Samsung Galaxy S23 freezing: fixes in order

Quick answer: Force restart by holding Side and Volume down for more than 7 seconds. Then close background apps, clean memory in Device care, update the software and your apps, and test in Safe mode to see whether a downloaded app is causing the freezes.

Video not loading? Open the video on YouTube. It may not match your exact model; check the written guidance and device scope before following it.

The fixes, in order

These follow Samsung's own steps for a slow or frozen Galaxy, with Google's Android steps for finding a misbehaving app.

1Force restart a frozen screen

If the screen won't respond at all, press and hold the Side key and Volume down key together for more than 7 seconds, until the phone restarts. Nothing is erased.

2Close background apps

Tap the Recents button (three vertical lines) and tap Close all.

3Clean memory

Open Settings, then Device care, then Memory, and tap Clean now.

4Free up storage

Google warns that Android phones start having problems when less than 10% of storage is free. Check in Settings, then Device care, then Storage, and delete large videos or apps you don't use.

5Update the software

Open Settings, then Software update, then Download and install (on One UI 8.5 and later it's Check for updates). Then update your apps: open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, then Manage apps & device, then Update all. Update Galaxy Store apps too.

6Test in Safe mode

Safe mode turns off downloaded apps. Turn the phone off, then hold Volume down and Side until the Samsung logo appears; release Side and keep holding Volume down until Safe mode shows. If the freezing stops, a downloaded app is the cause. Restart normally and uninstall recently added apps one at a time, testing after each.

7Run Samsung's phone diagnostics

Open the Samsung Members app and run Phone diagnostics to check the touchscreen and other hardware.

8Factory reset as a last resort

Back up first. Settings, then General management, then Reset, then Factory data reset erases everything on the phone.

When it's the hardware

If the S23 still freezes after a reset with no apps added, or diagnostics flag the touchscreen, book a repair with Samsung.

What to tell support

Keep a short record of your exact device model, software or app version, the symptom or error text, and which steps you tried. Note what changed after each step. You can print this page for reference.

Do not include passwords, recovery codes or private account details in public comments.

Sources

Video by FixIt Mobile on YouTube. See the linked sources for current manufacturer guidance. Menu names and available features can vary by model and software version. How we check fixes.