Why won't my Galaxy phone or tablet turn on or off?

Learn how to fix Samsung Galaxy devices that won't power on or off due to charging issues, software freezes, or hardware problems. Includes troubleshooting for Galaxy S24, Galaxy Z Fold, and Galaxy A series.

If your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet won't turn on or off, it could be due to improper charging, a software freeze, or hardware issues. Follow these steps to resolve the problem.

1. Why won't my Samsung Galaxy device turn on?

If your Samsung Galaxy device won't power on, it might not be charging properly or could be frozen. Here's how to troubleshoot:

1. Check for physical or liquid damage on the device, charger, and USB cable. Damaged components can prevent proper charging.
2. Press and hold the Power key (or Side key) and Volume down key simultaneously for up to 60 seconds to force restart the device.
3. If the device enters Maintenance Boot Mode, use the Volume keys to highlight Normal Boot and press the Side key to select it.
4. Disconnect the charger and press and hold the Power key for 15–20 seconds to attempt turning on the device.
5. If it turns on but needs charging, reconnect it to the factory travel charger until fully charged.

2. Why won't my Samsung Galaxy device turn off?

If your Samsung Galaxy device won't turn off, it might be frozen or experiencing a software issue. Follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the Power key (or Side key) and Volume down key simultaneously for up to 60 seconds to force shutdown.
2. If the device enters Maintenance Boot Mode, use the Volume keys to highlight Normal Boot and press the Side key to select it.
3. If the device still won't turn off, visit the Samsung Support Center to request service.

3. Additional things to check

- Ensure the charger and USB cable are compatible with your Samsung Galaxy device. Using non-certified accessories can cause charging issues.

- If your device is secured with biometric security, you may need to enter your backup password or PIN after rebooting.

- Software update issues or app conflicts can sometimes cause power-related problems. Check for updates or reset settings if necessary.

4. Supported Samsung Galaxy devices

These troubleshooting steps apply to most Samsung Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S25, Galaxy S26, Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, and Galaxy A series.

5. Related Samsung support topics

- How to free storage space on Samsung Galaxy devices

- How to use Smart Switch on Samsung Galaxy phones

- How to clear cache files on Samsung Galaxy devices