How to restart Samsung phone depends on whether the screen is working normally or the device is frozen. If the phone still responds, you can restart it through the power menu or the Quick Settings power icon.
If it is locked up, a force restart using the Side or Power button with Volume Down can reboot the device without deleting your data. This guide shows both methods so you can choose the right fix quickly.
1. How to Restart a Samsung Phone Normally
If the screen is responsive, the standard method for how to restart my Samsung phone takes just a few taps.
On most Galaxy devices, the power menu includes a Restart option separate from Power off, though the way you open that menu can vary by model and Side button settings.
Step 1: Press and Hold the Side Button and Volume Down
To start how to restart Samsung phone, press and hold the Side button (the power button on the right side of the phone) and the Volume Down button at the same time.
Hold both buttons for a few seconds until the power menu appears. The power menu will appear on the screen.
On models with a dedicated Power button, pressing and holding the Power button alone may open the power menu.
Step 2: Tap Restart From the Power Menu
The power menu usually shows options such as Power off, Restart, Emergency call, Medical info, or Emergency mode, depending on model and software version. Tap Restart.
Do not tap Power Off, which will shut the phone down completely without restarting it.
If your software uses slightly different wording, choose the option that restarts the phone rather than turning it off. Both produce the same result.
Step 3: Confirm Restart
A confirmation prompt appears asking to confirm the restart. Tap Restart again to confirm the process of how to restart Samsung phone.
The screen will go dark, the Samsung logo will appear, and the phone will complete its reboot sequence.
The restart usually takes under a minute or two, but timing can vary by model, software version, and phone condition.
Alternative: Use the Quick Settings Power Icon
On many newer Galaxy phones and tablets, you can swipe down with two fingers or swipe down twice to open the full Quick Settings panel and tap the Power icon in the upper-right corner.
From there, tap Restart, then tap Restart again to confirm. Tapping this icon opens the same power menu with the Restart option.
This is a convenient shortcut when the side button is difficult to reach or the volume button is not functioning correctly.
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2. How to Force Restart Samsung Phone
When the screen is frozen, unresponsive, or the phone is completely locked up, the standard power menu is not accessible.
The force restart button combination can restart the device even when the screen is not responding, instead of just performing how to restart Samsung phone normally. No data is lost in this process.
Step 1: Press and Hold the Side Button and Volume Down for 7 to 10 Seconds
Press and hold the Side button, or Power button, and the Volume Down button at the same time.
Keep holding both buttons until the device turns off and begins turning back on. This is longer than the two-second hold used for the normal power menu.
On most Galaxy phones, the force restart combination is Volume Down plus Side or Power, but very old models may use a different button combination.
Step 2: Wait for the Screen to Go Blank
Keep holding the buttons as the screen goes black. Release them when the Samsung logo appears or when the phone clearly begins restarting.
The blank screen confirms the force restart sequence has been triggered. If the screen does not go dark after ten seconds, release the buttons, wait five seconds, and try again with a firmer, continuous hold on both buttons.
Step 3: Let the Phone Restart Automatically
After the screen goes dark, the Samsung logo will appear within a few seconds, followed by the normal boot sequence. The phone restarts automatically without any further input.
The boot process may take a minute or two depending on the model and device condition. Once the lock screen appears, the phone is ready to use normally.
3. What to Do If Your Samsung Phone Still Won’t Restart
If neither how to restart Samsung phone nor a force restart resolves the issue, a few additional steps may help.
- Charge the phone first. A battery that has drained completely may appear frozen when it is simply out of power. Connect the phone to a compatible charger and wait several minutes; if the battery is fully depleted, it may take a while before the device shows signs of charging.
- Try the force restart a second time. On phones that are severely frozen, the first force restart attempt occasionally does not register if the buttons were not held long enough or firmly enough. Try again with a steady hold until the phone turns off and starts back up.
- Boot into Safe Mode. If the phone restarts but freezes again, power it off, turn it back on, and press and hold Volume Down when the Samsung logo appears until Safe mode shows on the screen. If the phone is responsive, you can also open the power menu, touch and hold Power off, then tap Safe mode. Safe Mode disables third-party apps and helps identify whether a downloaded app is causing the problem
- Perform a factory reset as a last resort. If the phone is functional but persistently crashes or freezes, a factory reset through Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset restores the phone to its original state. Make sure you know the Google and Samsung account credentials on the phone before resetting, since account protection may be required during setup afterward.
- Contact Samsung Support or visit a service center. If the phone does not respond to any restart method and will not charge, the issue may be hardware-related. Samsung’s support team can run diagnostics and advise on repair or replacement options.
4. FAQs
Will a Force Restart Delete My Data?
No. A force restart simply forces the phone to reboot when it is frozen or unresponsive. It does not erase apps, photos, contacts, or any stored data. The only thing a force restart does is shut off the phone’s power and restart it. Data is only at risk from a factory reset, not from a normal or force restart.
What Is the Difference Between Force Restart and Factory Reset?
A force restart reboots the phone without erasing anything. It is used when the phone is frozen and cannot be shut down normally. A factory reset erases all data on the phone and returns it to its original out-of-box state.
Why Does My Samsung Phone Keep Freezing?
Repeated freezing can point to low storage, outdated software, a problematic third-party app, overheating, battery issues, or device hardware problems. Check storage in Settings > Battery and device care > Storage, then update apps and software before assuming the phone is broken.
How Often Should I Restart My Samsung Phone?
Restarting once a week can be a reasonable habit if the phone feels sluggish, freezes, or has been running for a long time without a reboot. Phones that are used heavily for gaming, streaming, or multitasking benefit from more frequent restarts.
Conclusion
Knowing how to restart Samsung phone is useful for fixing freezes, slow performance, app glitches, or temporary system issues. Use the normal restart when the screen is responsive, and use the force restart only when the phone will not react.
If the device still will not turn on or keeps freezing after a restart, charge it first, try Safe Mode, or contact Samsung Support for a deeper hardware or software check.
