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Fix Galaxy Tab A Won’t Turn On

Fix Galaxy Tab A Won’t Turn On

Posted on by Mitch Bartlett 161 Comments

Having trouble trying to get your Samsung Galaxy Tab A to turn on? This tutorial will help you bring it back to life.

  1. Connect the tablet to a wall power source using the wall charger and cable.
  2. Wait for about 10 minutes to ensure the tablet has gained enough power to start.
  3. Press and hold the “Volume Down” and “Power” buttons simultaneously for about 10 to 15 seconds.

Hopefully after these steps, your Galaxy Tab A is no longer just displaying a black screen and is starting to the Home screen.

If you still have problems, Perhaps the tablet is not getting enough charge. Try using a different USB charger and cable. Some users have reported that using a car charger worked for them.

Otherwise, the tablet may have a hardware defect or damage that can only be fixed by having the device serviced by Samsung.

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Comments

  1. Sonia Pardy says

    I have tried this many times but all that happens is it lights up and goes off again.The strange thing is that all the notifications are still coming through to the tablet as we can hear them
    It’s very frustrating as my son is so careful with the tablet,always in the case,never fallen.
    I would be very grateful if somebody had any tips/ideas on what to do

  2. Shalom Brenner says

    After I pressed the ON and Vol buttons together I got stuck at the 100% battery screen. Had to press those buttons separately and together and finally got the Samsung start screen.. Not quite sure which of those presses did the magic. Also have that problem of the tablet switching off in the middle of use. Wish it wouldn’t happen….

  4. bob higgens says

    it wont work for me. i tried doing that but the screen is just black. when i charge it, it shows the battery logo with a lightning bolt, and the screen also flashes

  5. MistyBaltazar says

    I have tried the reset, and it gets to the SAMSUNG display, then it just sits there and pulses… any advice?

  8. salma says

    Not working for me :( … I even tried 2 new cables as well. Does that mean my tab is broken? It feels so new as I just used it for few months and kept very safely :( a side and tried to turn it on today and its not working anymore…

    Where can i get it checked?

  11. E Rachelle Daugherty says

    thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!! I’d tried everything from removing the back of the tablet, reseating the battery onto the motherboard (and having no success), to pressing the power/volume button simultaneously, and, voila! Finally, a fix. Thank you. ;D

  12. Solomon says

    I can hear the tablet turn on and/or off but I can’t see anything on the screen. Please help.

  13. Maldeez says

    I tried the hard reset method by pushing the power button and the down volume button for 15 seconds, but it didn’t help. I removed the screen from the back cover case using a plastic triangular tool that I purchased awhile back to fix another smart phone screen (sometimes hoarding does come in handy lol). It took a little work and patience, but it came off as mine was clipped and not glued down. I located the ribbon cable for the enormous battery, removed a small metal tab that was covering it up by unscrewing x2 tiny screws. I pryed it off and then reseated the cable dead center and pushed it back in until I heard a subtle click. I connected the original charger and instantly felt the tablet vibrate and saw the screen turn on, of course it needed to charge, but it was a sign of relief. I have the Samsung Galaxy Tab A TM-S290. Thanks to others and this post for the tips! ???

  15. Rebecca says

    So my tablet turned on but all I’m getting is a blue screen that says “downloading” do not turn off target & it does nothing else. How do I fix this please????

  16. Olaniyan sunday says

    My Samsung Galaxy tabE could not on before but when I tried this method given above it on. Later began to display line on its face or screen and it off again. I did it again by following the method. It on but display whitish collour on it face or screen. Pls, what can I do again to make it works ?

  17. Sheila Booker says

    Thank you very much for telling me about this fix just bought a new lead and charger for my Samsung Tab 6 and had it on charge all night. I did wonder why it was taking so long to charge 16 hours went by and still no sign of life. Held the power button and the volume button down for 10 to 15 secs like you said and immediately after it was reading and telling me how much charge I had. I then pressed the power button and it came on and is now working fine. Without your kind assistance I would never have managed.

    Yours Sheila Booker.

  19. James Murphy says

    Worked after using the Fast Charger. Other power sources didn’t seem to work for some reason. I’m guilty of not charging it for long periods of time.

  20. Karline says

    Thank you kind person for this simple tip. My eldery mom spent half a day trying to turn the i-pad on ?.

  21. Jo says

    I just had the same issue. It would not respond to reboot. I removed the sim card and it powered up fine.

  22. Riley says

    A genuine saint, I love you. I owe you my life. I can’t sleep without my music and without my tablet i have no music and I’ll end uo having anxiety attacks so I am really grateful for this, It means a lot! THe Happpiness rush is surreal, antidDeppressents CANNOT compete.

  24. Mats says

    I had this problem too. Not turning on but vibrate while pressing buttons. Black screen. I removed the back cover and i saw that the lcd cable had come out a little bit too far, I just removed the tape and pushed the cable all the way back into the connector. Started in 2 seconds.

  25. Anonymous user says

    Thank you in checked now after it did it is just decharged it cause it was still showing the Samsung logo but it didn’t start then when the battery was on 0% the screen went off then I connected it to a charger and restarted it

  26. Andrew aldridge says

    Fed up put my tab a6 on charge and now it will not start. I’ve have tried to do all the things on samsumg web page and it still doesn’t work

  27. Ghazala says

    Yes this helped me. My samsung tablet was suddenly stop working. I followed suggested steps now it’s working. Thanks a lot.

  28. Tasha Rose says

    i have a tablet that is called samsung galaxty tab A and my tablet stopped charging and right now its dead i tried to charge it but it wont charge and its pitch black and also the charger port its not damaged either and its brand new.

  30. Ana says

    I have done this several times and the screen comes up to continue or restart, but when I hit restart, it tries, then the screen goes black again.

    Please help!

  31. Sarah Cromarty says

    I have had the same issue as Caroling Barker. This is our 4th samsung tablet that has just stopped working or charging for no reason after about a year. We have spent so much money on these and this last one my 8 year old son saved up all his money for so he could buy it and now he is devastated that yet another one just stops working. We will never buy another Samsung tablet.

  32. N.D. says

    I tried every thing you had suggested. However nothing worked! When I try to charge it the battery picture comes on with the lightening sign in the middle and it is shaky it is like it can’t charge. What does that mean?

  33. wes says

    Mine crapped out, but then came back to life after removing the sim card and turning on as usual. It’s strange, but it worked.

  37. Kamal says

    I was fleshing my Samsung tab e unfortunately laptop powered off because of low battery.I started again flesh my tab.Now my tab is not opening.

  41. Tracey says

    my tablet is stuck on on a black screen with circle with lightening bolt. No %. Tried 3 different chargers over 7 hours. Samsung can’t help me because I don’t have serial number. Only 4 months old. Started having charging problems at 2 months. Please help :-(

  42. Nisha says

    My samsung Tab A6 get stuck on the samsung page . I need help i tried holding the power n down button but that does nothing.

  44. Caroline Barker says

    Tried this and nothing, I am fed up with Samsung. Only My husband got this as a Christmas gift would never have it. Crap it’s not the first one from the same make.

  45. Sandy Berghuis says

    Why does my screen turn some weird colors and then my tablet bombs out and it is really hard to et it going again?

  46. Sandy Berghuis says

    Thank you, it worked! Now can you tell me why it totally shuts down all by itself when I am in the middle of doing something?

  48. Katty J says

    Thank you.

    This trick worked for us, thankfully, due to kids needing devices for iso schooling.

  51. KIRANKUMAR says

    Its just rebooting and again coming as previous seen SAMSUNG logo nothing more than that.kindly help us in getting on the TABLET

  54. Anonymous says

    Hey I held the buttons for 15 seconds and it vibrated but won’t turn on. It’s on charge right now. Can so help?

  56. Marshie says

    I did this and it came on saying connecting do not turn off device so what do I do next

  57. Patricia says

    My Samsung Tab 10 went completely black after I put it down for maybe 3 minutes. I tried plugging it in for 1 hour again, it still wouldnt turn on. When I looked online to see if there was anything I could do, I read you have to hold the power button in and volume down simultaneously ( at the same time for the 9 year old) for 15 seconds
    I got nothing until Yay!!
    I got to the full 15 seconds then it came right back on. I hope this works for anyone like it worked for me.

  60. Tester says

    my brand new Samsung Active Pro Tablet has this Problem. Charged it for 2 hours. it won’t turn on. Just Screen flickering. I think it came broken out of the box :(

  61. Ameyah says

    did not work I tried it for more than three times and it did not work I’m not lying seriously did not work I am 9 years old and I’ve tried this for more than three times I’ve already mentioned that it is not working so if you have any other idea what could be wrong with it please let me know. Thank you

  64. Random person :) says

    Ok so to anyone who it’s not working for, Ive been trying for a really long time to turn it on but I just now realized that 1: I wasn’t plugging it into the wall, it was one of those charging stations on a desk or like it doesn’t have a plug slot just the opening for the other end of the charger. 2: you have to use the right wall charger because first I was using a usb charger and it wasn’t working, then I got one that looked like it fit but still didn’t work. I figured out it was the plug part that has to be specific. I don’t think u can use Apple plugs for this it’s gotta be Samsung or a multipurpose one. If this still doesn’t work I’d bring it to someone to fix it, it might have other problems.

  67. Neil Greenwood says

    My Samsung tab a won’t come on it make a charging sound but nothing comes on the screen tried power button and volume buttons together but nothing any idea’s please

  70. Andrew says

    Tried the top button and down volume button, a few times, nothing!! Not used tablet for 4-5 months. Battery won’t charge, tried different cables, nothing!! Any other help????

  74. Jack says

    It worked wonderfully… Thanks.. What do you think happen that it caused my device to not power on or charge before doing the steps you provide?

  78. Khamis says

    My Samsung galaxy tab A, wan”t start and when I press power and volume down keys simultaneously, it displays the battery off and on.

  79. Help me says

    I have only one Samsung galaxy tab A6 charger and the 1st option to fix the tablet just made it go blank

  80. Iris Riley says

    NO, We have Samsung Tab A. This volume and power down suggestion did not help. Tried several times including charging on a different chargers??????????????

  82. Bek says

    MASSIVE THANK YOU!!!!!
    This tip saved my tablet and saved me hundreds of dollars in repairs (or buying a replacement!) As well as my sanity (I have 2 kids who like to watch my tablet while i cook dinner!) Thank you!!!

  83. Rastman says

    My tab A 6 won’t come on,it’s showing 94 on battery but won’t turn on I’ve tried all other things I have read.any ideas.

  85. Michael says

    Change the battery in my aunts samsung tablet T330A but not only does it not power on it makes a white noise the whole time. cant not figure out whats wrong with this tablet for the life of me anyone can help with this? Thank you in advance.

  86. Slickvath says

    Hey guys, thanks for this.

    My mom had the same issue and the store told her there was no fix….

    Thank bog I don’t trust stores but do trust the interwebs :D

    Told her through a whatsapp what to do and it worked!

  90. Telisse Stanfield says

    Turn on to a blue screen swing I could download an OS system. Trying that but don’t know what it means.

  92. Linda says

    Samsung sm t580 black screen have tried fix, machine speaks to you but screen stays black. Keeps saying screen off ringer mute. Any ideas how to fix

  93. Sheri Wilson says

    I think I’m done buying Samsung. This is the second tablet I’ve had from them that has charging issues. Neither of them made it an entire year, either. The older one won’t turn on at all except to flash a few times like it’s trying to come on if I sit there and push the power and volume down buttons long enough. Now I have a Galaxy Tab A and while it’s still charging, it’s charging so slowly I feel like the next step is for it to just die like the other one. Meanwhile, my LG phone and iPad that I got at the same time both still work just fine.

  94. annette says

    surprise surprise my Galaxy Tab3 wont charge either, tried it in my desktop and it doesnt even register the battery screen as it does usually , it was 67 percent battery when it locked on lock screen last night, then bam dead as a door knob- the batteries are replacable leaning towards a new battery, I have had it for 6-7 years with no issues, tried to up down home buttons no go, just short of tossing it against the wall, maybe worth taking it to samsung service centre they probably charge an arm and leg to replace the damm battery, although theres a video on you tube how to, but its risky work looking at him doing it, you tube also suggested removing the battery then re inserting it in, this worked for my S3 samsung phone maybe it will for my tablet. otherwise the trash bin looks good or that smash place where folk go to smash things. lol

  95. Sandro Bacal says

    It worked just now thank you so much, was about to cry last time i check battery went down to 0% tried different charger just would not turn on and been doing that since yesterday.

    I decided to go to shop later and have this fix but good it went back on saves time and expenses :P

  97. Isobelle says

    This took multiple attempts and in the end randomly started testing out button combinations. The power + volume down ultimately worked but not until I could feel the battery in the back heating up. Took a while to get there but in the end worth it!

  101. Na~Kay says

    It worked for me by using an old charger and passing it through a multi cable port, that reduced the voltage for the start charge. Suddenly it got to a 4% charge and I could plug it back to my factory sent high power charger. I’m so so happy and will never again forgow a regular save on an external storage. And always carry one of these old low power charger we got for our old phones years ago. Also not let it on sleep until it runs out of battery.

  102. Emelie says

    I tried this and a few other things and it didnt work. Can you figure out other tips please? Thanks.

  103. Max says

    Was convinced my tablet was dead and gone after a power surge using an old charger but this fixed it. Thanks so much!

  104. Salty says

    I have a Tab e-lite that wouldn’t turn on. Spontaneous battery drainage as well since it didn’t have a dead battery last I checked.
    I plugged it into multiple chargers and nothing happened. No battery screen, nothing, on button didn’t work either .
    I tried the tip of pressing the on button and the down volume button at the same time and it worked. Showed I had a dead battery like I said in the beginning. Not sure what happened but it’s charging fine now. Thanks for the help.

  105. Rebecca says

    After a long day at work, sat down to check email, just like every other night. My Samsung A tablet just would not accept my “pin” (have never changed it). Using my phone, found your suggestion, and am so grateful. It worked like magic! Thank you, thank you so much!

  106. Kim Rhock says

    I have been a Samsung user for many, many years. I purchased the tablets and phones. Over the past year or so, problems with both products surfaced. When I spoke to Samsung about my issues, I was basically told, the warranty expired, so purchasing a new tablet and phone would be my only option. I initially had a windows tablet, but purchased a Sumsung because I wanted my phone and tablet to work together.
    Until reading these complaints, I thought that I was the only person with technical problems, but Its’ evident, Samsung doesn’t hold much weight anymore, its’ not reliable.
    My Samsung phone overheated, I thought getting a newer version would resolve the issue. I purchased my new phone December 2018. The phone would overheat, I mean hot to the touch!!! When the Verizon rep did a system check, the temperature of the phone got to 110 degrees. Verizon carrier said, they consider overheating to be a concern, only if temperatures reached over 115 degrees. I was disquested, while explaining that my 1 year old niece uses the phone to watch her cartoons. Imagine that!!!!! 115 degrees!!!!. Since purchasing my new phone, I have returned it multiple times due to overheating.
    I will NEVER buy Samsung again and I will warn all buyers to stay away from them

  107. RaeraeJah says

    My galaxy tab a was giving me the TouchWiz home keeps closing. Found a site that showed me how to fix that. I got the settings keeps closing but was able to use the tablet for several hours.

    Today, fully charged, from the original Samsung charger, now it says Android starting. But I don’t get anything else, not even my weather or time stamp. I have not had this many te chnology issues since the latest President started flapping his mouth. Can we can him from Twitter indefinitwly?
    Seriously. I’m trying safe mode. Have my doubts thi

    Will give my email, but if I can’t get on my galaxy tab you can’t reach me

  108. Alessa Harris says

    You are a genius!!!! This worked! Thank you so much I thought I was going to have to buy a new tablet.

  110. dai kenny says

    Hello please can you help, my wife’s samsung galaxy tab 3 will not turn on I have tried the volume & on off button but no luck,
    you get hear updates going off in the back ground but will not lighting up. !!!

  112. James.tobias says

    My Samsung tablet won’t turn on all I get is a black screen but I’m gonna try the power and volume button and get back to you in a few….

  113. Kevan McNay says

    I have 2 Samsung tablets and 1 Samsung phone all won’t turn on …..needless to say I don’t buy Samsung anymore !

  114. Temerastout says

    My Samsung Galaxy tablet A won’t turn on also have a black sceen how do i fix my tablet

  115. user says

    By the way, people who hear clicking sounds as in a photo being taken, your display is probably broken. Take it to support.

  116. user says

    My Samsung Galaxy Tab A6 2016 is stuck on the battery screen (the battery with the lightning bolt in it) and it won’t go past that. I’ve tried rebooting but it just goes to the home menu, dies, and then goes back to the battery screen.

  117. Lisa says

    Are there any suggestions for the Tab A if the tablet turns on but will not go beyond the unlock screen? The padlock screen stays and spins until the tablet dies if left unplugged.

  118. Clem says

    When i click the power-Down Volume keys i get the click sound of a picture being taken. Screen stays black. Plugged into wall outlet with a samsung plug. noting on the screen. Anyone else getting this and could anyone fix it.

  119. A troubled child (yuting) says

    My Samsung S2 tablet won’t turn on, when I try, it reaches the home screen but then goes to the battery screen??? Help!

  122. Victoria says

    Mine was working one day and now it’s dead won’t turn on and doesn’t even show that the charger is connected. I’ve barely used it and now it’s like a POS!!! Seems Samsung did something wrong since a lot of people are experiencing the exact same issue!!! No one should have to pay Samsung to fix an issue on their defective product!!

  123. E Shearer says

    My Samsung tablet will not switch on although it has been charged,when pressed to come on all i get are coloured flickering lines.

  125. Rob says

    I have a Samsung A10 tablet that won’t turn on have followed all the steps in rebooting to no avail .What can I do ? Where can I send my tablet for repair service at Samsung ??? Help !

  126. John says

    My Tab A 2016 screen is blank. “Ok Google” works and screen shot with power and volume as well as power and menu button. Tried resets with power and each volume and same with menu. Please help

  127. Mark says

    Wife’s Samsung tablet won’t turn on , been on charge all day , tryed the on button and volume things still no luck.

  128. Jenssen says

    Earle Gilgeous i have exactly the same problem if full of charge but it still no working

  129. Earle Gilgeous says

    Hi my Samsung tablet sm-t580
    will not turn on ,, i have tried the volume down and the power buttons
    but the screen is still blank , it is full charged up , pls help – Earle

  130. diane says

    I tried holding the power button and down button but nothing happened,i put it on charge yesterday and was working fine then it suddenly went off

  132. Harmony says

    I’ve tried and tried but it still will not turn on, I mean I haven’t used it on a while so is that a bad thing?

  133. Catalina says

    Hello Samsung Support!
    I am a manager for a VIVE Float Studio here in Frisco, CO. We use a Samsung tablet to control our float rooms and all of the sudden one day the Samsung Tablet Model: SM-T550 would not turn on. For the past couple days I have tried leaving it plugged in as well as pressing the power and volume down at the same time and it still will not turn on.
    Can you help me?
    Thank you!

  135. yoel says

    thank you very much! I almost gave up on my tablet, and mow finally after few months it got back to life!!!!!!!!

  138. Tiffany D. says

    Yes it did. Everything seems to appear to be functional. Can you tell why this even happened?

  139. Paul Gramer says

    the screen is flickering Strang colors????I charged it last night,an when I went to turn it on the next day,that happened???Please help.
    thank you.

  140. Fabreeze17 says

    Thanks a lot this worked for me and I really appreciate it I couldn’t do anything else

  141. Raymond Santos says

    All the suggested fixes are not working for my Samsung galaxy S2 tablet. Still will not turn on.

  142. Katie says

    I just got so nervous because my samsung galaxy tab a wouldnt turn on after pressing and holding the power button and trying the home + power buttons, the power + volme buttons, and the power + home + volume buttons. I was feeling so unwell at that point, so I plugged it in (don’t know why I didnt do that in the first place) and it showed it was dead. That was weird too because it normally shows if it’s dead but it’s whatever because at least it works now. Definately plug in your device before tampering with it <3

  143. Lauren says

    Ive had a Samsung tablet for about 5 years now (not sure which edition). I didn’t use it for about a year and now it won’t turn on. I’m not sure if the charger is the wrong one or if it will just never turn on again. If it is totally broken, is there a memory card I could take out of it so I don’t lose my stuff?

  144. John says

    This is the 3rd Samsung device that crapped out on me like this, including an identical Galaxy A.

    The Galaxy 7 phone required a new battery. The tablets aren’t worth the considerable expense.

    Just say “no” to Samsung.

  145. Nellie says

    my samsung galaxy tab A has been glitching and crashed I’ve tried turning it on again charging however nothing has worked. please help

  146. Diane says

    Samsung turned off and won’t turn on, tried the power and volume trick didn’t work. Hear noises but nothing else?

  147. uma devi says

    my samsung tab A has stopped working today. I have tried pressing the power + volume down trick and still it not works, even charging sign doesn’t appear, could you able to give me a solution.

  148. Miles says

    I have tried everything and all I hear is a clicking sound like taking a picture and screen is still black.

  149. Benny says

    my Samsung Galaxy tab A switches on automatically when you plug it to a power supply and when you switch it off still it will switch on without switching it on. in other words I can not charge it will it is off and it’s been three months now. How can I get help

  150. Isaac says

    My Samsung a6 tab not turn on, but i was hearing beeping sound. Till the screen is black.
    The method you mentioned not work for me.

    I NEED HELP…

  151. Neil says

    My Galaxy Tab S2 ran an update overnight and the next morning it seems dead. Charged for hours. Tried the up volume button & home button thing… no go. No response whatsoever. Any ideas? I do have a micro SD card installed. It’s only about 9 months old and has had light use.

  153. Mario Muñoz says

    my Samsung galaxy tab A stoped working today. It won’t turn on even after I tried turning it on today. Nothing appears on screen and the screen doesn’t appear to be broken at all. It’s not water damage. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve tried holding down the power and volume up and down buttons for 20 seconds maximum and still had no luck. The only thing I haven’t tried is unplugging the charging cord and immediately plugging it back in and holding the power button for 15 seconds and waiting 10 hours and then doing the same thing again.

  154. maxine rae says

    hi.. im having problems with my samsung galaxy tab 4… when i charge it it zooms all the way to 100% but when i unplug it dies right away it doesnt stay long enough to reset it… help.

  155. Dora says

    Thank you!!! Pressing the power + volume down trick worked. I was getting anxious that this 2 month old tablet is already useless…..
    Internet is amazing also for offering places like this where we find solutions instantly!

  157. Joel amaro says

    I tried everything and all I get is a clicking sound as if taking a picture but wont turn on

  158. Rhi says

    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! My classroom tablet wasn’t turning on after an update and I was freaking out because I use it for everything!

  159. Isabelle says

    I have a Samsung tab a and several times now it has turned off on its own and I have not been able to get it back on. I have tried power and volume down and it has worked once. It acts like the screen wont turn on because i hear the volume beeping. It might be time to put down the tablet but I wanted to make sure about this first.

  161. Faith says

    My Samsung tablet (I haven’t used in a while and has not been charged) will not turn on, but when plugged in makes a weird series of beeps. I do not know the model, but I am guessing Samsung Galaxy tab 3. It is the second Samsung tablet I have had to do this, but the only one I have left uncharged for a while. I would like some assistance on fixing the issue please.

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