How to Fix Boot Issues on Android Phone or Tablet

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

When your phone won't turn on, displays the Android logo, or just reboots over and over, it can be quite frustrating. This guide will walk you through the steps you can take to try to resolve this issue yourself.

Tools You'll Need:

• A Charging cable for your device.

2. Charge

Plug your phone or tablet in to charge, and allow it to charge for at least 30 minutes.

Why This Helps

Modern smartphone and tablet batteries have an overheat and over-voltage sensor. Allowing it to charge for a while will usually allow the small chip that controls this to reset, charge the phone, and the battery charge level to be double-checked. All of this can only happen when connected to an external power source.

While there used to be ways to 'force' resets of this hardware, most of those options have been removed, in favor of the much simpler "charge for a while" method that happens automatically.

Why This May Not Help

Modern smartphones and tablets tend to have non-removable batteries and a sophisticated set of sensors that try their best to "fail-safe". In other words, they won't allow the device to start if the battery is wet or shorted, or if there's some other problem with the device itself.

Servicing a modern cellphone or tablet is not simple. It involves specialized tools and intimate knowledge of the internals. There is a full computer's worth of hardware in each, compressed and carefully engineered to fit in such a small package. Plus, there is a battery, and along with that the risk of fire or explosion should it be punctured or damaged.

If your device still refuses to power on, either a small chip inside has failed and would need to be replaced and resoldered to fix, or the battery has failed and would need to be replaced. Both options require specialized work environments and tools, and are beyond what this guide can assist with.

3. Safe Mode

You can boot your Android phone into safe mode which allows you to troubleshoot problems with your device. While in safe mode, any downloaded apps will be greyed out and not function. 

Phone Does Not Boot

Some phones use different methods to reach Safe Mode. If the following steps don't get into safe mode, consult the user manual or OEM for instructions on how to reach Safe Mode.

1. Press and hold the power button on your phone till your phone turns off.It may take five to 10 seconds to power off.
2. Wait 10 seconds.
   

1. Press and hold the Power button on your phone for a few seconds to turn your phone back on.
2. As soon as you release the Power button, press and hold the Volume Down button.
3. Continue to hold the Volume Down button till you see Safe mode in the bottom corner of your screen.
   

Phone Boots (Newer Android Phone Updated Late 2018 or Later)

1. Press and hold the Power button till the power off menu opens.
2. Touch and hold the Power Off or Restart option for five to 10 seconds.
   

1. A prompt will open asking if you wish to reboot in safe mode. Select OK.
   

1. Your phone will restart, and show Safe mode in the corner.
   

4. Uninstall an App

Sometimes after updates, some apps may not function as intended. This can cause your phone to crash and even sometimes not boot. If you're experiencing issues, you may want to remove a recently installed or updated app.

There are multiple ways to uninstall an application on your Android device. Select the one you are most comfortable with.

Uninstall an App From the Home Screen or App Menu

1. Locate the app icon, then touch and hold it.
   

1. A special menu will open at the top of your screen. Drag the icon to Uninstall and release.
   

1. You'll be asked if you want to uninstall the app. Select OK.
   

Uninstall an App From Settings

1. Open Settings, and select Apps & notifications.
   

1. Select the app you wish to uninstall.
   

1. Select Uninstall.
   

1. You'll be asked if you want to uninstall the app. Select OK.
   

Uninstall an App From the Play Store

1. Open the Play Store and select the Menu on the top right.
   

1. Select My apps & games.
   

1. Select Installed at the top, then select the app you wish to uninstall.
   

1. Select Uninstall.
   

1. You'll be asked if you want to uninstall the app, select OK.
   

You can reinstall the app at any time in the future. Apps purchased from the Play Store are tracked, and should not bill you a second time if you re-install them.

5. Restart

1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
   Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
2. A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
   

If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.

• If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.

6. Wipe Cache Partition

1. Turn off your phone. Push and hold the power button, then select Power off from the menu.
   

1. If you are unable to access the power menu on your phone, push and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds, the phone will turn off.
2. Push and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time.
   

1. Your phone will vibrate while holding these buttons down as it powers up. Continue holding the buttons till the menu opens.
2. The System recovery menu will open. Select Wipe Cache Partition.
   

1. After the cache partition is cleared, you will be returned to the same menu. Select Reboot System.

7. How to Factory Reset Your Android Smartphone

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.