The three ways to restart your Samsung Galaxy S24
You can restart your S24 in three ways: a soft restart using the power menu, a forced restart if the phone is frozen, and a factory reset if you need to erase everything and start over. Most of the time, a soft restart through the power menu is what you need — it closes all running apps and clears temporary memory without erasing your data or settings.
A forced restart is useful when your phone stops responding to touch or buttons. A factory reset wipes your phone completely and should only be used if you plan to sell it, give it away, or recover from serious software problems. Each method takes a different amount of time and carries different consequences, so choose based on what your phone is actually doing wrong.
Key Takeaways
- A soft restart through the power menu takes 30 seconds and fixes most freezing or slowness without losing any data.
- A forced restart works when your S24 will not respond to buttons or touch, and also does not erase anything on your phone.
- A factory reset erases all your data, apps, and settings, so back up your phone first if you want to keep anything.
- You can back up your S24 to your Samsung account or Google account before doing any restart, and restore from that backup afterward.
Soft restart using the power menu
Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time until the power menu appears on your screen. This usually takes 1 to 2 seconds. You will see options including "Power off", "Restart", and "Emergency mode".
Tap "Restart". Your phone will turn off and turn back on automatically. The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Your data, apps, and settings stay exactly as they were — a soft restart only clears temporary files and stops all running apps.
Use a soft restart when your phone is slow, an app is frozen, or your phone is not responding smoothly. This is the safest restart method and the one you should try first.
Forced restart when your phone is frozen
If your S24 will not respond to any button presses or touch, a forced restart forces the phone to shut down and start again without using the power menu. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button together for at least 10 seconds, even if you see nothing happen on the screen.
Keep holding both buttons until you see the Samsung logo appear on the screen, then release. Your phone will restart. This takes longer than a soft restart — usually 30 to 60 seconds total — but it works even when the phone is completely unresponsive.
A forced restart does not erase any of your data, apps, or settings. Use it only when the soft restart method does not work because your phone will not respond to the power menu.
Factory reset to erase everything
A factory reset erases all your data, apps, photos, messages, and settings, returning your phone to the state it was in when it left the factory. Only do this if you are selling or giving away your phone, or if a serious software problem requires a complete wipe.
Before you factory reset, back up your phone. Go to Settings, tap "Accounts and backup", then "Samsung Cloud" or "Google Account" depending on which service you use. Tap "Backup" and wait for it to finish — this can take several minutes depending on how much data you have.
To factory reset, go to Settings, scroll down and tap "General management", then "Reset", then "Factory data reset". Tap "Reset" again and enter your PIN or password if prompted. Your phone will restart and erase everything. This takes 5 to 10 minutes. When it finishes, you can sign back into your Samsung or Google account and restore your backup.
Backing up your phone before a restart
Samsung Cloud and Google Account both back up your contacts, messages, photos, app data, and settings. You do not have to choose one — you can use both at the same time.
To back up to Samsung Cloud, go to Settings, tap "Accounts and backup", then "Samsung Cloud", then "Backup". Select what you want to back up and tap "Backup now". To back up to Google Account, go to Settings, tap "Accounts and backup", then "Google Account", then "Manage your Google Account", then the "Manage your data and privacy" tab, then "read your data". Both services back up automatically on a schedule, but you can also start a backup manually anytime.
After a soft or forced restart, your data stays on your phone, so you do not need to restore anything. After a factory reset, sign back into your Samsung or Google account and tap "Restore" to put your backed-up data back on your phone.
When to use each restart method
| Situation | Method to use | Time it takes | Erases data? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone is slow or an app is frozen | Soft restart | 30 seconds | No |
| Phone will not respond to touch or buttons | Forced restart | 30 to 60 seconds | No |
| You are selling or giving away the phone | Factory reset | 5 to 10 minutes | Yes |
| Serious software problem or malware suspected | Factory reset | 5 to 10 minutes | Yes |
What to do if your phone still does not work after restart
If a soft restart does not fix the problem, try a forced restart next. If a forced restart does not work, the problem may be hardware-related rather than software-related — for example, a broken screen, battery, or charging port.
If your phone will not turn on at all, plug it into a charger for at least 30 minutes, then try to turn it on. If it still will not turn on, contact Samsung support or visit a carrier store. If your phone turns on but gets stuck on the Samsung logo during startup, try a forced restart again, or contact Samsung support for help with recovery mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does restarting my S24 erase my photos and messages?
No. A soft restart and a forced restart both keep all your data, photos, messages, and apps. Only a factory reset erases everything. If you are not doing a factory reset, your phone will look and work exactly the same after it restarts.
How often should I restart my S24?
You do not need to restart on a schedule. Restart only when your phone is slow, an app is frozen, or it is not responding. Most people restart their phone a few times a month or less often.
What is the difference between a soft restart and a forced restart?
A soft restart uses the power menu and takes 30 seconds. A forced restart holds down two buttons and works even when the phone will not respond. Both keep your data. Use soft restart first; use forced restart only if soft restart does not work.
Can I restart my S24 while it is charging?
Yes. Restarting while charging is safe and does not damage your phone or battery. You can do a soft restart, forced restart, or factory reset at any time, whether your phone is plugged in or not.
Will restarting fix a cracked screen?
No. A restart only fixes software problems like freezing or slowness. A cracked screen is a hardware problem and requires physical repair. Contact Samsung or your carrier for screen replacement options.