How do I perform a hard reset on my Samsung Galaxy A52?

Question

My Samsung Galaxy A52 touchscreen is completely unresponsive, preventing access to the settings menu. Holding the Power and Volume Down buttons for over seven seconds is suggested for a frozen device. Will this perform a factory reset? Since some users report touchscreen issues after the One UI 6.1 update, could that be the cause? If the forced restart doesn't work, are there other hardware button combinations...

kthteyufku · Accepted Answer

Actually, I have to disagree a bit on just sticking to a force restart if the touchscreen is totally gone. While a restart is safer, it rarely fixes a persistent software glitch from a bad update like One UI 6.1. If you realllly want a hard factory reset to see if it saves the hardware, you need the actual Recovery Menu. From a technical reliability standpoint, performing a clean wipe is the only way to be 100 percent sure it isnt just a software conflict before you pay for a new digitizer. Honestly, its the most reliable diagnostic step. Heres the specific way to do it on the Samsung Galaxy A52 because its a bit finicky on the newer Android versions:

Plug your phone into a PC or laptop via USB cable (this is basically required now to trigger recovery mode)

Hold Power and Volume Down together until the screen goes black

The second it turns off, immediately switch to holding Power and Volume Up

Let go when the Samsung logo pops up

Use the volume buttons to scroll to Wipe data/factory reset and press Power to select it Just be careful because this triggers Factory Reset Protection, so you must know your Google account login. Its a lifesaver if the UI update just corrupted your touch drivers.

dhoni4455 · Answer

Great info, saved!

jsiemer40 · Answer

Holding Power and Volume Down typically forces a restart, not a factory reset. Try that first. A factory reset is a last resort. One UI 6.1 has caused issues for some A52 users, so that's a possible culprit. If the restart fails, try booting into Safe Mode (Power + Volume Down during boot). If nothing works, you might need professional repair.