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To force a frozen Samsung Galaxy to restart, press and hold the Power button—or Side button on models without a separate Power button—and Volume Down together. Keep holding until the device shuts down or restarts. The screen may go dark and the phone may then turn back on: this is usually a forced restart, not a command that guarantees the device will stay off.
Force-restart a frozen Samsung Galaxy
- Find the device’s Power or Side button and its Volume Down button.
- Press and hold both buttons at the same time. Keep holding even if nothing happens immediately.
- Release the buttons when the device shuts down or begins restarting. Samsung’s instructions give different timings: some describe holding for about 7–10 seconds or more than 7 seconds, while its US guidance for a device that will not turn off says the simulated battery pull may take up to 60 seconds. These are guidance, not a guarantee for every model.
Samsung describes this as a forced restart in its frozen-screen guidance and a simulated battery pull in its instructions for a device that will not turn off. If the screen responds normally, use the Quick panel’s Power off control instead of forcing a restart.
Why the phone may turn back on
“Force shutdown” is often used to describe this button procedure, but Samsung’s guidance commonly calls it a forced restart or reboot. It can make an unresponsive device shut down and start again; it does not necessarily leave it powered off. If you need the phone to remain off, use the normal Power off control once the screen is responsive.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsButton names and instructions vary by model
Samsung calls the control a Power button on devices with a dedicated button and a Side button on models without one. Button layouts, menus, and software behavior vary by model and version. Samsung Canada’s restart instructions apply to devices sold in Canada and note that availability can also vary by carrier, software version, and model. If your device does not respond to the combination above, check the Samsung support instructions for your exact model and region.
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If Maintenance Boot Mode appears
If a menu titled Maintenance Boot Mode appears instead of a normal restart, Samsung’s US guidance says to use Volume Up or Volume Down to highlight Normal Boot, then select it with the Power or Bixby button.
Other options when the buttons do not restart it
Older Galaxy devices with a removable battery
For a device designed with a removable battery, Samsung US gives a separate option: remove the battery, wait 30 seconds, reinstall it, and then power on the device. Do not try to open a sealed phone or tablet to remove its battery.
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- 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.
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A tablet-specific fallback
Samsung UK lists additional steps for the Galaxy Tab covered by its tablet support page: hold Power for up to two minutes, leave the tablet off for one minute, and then power it on. If its buttons cannot restart it, that page advises waiting for the battery to drain, charging it for 30 minutes, and trying again. These are instructions for the tablet covered by that page, not a general procedure for every Galaxy device.
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What to expect after restarting
A phone secured with biometrics may ask for its backup PIN or password after a restart. Entering that credential is a normal security step, not by itself evidence that the restart failed; see Samsung’s frozen-screen support guidance.
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If the Galaxy keeps freezing
A forced restart can restore responsiveness, but recurring freezes need further troubleshooting. Samsung recommends checking the screen and connected accessories, considering software or app issues, and trying Safe mode or software updates where appropriate. If the problem continues or the device still will not turn off, request service through Samsung support.
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- 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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