Huawei and Honor: force restart and factory reset, step by step
A frozen Huawei or Honor is usually saved by a force restart. Leave the factory reset for last, because it deletes your data.
- Most common cause
- a software bug, full storage or a worn battery
- Time
- 10–30 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 200–540 zł for diagnostics and repair
A force restart does not delete data. A factory reset removes everything, so first back up to a computer or the cloud. Remember your account passwords, because the phone may ask for them after the reset.
Step by step
Try a normal restart
Hold the power button and choose Restart.
Force restart
Hold the power button and Volume Down together for more than 10 seconds. On older Huawei phones (before EMUI 11), holding just the power button for 10 seconds is enough. The same goes for the Honor 50: hold just the power button for at least 10 seconds.
Check for updates
Go to Settings → System & updates → Software update. A new version often cures freezing.
Free up space
Delete unused apps, large videos and downloaded files. A full phone slows down and freezes.
Uninstall suspicious apps
If the problem started after you installed a new app, remove it and restart the phone.
Back up your data
Warning: a factory reset deletes all data. Copy your photos and files to a computer or the cloud.
Restore factory settings
You will find the reset option in Settings, under System & updates. The name and location depend on the system version, so type “reset” into the settings search. After the reset, check whether the problem is gone.
- The phone freezes even after a factory reset.
- It is stuck in a restart loop or on the logo.
- The battery drains fast or the device gets very hot.
- The screen or case is damaged, or the phone got wet.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnostics and software repair | 80–270 zł |
| Battery replacement | 160–440 zł |
| Screen replacement | 340–1100 zł |
| Motherboard repair | 410–1350 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
A force restart and a reset are free and usually enough. If they do not help and the phone is several years old, a motherboard repair often does not pay off. Check in the calculator whether the repair cost makes sense compared with the price of a new model.
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Open the calculator →FAQ
How do I force restart a Huawei?
Hold the power button and Volume Down together for more than 10 seconds. On older models, just the power button for 10 seconds.
Does an Honor restart the same way?
Yes, power and Volume Down for more than 10 seconds. On the Honor 50, just the power button is enough.
Does a reset delete data?
Yes, all of it. Back up first.
Does this method work on Huawei tablets?
Yes, the force restart is the same: power and Volume Down for more than 10 seconds.