The three ways to restart a Samsung Galaxy device
A restart clears your device's temporary memory and stops apps that are running in the background. Most Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets restart the same way, though the exact button combination depends on your model and Android version.
The most common method is to hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for about 10 seconds until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart" or "Reboot." If that does not work, you can also hold just the Power button alone until the menu shows up. A third option — a force restart — forces the device off when ready without waiting for the menu, which is useful if your phone is frozen or unresponsive.
Each method serves a different purpose. A normal restart gives apps time to close cleanly. A force restart is faster and works when the screen is not responding. A factory reset erases everything and returns the device to its original state, which is a separate process covered later in this guide.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for 10 seconds to open the power menu, then tap Restart.
- If the menu does not appear, hold only the Power button until you see the power options on screen.
- A force restart (holding Power and Volume Down for 10+ seconds without releasing) works when your phone is frozen and will not respond to taps.
- A restart clears temporary memory and stops background apps but does not erase your photos, messages, or settings.
- If your device is completely unresponsive, try charging it for 15 minutes before attempting a restart.
Normal restart using the power menu
This is the standard way to restart and works on nearly all Samsung Galaxy models running Android 9 or later. Press and hold the Power button (usually on the right side of the device) and the Volume Down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for about 10 seconds.
The power menu will slide up from the bottom of the screen. You will see options including "Power Off," "Restart," and sometimes "Emergency Mode." Tap "Restart." The device will shut down and turn back on automatically, which usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. During this time, you will see the Samsung logo and possibly an Android boot animation.
If you only see "Power Off" and not "Restart," tap "Power Off" first, wait for the device to shut down completely, then press the Power button again to turn it back on. This achieves the same result as using the Restart option.
Force restart when your device is frozen
A force restart bypasses the normal shutdown process and is necessary when your phone or tablet will not respond to touches or button presses. The button combination is the same as the normal restart — Power and Volume Down together — but you hold them longer and do not release when the power menu appears.
Press and hold Power and Volume Down for 15 to 20 seconds without letting go. Ignore any menus or prompts that appear on screen. The device will vibrate, the screen will go black, and you will see the Samsung logo appear. Keep holding the buttons until the logo shows up, then release. The device will restart automatically.
A force restart does not erase any data. It straightforward forces the device to shut down when ready and restart, which clears stuck processes and frees up memory. If your device is frozen after installing an app, a force restart often fixes the problem without losing anything.
Restarting older Samsung Galaxy models
Devices running Android 8 or earlier (typically Galaxy models from 2017 and before) may use a different button combination. On these older phones, hold the Power button alone until the power menu appears, then select "Restart" or "Power Off" followed by a manual restart.
Some very old Galaxy models have a dedicated restart option in Settings. Open Settings, tap "About Phone" or "About Device," and look for a "Restart" or "Reboot" option. Not all older models include this, so the button method is more reliable.
If you are unsure which Android version your device runs, open Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "About Phone." The Android version number will be listed there. This information is also useful if you need to search for device-specific instructions online.
What to do if the restart does not work
If your device will not restart using either method, the battery may be completely drained. Connect your phone or tablet to a charger and wait at least 15 minutes before trying again. A completely dead battery can prevent the device from responding to button presses.
If the device still will not restart after charging, try a different charger or cable. A faulty cable can prevent the battery from charging even though it appears to be plugged in. You can also try holding the Power button for 30 seconds instead of 10 to 20 — occasionally a device needs extra time to respond.
If none of these steps work and your device remains unresponsive, the hardware may be damaged. At this point, contact Samsung support or visit a repair center. Before you do, note down any error messages or unusual behavior you observed, as this information helps technicians diagnose the problem.
Restarting through Settings instead of buttons
If your Power button is broken or stuck, you can restart through the Settings menu instead. Open Settings, scroll down, and tap "About Phone" or "About Device." Look for a "Restart" or "Reboot" option near the bottom of the screen. Tap it and confirm when prompted.
This method only works if your screen is responsive and the device is not completely frozen. If the screen is frozen or will not respond to touches, you must use the force restart button method described earlier.
Some Samsung devices also allow you to restart through the Power menu by holding the Power button alone (without Volume Down) until the menu appears. The exact options vary by model, but "Restart" or "Reboot" will be listed if available.
The difference between restart, soft reset, and factory reset
A restart (or reboot) shuts down the device and turns it back on. It clears temporary memory and stops running apps but keeps all your photos, messages, contacts, and settings intact. This is the safest option and solves most performance problems.
A soft reset is another name for a restart. The terms are used interchangeably and mean the same thing — power off and power on.
A factory reset erases everything on your device and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This includes photos, messages, apps you installed, and all your settings. A factory reset is a separate process that requires going into Settings or using recovery mode, and it should only be done if you have backed up your data first or if you are preparing to sell or give away the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting my Samsung Galaxy erase my photos or messages?
No. A restart only clears temporary memory and stops running apps. All your photos, messages, contacts, and installed apps remain on the device. Your settings and passwords are also preserved. Only a factory reset erases data.
How long does a restart take?
A normal restart usually takes 30 to 60 seconds from the moment you tap "Restart" until the home screen appears. A force restart may take slightly longer. If your device takes more than two minutes to restart, it may be stuck, and you should try the force restart method instead.
What should I do if my Power button is broken?
Open Settings, scroll to the bottom, tap "About Phone," and look for a "Restart" option. If your screen is completely unresponsive, you will need to visit a repair center, as the force restart method requires physical buttons.
Can I restart my Samsung Galaxy tablet the same way as my phone?
Yes. The button combinations and menu options are identical on Samsung Galaxy tablets and phones. The Power and Volume Down buttons are in the same locations relative to the device, so the same restart methods work on both.
Why would I need to restart my Samsung Galaxy?
Restart your device if an app is crashing, the screen is slow to respond, the battery is draining unusually fast, or the device feels hot. A restart clears temporary files and stops background processes that may be causing problems. It is also a good practice to restart once a week to keep your device running smoothly.