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If your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet is frozen or will not turn off, press and hold the Power button (or Side button) and Volume Down together. Keep holding until the device shuts down; Samsung says this can take up to 60 seconds in its US instructions for a device that will not turn off. The procedure is usually a forced restart, so the device may turn back on rather than stay powered off.
Force restart a frozen Galaxy device
- Press and hold the Power or Side button and Volume Down at the same time.
- Keep holding until the screen goes dark or the device restarts. Samsung support pages give different timing guidance: some say about 7–10 seconds or more than 7 seconds, while Samsung US says the frozen-device shutdown procedure can take up to 60 seconds. These are guidelines, not a guaranteed duration for every model. See Samsung’s instructions for a Galaxy that will not turn off and its frozen or slow-responding screen guidance.
- Wait for the device to restart. If you need a normal power-off and the touchscreen still works, open the Quick panel and tap its Power off control instead.
The button procedure is commonly described by Samsung as a forced restart or reboot. It may shut the device down and then start it again, so it is not a promise that the phone or tablet will remain off. Samsung’s restart guidance also notes that button names and menus can differ by model and software version.
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Why the button names and timing may differ
Samsung calls the button Power on devices with a dedicated Power key and Side on devices without one. Regional support pages may give different timing or wording; for example, Samsung Canada says availability and details can vary by carrier, software version and model. If the combination does not work as described, check the support page for your exact model and sales region rather than assuming that every Galaxy has identical controls.
For an older Galaxy device with a removable battery, Samsung US gives a separate option: remove the battery for 30 seconds, reinstall it, then power on. This applies only to devices designed with a removable battery; do not open a sealed phone to try it.
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If Maintenance Boot Mode appears
If the device displays Maintenance Boot Mode instead of starting normally, use Volume Up or Volume Down to highlight Normal Boot, then select it with the Power or Bixby button, as applicable. Samsung includes this recovery step in its US troubleshooting guidance.
If the device still will not restart
Samsung’s advice for a Galaxy Tab includes a tablet-specific fallback: hold Power for up to two minutes, leave the tablet off for one minute, then turn it on. If the buttons cannot restart the covered tablet, that UK support page says to wait for its battery to drain, charge it for 30 minutes, and try again. These steps come from Samsung’s Galaxy Tab frozen-device instructions; they are not general instructions for every Galaxy phone or tablet.
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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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If the standard button combination continues to fail, Samsung advises requesting service. For a device that restarts but keeps freezing, its troubleshooting guidance recommends checking the screen and connected accessories, considering software or app problems, and trying appropriate updates or Safe mode before seeking service. A single freeze does not by itself identify the cause. See Samsung’s pages on frozen screens and devices that will not start or are in a boot loop.
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A Galaxy device secured with biometrics may require its backup PIN or password after it restarts. Samsung describes this as a normal security prompt, so enter the device’s backup credential if requested rather than treating the prompt as a failed restart. See Samsung’s frozen-screen support page.
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- 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
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- 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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