Samsung Galaxy phone keeps restarting? Try these workarounds

If your Samsung Galaxy phone keeps restarting or rebooting randomly, it can be incredibly frustrating and disruptive. To help you fix the bug, I’ve read numerous articles, official guides, hundreds of comments on communities, and even watched videos to understand which troubleshooting steps are the most helpful.

Since there could be many reasons why your Samsung phone keeps restarting, there’s no one workaround to fix it all. You will have to perform basic troubleshooting steps first, then try potential solutions that might take a little more effort on your end.

Recommended workarounds from Samsung and Google

Both Google and Samsung recommend similar troubleshooting steps for when your phone is stuck in a boot loop or restarts randomly. I’d suggest trying out these steps first before moving on to user or other tech expert suggestions.

Update software: Keeping your phone’s software up-to-date is crucial. Both Samsung and Google recommend checking for and installing any available updates manually. On your Samsung phone, go to Settings > Software Update (or System Updates) and tap “Download and Install” or “Check for Software Updates.” Follow the on-screen instructions to install any pending updates.

Note: If a recent update triggered the bug where your Samsung phone keeps restarting, then you can either wait for the next update that will likely bring a fix, or you can downgrade to the previous build. To make things easier, I’ve shared a video below that walks you through the process of downgrading a Samsung phone:

Check storage space: Insufficient storage space can cause performance issues and unexpected restarts. Ensure your phone has enough free space (at least 10% is recommended) by using the Device Care feature to clean up your storage or back up extra files using Smart Switch or your Samsung/Google account.

Boot into Safe Mode: Safe mode disables all third-party apps, allowing you to determine if a downloaded app is causing the issue. To enter Safe mode, press and hold the Power button, then touch and hold “Power off” until the Safe mode icon appears. Tap “Safe mode” to start your device in Safe mode. If the problem persists in Safe mode, the issue might be with the phone’s software or hardware. If the problem disappears, proceed to the next step.

Uninstall problematic apps: If the issue is resolved in Safe mode, it’s likely caused by a recently installed app. Uninstall apps one by one, restarting your phone after each uninstall, until you identify the culprit. Reinstall the other safe apps once you’ve found the problematic one.

Clear Cache and Data: Clearing the cache and data of apps can sometimes resolve issues. Go to Settings > Apps, select an app, and tap “Storage” followed by “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.” Repeat this process for other apps that may be causing problems.

Perform a factory data reset: If none of the above steps work, performing a factory data reset may resolve the issue as a last resort. However, this will erase all your data, so be sure to back up your important files first. You can check out the complete steps to factory reset your device here.

User and tech-expert suggested troubleshooting tips

Rapid Power Button press: Some users have reported that rapidly pressing the power button multiple times can dislodge any debris or particles that might be triggering the phone to reboot. Give this unorthodox method a try; it might just work!

The freezer trick: This unconventional approach may sound bizarre, but many users have claimed success by putting their phone in the freezer for a short period (15-20 minutes). According to many comments on a YouTube video, this temporary cooling has helped fix the restarting issue for some. However, exercise caution and avoid prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. Please note that if you do decide to follow this, it is done at your own risk. Here’s the complete video for your reference:

Turn off ‘Auto optimization’: Samsung phones have a feature dubbed ‘Auto optimization’ that automatically frees up RAM and might even restart your phone when not in use. Just to make sure that it’s not the culprit behind your phone restarting repeatedly, disable it. You can follow this official guide, but rather than enabling the toggle, just turn it off (in case it’s on).

Remove cases and accessories: If you’ve put a case, external battery pack, or other accessory on your phone, try removing it while troubleshooting. Ensure that external accessories don’t cover your phone’s sensors or touch its buttons.

Check for Physical Damage: Inspect your phone for any physical damage, such as a cracked screen or water damage, as these can cause hardware issues and lead to restarting problems.

Disable bloatware and preloaded apps: Some preloaded apps or bloatware can be resource-intensive and cause conflicts. Try disabling or uninstalling any unnecessary preloaded apps or bloatware that you don’t use.

Check for overheating: Overheating can cause phones to restart unexpectedly. Ensure your phone isn’t exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures for extended periods, and avoid resource-intensive tasks that may cause overheating.

By following these detailed workarounds and troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the restarting issue on your Samsung Galaxy phone. However, if the problem persists after trying all these methods, it’s recommended to visit a Samsung service center or schedule a repair service online for further assistance, as the issue may be hardware-related.

Unfortunately, while researching about the topic, I did notice several comments from affected users noting that Samsung’s service centers informed them that the issue was due to a faulty motherboard which needed replacement. Replacing the motherboard means you will lose all your data. So it’s always advisable to keep a backup of your data regularly to prevent any data loss due to unforeseen issues like this.