Not again. Your phone keeps restarting on its own, and you feel your temper rising every time. It’s vital to have a reliable phone for modern life — and your sanity. Learn why your phone is randomly restarting, how to troubleshoot the problem, and how a dedicated cleanup tool can help free up space to optimize your phone’s performance.
If your phone keeps restarting or shutting off randomly, the issue may be hardware, software, or malware-related. Hardware problems, like internal damage or an aging battery, can lead to power inconsistencies, causing your phone to restart or freeze. Software issues like outdated apps can also make your phone randomly malfunction — as can malware that deletes critical files or uses up excessive system resources.
Hardware failures can cause your phone to restart or turn off by itself. Damage from a drop, for example, may have harmed internal components, like your phone’s motherboard and central processing unit (CPU), or the connections between them. Overheating, often due to a thick protective case, can also cause a phone to restart on its own. Another common hardware culprit is a faulty or aging battery.
Software problems can explain why your phone might freeze or restart unexpectedly. Common causes include outdated apps which may not work properly with your operating system and compatibility issues after updates. Additionally, insufficient storage capacity or outdated firmware that leaves your phone vulnerable to bugs or performance issues can also lead to random shutdowns.
If your phone randomly restarting isn’t a result of hardware or software issues, it could be due to a virus or other malware. Android phones, iPhones, and even iPads are all susceptible to infections, especially if rooted or jailbroken, and many types of malware can cause your phone to freeze randomly, crash, or restart.
A compromised digital footprint, weak or reused passwords, and unsafe downloads increase the risk posed by digital threats. Using a strong password and avoiding untrustworthy sources can help protect your device but, if it does get infected, removing phone viruses quickly is essential to restore functionality and security.
A boot loop is a specific type of restarting issue where a phone fails to complete its startup process and repeatedly restarts. Instead of progressing to the home screen after powering on, it cycles back to the startup logo. This continuous cycle of rebooting renders the phone unusable. In most cases, the solution to fix a boot loop is the same as with any other issue causing your phone to restart, so work through the following troubleshooting steps to find the fix that works for you.
Since random restarts can result from various factors, ruling out potential causes one at a time is the most effective approach to diagnosing and solving the problem. Fixing a restarting phone can be as simple as updating your software, but, in the most extreme cases, may require a full factory reset.
Below are the key troubleshooting steps to run through to fix a constantly rebooting Samsung or Android smartphone and restore stability to your device. Just bear in mind that these steps may vary slightly depending on your phone’s model and current software version.
Using the latest Android version ensures your device performs optimally and stays protected against known security vulnerabilities. Android system updates can provide bug fixes, new features, and enhanced stability to safeguard your data and improve your overall experience.
Navigate to Settings > Software Update.
Tap System Update to check for updates. If there’s a new version available, follow the on-screen instructions.
Keeping apps updated offers optimal performance, enhanced compatibility, and access to new features. App updates also often include security patches to fix vulnerabilities, helping protect your phone from new threats. Neglecting updates can lead to issues such as apps crashing or device instability.
Here’s how to update apps on Android:
Open Google Play > tap your profile icon at the top right of the screen.
Go to Manage apps & device > Update all.
You can also set up an auto-update feature that downloads new app updates automatically, as they release, by following these steps:
Open Google Play > tap your profile icon at the top right of the screen.
Go to Settings > Network preferences.
Tap Auto-update apps and choose your preferred setting.
As you’re reviewing and updating your apps, make sure to delete the ones you don't use anymore. To remove unused apps, open Google Play > tap your profile icon > Manage apps & device > Manage.
Review the list of apps on your phone. Select any unused apps and tap the trash icon to uninstall them.
When your Android phone keeps restarting, booting into Safe Mode can help troubleshoot third-party apps. Outdated or buggy apps often cause issues, but Safe Mode temporarily disables all third-party apps, allowing you to test whether the issue persists. If your phone functions normally in Safe Mode, the restarting issue is likely caused by an app. You can then update any outdated apps to fix potential bugs.
Here’s how to boot in Safe Mode on Android:
Press and hold the power button until power options appear.
Press and hold Power Off until Safe Mode appears. Tap Safe Mode.
Test your phone in Safe Mode — if it works normally, the restarting issue could be caused by an app.
You can now exit Safe Mode and update your apps.
Running low on storage on your Android phone can lead to app crashes, system freezes, and unexpected restarts.
Follow these steps to clear space on an Android phone:
Navigate to Settings, then Storage.
Review your storage usage, including images, audio files, and videos. Delete unneeded content.
It can be time-consuming to go through all your photos and files manually to sort storage issues. Installing the free AVG Cleaner for Android app to help find and remove duplicate photos and unwanted junk files provides an easier method to optimize your phone’s storage.
Clearing your app cache, phone cache, and browser cache can also free up space and improve performance. Additionally, reviewing your Android app permissions can help limit unnecessary data storage.
Unwanted debris in your phone’s charging port can cause restarts. To clean it, turn off your phone and gently remove any debris using a small, thin object like a toothpick. Avoid applying too much pressure or using sharp metal objects that could damage the port. You can also use paper towels, cotton swabs, or compressed air for cleaning.
Don’t forget to clean around the power button, as a blockage there may cause it to stick, leading to restarts. Always be gentle to prevent any harm to your phone’s components.
External accessories like cases, battery packs, grips, stands, and selfie sticks can trigger unwanted restarts by applying pressure on your phone's buttons or causing overheating issues. To troubleshoot if this is the cause of your phone restarting, try using it without any accessories to see if the issue still occurs. Then, test each accessory individually to identify which one is causing the problem.
All phone batteries degrade over time, which can lead to performance issues like sudden shutdowns or restarts, even when the battery isn’t fully drained. If your phone restarts while charging or becomes excessively hot, these may be signs that your battery needs attention. Take steps to prolong your battery’s life and look into a replacement battery or phone if performance dips noticeably.
Some older phones have removable batteries, and replacement is simple. However, many modern phones, like most Samsungs, have internal batteries that require a specialist to fix. To replace your battery, consult your phone manufacturer’s website for specific replacement information. Be sure to weigh up the cost of replacing the battery against purchasing a new phone, especially if your Android is nearing the end of its lifespan.
If your phone is restarting on its own and the issue began suddenly, a recent update could be the cause. Updates can sometimes trigger instability on specific devices, especially older models, leading to constant reboots or app crashes.
Here’s how to restore your Android phone from a recent backup:
Go to Settings > Google > Backup. Ensure backups are enabled and review your most recent backup to make sure it contains all of the data you need. If it doesn’t, make sure to save any valuable data manually using cloud storage or an external storage device to avoid losing it permanently when you restore your phone to a previous backup.
Then, erase your data from the phone. Navigate to Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset. Confirm the reset to erase all data.
Restore your backup. During setup, sign in with your Google account, and select your most recent backup to restore apps, settings, and data.
Regularly backing up your data helps minimize loss from crashes or malware. Keep backups updated to ensure a smooth recovery process, should you need one.
Remember, if malware is causing your phone to restart, restoring from a recent backup could end up reinstalling the malware. If you don’t have a backup that predates the malware infection, use a malware removal tool.
If other solutions don’t work, restoring your phone to its factory settings is your last resort, even if you don’t have a backup. Keep in mind this will erase all your data and apps, so make sure to manually save anything you want to preserve.
Follow these steps to factory reset your Android:
Go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset.
Confirm the reset to wipe all data and restore your phone to its original state.
Frequent restarts can be frustrating, but they’re usually fixable with some basic troubleshooting. Whether the issue is due to software glitches or aging hardware, regular maintenance is key to keeping your phone running smoothly. Install AVG Cleaner for free to help clear space quickly, speed up your device, and boost its battery life.
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