Your Samsung tablet should start with one long press, but a dead battery, frozen screen, or restart menu can make it look broken. Use the supported power-on path first, then move through the exact fixes Samsung provides for charging, force restart, Safe mode, and screen-wake settings.
Press the Side button or Power button
Find the Side button or Power button on the edge of the tablet.
Press and hold that button until you feel a vibration.
Release it when the SAMSUNG logo appears on the screen.
A short press only wakes the display on supported models; a shut-down tablet needs the long press.
Charge it before trying again
Use this method when the tablet shows nothing, does not vibrate, and ignores the normal power-on press. A fully depleted Galaxy tablet needs time on a charger before it shows signs of life.
Connect the charging cable to an appropriate charger.
Plug the charger into a wall outlet.
Leave the tablet connected when no charging indicator appears right away, because the indicator can take up to 10 minutes to appear.
Charge the tablet for at least 1 hour with the cable that came with it and an appropriate charger before you try the power button again.
After that hour, press and hold the Side button or Power button for 15 to 20 seconds, until the vibration and SAMSUNG logo appear.
Force restart a frozen black screen
The most common cause is that the tablet is stuck with an unresponsive screen instead of fully powered off.
Press and hold Volume down and the Side button or Power button at the same time.
Keep holding for about 10 seconds, or until the tablet turns off and turns back on.
If the Power menu appears, keep holding both buttons until the SAMSUNG logo appears.
For a tablet that will not power on or off, keep holding the same buttons until it restarts; this can take up to 60 seconds.
Leave Maintenance Boot Mode
If a button-combo restart opens Maintenance Boot Mode instead of Android, choose normal boot.
- 1.Press Volume Up or Volume Down to highlight Normal Boot.
- 2.Press the Side button, Power button, or Bixby button to select it.
- 3.Wait for the tablet to restart normally.
Start in Safe mode for app trouble
Power the tablet off completely.
Turn the tablet on with the normal Side button or Power button press.
When the SAMSUNG logo appears, press and hold Volume down.
Keep holding until Safe mode appears in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Safe mode is for troubleshooting third-party apps after the tablet can begin starting up.
Restart a tablet that is already on
This fixes a responsive tablet that needs a fresh restart.
Press and hold Volume down and the Side button or Power button at the same time.
After a few seconds, tap Restart.
Tap Restart again when the tablet asks you to confirm.
Use the Quick settings power menu
On One UI 7.0 and higher, swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the Quick panel. On One UI 6.1.1 or lower, swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers.
Tap the Power icon, then tap Restart and confirm when prompted. You can also tap Power off, then tap Power off again to shut the tablet down.
To turn the tablet back on after powering it off, press and hold the Side button or Power button.
If this method fails, use the force restart button combination instead.
Check screen wake options
A short press of the Side button switches the screen on or off on modern Galaxy devices. It does not boot a fully powered-off tablet, so use the long-press power-on method when the tablet is shut down.
Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures includes Lift to wake and Double tap to turn on screen on Galaxy tablets where those options are available. These features wake the display from sleep; they do not start a shut-down tablet.
Settings > Advanced features > Accessories includes Auto screen on and off when a compatible case or accessory is connected. That setting controls screen wake and sleep, not full device boot.
Ignore old or managed device shortcuts
Skip removable-battery advice unless the device physically has a removable battery.
Current sealed Galaxy Tab models do not use battery removal as a power-on method.
For work or school tablets, Samsung Knox supports administrator-managed power and reboot behavior on managed Galaxy devices.
Those Knox options are not a normal consumer way to turn on a powered-off tablet.
For a personal Samsung tablet, charge the battery if needed, then press and hold the Side button or Power button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why will my Samsung tablet not turn on after I press the button?
The battery may be fully depleted, or the tablet may be frozen on a black screen. Charge it from a wall outlet first, then try the normal long press. If it still does not respond, hold Volume down with the Side or Power button until it restarts.
Which button turns on a Samsung tablet?
Use the Side button on newer Galaxy Tab models, or the Power button on Galaxy tablets and older Galaxy devices that have a dedicated Power button. Hold it until the tablet vibrates and the SAMSUNG logo appears.
Can Bixby turn on a Samsung tablet that is powered off?
No. Bixby can restart or power off a Galaxy tablet when Bixby Voice is set up and the tablet is already on, but Samsung says a button is still required to power the device back on.
Can I turn on a Samsung tablet without the Power button?
Samsung's consumer power-on instructions require the Side button or Power button. Quick settings, Bixby, Lift to wake, Double tap to wake, and cover wake only work when the tablet is already on or sleeping.