How to reset your Galaxy tablet

💡 Need to know

• Most problems don't require a factory reset: A simple soft restart or force reboot is usually more than enough to clear out systemic background freezing or app stuttering.
• A factory reset permanently erases everything: Always verify your data is fully secured inside an external cloud layout or physical drive before executing a storage format.
• Forgotten passwords require a physical cable link: If you are locked out of your settings menu, you cannot enter the hardware Recovery Mode bootloader unless your tablet is physically connected to a running computer or console via a USB cable.

---

Is your Samsung Galaxy® tablet running slower than usual? Is it freezing up? Are you locked out? Or are you thinking of selling your device but worried about your personal data?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, it may be time to reset your tablet. There are, however, several ways to do so, and choosing the right one is important if you don't want to lose any personal information.

Here at Asurion, we help you get the most out of your tech—whether you want to know how to screenshot on your Samsung tablet or how to stop those annoying spam text messages. Here's our guide to resetting your Galaxy tablet safely.

Understanding the different types of Galaxy tablet resets

There are several ways to reset a Samsung tablet, and each one serves a different purpose.

• Soft reset: A normal restart that turns the tablet off and back on again.
• Force restart: Forces a frozen or unresponsive tablet to reboot without deleting personal data.
• Factory reset: Erases all content and settings and returns the tablet to its original setup state.

Not sure which one you need? Start here.

Which Samsung Galaxy tablet reset do you need?

One thing we see pretty often is people jumping straight to a factory reset when a simple restart would have solved the problem without affecting their data.

Before you do anything…

Whichever reset type you choose—especially if you’re going to do a factory reset—make sure you back up your tablet first so you don’t lose any important data. For help, check out our guide on how to back up your Galaxy tablet.

---

How to soft reset your Samsung Galaxy tablet

If your tablet is running slowly or an app is acting strangely, start here. This is simply a standard system reboot:

1. Press and hold the physical Power / Side button on the edge of your tablet for 3 seconds.
2. When the power options panel appears on your screen, tap the green Restart icon.
3. Tap Restart a second time to confirm. The tablet will cleanly shut down its open apps and reboot to the lock screen. 

Note: On newer Galaxy tablets, pressing the Power button launches the Bixby voice assistant by default. If this happens, swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the Quick Settings panel, tap the digital Power icon at the top right of your screen, and select Restart).

---

How to force restart your Samsung tablet

Use this method if your touchscreen is completely frozen, locked, or refusing to accept any finger input. This mechanically forces the internal battery line to cycle without wiping your files.

1. Press and hold down the physical Power / Side button and the Volume Down (-) button simultaneously.
2. Keep both physical keys held down firmly for 7 to 10 full seconds.
3. Do not let go until the display panel cuts to absolute black and the white "Samsung Galaxy" text boot-logo flashes on the center of the display screen.

---

How to factory reset your Galaxy tablet

If your data is backed up and you can still access the tablet, this is the easiest way to perform a factory reset.

1. Launch your tablet's native Settings app (the gear icon).
2. Scroll down the left sidebar menu layout and select General management.
3. Tap Reset located on the right-hand options panel.
4. Select Factory data reset.
5. Scroll past the list of accounts down to the very bottom of the page summary card and tap Reset.
6. Input your secure lock screen PIN, password, or drawing pattern.
7. If your tablet is linked to a Samsung cloud profile, type in your master Samsung Account password to authorize the security de-registration. Tap Delete all to initialize the automatic system storage sweep.

How to factory reset your Galaxy tablet if you're locked out

Use this method if you've forgotten your lock screen pattern or your Samsung Galaxy Tab™ is frozen and you can't access the normal settings menu.

Keep in mind that this process performs a factory reset and removes all data stored on the tablet.

1. Connect your tablet to a powered-on computer, gaming console, or smart TV using a USB-C cable.
   1. Why it matters: Many newer Samsung tablets won't enter Recovery Mode unless they're connected to another powered device. A standard wall charger usually won't work.
2. If the tablet is still on, press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons for about 10 seconds until the screen turns off.
3. As soon as the screen goes black, release those buttons and immediately press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons.
4. Continue holding both buttons until the Android Recovery screen appears, then release them.
5. Use the Volume buttons to highlight Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it.
6. Highlight Factory data reset and press the Power button again to confirm.
7. Once the reset is complete, highlight Reboot system now and press the Power button.

The tablet will restart and begin the setup process just like it did when it was first taken out of the box.

---

FAQ

How do I reset a Samsung tablet without the password?

You'll need to use Recovery Mode and perform a factory reset using the tablet's physical buttons.

Why won't my Samsung tablet enter Recovery Mode even when plugged into a laptop?

The most common causes are using a charge-only USB cable, releasing the buttons too early, or using the wrong button combination. Try a different USB-C cable or another powered device, such as a gaming console or smart TV.

What should I do before selling my Samsung tablet?

Back up your data, sign out of your accounts, and perform a factory reset.

Will a factory reset remove the anti-theft Google lock before I sell my tablet?

Not automatically. Before resetting the tablet, remove your Google® account from Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts. Otherwise, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) may prevent the next owner from setting up the device.