Operating system Android 7.0 Nougat, despite its age, continues to be actively used on millions of devices around the world. Users are faced with situations where the smartphone stops responding to touches, the screen goes dark but the backlight remains, or the system simply becomes unstable after installing a new application. In such cases, the first and most logical step is to reboot the device.
Unlike modern versions of the OS, Android 7 the shutdown and reboot menu may not work correctly in case of serious freezes. Understanding the various methods of restarting the system - from a standard button press to a forced procedure through hardware keys - is a critical skill for any gadget owner. This allows you to return the phone to working order without losing data and contacting a service center.
Next we will analyze in detail all the available restart methods, including the intricacies of working with the engineering menus and the debugging utility. You will learn the difference between a regular reboot and a factory reset and how to safely fix software glitches in the firmware Nougat.
Standard soft reboot via menu
The easiest and safest way to bring your device back to life is to use the standard operating system interface. In versions Android 7.0 and 7.1, Google developers retained the classic power menu, which is accessed by long-pressing the physical power button. Usually, it is enough to hold the key for 2-3 seconds for a dialog box with action options to appear on the display.
After the menu appears on the screen, you will see several options, among which the most important are “Shut down” and “Restart”. Selecting the item Reboot initiates a app cycle of turning off and then turning on all system processes. This allows you to clear RAM of temporary files and complete hung background tasks without deleting user data.
Sometimes the interface may be blocked and touch input does not work even when the menu is visible. In this case, try using the physical volume buttons to navigate through menu options (if your manufacturer's firmware supports this feature) and the power button to confirm your selection. However, in most cases Android 7 relies on the touch interface in this scenario.
If the menu appears, but the screen does not respond to touches, try quickly pressing the volume down button several times - on some models this will activate cursor control.
⚠️ Attention: If the device is in Do Not Disturb mode or To save energy, the menu may be delayed for a few seconds. Do not release the power button prematurely.
Forced reboot when the system freezes
Situations when the app menu is not called up are quite common. This may be caused by a complete process hang SystemUI or a critical kernel error. In such cases, it is necessary to perform a forced reboot, which emulates the physical disconnection and connection of the power source.
For most smartphones based on Android 7 a universal method is to hold the power button for a long time. You will need to hold down the key and not release it for 10-15 seconds. The screen may go dark, vibration may sound, and the device will start booting again. This method is safe for the file system, since modern power controllers have protection against abrupt shutdowns.
If holding the power button alone does not help, manufacturers of devices based on Nougat often use key combinations. The most common combinations include holding down the power button and the volume down button at the same time. You also need to hold them for about 10-20 seconds until the brand logo appears.
- 🔘 Power button: hold for 15-20 seconds until vibration.
- 📉 Power + Volume down: classic combination for Samsung and Xiaomi.
- 📈 Power + Volume up: used less frequently, typical for some Huawei models.
It is worth noting that on some custom firmware, such as MIUI or EMUI, the forced restart algorithm may differ. If standard methods do not work, try discharging the device's battery until it turns off completely, then connect the charger and turn on the phone in the usual way.
Reboot through Recovery mode
Recovery mode or Recovery Mode is a separate partition on the system storage device designed to service the device. Entering this mode allows you to reboot at a lower level, bypassing the main operating system. This is especially useful if the system boots to the logo and then freezes (bootloop).
To get to the recovery menu on Android 7, you need to turn off the device (or wait until it turns off) and press a specific key combination. Most often this is by simultaneously pressing the power button and the volume up button. Hold them until the logo appears, then release the power button while continuing to hold the volume up.
In the menu that appears, navigation is carried out exclusively with the physical volume buttons, and the selection of an item is confirmed with the power button. You need to find the item Reboot system now and activate it. This action will forcefully restart the main partition of the system.
Danger of Recovery mode
This menu also has a Wipe data/factory reset item. Under no circumstances select it if you want to save your photos and contacts, as this will completely delete all data from the internal memory.
| Action | Navigation keys | Confirmation key |
|---|---|---|
| Move up/down | Volume + / Volume - | — |
| Selecting a menu item | — | Power button |
| Exit without action | — | Reboot system now |
| Full reset (Dangerous) | — | Wipe data/factory reset |
⚠️ Attention: The Recovery interface may look different depending on the manufacturer. On stock devices this is a black screen with blue or yellow text, on custom ones (for example, TWRP) there is a graphical interface with touchscreen support.
Using USB and ADB debugging
For advanced users who have previously activated it on their device USB debugging, there is the softest and most controlled method reboot. Using the tool Android Debug Bridge (ADB)installed on your computer, you can send a command to restart the system without using physical buttons.
This method is ideal when the touchscreen is partially working, but the power menu cannot be accessed, or when the physical buttons are broken. Connect your smartphone to your PC via a USB cable, open a command prompt or terminal in the folder with ADB installed and enter the appropriate command.
adb rebootAfter entering this command, the device will immediately begin the reboot process. If the system is frozen so badly that the ADB demo process is not responding, you can try the command to reboot directly into bootloader or recovery mode, which sometimes helps to “unwedge” the kernel:
adb reboot bootloader☑️ Check before using ADB
It is important to understand that this method only works if the operating system is at least partially functioning and is capable of processing incoming commands via the USB port. With a complete “kong” (black screen of death), this method is useless.
Differences between a reboot and a factory reset
Users often confuse the concepts of a regular reboot and a reset to factory settings (Hard Reset). It is critical to distinguish between these procedures, since their consequences are radically different. Reboot (Reboot) only updates the state of RAM and restarts services without affecting your files.
Reset settings (Factory Reset) completely deletes all user data, applications, accounts and settings, returning the phone to the condition it was in when purchased. In the Recovery menu or in the system settings, this option is often called Wipe data/factory reset.
In Android 7 Nougat a data protection function was introduced, so after resetting the settings, the device will require you to enter the password from the last used Google account (FRP Lock). This is designed to protect against theft, but can be a problem if you forget your credentials.
Perform a hard reset only as a last resort, when other reboot methods do not help eliminate critical system errors.A reboot is safe for data, a Factory Reset deletes everything. Always make a backup copy before resetting.
Solving problems with cyclic reboots
Sometimes the device gets into a so-called “bootloop”, when it constantly reboots before reaching the desktop. This often happens after an unsuccessful firmware update or installation of incompatible modules. Simply holding down the buttons will not help here, since the system will try to boot again and again. Android 7 this often happens after a failed firmware update or installation of incompatible modules Xposed. Simply holding down the buttons will not help here, as the system will try to boot again and again.
To exit this state, you must interrupt the boot cycle. Enter the Recovery mode (as described above) and try to clear the cache partition. Find the item Wipe cache partition and confirm the action. This will remove temporary system files that may be causing the conflict, but will preserve your personal data.
If clearing the cache doesn't help, a recently installed app may be the culprit. In this case, while in Recovery mode, you can try to remove the problematic system update (if the option is available Apply update from ADB or through the stock recovery menu). In the most severe cases, the only option left is a full reset via item Factory reset.
- 🔄 Bootlap: an endless cycle of turning on and off.
- 🗑️ Wipe Cache: clearing temporary files without deleting photos and contacts.
- 🛠️ Safe Mode: safe mode for diagnosing third-party applications.
To enter safe mode on Android 7, during normal boot, when the manufacturer's logo appears, hold down the volume down button until the system boots completely.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will I lose data during a normal reboot of Android 7?
No, a regular reboot through the menu or buttons is absolutely safe for your photos, contacts and applications. The data is stored in the internal memory, which is not cleared during this procedure.
What to do if the phone does not respond to button presses for more than 30 seconds?
Try connecting the device to the charger for 10-15 minutes, even if it shows no signs of life. Sometimes the power controller gets blocked during deep discharge. After recharging, try a forced reboot again (Power + Volume down).
Is it possible to restart the phone if the screen is broken?
Yes, if the sensor does not work, but the display at least partially displays the image or you know the location of the elements, you can try using key combinations. It also helps to connect a USB mouse via an OTG cable to control the interface if the phone supports this function.
Why does Android 7 take a long time to load after a reboot?
A long boot (more than 5 minutes) may indicate a check of the file system after an incorrect shutdown or installation of updates in the background. If the boot takes more than 10-15 minutes, system files may be damaged.