How to restart a Samsung tablet
⚡ Fast fix
- Running slow? A restart clears temporary memory and background processes.
- Frozen screen? Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons for 10–15 seconds.
- Newer Samsung tablet? You may need Power + Volume Down to open the restart menu.
- Good news for your files. Restarting won't erase your photos, apps, or other personal data.
When a Samsung Galaxy Tab® starts freezing, slowing down, or acting a little off, a restart is usually the first thing we try.
It only takes a minute, doesn't erase any of your data, and can clear up everything from sluggish performance to minor software glitches.
Asurion Experts help our millions of customers with all of their tech care needs. Here's how to restart your Samsung tablet—and what to do if the screen won't respond.
How to restart a Samsung tablet normally
If your tablet is still responding, a standard restart is the quickest option.
On many Samsung tablets:
- Press and hold the Power button.
- Tap Restart.
- Wait for the tablet to shut down and start back up.
Some newer Samsung tablets work a little differently. Instead of opening the power menu with the Power button by itself, you'll need to press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together until the restart menu appears.
There's no need to power the tablet off manually first. The built-in restart option takes care of everything.
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What a restart can fix
Restarting is often the first thing we recommend because it clears temporary system memory and resets background processes that may not be working correctly.
Some of the problems we commonly see improve after a restart include:
- Apps freezing or crashing.
- Slow performance.
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection issues.
- Minor software glitches.
If one of those problems disappears after restarting, you've probably saved yourself a lot of unnecessary troubleshooting.
How to force restart a frozen Samsung tablet
Sometimes the tablet won't respond to taps, swipes, or the power menu.
When that happens, a forced restart is usually the next step.
Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together for about 10 to 15 seconds. Keep holding them until the tablet powers off or restarts.
A forced restart bypasses the frozen screen and tells the system to reboot. It doesn't erase your apps, photos, or other personal data.
What if your Samsung tablet still won't restart?
If the tablet still isn't responding after a forced restart, the problem is probably bigger than a temporary software glitch.
At that point, we'd start looking at things like battery charge, charging behavior, or a deeper hardware problem rather than continuing to force restart the device.
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FAQ
Does restarting a Samsung tablet delete anything?
No. Your apps, photos, and files stay right where they are.
How do I restart a frozen Samsung tablet?
Hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together for 10 to 15 seconds.
Why does restarting fix so many problems?
It clears temporary memory and gives Android a fresh start.
Why won't my Samsung tablet restart?
If a forced restart doesn't work, the battery or another hardware issue may be preventing it from powering on.
Should I restart or power off my Samsung tablet?
Start with Restart. It's quicker and solves most temporary software issues.
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