the Settings icon (it looks like a gear). Scroll down and tap General Management. Look for Reset or Reset Options — the exact name varies by tablet model and Android version.

Tap Factory Data Reset or Reset Device. The tablet will show a warning that all data will be deleted. Read it carefully. You will see a checkbox asking you to confirm that you understand data will be erased. Check that box, then tap Reset or Delete All. The tablet will ask you to enter your PIN, pattern, or password to confirm. Type it in and tap Confirm or Continue.

The tablet will restart and show a progress bar as it erases everything. This can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is on the device. Do not turn off the tablet during this time. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen you saw the first time you turned it on, asking you to choose a language and sign in.

What happens after the factory reset completes

Once the reset finishes, your tablet will ask you to set it up again from the beginning. You will choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account or Samsung account. If you sign in with the same Google account you used before, your backed-up photos, Gmail, contacts, and calendar will restore automatically. Apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store will also reinstall, though this can take an hour or more depending on how many you had.

Files you saved only to the tablet's storage — such as documents in a folder, videos you recorded, or photos you took but did not back up — will not return. If you need those files, do not proceed with the factory reset. Instead, connect the tablet to a computer and copy the files to the computer first, or upload them to Google Drive or another cloud storage service before resetting.

When to use a soft reset instead of a factory reset

Use a soft reset if your tablet is slow, an app keeps crashing, the screen is frozen, or the device is not responding. A soft reset fixes most of these problems because it clears the tablet's temporary memory without touching your files or settings. Try a soft reset first — it takes 30 seconds and solves the problem in the majority of cases.

Use a factory reset only if a soft reset does not work, if you are selling or giving away the tablet, or if you are troubleshooting a serious problem that your tablet manufacturer or a technician has told you to try. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you have backed up anything you need before you start.

Backing up before you reset

To back up your data, open Settings and search for "Backup" or look under Accounts and Backup. Tap Backup and Restore or Samsung Cloud. You can back up to your Samsung account, Google account, or both. Photos and videos back up to Google Photos automatically if you have it turned on. Documents, spreadsheets, and other files back up to Google Drive if you save them there instead of to the tablet's storage.

Check what is already backed up by opening Google Drive and Google Photos in your web browser on a computer. If you see your photos and important files there, they will restore when you sign back in after the reset. If you do not see something, it is not backed up, and you should copy it to your computer or upload it to Google Drive before you reset the tablet.

Troubleshooting if the reset does not work

If your tablet will not restart after a soft reset, or if it gets stuck during a factory reset, try a forced restart. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds until the Samsung logo appears. Release both buttons. The tablet will restart. This works even if the screen is frozen or the tablet is not responding.

If a factory reset gets stuck and does not finish after 30 minutes, turn off the tablet by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try the factory reset again from the beginning. If the tablet still will not reset, or if you see an error message, contact Samsung support through their website or visit a Samsung service center. Do not attempt multiple resets in a row, as this can cause problems with the device's storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset delete my photos and files?

No. A soft reset only restarts the tablet. Everything on it — photos, files, apps, and settings — stays exactly as it was. A soft reset is safe to use anytime your tablet is slow or frozen.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone. That is why you must back up anything you want to keep before you start. Once the reset finishes, the data is gone unless it was backed up to Google Drive, Google Photos, or your Samsung account.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. After that, the tablet will restart and ask you to set it up again, which takes another 5 to 10 minutes depending on your internet speed and how many apps you choose to reinstall.

Do I need to remove my Google account before I reset?

No. You do not need to remove your account first. After the reset, the tablet will ask you to sign in again. If you sign in with the same account, your backed-up data will restore automatically. If you want to sell the tablet, sign out of all accounts before you reset, or reset first and then do not sign back in.

What if I forgot my PIN or password and cannot complete the factory reset?

If the tablet asks for a PIN or password you do not remember, you can sign in with your Google account instead. Tap "Forgot PIN?" or "Forgot Password?" and follow the prompts to verify your identity using your Google account. If you do not remember your Google password either, go to accounts.google.com on a computer and use the account recovery process there.