When Android won’t turn off, try a forced restart, then check buttons, power settings, and apps before deeper repairs.
Your phone refuses to shut down. The screen stays lit, or the power menu never appears. This guide gives clear steps that start simple and move up in effort. You’ll see what to try, why it helps, and when to hand it to a technician. The steps work on Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Motorola, and other Android phones.
Quick Wins When Android Won’t Turn Off
Start with the basics. These actions fix many stuck shutdowns with little risk. Work down the list in order.
Step 1: Force A Restart
Hold the power button down for up to 30 seconds. Many phones reboot after a long press. On some models, press and hold the power and volume down buttons together for 7–10 seconds until the screen goes dark. This clears a frozen state without wiping data.
Step 2: Charge For 30 Minutes
Connect the original charger and cable. A near-empty battery can stop the power menu from showing. Let it sit, then try the shutdown again.
Step 3: Remove The Case And Clean The Buttons
A tight case can hold the side key down. Lint can wedge into the seam. Take the case off. Tap around the power and volume keys. Check for clicky travel. If a button sticks, a shutdown loop or blocked menu can follow.
Step 4: Try Safe Mode
Safe mode starts the phone without third-party apps. If the device powers off in safe mode but not in normal mode, a recent app likely caused the hang. Restart back to normal mode, then remove the last one or two installs.
Step 5: Update The System
Open Settings > System > System update. Install pending patches. Many vendors ship fixes for power key behavior, quick settings power menu bugs, and kernel stalls.
Common Symptoms And Likely Causes
Match what you see on screen to a cause and a fast try. Use the table to jump to the right action.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Try |
|---|---|---|
| Power menu will not open | Button remap, gesture conflict, frozen system UI | Force restart; try safe mode |
| Screen is frozen | Kernel hang, GPU stall, runaway app | Hold power 30s; charge and retry |
| Shuts down then restarts | Stuck side key, boot loop, crashing app | Remove case; check keys; safe mode |
| Black screen but still buzzing | Display driver crash | Force restart; wait 2 minutes |
| Google Assistant opens instead of power menu | Side key set to Assistant | Use quick settings Power icon; change key action |
| Only turns off when battery dies | Broken power key or flex cable | Service visit; temporary ADB reboot |
Android Won’t Turn Off: Clear Paths That Work
This section gives step-by-step paths from the fastest tap to deeper fixes. Stop once the phone powers down normally.
Use The On-Screen Power Menu
Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings. Tap the Power icon near the gear. Tap Power off. On some Galaxy models, press and hold the side key and volume down to show the menu, then pick Power off.
Do A Full Button Force Restart
Hold the power button for 30 seconds. If that fails, hold power and volume down together. Wait for the screen to go black and the logo to return. This move clears a freeze without touching files, photos, or apps. Google documents the long-press restart on its Android help page.
Reboot To Safe Mode And Test
Use the power menu and press and hold Restart, then tap to boot in safe mode. You should see “Safe mode” in the corner. Try a shutdown there. If it works, uninstall the last app updates and try again in normal mode.
Fix A Side Key That Triggers Assistant
On some phones the side key opens the voice assistant instead of the power menu. Change it: Settings > Advanced features (or System) > Side key. Pick Power off menu for press and hold. Keep Double press set as you like.
Update Apps And System Components
Open the Play Store and update everything. Then open Settings > Apps > See all > System UI > Storage & cache. Clear cache. Reboot and test the power menu again.
Clear Cache Partition (Devices That Support It)
Some models include a recovery option that wipes temporary system cache. Power off, then boot to recovery with the vendor keys. Choose Wipe cache partition, then Reboot system now. Menu names can vary by brand and model.
Use ADB For A One-Time Reboot
If the power key is dead, you can still send a reboot from a computer with Android Debug Bridge. Turn on USB debugging first, then run “adb reboot” with the phone connected. This does not erase data.
Rule Out Hardware Faults
A wobbly side key, water ingress, or a bent frame can jam the switch. If the key does not click, book a repair. A shop can swap a side key flex or replace a damaged frame.
Safe Mode: Pinpoint An App That Blocks Shutdown
When a recent install hooks the power dialog or spawns a system UI crash, safe mode will let the phone shut down cleanly. Use this to catch the culprit.
Enter Safe Mode
Press and hold Restart from the power menu until a Safe mode prompt appears. Confirm. The device reboots with only pre-installed apps. Google’s safe mode guide lists brand steps.
Test And Remove The Offending App
Power off from safe mode. If the command works here, restart to normal mode. Remove the newest launchers, screen recorders, button remappers, call recorders, or heavy overlays. Reboot and test after each removal.
When Safe Mode Fails
If safe mode still can’t power down, look at hardware. Also try a system update, a cache wipe in recovery, or a reset after backup.
Brand-Specific Force Restart Buttons
Button combos differ by brand. Use this cheat sheet to try the right press length and keys for a clean force restart.
| Brand | Buttons To Press | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel | Hold Power up to 30s | Long press triggers restart |
| Samsung Galaxy | Hold Volume Down + Side Key 7–10s | Logo appears, then reboot |
| OnePlus | Hold Power + Volume Up, then use menu | May need slider in Settings |
| Motorola | Hold Power 10–20s | Some models use Volume Down + Power |
Advanced Paths If The Power Button Is Broken
When the side key fails, a shutdown can feel impossible. These moves keep you going until a repair visit.
Use On-Screen Controls
Open Quick Settings and tap the Power icon. Many skins also let you map a double-tap on the back or a gesture to the power menu in Settings > Gestures. That gives you a path to turn the phone off without the key.
Plug In, Then Use ADB
With USB debugging enabled, connect the phone to a computer that has platform tools installed. Run “adb devices” to confirm the link. Then run “adb reboot” for a clean restart. Use “adb reboot bootloader” or “adb reboot recovery” only if you know the menus.
Schedule A Power Off With Automation
Some vendors include a timed power on/off setting. If present, set a short schedule so the phone shuts down at a set minute. Remove the rule once you fix the key.
Drain And Service
If nothing else works, let the battery drain to zero. Charge for 30 minutes, then try to boot. Book a repair so the key or flex can be replaced.
Reset Options When Software Is Corrupted
If the phone still refuses to shut down outside safe mode and the buttons check out, the system may be corrupt. Back up your data first.
Reset System Settings Only
Open Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Then test the power menu again. This keeps apps and files.
Factory Reset From Settings
Open Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data. Keep the phone on a charger during the process. After setup, try a shutdown to confirm the fix.
Factory Reset From Recovery
If Settings is unusable, boot to recovery with the vendor keys. Pick Wipe data/factory reset. Use the volume keys to move and the power key to select. This erases the device.
Prevent The Problem Next Time
Small tweaks lower the odds of another stuck power menu.
Keep System UI Stable
Update Android and Play system updates on a steady cadence. Avoid beta builds on your main phone. Stick to launchers and tools with clean track records.
Watch High-Load Apps
Games, streaming, and overlays can spike heat and stall the GPU. Give the phone a breather during long play sessions. Close heavy tools before shutdown.
Protect The Buttons
Use a case that leaves a small gap around the side key. Skip pocket grit by wiping the edges now and then. If the key feels mushy, set up on-screen power controls while you plan a repair.
When To Seek Service
Stop DIY steps and book a repair if any of these match your phone:
- Side key has no click or is loose.
- The phone restarts in a loop after every shutdown.
- Water damage or a drop lines up with the start of the issue.
- Safe mode does not change the behavior at all.
- Battery swelling lifts the screen or back panel.
Fast Checklist You Can Save
- Force restart with the right buttons.
- Charge for 30 minutes and retry.
- Remove the case; test button click.
- Use safe mode; remove bad apps.
- Update Android and apps.
- Book repair if the side key fails.
- Back up before deep resets.