The fastest way to restart an app on Samsung TV
The quickest method is to press the back button on your Samsung remote while the app is open, then reopen it from the home screen or app list. This closes the app completely and clears its temporary memory, which fixes most freezing and loading problems.
If the back button does not work, hold down the exit button (marked with an X or a door symbol) for three seconds. This forces the app to close. Then navigate back to the app and select it again to restart it fresh.
For apps that are stuck or completely unresponsive, you may need to use the settings menu instead. This method takes a few more steps but works when the remote buttons alone do not.
Key Takeaways
- Press the back button on your remote to close an app, then reopen it from your home screen or app list.
- Hold the exit button for three seconds if the back button does not respond.
- Use Settings > Apps to force-stop an app that will not close through the remote.
- Restarting an app clears its cache and temporary files, which resolves most freezing and playback issues without affecting your saved data.
- If an app continues to malfunction after restarting, uninstalling and reinstalling it often solves the problem.
Restarting an app through the Settings menu
Open the Settings menu on your TV by pressing the menu button or home button on your remote. Navigate to Apps or Applications (the exact name varies by model year). You will see a list of all installed apps on your TV.
Find the app you want to restart and select it. Look for a button labeled Force Stop or Close. Select it. The app will shut down when ready, even if it was frozen or not responding.
Wait a few seconds, then go back to your home screen and open the app again. It will start fresh with no leftover data from the previous session.
When to restart versus uninstall and reinstall
Restart an app first if it is freezing, loading slowly, or showing a black screen. Most of these problems clear up once the app closes and reopens. Restarting takes 30 seconds and does not erase any of your login information or saved preferences.
If the app continues to malfunction after restarting, uninstall it and reinstall it from the Samsung App Store or Google Play Store (depending on your TV model). This removes the app entirely and downloads a fresh copy, which solves problems that a straightforward restart cannot fix.
To uninstall, go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and choose Uninstall. Then open the app store, search for the app by name, and select Install. Log back in with your account credentials once the installation is complete.
Clearing an app's cache without uninstalling
If you want to clear an app's stored data but keep your login information, you can clear its cache. Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and look for Storage or Cache. Select Clear Cache.
This removes temporary files the app has stored on your TV but keeps your account login and any saved preferences. It is useful if an app is taking up too much storage space or if you want to free up memory without losing your place in a show or game.
If you want to erase everything including your login information, select Clear Data instead. You will need to log back in the next time you open the app.
Restarting multiple apps at once
If several apps are running slowly or freezing, you can restart them all without going through the settings menu each time. Press the home button to return to the home screen, then press the back button repeatedly to close each open app one by one.
Alternatively, some Samsung TV models have a Recent Apps menu. Press and hold the back button to see all open apps, then select each one and choose Close or Remove. This is faster than navigating back to the home screen between each app.
What to do if an app will not restart
If an app will not close even after pressing the back button or exit button, try unplugging your TV from the power outlet for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This performs a full restart of your TV and closes all running apps at once.
If the app still will not work after a TV restart and a force-stop through settings, the app itself may be corrupted. Uninstall it, restart your TV again, and then reinstall it from the app store. Most app problems are resolved by this point.
If the problem persists, check whether your TV software is up to date. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and select Update Now if an update is available. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues with newer app versions.
Preventing apps from freezing in the first place
Restart your TV once a week, even if apps are working fine. Press the power button to turn it off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears the TV's memory and prevents apps from accumulating temporary files that slow them down over time.
Close apps you are not using. Each open app uses a small amount of your TV's memory. If you have five or six apps running in the background, your TV will slow down noticeably. Press the back button to close an app when you are done with it.
Keep your TV software updated. Samsung releases updates that improve app performance and fix bugs. Check Settings > Support > Software Update once a month to see if an update is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting an app erase my login information?
No. Restarting an app closes it and reopens it, but your login credentials and saved preferences remain on your TV. You will not need to sign in again unless you specifically clear the app's data through the settings menu.
What is the difference between restarting and force-stopping an app?
Restarting means closing an app and opening it again. Force-stopping means closing an app through the settings menu so it cannot run in the background. Both accomplish the same thing: they clear the app's temporary memory and let it start fresh.
How often should I restart my apps?
Restart an app only when it is not working properly — freezing, loading slowly, or crashing. You do not need to restart apps regularly. If an app works fine, leave it alone.
Can I restart all apps at once?
Yes. Unplug your TV from the power outlet for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This restarts your entire TV and closes all running apps. It is the fastest way to clear memory if multiple apps are acting up.
What should I do if restarting does not fix the problem?
Uninstall the app, restart your TV, and reinstall it from the app store. If the problem continues, check that your TV software is up to date by going to Settings > Support > Software Update. Outdated software can cause app compatibility issues.