Fix: Downloading… Do not turn off target

By Kevin ArrowsUpdated on October 21, 2024

Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

The “Downloading… Do not turn off target” message shows that the device is in Download Mode, used for firmware updates or system changes with tools like Odin. This mode allows safe firmware installation, and turning off the device during this can cause serious software damage.

The most common cause is accidentally pressing the wrong button combination, like Volume Down + Power or Volume Down + Home, during startup or charging. Another frequent cause is a failed OTA update or issues with custom ROMs.

Now that we know the causes, let’s move on to the solutions.

1. Exit Download Mode (Samsung Only)

To leave the “Downloading… Do not turn off target” state, exit Download Mode by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons for about 10 seconds. This will reboot the device without affecting data or the system, useful for accidental entry into Download Mode.

Ensure you’re on the “Downloading… Do not turn off target” screen.
Simultaneously press and hold the Power + Home + Volume Down buttons.
Keep holding them until the screen turns black, then release all buttons.
If your device doesn’t reboot automatically, press the power button to restart it.

2. Force a Clean Restart

Forcing a clean restart cuts off power to the device, prompting it to reboot and exit states like Download Mode. This bypasses software hang-ups without complex troubleshooting.

Hold the power button until your device shuts off. If unresponsive, proceed to step two.
Remove the back case and take out the battery.
Note: For devices like the Galaxy S6 with non-removable batteries, press and hold the Power button for 15-20 seconds to force a reboot. If necessary, press and hold Volume Down + Power for 10-20 seconds for a “simulated battery disconnect.”
Remove the SIM card and SD card if present.
With the battery out, press and hold the power button for at least 20 seconds to discharge remaining electricity from capacitors and internal components.
Power up your device and check if it boots normally.

3. Wipe the Cache Partition

Wiping the cache partition clears temporary files that may cause performance issues. This step removes outdated or corrupted data, allowing the system to generate new files and ensuring smoother operation without affecting personal data.

Completely power off your device. If the power button fails, remove the battery or perform a simulated battery disconnect by holding the Volume Down + Power button until the screen turns off.
Press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power buttons simultaneously.
Release all buttons when the device vibrates and the Android system recovery screen appears.
Use Volume Down to highlight wipe cache partition.
Press the Power button to select and confirm.
Wait for the process to finish.
Once complete, use the volume keys to select Reboot system now and press the Power button to restart.
If the device doesn’t boot normally, proceed to the final method.

4. Perform a Master Reset

If other solutions don’t work, a master reset might help. This wipes the device, restoring factory settings and removing software glitches causing the “Downloading… Do not turn off target” error. Note that this erases all personal data, so back up important information first.

Making a Backup in Safe Mode

Ensure the device is off. If unresponsive, remove the battery or perform a simulated battery disconnect.
Press and hold the Power key to turn on the phone.
As soon as the initial screen shows, release the Power button and hold the Volume Down key.
Keep holding Volume Down until the device boots into Safe Mode.
When the Safe Mode icon appears in the bottom left, release the Volume Down key.
If the phone boots into Safe Mode, go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Backup & reset and tap Back up my data.
After the backup completes, turn off your device.

Performing a Master Reset (Factory Reset)

Power off the device.
Hold Volume Up + Home + Power buttons together.
Release the Power button when it vibrates but keep holding Volume Up and Home until the recovery menu appears.
Use Volume Down to highlight wipe data/factory reset.
Press Power to select it, then use Volume Down to highlight Yes – delete all user data.
Press Power to begin the reset. This may take up to 15 minutes.
Once done, press Power to restart the device.

By Kevin ArrowsUpdated on October 21, 2024

Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows

Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

viktorija Dec 21, 2018

you just saved my life

Poop master69 Feb 17, 2019

God bless your soul

Jude Johnson - CP 2017 Apr 11, 2019

Mine, too! Thanks!!!

Rolandy Bhebhe May 21, 2019

woooooo thank you . Just by following the above I managed to sort out the downloading error on my phone.

sharp Jun 4, 2019

thank you very much 🙂 i did indeed mix the volume down with the volume up button!

Dmr Jun 14, 2019

Didn’t work. Phone wont even go in safe mode=(. Verizon won’t help. The technician said he does it all the time for family and friends, but Verizon won’t allow him to for customers. Money is also tight and phone is out of warranty. I have photos and videos not backed up=( any suggestions

Shane Warren Author Jun 15, 2019

Okay i might have a solution for you. You will need a computer with Windows on it though in order to proceed. Click on (https://download.tenorshare.com/go/reiboot-for-android_1334.exe) this link to download the “ReiBoot” application. Once it is downloaded, install it and run it. It will display a list of different options. One of them will be “one click to get out of download mode” click on that after you have connected your phone to the computer through a USB cable.

gae.ritsu Jun 28, 2019

My phone stuck in black screen after i pressed the power+voldown+hombtn :< Someone help me i tried to follow the instruction but ended up the same black screen :< my phone is Samsung J2 Prime

Shane Warren Author Jun 28, 2019

What model is it? if it has removeable battery remove that and try to start your phone. If it doesn’t hold the volume down and the power key to perform a battery disconnect and press power key to start it. If the phone still appears to be stuck in the black screen it is possible that the android might be bricked. If the device is bricked it might require service if none of the methods above work for you.

Manish Choudhary Jul 3, 2019

My Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 got a bath in the mumbai rains and will not restart after I dried it up for more than 48 hours in rice. Won’t respond to any command but Power button+Home+Vol down key. On that screen it will say press Vol UP key to continue to download a custom OS or Vol Down key to cancel and restart phone. On pressing UP key it will go into “Downloading…do not turn off target” mode and won’t budge and on pressing Down key it will go blank and won’t restart. What to do? I want to recover my data and still use the phone.

Shane Warren Author Sep 10, 2019

Putting the phone in rice doesn’t work if it was on while it got wet. It might in some cases but it is most probably to leave a mark. This can be an issue with a particular hardware component of the phone and you should get it into service.

Manish Choudhary Jul 3, 2019

Shane Warren Author Jul 12, 2019

Try to download and install the operating system for your mobile through a PC using ODIN. Details on the process can be found after searching for “Download Odin Windows”. Your Data, however, will be completely removed in this process and cannot be recovered.

Donald Klopper Jul 11, 2019

Thank you! I helped a friend in just a couple of minutes after finding your very comprehensive explanation.

kamille kate leoder Jul 29, 2019

hi! good afternoon. i have this j1 mini phone and its already 2 years in my hand. and now if turn it off my screen turn into “do not turn off the target”. i already used the volume Up key + Home button + Power button and yes it turn off by when i try to open it again it “do not turn off the target”. what will im going to do???? pls help me.

Shane Warren Author Jul 31, 2019

Try to install Android through Odin. It is a complicated process and you can find instructions for it by searching “How to install Android Using Odin”

Pez Sep 19, 2019

Hi would you know why my phone wont let me open in safe mode?

Shane Warren Author Sep 19, 2019

The doesn’t boot into safe mode? try another method to get it into safe mode. Press and hold the power button and wait for the power options to show up. Press and hold the “Power Off” option and select the “Safe Mode” option when it shows up.

Ben Feb 12, 2020

Well done, helped me!

Hassaan Tariq Feb 21, 2020

Thanks alot it helped

LI FE Mar 11, 2020

hi I’m using s8 but until now I cant make it work its almost 3 Days now how can I fix it???

Shane Warren Author Mar 14, 2020

Let the battery drain out and wait for it to restart, if you can’t get it out using the methods in this article.

Nathan Jun 2, 2020

For me it doesnt even allow me to go into “power button + volume up” as it shows a white screen with vertical lines. The only time I can actually see a screen is when I go to odin mode, but there it says “downloading do not turn off target”, so I connected it to my computer with odin, tried to flash it but it keeps telling me “no pit partition”. It still doesn´t work if I use a pit file (tried several etc). I also tried to flash a different ROM with a different version of ODIN, nothing works. If you can fix it i´ll donate for sure. Here is my post I made on reddit so you can inspect the issue. I think the only option I have is to buy a new motherboard :/ LINK TO MY ISSUE: https://www.reddit.com/r/sa…please help me out, It isn´t the usb cable either as it´s also a data cable… I guess no one is going to be able to fix it as I have asked it on tons of forums but yeah… Good luck.

Shane Warren Author Jun 3, 2020

Make sure you do this at your own risk since it is highly risky if even one of the things are misconfigured, you will end up bricking your phone:
You will have to download a PIT file for your specific phone model and along with that the stock firmware. In odin, click on the “PIT” button and then select the file and select the stock firmware in the “PDA” button.
Make sure that the “Auto Reboot” Re Partition” and the “F. Reset Time” check boxes are checked and click on Start.

Nathan Jun 3, 2020

I did all of this… Nothing works. Tried it with different PIT files, ROMS, ODIN versions etc. Nothing.

Shane Warren Author Jun 5, 2020

It appears to me that you might’ve bricked your phone due to which this issue is prevalent. I’m afraid there isn’t much option left now.

Nathan Jun 5, 2020

Well changing my motherboard of the tablet should work right?

Shane Warren Author Jun 6, 2020

It should but still, get some professional advice before you act on it.

Shane Warren Author Jun 6, 2020

It should but still, get some professional advice before you act on it.

Skheria Jan 25, 2021

Hi. Thanks very much! It even boosted my battery up 20% from 20% to 40%

Jessica Martin Feb 8, 2021

I have a samsung galaxy A015A & it’s stuck on the lock screen. The phone all of a sudden backed its self up & restored its self and what ever happened it isn’t excepting my passcode, it there any help/advice to unlock that screen without doing a master reset or factory reset ?

Muhammad Zubyan Author Feb 8, 2021

Unfortunately, there is no other way to unlock your phone without factory resetting it.

Cel mai mare fan BeibiTieS din Feb 11, 2021

Hi, I tried all methods but when I’m trying the method that implies holding the volume up button+home button+power button nothing happends.

My mom got that error a week ago and went with the phone at a phone service and they told her she can throw it away… Maybe you can still help me. So when I’m in the “Downloading Don’t turn off target” menu and I press power button+volume down button+home button the phone turns off, but when I’m pressing the power button it goes and gets stuck in the menu with the logo. It’s an s7edge if that helps in any way. Please help meee

Muhammad Zubyan Author Feb 12, 2021

You have to let go of the buttons once the phone’s screen turns off.

Press the “power button + volume down button + home button” your screen should turn off once it turns off let go of the buttons and your device should restart in normal mode if it doesn’t turn off your phone you can try to hold all the buttons at the same time to get out of this download mode.

If the issue still persists you can try to factory reset it through the boot menu here is how you can do it:-

(Keep in mind that factory resetting your phone will remove all the data from your device.)

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up + Home + Power buttons.
3. Once your phone says “recovery booting” let go of the keys.
4. Now you should be on the menu you can use your volume up and down keys to navigate through this menu.
5. Navigate and select Wipe data/factory reset.
6. When it asks for confirmation select “yes” and wait for a while.
7. Once the reset is completed Select the Reboot system now option.
8. Now everything should be good to go.

Let me know how it goes.

Dewalt Pienaar Mar 23, 2021

we downloaded the new software for samsung galaxy 8 plus and now the phone does not want to switch on, please help

Muhammad Zubyan Author Mar 23, 2021

Press and hold the Volume Up + Home + Power buttons. Check if that makes your phone turn on.

Lex van der Hulst Sep 20, 2022

Hi,I’ve a S7 an after a update the issue “don’t turn off…”is there. I tried all the options but none of them works. If my S7 is connected to 220v (via adapter) then after hours the screen “downloading, do not turn off…”comes up back again. Are there any possibilties to reanimate my S7?