Tablet freezing? Force restart and reset an iPad, Samsung or Lenovo
A frozen tablet can usually be saved with a simple restart. Below are the button combinations for the most popular brands.
- Most common cause
- a software bug, no free space or a drained battery
- Time
- 5–20 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 140–410 zł for diagnosis or a system restore
A factory reset deletes all data from the tablet. Before you do it, back up your photos, files and passwords. Plug the tablet into the charger so it doesn't shut down in the middle.
Step by step
Charge the tablet
Plug it into the charger for a quarter of an hour or so. A very low battery can cause freezing and no response.
Do a normal restart
Hold the power button and choose Restart. If the screen doesn't respond, move on to a force restart.
Force restart: iPad
Without a Home button: quickly press volume up, then volume down, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears. With a Home button: hold the Home button and the top button together until the Apple logo appears.
Force restart: Samsung, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Huawei
Samsung: hold power and volume down together for more than 7 seconds. Lenovo: hold power for up to 30 seconds until the tablet turns off, then turn it on again. Xiaomi: hold power for more than 10 seconds. Huawei: hold power and volume down together for more than 10 seconds (on older models, holding power alone for 10 seconds is enough).
Update the system and free up space
Check for system and app updates. Delete files and apps you don't need, because lack of space slows the tablet down.
Try safe mode (Android)
Hold the power button, then touch and hold Power off and confirm. If the tablet runs smoothly in safe mode, an installed app is to blame. Uninstall the ones you added most recently.
Warning: reset the tablet to factory settings
This deletes all data, so make a backup first (iCloud, Samsung Cloud, Smart Switch or a computer). iPad: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPad → Erase All Content and Settings. Samsung: Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset. Lenovo: Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data. Xiaomi: Settings → About tablet → Factory reset. Names can differ depending on the system version.
- The tablet won't turn on even after charging and a force restart.
- It also freezes after a factory reset.
- The battery is swollen and the screen is lifting away from the body.
- The tablet got wet or was dropped.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| System restore or reinstall | 110–340 zł |
| Tablet battery replacement | 200–610 zł |
| Tablet screen replacement | 340–1350 zł |
| Motherboard repair | 410–1200 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?
You can usually fix freezing yourself, so repairing it at home pays off. Replacing the battery in a good tablet also makes sense. With a motherboard problem on an older model, buying a new one is usually the better deal. Check it in the calculator.
Check if repairing your tablet is worth it
Pick your model and fault. In 2 minutes we show the repair cost, what the device is worth and an honest verdict.
Open the calculator →FAQ
How do I force restart an iPad without a Home button?
Quickly press volume up, then volume down, then hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
Does a force restart delete my data?
No. It is the equivalent of pulling the battery. Only a factory reset deletes data.
My tablet only freezes in one app. What should I do?
Update it, clear its cache or reinstall it. You don't need to reset the whole tablet.