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If your Samsung Galaxy phone is frozen, press and hold Volume down and the Side/Power button at the same time until the screen goes black and the Samsung logo appears. This forces a restart; it does not leave the phone powered off. For a phone that still responds, use the Power menu and choose Power off instead.
Force-restart a frozen Galaxy phone
- Press and hold Volume down and the Side/Power button simultaneously.
- Keep holding until the phone begins restarting—usually indicated by a black screen followed by the Samsung logo—then release the buttons. Samsung’s US support page specifies more than 7 seconds; its regional pages vary, so follow the visible restart rather than treating one timing as universal. Samsung US: Force a restart
Samsung’s instructions differ by region: its Singapore page says at least 7 seconds, while Samsung Gulf gives 10 seconds and notes that button layouts can vary. Exact names and placement may also differ by model. Samsung Singapore guidance · Samsung Gulf guidance
Force restart or power off?
A force restart uses the physical buttons to make an unresponsive phone cycle off and back on. If the touchscreen works, open the Power menu instead: tap the power icon in Quick settings or use the supported button combination, select Power off, and confirm. The exact menu access can vary by model and settings. Samsung restart guidance · Samsung power-off guidance
If the phone does not restart
Check charging and battery state
A fully drained battery may make the phone appear unresponsive. Connect a Samsung-certified charger and cable and allow it to charge; a charging indicator may take time to appear. Samsung Singapore guidance
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Make sure the buttons are accessible
Remove the case if it prevents you from pressing both buttons fully, then try the hold again. Samsung Singapore guidance
Choose Normal Boot if Maintenance Boot Mode appears
If the phone enters Maintenance Boot Mode rather than restarting normally, use a volume button to highlight Normal Boot, then select it with the Power or Bixby button as the on-screen instructions direct. Samsung US support
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Seek service if it remains unresponsive
If the buttons do not work or the device still will not turn off or restart, Samsung advises requesting service through Samsung Support. Samsung US support
If freezing keeps happening
A force restart can restore control temporarily, but it does not establish or fix the cause of repeated freezes. Samsung recommends troubleshooting software and apps. You can also run Phone diagnostics in the Samsung Members app; availability requires a Galaxy device with the app installed. Samsung troubleshooting and diagnostics
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
For model-specific button instructions, consult the Samsung support page for your country and device. Samsung notes that button layouts can vary by model and region; the cited Gulf reboot guidance is specifically for Hong Kong products. Samsung Hong Kong guidance
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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