You may be in a more serious situation where your screen is blank, frozen, or won’t accept any of your finger (or S Pen) input. In that case, your only recourse is to perform a hard factory reset by using the device buttons to access the device’s firmware, which is the permanent software programmed into your device’s memory.
Before You Reset Your Samsung
A factory reset deletes all information and data on your device including all apps, settings, music, photos, and videos. Before resetting, you’ll need to backup your data. If you have a Samsung device that’s running a version of Android that’s older than 7.0 (Nougat), here’s how to back up: Even if you back up your data, you need your Google email address and password at the ready because, after the reset, your device will ask you to log into your Google account. What’s more, if you have a decryption key for your SD card, you‘ll need to know that key, too, so you can access the files stored on that card.
Back up Manually
If you didn’t set up automatic backup and you can still access your device, you can back up manually as follows:
How to Factory Reset a Samsung Tablet or Phone
When you set up your device the first time, Android informed you it would automatically back up your data to your Google account. So, when you set up your device after the reset, you’ll be able to restore your apps and data. Here’s how to perform a factory data reset on your Samsung device. These instructions apply to all Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets, Galaxy S smartphones, and Galaxy Note phablets running Android 7.0 (Nougat) and 8.0 (Oreo).
Earlier Android Versions:
If you have a Samsung device running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or an earlier version, here’s how to perform a factory data reset: After your device resets, you’ll see the Welcome screen and you can set up your device.
How to Perform a Hard Reset for Most Samsung Devices
These instructions apply to Samsung Galaxy S8 or higher (including the S8+, 20, S21, and S22 series), and Galaxy Note 8 or higher (including the Note 10 and Note 20). See the next section for instructions on older Samsung models. Power down your device before initiating a hard reset by holding the Power button for 10 seconds. Now follow these steps to perform a hard reset:
Hard Reset Old Galaxy Tab, Galaxy S, or Galaxy Note
The steps for performing a hard reset on older Galaxy devices are slightly different than for newer Galaxy devices. After you power down your device by holding the Power button for 10 seconds, follow these steps: Have a Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone? Here’s how to reset a Galaxy S7.
What Happens if I Can’t Reset?
If your device doesn’t boot, contact Samsung on its website for information or a live online chat, or by calling Samsung at 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864) from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday or from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time on weekends. The Samsung support team may ask you for permission to access your device to test it and determine if you need to mail it to them for repair.
