How To Fix A Samsung Galaxy That Keeps Restarting (2026)
Your Samsung Galaxy keeps restarting on its own, or it loops on the logo and never reaches the home screen.
Most of the time the cause is a bad app, a software bug or a power problem, and all three are fixable.
Work through these steps in order, and expect to know the cause within about 15 minutes.
Why does my Galaxy keep restarting? Quick answer
| Symptom | Likely cause | Try first |
|---|---|---|
| Restarts at night, screen off | Auto restart is on | Turn off Restart when needed |
| Started after installing an app | Faulty third-party app | Safe mode, then uninstall |
| Started after a software update | Update bug or incomplete install | Check for a newer update |
| Stuck on the logo | Boot loop | Charge, force restart, Safe mode |
| Still restarts in Safe mode | Likely hardware | Samsung service center |
What order should you work through?
Step 1: is it just Auto restart?
Samsung says its Auto restart feature only runs when the screen is off, the phone is idle, the battery is above 30% and the SIM lock is off.
If your phone restarts overnight and works fine otherwise, this is probably normal behavior.
- Open
Settings > Device care. - Tap Auto optimization (some versions say optimisation).
- Tap Auto restart and turn off Restart when needed and Restart on schedule.
Menu names vary a little by One UI version, so use the Settings search bar if you do not see them.
Do updates restart the phone by themselves?
- Security updates: critical ones can restart the phone automatically, even when auto-download is off.
- After an update: a restart is normal and helps security and performance.
- Long uptime: Samsung says going a long time without restarting can cause problems, and it recommends keeping Auto restart on.
Turn Auto restart off only while you test, then switch it back on.
Step 2: force restart and charge properly
If the screen is frozen or the Restart option will not appear, press and hold Side + Volume down for more than 7 seconds.
Next, charge with a Samsung-certified charger and cable, because a fully drained battery may show no charging icon for a while.
Remove any case or screen protector at the same time, since Samsung lists non-genuine accessories as a possible cause.
If your phone also gets hot while charging, see how to fix Galaxy overheating during fast charging.
Step 3: install the latest software update
Samsung’s current guidance differs slightly by version.
| Software version | Menu path |
|---|---|
| One UI 8.0 or earlier | Settings > Software update > Download and install |
| One UI 8.5 or later | Settings > Software update > Check for updates |
| Phone will not boot | Smart Switch on a PC or Mac over USB, then Update |
Warning: do not unplug the USB cable or use the phone until the update finishes, because the phone reboots during the process.
Restarts right after an update are normal, so only worry if they continue. For slowdowns afterward, see how to fix Galaxy software lag after an update.
How do you update with Smart Switch?
Use this route when the phone is too unstable to update on its own.
- Install Smart Switch on a PC or Mac.
- Connect the phone with its included USB cable, using a USB adapter if your computer needs one.
- Open Smart Switch and wait for it to detect the phone.
- Select Update if it appears.
Step 4: how do you test in Safe mode?
Safe mode turns off downloaded apps, so it shows whether an app or the hardware is to blame.
- Press and hold Volume down + Side until the Power off menu appears.
- Touch and hold Power off until the Safe mode option appears.
- Tap Safe mode and let the phone reboot.
To leave Safe mode, power off completely, wait until the screen is dark, then press the Power button.
What if the phone is off and you cannot reach the Power menu?
Samsung gives a second way to enter Safe mode from a phone that is switched off.
- Power the phone off completely.
- Turn it on, and when the Samsung logo appears, hold Volume down.
- Look for Safe mode in the bottom-left corner, and repeat the steps if it is missing.
You can also exit by swiping down, tapping the Safe mode is on notification and tapping Turn off.
What do the Safe mode results mean?
| Result in Safe mode | Meaning | Next move |
|---|---|---|
| No restarts | A downloaded app is the cause | Uninstall newest apps one at a time |
| Still restarts | Likely hardware, per Samsung | Book a repair |
Step 5: find and remove the bad app
- Open
Settings > Apps. - Pick the app you installed or updated just before the restarts began.
- Tap Uninstall and confirm.
- Restart normally and test for a day before removing the next one.
Reinstall any app that turned out not to be the cause.
Can Samsung Members find the problem?
Samsung points owners to the Phone diagnostics tool in the Samsung Members app.
Open Samsung Members, run Phone diagnostics, and look for failures in battery, memory or other restart-related tests.
To test specific parts, tap Start, stop the full scan and then choose only the items you want to run.
Step 6: reset settings, then factory reset as a last resort
Try Settings > General management > Reset > Reset all settings first, since it keeps your apps and data.
If restarts continue, use Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Warning: a factory reset erases everything, so back up first.
If you use an encrypted microSD card, decrypt it first by searching Settings for Decrypt SD card.
You also need a network connection and your Samsung account password to finish the reset.
When is it hardware?
Check the phone, the charging port and the back for cracks, bent connectors or corrosion.
A swollen battery needs immediate attention, so read why Galaxy batteries swell and stop charging the phone.
For costs, see Galaxy battery replacement cost.
Samsung’s own pages cover this: boot loop troubleshooting and phone keeps restarting.
Steps checked against Samsung support pages in November 2026.
How do you contact Samsung or book a repair?
- Online chat: samsung.com/us/support/contact.
- Samsung Members app: send an error report from the phone.
- Repair booking: samsung.com/us/support/service.
- Warranty: samsung.com/us/support/warranty needs your model number plus a serial number or IMEI.
Samsung lists a 1-year limited warranty for smartphones on that page.