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To restart most Samsung Galaxy phones, press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons together. When the power menu appears, tap Restart, then tap Restart again. On older Galaxy phones with a dedicated Power button, use Power + Volume Down instead.
If your phone is frozen, keep holding the buttons until the screen turns off and the Samsung logo appears. This is a forced restart. It does not bypass a forgotten PIN, password, or pattern.
Restart a Samsung Galaxy normally
The button combination varies slightly by model:
- Press and hold Side + Volume Down on newer Galaxy phones.
- Use Power + Volume Down on models with a dedicated Power button.
- Release the buttons when the power menu appears.
- Tap Restart, then tap Restart again to confirm.
Samsung uses the name Side button on many current Galaxy models, although general instructions may still call it the Power button. Button names and menu behavior can vary by model, carrier, region, and One UI version. See Samsung’s restart instructions for model-specific guidance.
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Force-restart a frozen Galaxy phone
Use a forced restart when the screen does not respond, the phone is stuck, or you cannot operate the power menu.
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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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- Press and hold Volume Down + Side. On older models, hold Volume Down + Power.
- Keep holding both buttons until the screen turns off and the Samsung logo appears.
- Release the buttons when the logo appears and wait for the phone to boot.
Samsung’s troubleshooting pages give different approximate timings depending on the symptom—often around 7–10 seconds, but longer for some black-screen cases. Use the Samsung logo as the stopping point rather than relying on an exact number of seconds.
A forced restart is more abrupt than a normal restart, but it is the standard recovery step for an unresponsive phone. It is different from a factory reset and is not intended to erase your files or apps. However, it does not necessarily fix the underlying cause of repeated freezes.
Restart without using the physical buttons
If the touchscreen still works, you can use Quick settings:
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- Tap the Power icon, usually near the upper-right corner.
- Tap Restart, then confirm.
The icon’s location can vary. This method is unavailable when the display is black or the phone is completely frozen.
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Use Bixby
If Bixby Voice is already configured and the phone is responsive, say a command such as “Hi, Bixby, restart my phone.” Bixby is not a dependable recovery method for a frozen phone, and it may not work if voice activation has not been set up.
If the Side button opens something unexpected
On some Galaxy phones, pressing and holding the Side button may launch Bixby or another assigned function instead of opening the power menu. If the phone responds, try Quick settings or change the button behavior under:
Settings → Advanced features → Side button → Press and hold → Power off menu
The labels may differ on your device or One UI version. If you cannot find the option, search for Side button in Settings.
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If your Samsung phone has a black screen
- Press and hold Side/Power + Volume Down until the phone attempts to restart. For a black-screen problem, Samsung may recommend holding the buttons longer than usual.
- If nothing happens, connect the phone to a suitable charger and cable.
- Wait several minutes if the battery may be completely drained. A fully depleted phone may not show a charging indicator immediately.
- Try the forced restart again, then hold the Side/Power button to turn the phone on.
Check the phone and charging accessories for signs of liquid or physical damage. If the display remains black but the phone appears to be running, or there is no response after charging and repeated restart attempts, contact Samsung Support.
If the phone is stuck on the Samsung logo
First, make sure the phone has charge. Samsung advises having at least 5% battery for reboot troubleshooting; if the battery is fully drained, charge it for at least 15 minutes before trying again.
- Press and hold Volume Down + Side/Power for about 10 seconds, or until the Samsung logo appears.
- If a Maintenance Boot Mode screen appears, use the Volume buttons to highlight Normal Boot.
- Press the Side or Power button to select it.
If the phone repeatedly returns to the logo, follow Samsung’s stuck-at-logo troubleshooting guidance or request service.
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A restart may clear a temporary software problem, but recurring freezes need further troubleshooting.
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Try Safe mode
- Open the power menu.
- Touch and hold Power off until the Safe mode option appears.
- Tap Safe mode.
If the phone works normally in Safe mode, a recently installed or updated downloaded app is a likely suspect. Remove recent apps one at a time, then restart normally. Samsung also recommends checking for software updates and using Device Care optimization where available. See its frozen or slow screen troubleshooting guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Schedule automatic restarts
Supported Galaxy phones can restart automatically through:
Settings → Device care → Auto optimization → Auto restart
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Depending on the model and software version, you may see Battery and device care instead of Device care. Available choices can include Restart when needed and Restart on schedule. Use Settings search if the labels differ.
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- 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.
Automatic restarts can help with occasional sluggishness, but they are not a guaranteed fix for a failing battery, hardware damage, malware, or a persistent software problem.
Does restarting unlock a Samsung phone?
No. Restarting does not remove or bypass a screen lock. After a reboot, Samsung may require your backup PIN, password, or pattern before fingerprint or face recognition can be used again. That security check is normal and does not mean the restart failed.
If you have forgotten the screen-lock credential, do not confuse restarting with unlocking. A factory reset is a separate, destructive procedure that can remove personal data and still may require the previously associated Google or Samsung account during setup.
When to contact Samsung
Request support or service if the phone:
- Remains unresponsive after charging and a forced restart.
- Repeatedly freezes or reboots.
- Stays stuck on the Samsung logo.
- Has a black display even though sounds, vibration, or other signs suggest it is running.
- Shows evidence of liquid exposure or physical damage.
Samsung also directs users to its Support Center and the Samsung Members app for continuing problems.
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