Samsung phone keeps restarting? 9 ways to stop it
Before you assume the worst, check one Samsung setting that restarts the phone on purpose. Then use Safe mode to find out if an app is to blame.
Is it restarting on purpose?
Many Galaxy phones have a feature called Auto restart that restarts the phone on a schedule, usually overnight, or when the phone decides it needs it. If your phone restarts at the same time each day, this is the reason, and nothing is wrong.
- 1
Open Settings and tap Device care.
- 2
Tap Auto optimization.
- 3
Turn off Restart when needed, or change the schedule.
On older One UI versions this is under Device care › ⋮ › Auto restart.
How to stop a Samsung phone from restarting
The fix
Try these in order
- 1
Check Auto restart (above).
Rule this out first, because it takes 30 seconds.
- 2
Update the phone.
Go to Settings › Software update › Download and install. Samsung fixes restart bugs in monthly updates.
- 3
Update your apps.
Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, then Manage apps & device › Update all. Also check the Galaxy Store.
- 4
Restart in Safe mode to test your apps.
Press and hold the side key and volume down (or open the power menu), then touch and hold Power off until Safe mode appears and tap it. Use the phone for a while. If it stops restarting, uninstall recently added apps one at a time, then restart normally.
- 5
Free up storage.
A nearly full phone can crash. Check Settings › Device care › Storage and keep at least 10% free.
- 6
Run Samsung Members diagnostics.
Open the Samsung Members app, tap Support, then Phone diagnostics. Run the battery test and any others it offers. A weak battery is a common cause of random restarts.
- 7
Check for moisture and a damaged charger.
If you see a Moisture detected warning, unplug the phone and let the port dry. A faulty cable or port can also make the phone restart when it is plugged in.
- 8
Reset settings.
Go to Settings › General management › Reset › Reset all settings. Your files and apps stay, but settings go back to default.
- 9
Factory reset as a last resort.
Back up first, then go to Settings › General management › Reset › Factory data reset. This erases everything.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Samsung restart at night?
That is almost certainly Auto restart, a Samsung feature that restarts the phone on a schedule to keep it running smoothly. You can turn it off in Settings › Device care › Auto optimization.
Can an app make a Samsung phone restart?
Yes. A buggy or malicious app can crash the system. If the phone stops restarting in Safe mode, a downloaded app is the cause.
Will a factory reset fix a Samsung that keeps restarting?
It fixes software causes, but it erases everything on the phone. Try every other step first, and back up with Samsung Cloud, Google or Smart Switch before resetting.
What to try next
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