What to do when your Samsung Galaxy device appears to be slow or unresponsive

Last Update date : Jul 17. 2026

If your Galaxy device appears to be slow, experiences temporary freezes, or stops responding, the issue may be caused by outdated software, apps running in the background, insufficient available memory, or temporary system errors. Follow the troubleshooting steps below to improve performance and restore normal operation.

A Galaxy phone showing a Samsung folder on the screen with a finger tapping an icon.

Note: Menu names, settings options, and screen layouts may vary depending on the device model, software version, and app version.

Keeping your Galaxy device updated helps improve performance, stability, and compatibility.

Device with One UI 8.0 or earlier

Settings menu with the Software update option highlighted. Settings menu with the Software update option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Software update.

Software update screen with the Download and install option highlighted. Software update screen with the Download and install option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Download and install.

A screen confirming that the software is up to date. A screen confirming that the software is up to date.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions if an update is available.

Device with One UI 8.5 or later

Settings menu with the Software update option highlighted. Settings menu with the Software update option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Software update.

Software update screen with the Check for updates option highlighted. Software update screen with the Check for updates option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Check for updates.

A screen confirming that the software is up to date. A screen confirming that the software is up to date.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions if an update is available.

Apps running in the background may affect device performance and cause slowdowns.

Close all recently used apps

Close all recently used apps and check whether device performance improves.

Recent button highlighted on the navigation bar. Recent button highlighted on the navigation bar.

Step 1. Tap the Recent button.

Close all button highlighted at the bottom of the screen. Close all button highlighted at the bottom of the screen.

Step 2. Tap Close all.

Clear memory

You can free up memory by closing unused apps running in the background.

Settings menu with the Device care option highlighted. Settings menu with the Device care option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Device care.

Device care menu with the Memory option highlighted. Device care menu with the Memory option highlighted.

Step 2. Tap Memory.

Memory menu with the Clean now button highlighted. Memory menu with the Clean now button highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Clean now.

Background processes or temporary software issues may affect device performance. Restarting your device can close all running apps and refresh the system.

Restart using the power menu

Screen showing a swipe down from the top right to open the Quick panel. Screen showing a swipe down from the top right to open the Quick panel.

Step 1. Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the Quick panel.

Quick panel showing the Power off icon. Quick panel showing the Power off icon.

Step 2. Tap the Power off icon.

Power menu showing the Restart option. Power menu showing the Restart option.

Step 3. Tap Restart.

Restart using the buttons

If the device freezes or the Restart menu does not appear:

Image showing a phone with the Side key and Volume down key being pressed simultaneously. Image showing a phone with the Side key and Volume down key being pressed simultaneously.

Press and hold the Side key and Volume down key at the same time for more than 7 seconds until the device restarts.

Check your device using the Phone diagnostics feature in the Samsung Members app.

QR code for Samsung Members app.

Note: Phone diagnostics is available only on Galaxy devices with the Samsung Members app installed.

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