The three ways to restart a Samsung tablet

A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which fixes most freezing, lag, and connection problems. You have three options: a soft restart (the safest), a forced restart (when the tablet won't respond), and a factory reset (which erases everything). Most of the time, a soft restart solves the problem and takes less than a minute.

The method you use depends on whether your tablet is responding to touch. If it's frozen or stuck, you'll need a forced restart. If you're selling the tablet, giving it away, or starting over after a serious malfunction, a factory reset is the right choice—but understand that it deletes all your photos, apps, messages, and files unless you've backed them up first.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft restart closes all apps and clears temporary memory without erasing your files or settings, and works when your tablet is responding normally.
  • A forced restart (holding the power and volume buttons together) works when your tablet is frozen or won't turn off, and also doesn't erase anything.
  • A factory reset erases all your data, apps, and settings, so back up your files before you start if you want to keep them.
  • Most tablet problems are fixed by a soft or forced restart; a factory reset should be your last step, not your first.

Soft restart: the everyday method

A soft restart is the gentlest option and the one to try first. Your tablet stays on the whole time, and nothing is erased. Press and hold the power button (usually on the right edge or top of your tablet) until a menu appears on the screen. This takes about 3 to 5 seconds. You'll see options including "Power off" or "Restart."

Tap "Restart" if that option appears. If you only see "Power off," tap it, wait 10 seconds for the tablet to shut down completely, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Either way, your tablet will restart, reload Android, and come back to your home screen with all your apps and files intact. This usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.

Forced restart: when your tablet is frozen

If your tablet won't respond to touch, won't turn off, or is completely frozen, a soft restart won't work because you can't reach the power menu. A forced restart forces the tablet to shut down and restart without waiting for your input. The steps vary slightly depending on your tablet model, but the principle is the same: hold down two buttons at once until the screen goes black.

For most Samsung tablets, press and hold the power button and the volume down button together for 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding even if you see a Samsung logo or a power menu—ignore it and keep holding. The screen will go black, and after a few seconds, the tablet will restart on its own. This also doesn't erase anything; it just forces a shutdown and restart.

If your tablet has a Bixby button (a physical button on the side), some models use power + Bixby instead. Check your tablet's manual or Samsung's support page for your specific model number if the power + volume down combination doesn't work after 15 seconds.

Factory reset: erasing everything and starting fresh

A factory reset returns your tablet to the state it was in when it left the factory—all apps, files, photos, messages, and settings are deleted. Do this only if you're troubleshooting a serious problem that a restart didn't fix, or if you're preparing to sell or give away the tablet. Before you start, back up anything you want to keep: photos, documents, contacts, and app data.

To factory reset, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. (The exact path varies slightly by Android version and Samsung model, but "Reset" is always in General management.) Tap Reset again, then Delete all. The tablet will warn you that all data will be erased. Confirm, and the tablet will restart and erase everything. This takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it's done, you'll see the setup screen as if the tablet is brand new.

If you can't reach Settings because the tablet is frozen, you can force a factory reset by holding power + volume up + Bixby (or power + volume up on some models) for 15 to 20 seconds. This brings up a recovery menu. Use volume buttons to navigate to "Wipe data / factory reset" and press the power button to select it. This is a last resort and should only be used if the tablet won't start or respond at all.

What to do before a factory reset

If you're planning a factory reset, take these steps first to save your data. Photos and videos are usually stored in Google Photos, which backs them up automatically if you're signed into a Google account. Check that your photos are there by opening the Google Photos app and looking at your library.

Contacts are also backed up to your Google account automatically. Documents, spreadsheets, and notes in Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Samsung Notes will be safe if they're stored in the cloud rather than only on the tablet. Check each app to see where your files are saved. Any app data (like game progress or app settings) may be lost unless the app itself backs it up to your account—most major apps do, but not all.

If you have files stored only on the tablet's internal storage, connect it to a computer with a USB cable and copy them to your computer before you reset. Once the factory reset starts, there's no way to recover those files.

When to restart versus when to call Samsung support

A restart fixes most common problems: freezing, apps crashing, slow performance, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth not connecting, and the tablet not waking from sleep. If a soft restart doesn't work, try a forced restart. If a forced restart doesn't fix the problem, a factory reset is worth trying before you contact support.

Contact Samsung support if the tablet won't turn on at all, won't charge, shows a black screen even after a forced restart, or keeps restarting over and over without stopping. These point to a hardware problem or a serious software issue that a restart can't fix. You can reach Samsung support through their website, by phone, or through the Samsung Members app if your tablet can still turn on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my tablet delete my files?

No. A soft restart and a forced restart both keep all your files, apps, photos, and settings. Only a factory reset erases everything. If you're just doing a regular restart to fix a problem, your data is safe.

How long does a restart take?

A soft restart usually takes 30 to 60 seconds from the moment you tap "Restart" until you're back at the home screen. A forced restart takes about the same time. A factory reset takes 5 to 10 minutes and leaves you at the setup screen.

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

A soft restart uses the power menu and lets the tablet shut down gracefully. A forced restart holds down buttons to force an when ready shutdown. Use a soft restart when your tablet is responding; use a forced restart when it's frozen or won't turn off.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset permanently erases all data on the tablet. If you backed up your files to Google Drive, Google Photos, or another cloud service before the reset, you can sign back into your account and read them again. Otherwise, the data is gone.

My tablet is stuck in a restart loop. What do I do?

A restart loop (the tablet keeps restarting over and over) usually means a software problem that a normal restart can't fix. Try a forced restart first. If that doesn't work, contact Samsung support—this may require a repair or a professional factory reset.