Android Phone Keeps Restarting or Stuck in a Boot Loop? 12 Fixes

If your Android phone keeps restarting by itself, repeatedly reboots, or gets stuck on the startup logo, the correct fix depends on when the restart happens.

A phone that reaches the lock screen before restarting is different from a phone that never gets past the manufacturer logo.

Start by identifying your symptom below, then work through the safest fixes first.

Important: Do not factory reset your phone as your first troubleshooting step. A factory reset erases data stored on the device.

Quick Diagnosis: What Is Your Phone Doing?

What you see	What it may indicate	Start here
Phone reaches the Home screen, then restarts	App, software, storage, battery, or hardware problem	Fixes 1–8
Phone restarts randomly during normal use	Software, app, battery, heat, or hardware issue	Fixes 1–8
Phone repeatedly shows the startup logo	Boot loop or startup problem	Fixes 9–12
Phone never reaches the lock screen	Boot/startup failure	Boot-loop troubleshooting
Phone is frozen on the manufacturer logo	Boot process is not completing	Boot-loop troubleshooting
Phone has a black screen with no visible response	Display, battery, charging, or power problem	Black-screen troubleshooting
Phone restarts after installing an app	Possible problematic app	Safe Mode
Phone restarts after an Android update	Software/update problem may be involved	Check updates and recovery options
Phone restarts while charging	Charger, cable, battery, temperature, or software may be involved	Test charging separately
Phone restarts after a drop or liquid exposure	Possible hardware damage	Professional inspection

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Before You Start: Check for Safety Problems

Stop troubleshooting and arrange professional repair if the phone has:

• A swollen battery
• A back cover that is lifting because of the battery
• Smoke, sparks, or a burning/chemical smell
• Severe or rapidly increasing heat
• Visible liquid damage or corrosion
• A severely cracked or physically damaged body
• An exposed or damaged battery

If the phone becomes unusually hot while charging, disconnect the charger and allow it to cool.

Do not puncture, crush, bend, open, or attempt to repair a swollen lithium-ion battery yourself.

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1. Remove the Case and Disconnect Accessories

This is one of the quickest things to check.

Remove the phone case temporarily and disconnect accessories such as:

• USB devices
• USB-C adapters
• OTG accessories
• Headphones
• External battery packs
• USB hubs
• Other connected accessories

Also check the physical Power and Volume buttons.

A damaged case or accessory can sometimes press against a button and cause unexpected behavior. Google specifically recommends removing cases and external accessories when troubleshooting unexpected Android restarts.

Use the phone without the case for several minutes and see whether the restarting stops.

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2. Check Whether the Phone Is Restarting at a Predictable Time

If your phone restarts at approximately the same time every day, check whether an automatic restart feature is enabled.

This is particularly relevant on some Samsung Galaxy phones.

The exact menu depends on the model and One UI version, but look in areas such as:

Settings → Device care / Battery and device care → Automation / Auto optimisation → Auto restart

If you find a scheduled restart option, temporarily disable it and observe whether the problem continues.

Do not assume that every Android phone has this feature. Manufacturer settings differ.

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3. Check How Much Storage Space Is Available

Very low storage can contribute to Android stability problems.

If you can still open Settings, check:

Settings → Storage

If the phone is almost full, remove unnecessary files such as:

• Large videos
• Old downloads
• Unused applications
• Duplicate files
• Offline media you no longer need

Back up important photos and videos before deleting them.

Google recommends checking available storage when troubleshooting Android devices and notes that problems can occur when very little storage remains.

After freeing space, restart the phone and test it again.

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4. Install Available Android Updates

If your phone stays on long enough to open Settings, check for a system update.

Depending on the manufacturer, look under:

Settings → System → Software update

or

Settings → Software update

The exact menu varies between manufacturers and Android versions.

Install an available official update if the phone can remain stable long enough to complete it.

Google includes checking for Android updates among its recommended troubleshooting steps for restarting and crashing problems.

Do not repeatedly interrupt a system update because the phone appears slow or temporarily unresponsive.

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5. Update Your Installed Apps

A recently updated or poorly behaved application can sometimes contribute to crashes or restarting.

Open:

Google Play Store → Profile picture → Manage apps & device

Install available application updates.

Pay particular attention if the restarting began shortly after installing or updating a particular app.

After updating the apps, restart the phone and test it normally.

Google also recommends checking app updates when troubleshooting Android crashes and other application problems.

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6. Test the Phone in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is one of the most useful diagnostic tests when an Android phone keeps restarting.

Safe Mode temporarily disables downloaded apps. This allows you to check whether a third-party application is contributing to the problem.

The exact method for entering Safe Mode differs by manufacturer and model.

On some Android phones, you can:

1. Open the Power menu.
2. Touch and hold Power Off.
3. Select or confirm Safe Mode.
4. Wait for the phone to restart.
5. Test the phone while Safe Mode is active.

If that method does not work, use the manufacturer’s instructions for your exact phone model.

What Does the Safe Mode Test Tell You?

If the phone stops restarting in Safe Mode:

A downloaded app becomes a strong suspect.

Think about apps that were:

• Recently installed
• Recently updated
• Modified shortly before the problem began
• Running when the restarting started

Remove suspicious apps one at a time and test the phone after each removal.

If the phone continues restarting in Safe Mode:

That makes a third-party app less likely to be the cause.

However, it does not automatically prove that the motherboard or another specific hardware component is defective.

Further troubleshooting is needed.

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7. Remove Recently Installed or Suspicious Apps

If Safe Mode stops the restarting, go back through your recently installed applications.

Start with applications installed or updated shortly before the problem appeared.

Remove one application at a time.

Then:

1. Restart the phone normally.
2. Use it normally.
3. Check whether the restarting returns.

If the problem returns after reinstalling a particular application, leave that application uninstalled.

Google recommends removing recently downloaded apps individually when Safe Mode indicates that an app may be responsible.

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8. Check Whether Heat or Charging Triggers the Restart

Pay attention to when the phone restarts.

Does it happen:

• While charging?
• During gaming?
• While using the camera?
• When running demanding applications?
• When the battery level becomes low?
• After the phone becomes unusually hot?

If restarting happens mainly under heavy use, temperature or power delivery may be involved.

If it happens only while charging, test the phone with a known-good compatible charger and cable.

Also check the charging port for obvious debris or physical damage.

Google recommends checking charging equipment and connections when troubleshooting phones that have charging or power-related problems.

If the phone becomes dangerously hot, stop using it and disconnect the charger.

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9. What If the Phone Is Stuck in a Boot Loop?

A boot loop is different from a phone that randomly restarts after reaching Android.

Typical boot-loop symptoms include:

• The manufacturer’s logo appears repeatedly.
• The Android startup animation keeps repeating.
• The phone restarts before reaching the lock screen.
• The phone never completes startup.
• The phone becomes stuck on the startup logo.

If your phone cannot reach the lock screen, normal troubleshooting steps such as updating apps or checking Settings may not be possible.

The correct recovery procedure depends heavily on the manufacturer and exact model.

Do not assume that one Recovery Mode button combination works on every Android phone.

Google also notes that manufacturer-specific recovery and troubleshooting procedures can vary.

For a detailed boot-loop troubleshooting procedure, see:

Android Stuck on Logo or Boot Loop? How to Fix It

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10. If the Phone Has a Black Screen, It May Not Be a Boot Loop

A black screen does not automatically mean the phone is boot looping.

Consider a different troubleshooting path if:

• No startup logo appears.
• The phone appears completely dead.
• The phone vibrates but shows no picture.
• The phone rings when you call it but the display remains black.
• The phone turns on and immediately shuts down.
• Charging behavior appears abnormal.

Google recommends separating a display problem from a no-power problem when an Android phone will not turn on.

For this symptom, see: Fix Android Black Screen or Not Turning On

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11. Do Not Factory Reset Your Phone Too Early

A factory reset can be useful when software troubleshooting has failed, but it should not be the first thing you try.

A factory reset removes:

• Locally stored personal data
• Installed applications
• Application data
• Device settings

Before resetting, make sure you have backed up important information whenever possible.

Also make sure you know the Google Account credentials that were previously used on the phone.

Google specifically warns that a factory reset erases data and recommends trying other troubleshooting options first.

Before a Factory Reset

Ideally:

1. Back up important photos and files.
2. Make sure you know your Google Account username and password.
3. Make sure you know the phone’s screen-lock PIN, pattern, or password.
4. Charge the phone sufficiently.
5. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your exact model.
6. Understand that the reset will erase local data.

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12. What If the Phone Still Restarts After a Factory Reset?

If the phone continues restarting after a correctly completed factory reset, software becomes a less convincing explanation.

Possible hardware-related causes can include:

• Battery problems
• Power-management problems
• Charging faults
• Physical button problems
• Overheating
• Internal storage failure
• Damage from a drop
• Liquid or corrosion damage
• Other motherboard faults

However, continued restarting after a reset does not identify the exact failed component. A technician needs to diagnose the actual device before a specific component can be blamed.

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How to Tell Whether the Problem Is More Likely Software or Hardware

Use the pattern of the failure as a diagnostic clue.

More consistent with an app/software problem

• Restarting began after installing an app.
• Restarting stops in Safe Mode.
• The phone works normally after removing a particular app.
• The problem began after a software change.
• The phone has extremely low free storage.
• The phone has a scheduled automatic restart enabled.

More concerning for hardware

• The phone restarts in Safe Mode.
• The problem continues after a factory reset.
• Restarting happens after a physical drop.
• There is liquid damage or corrosion.
• The battery is swollen.
• The phone becomes unusually or dangerously hot.
• The Power button appears physically stuck.
• The phone shuts down under load or at particular battery levels.
• The phone cannot remain powered on long enough to complete basic troubleshooting.

These are diagnostic clues, not proof of a particular failed component.

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What Not to Do When Your Phone Is Restarting

Avoid these common mistakes:

Do not factory reset immediately

You may erase important data before identifying the problem.

Do not use random Recovery Mode instructions

Button combinations differ between manufacturers and models.

Do not install firmware for a different model

The wrong firmware can create additional problems.

Do not repeatedly force-restart an overheating phone

First determine why it is becoming hot.

Do not continue using a phone with a swollen battery

A damaged lithium-ion battery can be dangerous.

Do not assume Safe Mode proves a hardware failure

If the phone continues restarting in Safe Mode, it only makes downloaded apps less likely to be responsible.

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Troubleshooting Order: The Safest Way to Start

If your phone still reaches Android, use this order:

1. Remove the case.
2. Disconnect accessories.
3. Check the physical Power button.
4. Check for scheduled automatic restarts.
5. Check available storage.
6. Update Android.
7. Update installed apps.
8. Test Safe Mode.
9. Remove recently installed or suspicious apps.
10. Check whether charging or heat triggers the restart.
11. Back up important data.
12. Consider a factory reset only after safer troubleshooting fails.

If the phone never reaches Android, skip the normal-use troubleshooting and use the boot-loop recovery path instead.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Topics:

• Android Keeps Restarting Randomly
• Android Stuck on Logo / Boot Loop
• Android Won’t Boot After Factory Reset
• Android Phone Stuck in Recovery Mode

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Official Sources

Official sources checked: July 26, 2026

Google Android Help

Page: Fix an Android device that’s restarting or crashing

Direct verified URL: https://support.google.com/android/answer/7664448

URL status: Verified accessible on July 26, 2026

Supports:

• Checking Android and app updates
• Checking available storage
• Removing cases and external accessories
• Using Safe Mode to test downloaded apps
• Backing up before a factory reset
• Warning that factory reset removes phone data

Scope limitation:

Settings, Safe Mode methods, recovery procedures, and menu names vary by device manufacturer.

Google Android Help

Page: Find problem apps by rebooting to safe mode on Android

Direct verified URL: https://support.google.com/android/answer/7665064

URL status: Verified accessible on July 26, 2026

Supports:

• Safe Mode temporarily disabling downloaded apps
• Using Safe Mode to investigate restarting, freezing, crashing, and performance problems
• Removing recently downloaded apps one at a time
• Using manufacturer-specific instructions to enter Safe Mode

Scope limitation:

Safe Mode entry and exit methods vary by phone.

Google Android Help

Page: Reset your Android device to factory settings

Direct verified URL: https://support.google.com/android/answer/6088915

URL status: Verified accessible on July 26, 2026

Supports:

• Factory reset data-loss warning
• Trying other troubleshooting steps before resetting
• Knowing Google Account and screen-lock credentials
• Backing up data
• Charging the phone before resetting
• Using manufacturer-specific reset instructions

Scope limitation:

Some displayed instructions apply only to particular Android versions, and physical-button reset procedures vary by manufacturer.

Samsung Philippines

Page: What to do if your Samsung phone keeps restarting

Direct verified URL: https://www.samsung.com/ph/support/mobile-devices/what-to-do-if-your-samsung-phone-keeps-restarting

URL status: Verified accessible on July 26, 2026

Supports:

• Distinguishing scheduled restarts from irregular restarts
• Checking recently installed or suspicious apps
• Removing suspected apps one at a time
• Using Samsung Members diagnostics on supported Galaxy devices

Scope limitation:

The instructions and menu paths apply to supported Samsung Galaxy devices and may vary by model or software version.

How This Guide Was Verified

Last technically checked:

July 26, 2026

Research method:

The existing page and the published Boot / Startup Issues archive were reviewed. Separate articles for random restarts, startup boot loops, black-screen or no-power symptoms, and post-factory-reset startup failures were opened and compared. Current Google Android Help and Samsung support documentation was also opened and checked.

Physically tested:

No documentation reviewed.

Applies to:

Android phones and tablets. Manufacturer-specific buttons, menus, recovery options, diagnostics, and reset procedures vary.

Important limitation:

This hub identifies the correct troubleshooting path. It cannot diagnose an exact damaged component without model-specific testing.

Data-loss risk:

None from using this diagnostic page. Some procedures inside the linked guides may erase data and must be treated as last-resort steps.

Final Answer: What Should You Try First?

• If your Android phone reaches the lock screen before restarting, start with:
• Remove accessories → check storage → update Android → update apps → Safe Mode → remove suspicious apps → check heat and charging.
• If the phone never reaches the lock screen and repeatedly shows the logo, treat it as a boot-loop problem instead.
• If the screen is completely black, troubleshoot it as a possible display or power problem rather than automatically calling it a boot loop.
• And before performing a factory reset, back up your data whenever possible.
• The safest troubleshooting approach is to identify the symptom first and then use the procedure that matches it.