How to Force Restart a Samsung Galaxy That Won’t Turn Off

If your Samsung Galaxy is frozen on a screen, unresponsive to taps, or stuck with the display on and won’t power down, a force restart is the standard fix. This forces the hardware to reboot without needing the touchscreen or menu, and it’s safe for your data. Before you start, know that this won’t erase your files or settings—it’s equivalent to pulling the plug and plugging it back in, but done through the hardware buttons.

What You’ll Need

Your Samsung Galaxy device
Your fingers (or a thumb)
Optional: a paperclip or SIM ejector tool if the device is completely unresponsive and you need to remove the battery (only for older models with removable backs)

Step-by-Step

Locate the side buttons. On most current Samsung Galaxy models (Galaxy S10 and newer, Note 10 and newer, and most A-series), the power button is on the right edge, and the volume down button is on the left edge, near the top. On some older models, the power button is on the back or the right side.
Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously. Use your thumb and index finger to press both at the same time. Do not let go.
Keep holding for 10 to 15 seconds. It may take a few seconds for anything to happen. You might see the screen flicker, go black, or the Samsung logo appear. If the screen goes black but nothing else happens, keep holding until the logo appears and the device starts booting up.
Release the buttons when the Samsung logo appears. The device will then boot up normally. If it doesn’t reboot immediately, wait a minute—some devices take a while to restart after a forced shutdown.
If the device still doesn’t respond, try the Power + Volume Up combo. Some Galaxy models (especially older ones like the Galaxy S8 or Note 8) use Power + Volume Down, but if that doesn’t work, try Power + Volume Up. Hold both for 10-15 seconds.
For devices with a removable battery (Galaxy S5, S6, and older): If the buttons don’t work, remove the back cover, take out the battery, wait 10 seconds, reinsert it, and power on.

Common Mistakes

Holding only one button. You need both the Power and Volume Down (or Up) pressed at the same time. Holding just the power button will eventually bring up the power menu, but if the screen is frozen, it won’t respond.
Releasing too early. If you let go after 2-3 seconds, the device may just ignore it. You need to hold for a full 10-15 seconds, even if the screen flickers.
Pressing the wrong volume button. On most modern Galaxies, it’s Volume Down. On some older ones, it’s Volume Up. If one combo doesn’t work, try the other.
Using the Bixby button (on older models). On Galaxy S8, S9, and Note 8/9, there’s a dedicated Bixby button on the left side. That is not the volume button. Make sure you’re pressing the volume rocker, not Bixby.
Forgetting to charge. If the battery is completely drained, the device won’t respond to any button presses. Plug it in and wait a few minutes before trying again.

Tips

Force restart is not a factory reset. It does not erase any data. It’s safe to try whenever the device is unresponsive.
If the device is frozen but the touchscreen still works partially, you can also try holding the Power button for 5-10 seconds to bring up the power menu, then tap “Restart.” But if that doesn’t work, use the force restart method.
After the restart, consider updating your software to the latest version, as bugs that cause freezes are often fixed in updates.
If the device gets stuck in a boot loop (restarts repeatedly), a force restart may not help. In that case, you may need to boot into Recovery Mode (Power + Volume Up + Bixby on older models, or Power + Volume Up on newer ones) and wipe the cache partition, but that’s a separate procedure.
Keep your device cool. Overheating can cause freezes. If the device is hot, let it cool down before trying to force restart.

Troubleshooting

If the force restart doesn’t work on the first try, don’t panic. Here’s what to do next:

Try the alternate button combo. If you used Power + Volume Down, try Power + Volume Up. Some models respond to one and not the other.
Plug the device into a charger. Sometimes the device is actually off but the screen is stuck. Plugging it in may show a charging indicator. If it shows a battery icon, it’s off and charging—wait for it to reach at least 5% before powering on.
Check for physical damage. If the screen is cracked or the buttons are stuck, they may not make proper contact. Try pressing the buttons firmly, or use a paperclip to gently press the button if it’s recessed.
Let it drain completely. If the device is truly frozen and won’t respond to anything, leave it alone until the battery drains completely (this could take hours). Then charge it and power it on. This is a last resort, but it works.
If the device still doesn’t respond after all this, it may be a hardware issue. Contact Samsung Support or visit a repair center. Do not attempt to open the device yourself if it’s under warranty, as that may void it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a force restart delete my photos or apps?

No. A force restart is like a reboot—it only clears the RAM and closes all running apps. Your personal data, photos, and installed apps remain untouched.

Why is my Samsung Galaxy not turning off even after a force restart?

If the device reboots but then freezes again, the issue may be a software bug or a failing battery. Try updating your software, or if the problem persists, back up your data and consider a factory reset (which will erase everything).

How long should I hold the buttons for a force restart?

Hold both buttons simultaneously for at least 10 seconds, but no more than 20 seconds. If nothing happens after 20 seconds, release and try a different button combo.

Is force restart the same as a factory reset?

No. A force restart just reboots the device. A factory reset wipes all data and restores the phone to its original settings. They are completely different.

Can I force restart a Samsung Galaxy with a non-removable battery?

Yes, the force restart method works on all Samsung Galaxy models, including those with sealed batteries. The button combination is the same.

What if my screen is completely black and won’t turn on?

If the screen is black and the device doesn’t respond to any button presses, it might be out of battery or have a hardware issue. Plug it in and wait for a charging indicator. If nothing appears after 30 minutes, try the force restart again. If it still doesn’t work, seek professional repair.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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