How to Fix Tablet App Crashes and Freezes

Restart the tablet first

Most app crashes and freezes are temporary. Before you change any settings, restart the tablet. A restart clears the app's working memory and restarts background services that may have stalled.

If the tablet is still responsive, save any open work, open the power menu, and choose Restart. If you prefer the physical controls, press and hold the power button and follow the on-screen option. For more detail, see the restart guide.

• Close the app that crashed before restarting, if you can.
• Wait for the tablet to shut down completely.
• Press the power button to turn it back on.
• Open the same app and check whether the crash is gone.

Update apps and the operating system

App updates often contain fixes for crash bugs. Open the app store that came with your tablet, go to the app's page, and choose Update if one is available. Then check for an operating system update in Settings. On Android tablets, the Android Open Source Project publishes Security Bulletins that describe platform fixes; installing the latest system update brings those fixes to your tablet.

If you are using an iPad or a Windows tablet, use the update section inside Settings. Restart after the update finishes, because the system needs to apply files that were waiting for a restart. A refresher on the process is in the OS update guide, and the OS updates explainer covers why these updates matter.

Clear the app cache or app data

If the app still crashes after an update, its saved data may be corrupted. Clearing the app cache is the safest next step: the app rebuilds that data as you use it. Clearing app data is stronger because it removes local files, preferences, and sign-in information, so back up anything important first.

On Android tablets, open Settings, choose Apps, select the problematic app, then tap Storage. Use Clear cache first. If the crash continues, use Clear data or Clear storage. On iPadOS, the closest option is to delete the app and reinstall it; on Windows, look for App settings and choose Reset. See the app data and cache guide for settings by platform.

• Tap Clear cache and test the app.
• If it still crashes, sign out of the app and sign back in.
• Only then clear data, because that removes local documents and login state.
• After clearing data, sign in again and reconfigure the app.

Force restart a fully frozen tablet

Sometimes the screen stops responding completely, and no power menu appears. In that situation, a force restart is the right move. It cuts power at the hardware level and lets the operating system boot cleanly.

Most tablets restart when you hold the power button until the screen turns off. Some models need a combination such as power and volume down. Check your tablet's manual for the exact method, and avoid using a force restart too often because it can interrupt unsaved work. Step-by-step recovery instructions are in the freeze recovery guide.

Free storage and reduce background load

Low storage can make apps behave unpredictably because they need space for temporary files. Low memory can also cause the system to close apps before you finish using them. Freeing space and closing background apps is worth doing before you consider a reset.

Open the recent-apps screen and swipe away apps you are not using. Check Settings > Storage to see what is using space, and remove large downloads you no longer need. The storage cleanup guide offers a step-by-step plan.

If only one app is affected, read its requirements and make sure your tablet's operating system is still supported. Apps that require a newer version than your tablet runs will often crash at launch; the app compatibility article explains what to check.

Check power and accessories

Power problems can look like app problems. If crashes happen mostly while charging, the charger or cable may be delivering unstable power. Use a charger that supports USB Power Delivery; USB-IF says USB PD enables flexible power delivery and data over a single cable. A charger that negotiates the right power level is more likely to keep the tablet stable.

Also unplug any hub or accessory that is not necessary while you test the app. Accessories can introduce driver or power conflicts that the operating system has trouble handling. For more context on charging standards, see the charging speed explainer.

Long sessions with many background apps can make the tablet warm. ENERGY STAR treats tablets as computers and notes that certified models are designed to use energy efficiently when idle, so a short idle period after heavy use gives the system time to settle before you move to stronger fixes.

Reset the tablet as a last resort

If a single app crashes after every fix, remove it completely and install it again. If many apps crash, the system itself may be corrupted. A factory reset returns the tablet to its out-of-box state and is the most reliable last step.

Before resetting, back up photos, documents, and app data that you cannot replace. The backup and restore guide shows how to protect your files. After the backup, follow the factory reset guide for your tablet's platform.

If crashes started right after an update, see the post-update crash guide before resetting. If the tablet is stuck in a boot loop or will not respond, use recovery mode instead of a normal reset.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Why do apps keep crashing on my tablet?

Most crashes come from corrupt app data, outdated software, low storage, or app incompatibility with the operating system. Work through restart, update, and clear data in order. If only one app crashes, check that app's compatibility; if all apps crash, free storage and update the OS.

Will clearing app data delete my files?

Clearing app data removes local app files, preferences, and sign-in state. It does not delete photos, documents, or media stored in normal tablet storage unless the app was the only place those files were saved. Use the app's own export or cloud sync before clearing data.

My tablet is completely frozen and won't restart. What should I do?

Hold the power button until the screen turns off, or use the force restart combination for your model. If nothing happens, plug the tablet into power and try again. If it still will not respond, use recovery mode and consider a factory reset after backing up whatever you can.

Do I need to update both apps and the operating system?

Yes. App updates fix bugs in the app, while system updates fix bugs in the operating system and its core services. On Android, check the latest Android Security Bulletins and install the system update in Settings. On other tablets, use the update option in Settings.

Could low storage cause app crashes?

Yes. Apps need space for temporary files, and a nearly full tablet can make the system kill background processes or fail to launch new ones. Free up space, close unused apps, and restart before assuming the tablet needs a reset.

When should I factory reset my tablet?

Use a factory reset after you have restarted, updated, cleared app data, freed storage, and checked power and compatibility. Back up important files first. A reset removes the problem if the cause was system corruption, but it also removes installed apps and personal settings.