A black screen on your Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ can be frustrating, but it's often a temporary glitch rather than a permanent failure. The tablet might be on but the display is frozen, or the battery could be completely drained. Let's go through the steps to get your screen back.
Perform a Force Restart
This is almost always the first thing I'd try. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button at the same time. Keep holding them for about 10 to 15 seconds. You should feel a vibration and see the Samsung logo appear as the tablet reboots. This works even if the screen seems totally dead and unresponsive.
Charge the Tablet Properly
A fully depleted battery will show nothing on the screen. Plug your Tab A9+ into a wall outlet using its USB-C cable and a compatible charger. Because this tablet supports up to 15W charging, using a lower-wattage charger will make the process very slow for its large 7040mAh battery. Leave it plugged in for at least 30 to 45 minutes before trying to turn it on again.
If you don't see a charging indicator after that time, try a different USB-C cable and power adapter. Sometimes the port itself can get clogged with lint, so give it a careful visual inspection and a gentle clean with a dry toothpick.
Check the Screen Brightness
It might sound simple, but sometimes the screen brightness gets turned all the way down, especially if auto-brightness is acting up. Even with a black screen, you can try asking Google Assistant. Say "Hey Google, set brightness to maximum" and see if the display lights up.
Look for Physical or Water Damage
Examine the tablet closely under good light. Look for any cracks, deep scratches, or discolored spots on the screen. If the tablet still vibrates for notifications or you can hear sounds, the device is on but the display hardware is likely damaged.
If the tablet was exposed to moisture, power it off immediately if you can and let it dry thoroughly for a couple of days. Avoid using heat or putting it in rice. Liquid damage can corrode internal connectors, including the one for the display.
Boot into Safe Mode
A recently installed app could be causing a system crash that results in a black screen. You can boot into Safe Mode to disable all third-party apps. First, force restart the tablet as described earlier. As soon as you see the Samsung logo appear, release the buttons and immediately press and hold the Volume Down button. Keep holding it until the tablet finishes starting up. You'll see "Safe Mode" in the bottom corner.
If the screen works in Safe Mode, you know a downloaded app is the culprit. You can then uninstall apps one by one from Settings > Apps to find the problematic one.
Connect to a Computer for Recovery
If the tablet is still unresponsive, you'll need a Windows PC or Mac to attempt a software restore. First, install Samsung's official Smart Switch software on your computer. Connect the tablet to the computer with a USB-C cable while the tablet is off.
Your computer may detect the device and allow you to back up data or initiate a repair. If Smart Switch doesn't see the tablet, you may need to use a more advanced recovery method.
Use Download Mode for a Deep Reset
Download Mode is Samsung's equivalent of a recovery state. It lets you reinstall the device's firmware. With the tablet off, press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons together. While holding them, connect the USB-C cable to your computer. You should see a warning screen.
Press the Volume Up button to continue into Download Mode. On your computer, you would then use a tool like Odin along with official firmware files to reflash the software. This process erases all data, so it's a last resort.
Consider Performance Related Issues
The Galaxy Tab A9+ uses a Snapdragon 695 processor, which can struggle if too many demanding apps are running. While this typically causes lag and not a black screen, a severe overload could cause a system freeze. Keeping background apps to a minimum is a good habit for maintaining smooth performance on this model.
If none of these software solutions work, the problem is likely a hardware fault. This could be a failed display, a loose internal ribbon cable, or a problem with the main board. At that point, seeking service from Samsung or an authorized repair center is the next step.