Restart Samsung Galaxy Without Power Button: 6 Ways

If your Samsung Galaxy’s power button is broken, stuck, or just unresponsive, you can still restart the phone using software options, scheduled restarts, or a simple trick with the volume keys. This guide covers every reliable method that works on current Galaxy models (Android 11 and newer), so you can reboot without ever touching the power button.

What You’ll Need

• A Samsung Galaxy phone (any model running Android 11 or later)
• Access to the Settings app (you can open it from the app drawer)
• For one method: a second device with the SmartThings app installed (optional)
• For the hardware method: a USB cable and a computer (optional)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Use the Quick Settings Panel (Easiest)

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel.
2. Look for the power icon (a circle with a vertical line) in the top-right corner of the panel. If you don’t see it, swipe left on the Quick Settings icons to find it.
3. Tap that power icon. A menu appears with options like Power off, Restart, and Emergency mode.
4. Tap Restart, then confirm by tapping Restart again. The phone will reboot normally.

Method 2: Use the Side Key Settings (If Your Power Button is Actually Working)

1. Open Settings > Advanced features > Side key.
2. Under “Press and hold,” select Power off menu instead of “Wake Bixby.”
3. Now, pressing and holding the side key (the power button) will bring up the power menu. But this method still requires the button to physically work, so it’s only useful if the button is just misconfigured, not broken.

Method 3: Schedule a Restart (For a Stuck or Broken Button)

1. Go to Settings > Battery and device care.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner and select Automation.
3. Tap Add routine (or the plus icon).
4. Set the “If” condition to Time and choose a time when you won’t be using the phone (e.g., 3:00 AM).
5. Tap “Then” and search for Restart. Select Restart device.
6. Tap Save. The phone will automatically restart at that time. To trigger it immediately, you can temporarily set the time to a minute from now, or use the “Run now” button in the routine.

Method 4: Use the Volume Keys + Power Button (Hardware Trick)

1. Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button simultaneously for about 7 seconds.
2. If the power button is completely dead, this won’t work. But if it’s just stuck, this combination forces a hard reboot.
3. If you have a broken power button, you can try the volume-up combo: press and hold Volume Up + Power to enter recovery mode, then use volume keys to navigate to “Restart” and press Power to select (but again, you need a working power button to select).

Method 5: Use ADB (For Advanced Users with a Computer)

1. On your computer, install ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and the Samsung USB drivers.
2. On your phone, enable Developer options by going to Settings > About phone > tapping Software information > tapping Build number 7 times.
3. Go back to Settings > Developer options and enable USB debugging.
4. Connect your phone to the computer with a USB cable. When prompted on the phone, allow USB debugging.
5. Open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) on the computer and type: adb reboot and press Enter.
6. The phone will restart immediately. This method works even if the power button is completely dead, as long as the phone is on and USB debugging is enabled.

Method 6: Use SmartThings Find (If You Have Another Device)

1. On another phone or tablet, open the SmartThings app (Samsung’s official app).
2. Sign in with the same Samsung account as your Galaxy phone.
3. Tap the Devices tab and select your phone.
4. Tap the three-dot menu and choose Restart. Confirm if asked. This sends a remote restart command over the internet.
5. This only works if your phone is connected to the internet and has the SmartThings app installed and linked.

Common Mistakes

• Not using the full Quick Settings panel: The power icon only appears when you swipe down twice, not once.
• Confusing “Side key” settings: Changing the side key to “Power off menu” still requires the physical button to work; it doesn’t fix a broken button.
• Forgetting to enable USB debugging: ADB won’t work unless you’ve turned on Developer options and USB debugging beforehand.
• Setting a scheduled restart at a time when you’re using the phone: This can interrupt your work or calls.
• Holding the wrong volume button: For a hard reboot, it’s Volume Down + Power, not Volume Up.

Tips

• If your power button is physically broken, the Quick Settings method is the most reliable and doesn’t require any setup.
• Set up a scheduled restart as a backup even if you usually use the Quick Settings method—it’s a safety net.
• Keep USB debugging enabled if you frequently use ADB, but be aware it’s a security risk if you plug your phone into unknown computers.
• If you have a case that makes the power button hard to press, try removing the case first.
• For a stuck power button, try cleaning around it with a dry toothbrush or compressed air—sometimes debris causes it to stick.

Troubleshooting

If the Quick Settings power icon is missing: Go to Settings > Advanced features > Side key and set “Press and hold” to “Power off menu.” If that doesn’t bring back the icon, try restarting the phone via ADB or scheduled restart.

If the scheduled restart doesn’t trigger: Make sure the routine is enabled (the toggle is on) and that the time is set correctly. Also, ensure your phone is not in Power Saving mode, which can sometimes delay routines.

If ADB says “device not found”: Reinstall the Samsung USB drivers, try a different USB port, and make sure you’ve accepted the USB debugging prompt on the phone. Also, check that the phone is unlocked when you run the command.

If SmartThings restart fails: Verify that your phone is online (check via another device), that you’re signed into the same Samsung account, and that the phone has the SmartThings app installed and set up.

If none of these work and your phone is frozen: Wait for the battery to drain completely, then charge it and turn it on. This is a last resort but always works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restart my Samsung Galaxy without the power button if the screen is frozen?

If the screen is unresponsive, you can’t use the Quick Settings or schedule a restart. Your best bet is ADB (if USB debugging is enabled) or waiting for the battery to drain. The volume+power combo might force a reboot if the power button works at all.

Will a scheduled restart work if the phone is turned off?

No. The scheduled restart only works when the phone is on and running. If the phone is off, you’ll need to turn it on using the power button or by plugging it into a charger (which may auto-power-on).

Does the Quick Settings power icon work on all Samsung Galaxy models?

Yes, it’s a standard Android feature that Samsung includes on all models running Android 11 and later. On older models (Android 10 and below), you might need to swipe down twice and look for the power icon, but it’s still there.

Is it safe to use ADB to restart my phone?

Yes, rebooting via ADB is completely safe and is a standard Android developer command. It just sends a reboot signal to the system, similar to pressing the power button’s restart option.

Can I use Bixby to restart my phone?

Yes, you can say “Hi Bixby, restart my phone” if Bixby is enabled. Bixby will confirm and then restart the device. This works even if the power button is broken, as long as the microphone works.

What if my phone is completely off and the power button is broken?

Plug the phone into a charger. Most Samsung phones will automatically power on when connected to power. If not, you’ll need to get the power button repaired, as there’s no software way to turn on a completely powered-off phone without a button.

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