The Three Ways to Restart a Samsung Phone

A restart clears your phone's memory and closes all running programs, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Samsung phones restart the same way whether you own a Galaxy S series, A series, or older model: through the power menu, through settings, or by force if the phone is completely unresponsive.

The power menu method works on every Samsung phone made in the last decade. The settings method takes longer but is useful if your power button is broken. The force restart, also called a hard reset, works when your phone is frozen solid and will not respond to any touch or button press.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest restart uses the power button: press and hold it until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart".
  • If your power button is broken, go to Settings > General Management > Restart to restart through the menu instead.
  • A force restart (holding power and volume down together) works when your phone is completely frozen and will not respond to touches.
  • A restart is different from a factory reset — restarting closes your apps and clears memory, while a factory reset erases all your data.

Restart Using the Power Menu

This is the fastest method and works on all Samsung phones. Press and hold the power button on the side of your phone until the power menu appears on screen. This usually takes three to five seconds. Do not release the button early — if you see the Bixby voice assistant instead, you held the wrong button or released too soon.

Once the power menu is visible, tap the word "Restart" or the restart icon. Your phone will turn off and turn back on automatically. The entire process takes about 30 seconds. During restart, you will see the Samsung logo on a black screen, then your lock screen will appear.

If you do not see a "Restart" option and only see "Power Off" and "Emergency Mode", your phone is an older model. In that case, tap "Power Off", wait for the phone to turn off completely, then press the power button again to turn it back on.

Restart Through Settings If Your Power Button Is Broken

If your power button does not work, you can restart through the Settings menu instead. Open Settings, then scroll down and tap "General Management". Scroll down again and tap "Restart". Your phone will ask you to confirm — tap "Restart" again.

This method takes longer than using the power button because you have to navigate through menus, but it works just as well. Your phone will turn off and back on the same way as a power menu restart.

Force Restart When Your Phone Is Frozen

A force restart is different from a normal restart — it forces your phone to shut down when ready without closing apps or saving anything. Use this only when your phone is completely frozen and will not respond to any touch or button press.

To force restart, press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Hold both buttons for about 10 seconds until you see the Samsung logo appear on screen. Then release both buttons. Your phone will restart, and you will see the lock screen within 30 seconds.

Do not use a force restart as your regular restart method — it can occasionally cause problems if apps are in the middle of saving data. Use it only when your phone is unresponsive.

What Happens During a Restart

When your phone restarts, it closes every app that was running, clears temporary files from memory, and resets your phone's system. This is why a restart often fixes problems like apps crashing, the phone running slowly, or the screen freezing.

A restart does not erase any of your photos, messages, contacts, or installed apps. Everything you saved stays on your phone. The only thing that changes is that all running programs stop and your phone's memory is cleared.

After restart, your phone will ask for your PIN, pattern, or fingerprint before you can use it, just like when you first turn it on. This is normal security behavior.

Restart vs. Factory Reset

A restart and a factory reset are not the same thing. A restart closes your apps and clears memory but keeps all your data. A factory reset erases everything on your phone — all photos, messages, contacts, and apps — and returns your phone to the state it was in when it left the factory.

If you only want to fix a slow phone or a frozen app, restart. If you want to erase everything before selling your phone or giving it away, factory reset. You cannot undo a factory reset, so back up your data first if you choose that route.

When to Restart Your Samsung Phone

Restart your phone if an app keeps crashing, if your phone is running slowly, if the screen is frozen, or if you notice battery draining much faster than usual. A restart also helps if you just installed a large update and want to make sure everything loads correctly.

You do not need to restart your phone every day — modern Samsung phones are designed to run for weeks without a restart. But if you notice problems, a restart is the first thing to try before contacting Samsung support or visiting a repair shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting my phone delete my photos or messages?

No. A restart only closes running apps and clears temporary memory. All your photos, messages, contacts, and installed apps stay on your phone. Nothing is erased.

How long does a restart take?

A normal restart takes about 30 seconds from the moment you tap "Restart" until your lock screen appears. A force restart takes about the same time. During this time, your phone will show the Samsung logo on a black screen.

What is the difference between restarting and turning my phone off and on?

They are the same thing. Restarting means turning your phone off and then back on. The word "restart" just describes the process more clearly.

Can I restart my phone while it is charging?

Yes, you can restart while charging. It does not harm your phone or battery. Your phone will restart normally and continue charging after it turns back on.

What if my phone is still frozen after I restart it?

If your phone is still frozen after a force restart, try waiting a few minutes to see if it responds. If it remains unresponsive, the problem may be a hardware issue or a corrupted system file. Contact Samsung support or visit a repair shop for help.