What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your BLU tablet—all apps, photos, documents, settings, and accounts—and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful when the tablet is running slowly, freezing constantly, or behaving erratically. It is also the step to take before selling or giving away the device, since it removes your personal data.

A factory reset is different from a straightforward restart. Restarting clears the tablet's temporary memory and often fixes minor glitches. A factory reset is permanent and thorough. Once you start the process, you cannot undo it, so back up anything you want to keep first.

If your tablet is frozen or won't respond to touch, you may need to force a reset instead of using the settings menu. Both methods are covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your photos, documents, and any files you want to keep before starting a factory reset, since the process erases everything.
  • Most BLU tablets can be reset through Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data, which takes five to ten minutes.
  • If your tablet is frozen or unresponsive, you can force a reset by holding the power button and volume-down button together for ten to fifteen seconds.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to set up the tablet again, including signing into your Google account and downloading your apps.

How to back up your data before resetting

Before you erase the tablet, move any files you want to keep to cloud storage or a computer. Photos and videos can be backed up to Google Photos, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Documents can go to Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or any cloud service you use.

To back up photos using Google Photos: open the Google Photos app, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to Photos Settings, and turn on Backup and Sync. The app will upload your photos to your Google account automatically. This happens in the background and may take hours depending on how many photos you have and your internet speed.

For documents and other files, open the cloud service app you use (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox), tap the plus or upload button, and select the files from your tablet's storage. Once they are uploaded, they will be there after the reset.

If you have apps you paid for or want to reinstall later, write down their names or take a screenshot of your app list. You can reinstall them from the Google Play Store after the reset using the same Google account.

Factory reset through the Settings menu

This is the standard method and works when your tablet is responsive. Open Settings on your tablet. The icon usually looks like a gear and is on your home screen or in the app drawer.

Scroll down and tap System or About Phone (the exact name varies by BLU model). Look for an option called Reset Options, Reset, or Erase All Data. Tap it.

You will see a warning that all data will be erased. Read it carefully. Tap Erase All Data or Factory Reset to confirm. The tablet will ask you to enter your PIN or password to proceed—this is a safety measure to prevent accidental erasure.

The reset process usually takes five to ten minutes. Your tablet will restart several times. Do not turn it off or unplug it during this time. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen as if the tablet were brand new.

Force reset if your tablet is frozen

If your BLU tablet is completely unresponsive and the Settings method will not work, you can force a reset using hardware buttons. This works even if the screen is frozen or the tablet will not turn on.

Press and hold the power button and the volume-down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for ten to fifteen seconds. You may see a recovery menu appear on the screen with options like "Reboot System Now" or "Wipe Data/Factory Reset."

If a menu appears, use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and press the power button to select it. Confirm the action when prompted. If no menu appears after fifteen seconds, release the buttons, wait a few seconds, and try again.

The force reset takes longer than the standard method—sometimes ten to twenty minutes. Your tablet will restart multiple times. Leave it alone until you see the setup screen.

Setting up your tablet after the reset

Once the reset is complete, your tablet will boot into the initial setup screen, just like when it was new. You will be asked to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into a Google account.

Use the same Google account you used before the reset if you want to restore your apps and settings. The Play Store will show your previously installed apps under "My Apps & Games," and you can reinstall them by tapping the read icon next to each one. This can take a while if you had many apps.

Your backed-up photos and documents will also be available once you sign in. Google Photos will show your backed-up photos, and Google Drive will show your documents. read them back to the tablet if you need them stored locally.

Set up your email accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, and any other settings you want. This is a good time to organize your home screen and install only the apps you actually use.

What to do if the reset fails or gets stuck

If your tablet gets stuck during the reset—for example, the screen stays on the BLU logo for more than twenty minutes—try a force restart. Hold the power button for thirty seconds to force the tablet to shut down completely, then turn it back on.

If the tablet still will not complete the reset, the issue may be a hardware problem or corrupted system files. At this point, contact BLU customer support. You will need your tablet's model number, which you can find in Settings > About Phone. BLU support can walk you through advanced recovery options or arrange a repair if the tablet is still under warranty.

If you are selling or donating the tablet and the reset will not complete, inform the new owner that the device may have a hardware issue. Do not attempt multiple resets in a row, as this can damage the storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account?

Yes, the reset removes your account from the tablet. However, your Google account itself still exists. After the reset, you can sign back in with the same email and password, and your backed-up photos, contacts, and documents will be available again.

Can I stop a factory reset once it has started?

No. Once you confirm the reset, the process cannot be stopped or undone. This is why backing up your data first is so important. Do not turn off the tablet during the reset.

How long does a factory reset take?

A standard reset through Settings usually takes five to ten minutes. A force reset can take ten to twenty minutes because the tablet restarts multiple times. The exact time depends on how much data was on the tablet and how fast your device is.

Do I need Wi-Fi to factory reset my tablet?

No, you do not need Wi-Fi to perform the reset itself. However, you will need Wi-Fi after the reset to set up your Google account and read your apps again. Connect to Wi-Fi during the initial setup.

What if I forgot my PIN and cannot complete the reset?

If you are locked out of your tablet, you can still use the force reset method with the power and volume buttons—it does not require entering a PIN. If that does not work, contact BLU support with proof of ownership, and they may be able to help you regain access.