Phone freezing or restarting by itself? What to do, step by step
Freezing and random restarts usually have an ordinary cause: full storage or a faulty app. Start with the simple steps.
- Most common cause
- full storage, a faulty app or a worn battery
- Time
- 15–30 minutes
- Repair shop, if nothing helps
- 140–540 zł for diagnostics and repair
Most of the steps are safe for your data. The factory reset at the end removes everything from the phone, so first back up your photos, contacts and passwords. If the phone is swollen or very hot, do not charge it and take it to a repair shop.
Step by step
Restart the phone
Hold the power button and choose Restart. If the screen does not respond, force restart with the button combination for your brand. You will find it in our guides for iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel, Motorola and Huawei.
Check for updates
Update the system and your apps. This is how manufacturers fix bugs that cause freezing.
Free up storage
Leave at least a few GB free. Move photos to the cloud or a computer and delete apps you do not use.
Check the battery and charger
A worn battery can cause sudden restarts, especially in the cold or under load. Use a working cable and charger.
Start Safe mode (Android)
Hold the power button, then touch and hold Power off and confirm. If the phone works well in Safe mode, a recently installed app is to blame, so uninstall it.
Remove the SIM card and memory card
A faulty memory card or SIM sometimes causes restarts. Switch the phone off, take them out and see if the problem goes away.
Back up your data
Warning: a factory reset deletes all data. Back up to the cloud or a computer before you go further.
Reset the phone to factory settings
On Android, go to Settings → System → Reset → Factory reset. The path depends on the brand, so if needed type “reset” into the settings search. On iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
- The phone freezes or restarts even after a factory reset.
- The case is bulging, the screen lifts or the phone gets very hot.
- The phone got wet or was dropped before the problems began.
- The phone is stuck in a restart loop and does not boot into the system.
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Diagnostics and software repair | 80–340 zł |
| Battery replacement | 160–680 zł |
| Water damage repair | 270–820 zł |
| Motherboard repair | 540–1650 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?
The free steps solve most cases, so do them before a repair shop visit. If nothing helps, the culprit is usually the battery (a cheap repair) or the motherboard (an expensive one). For an older phone, use the calculator to check whether buying a new one is the better option.
Check if repairing your phone 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
Why does my phone restart by itself?
Most often because of an app bug, full storage or a worn battery. Less often because of a damaged motherboard.
Does a factory reset always help?
It helps when the cause is software. It will not fix a worn battery or damaged hardware.
Can freezing mean a worn battery?
Yes. A phone that freezes or switches off at 20–30% charge usually has a worn battery.
Can I leave my phone charging overnight?
Yes, modern phones limit charging by themselves. Freezing is not related to this.