Press and hold the power button until the Samsung logo appears

The power button on a Samsung Galaxy Tab is located on the right edge of the device, about halfway down. Press and hold it for three to five seconds. You will see the Samsung logo appear on the screen, followed by the startup animation.

If your tablet has been off for a while or the battery is completely drained, it may take up to ten seconds for the logo to appear. Do not release the button during this time — keep holding until you see movement on the screen.

Once the startup animation finishes, your tablet will display the lock screen. From there, you can swipe up or press the power button again to unlock it and reach the home screen.

Key Takeaways

  • The power button is on the right edge of the tablet, roughly in the middle of that edge.
  • Hold the power button for three to five seconds until the Samsung logo appears on screen.
  • The startup process takes another 10 to 30 seconds after the logo shows, depending on your model and how long the tablet has been off.
  • If nothing happens after 10 seconds of holding the button, your battery may be completely empty and you should charge the tablet for at least 15 minutes before trying again.

What to do if the tablet does not respond

If you hold the power button for 10 seconds and nothing happens, the battery is likely completely drained. Connect your tablet to a charger using the USB-C cable that came with it, or a compatible USB-C cable. Let it charge for at least 15 minutes before trying to turn it on again.

Some Samsung Galaxy Tabs show a charging indicator — a small light or animation — when plugged in while completely dead. If you see this, the tablet is receiving power. Wait another 10 to 15 minutes, then try the power button again.

Charging your tablet before first use

If your tablet is brand new, charge it for at least 30 minutes before turning it on for the first time. This ensures the battery has enough power to complete the initial setup process, which can take 10 to 15 minutes and uses significant battery.

Use the USB-C charger and cable included in the box. Plug the cable into the USB-C port at the bottom of the tablet and connect the charger to a wall outlet. A charging icon will appear on the screen once the tablet has enough power to display it.

The startup screen and initial setup

After the Samsung logo disappears, your tablet will show the lock screen. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen or press the power button to unlock it. You will then see the setup wizard, which walks you through connecting to Wi-Fi, signing into a Samsung or Google account, and choosing your language and time zone.

You do not have to complete setup when ready. You can skip any step by tapping "Skip" or the back arrow, and return to setup later through the Settings app. However, you will not be able to use most apps or features until you connect to Wi-Fi and sign in to at least one account.

Restarting your tablet if it freezes

If your tablet is on but frozen and will not respond to touches or button presses, force it to restart. Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds — longer than a normal startup — until the screen goes black and the Samsung logo reappears. This forces the tablet to shut down and start up again.

A forced restart does not erase any of your files or settings. It straightforward closes all running apps and restarts the operating system, which usually fixes freezing or lag. After the restart, your tablet will return to the lock screen.

Turning on your tablet after it has been off for weeks

If your Galaxy Tab has been off for several weeks or months, the battery may have drained completely. Plug it in and let it charge for 20 to 30 minutes before attempting to turn it on. The first startup after a long period off can take longer than usual — up to a minute — as the system checks the battery and storage.

During this extended startup, you may see a battery icon or a message saying the device is starting up. This is normal. Do not unplug the charger or press the power button again while this is happening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the power button on a Samsung Galaxy Tab?

The power button is on the right edge of the tablet, roughly in the middle. On most models, it is a small raised button that you can feel by running your finger down the right side. Some tablets also have a volume rocker above or below it.

How long should I hold the power button?

Hold it for three to five seconds for a normal startup. If the tablet is completely unresponsive and you need to force a restart, hold it for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black. Holding it longer than 15 seconds will not harm the device.

What if my tablet is plugged in but still will not turn on?

Let it charge for at least 30 minutes. A completely dead battery may not show any sign of life for the first 15 to 20 minutes of charging. If it still does not respond after 30 minutes of charging, try a forced restart by holding the power button for 15 seconds.

Can I turn on my tablet while it is charging?

Yes. You can turn on your tablet at any time, whether it is plugged in or not. Turning it on while charging will not damage the device or the battery.

Do I need to do anything special the first time I turn on a new tablet?

Charge it for at least 30 minutes first. After you turn it on, you will see a setup wizard that asks you to connect to Wi-Fi and sign in to an account. You can skip these steps, but you will need to complete them later to use most apps and features.