Samsung Galaxy Stuck In Boot Loop: How To Fix It (2026)

Your Samsung Galaxy keeps restarting, stuck on the Samsung logo and never reaching the home screen.

This is usually a bad update, a rogue app or a cache problem, and the fixes below do not erase your data until the last one.

Work through them in order, which takes about 20 minutes before you need a repair.

Which fix should you try first?

Fix	What it solves	Erases data?
Disconnect accessories and charge	Power or accessory glitch	No
Force restart	Hung system	No
Safe mode	Faulty third-party app	No
Wipe cache partition	Corrupted system cache after an update	No
Smart Switch recovery	Failed or corrupted software	May erase data
Factory data reset	Deep software corruption	Yes

Fix 1: Disconnect accessories and charge the phone

1. Remove the SIM tray card, any microSD card, the case and any accessories.
2. Charge with a Samsung-certified charger and cable.
3. Keep charging even if the screen is blank, since a drained battery may not show the charging icon.

This rules out a power or accessory problem before you try anything heavier.

If nothing changes, swap in a spare Samsung-certified charger and cable, which Samsung lists as its own check.

Fix 2: Force restart the phone

Hold the Side key and Volume down together for more than 7 seconds, which Samsung lists for frozen devices.

If the phone boots normally afterward, update the software at Settings, Software update, so the loop does not return.

Can a software update stop the loop?

Samsung lists a software update as its first option for a reboot loop, so try it whenever the phone stays on long enough to reach Settings.

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 reach Settings	Smart Switch on a PC or Mac over USB, then Update

Fix 3: Test in Safe mode

Safe mode turns off third-party apps, so it shows whether an app is causing the loop.

1. Power the phone off completely.
2. Turn it on, and when the Samsung logo appears, hold Volume down.
3. Look for Safe mode in the bottom-left corner.

If it does not appear, repeat the steps, since the timing is the hard part.

Result in Safe mode	Meaning	Next step
Phone runs normally	A third-party app is the cause	Uninstall the most recent apps one at a time
Loop continues	System or hardware fault	Wipe cache partition, then service

Restart the phone to leave Safe mode.

Samsung says leaving Safe mode may reset some customizations, such as wallpapers and themes.

Fix 4: Wipe the cache partition from recovery

This clears system temporary files without touching your photos, apps or messages.

On Galaxy S21 series phones, the steps are:

1. Connect the phone to a computer with the original USB-C cable.
2. Power the phone off.
3. Hold Volume up and the side key until the Samsung logo appears, then release.
4. Use Volume down to highlight Wipe cache partition and press the side key.

The button combination and the option itself vary by model and One UI version, so check Samsung support for your phone first.

If the loop began after an update, our Galaxy S26 boot loop guide covers that case.

Which keys open recovery mode on your phone?

The combination depends on the hardware keys your phone has, according to Samsung.

Phone type	Keys to hold
Phones with a Bixby key	Bixby, Volume up and Power together
Phones without a Home or separate Power button	Volume up and the Side key together

Menus differ by carrier, model and software version, so treat this table as a starting point.

Fix 5: Use Smart Switch emergency recovery

Smart Switch on a PC or Mac can reinstall the phone software when the update is what broke it.

1. Install Smart Switch on a computer.
2. Connect the phone with the USB cable.
3. Choose MORE, then Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.
4. Pick your phone from the list and follow the prompts.

Read the on-screen information before confirming, because this process can erase data and must not be interrupted.

Do not unplug the cable or use the phone until it finishes.

What if Smart Switch recovery keeps failing?

Samsung provides a second route that uses a different computer and a recovery code.

1. On the computer where recovery failed, open Smart Switch, then MORE, then Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.
2. Write down the emergency recovery code it shows.
3. On another computer, open Smart Switch and choose MORE, then Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization.
4. Select the option to recover using the recovery code and enter the code.
5. Read the information shown and select OK.

Fix 6: Factory data reset

Samsung calls a factory reset a last resort, because it erases everything on the phone.

If the phone reaches the home screen at any point, back up first and then use Settings, General management, Reset, Factory data reset, Reset, Delete all.

You will need your Samsung account credentials to finish the reset.

How do you factory reset from recovery mode?

Use this only if the phone never reaches the home screen and Smart Switch has failed.

1. Open recovery mode with the key combination in the table above.
2. Use the volume keys to highlight Delete all user data or Wipe data/Factory reset, then press the Power or Side key.
3. Confirm the same way.
4. When it finishes, select Reboot device.
5. Sign in with your account details.

Anything that is not backed up online or on an SD card is lost, and you will need your account details to unlock the phone afterward.

Could the battery or hardware be the cause?

If Safe mode, cache wipe and Smart Switch all fail, the problem is likely hardware.

• Old or swollen battery: a failing battery is a possible hardware cause.
• Liquid or drop damage: check the charging port and the body for damage.

See our Samsung Galaxy battery replacement guide for costs.

Samsung recommends a service center inspection after any water exposure, even if the phone seems to work.

How do you check for physical damage?

• Screen: look for cracks, scratches or a round patch of dead pixels, which Samsung says can point to pressure damage under intact glass.
• Charging port: look for corrosion, bent or pushed-in connectors.
• Case and protector: remove any non-genuine screen protector or case and test again.

If a strong impact damaged the display, Samsung says to stop using the phone and visit a service center.

When should you contact Samsung?

• The loop continues after Smart Switch recovery.
• The phone is under warranty.
• The battery is swollen or the case is bulging.

Have your model number, serial number and a description of when the loop started ready before you contact Samsung support.

Samsung’s device will not start troubleshooting page lists the official steps.

If the phone sticks on the logo instead of restarting, see our Galaxy S25 stuck on logo guide.

How do you reach Samsung support or book a repair?

• Online chat: samsung.com/us/support/contact.
• Samsung Members app: available from the phone if it still boots.
• Repair booking: samsung.com/us/support/service.

If stored account credentials block a reset or setup, Samsung says to contact support.

Which fix matches your symptom?

Symptom	Try first	If it fails
Loop started after an app install	Safe mode	Wipe cache partition
Loop started after an update	Wipe cache partition	Smart Switch recovery
Nothing works	Smart Switch recovery	Factory reset or repair