Factory reset wipes your Nook tablet and returns it to its original state

A factory reset erases all your personal data, apps, and settings from your Nook tablet and restores it to the condition it left the factory. This is useful if the tablet is running slowly, freezing, or behaving unpredictably — or if you're selling it and want to remove your account and files. The process takes 10 to 20 minutes and cannot be undone, so back up anything you want to keep before you start.

The steps differ slightly depending on your Nook model and Android version, but the general path is the same: go to Settings, find the reset option, and confirm. You do not need a computer or special software.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your books, documents, and any files you want to keep before starting, because a factory reset deletes everything on the tablet.
  • The reset option is located in Settings under System or About, depending on your Nook model and Android version.
  • You will need to confirm the reset twice — once in the menu and once more after a warning message appears.
  • After the reset completes, the tablet will restart and ask you to set up your account again, just as it did when new.

Back up your data before you reset

Your Nook tablet stores books, PDFs, notes, and any apps you downloaded. A factory reset removes all of these. Before you proceed, sign into your Barnes & Noble account on a computer or phone and read any personal documents or files you need to keep. Your Nook books themselves are tied to your account, so you can re-read them after the reset — but any notes or highlights you made in them will be lost.

If you have photos, videos, or other files stored on the tablet, connect it to a computer via USB cable and copy them to your computer's hard drive. Once the reset is complete, these files cannot be recovered.

Access the factory reset option on your Nook

Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel, then tap the Settings icon (it looks like a gear). On most Nook tablets, you will see a menu with options like Display, Sound, and Storage. Scroll down until you find System or About Device — the exact name depends on your model.

Tap System (or About Device), then look for an option called Reset, Factory Reset, or Erase All Data. On some older Nook models, this option appears under a submenu labeled Storage or Device. If you cannot find it in System, go back to the main Settings menu and search for "reset" using the search function at the top of Settings.

Confirm the reset and wait for the process to complete

Once you tap the reset option, the tablet will show a warning message asking you to confirm. Read it carefully — it will tell you that all data will be erased. Tap Erase All Data, Reset, or Confirm (the button label varies). The tablet may ask you to enter your PIN or password if you set one up.

After you confirm, the tablet will begin the reset process. The screen may go black, and you may see a progress bar or a spinning icon. Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during this time. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. When it finishes, the tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, just as it did when you first opened it.

Set up your Nook tablet after the reset

Once the tablet restarts, you will see the Welcome screen and be asked to connect to Wi-Fi. Enter your Wi-Fi password and proceed. The tablet will then ask you to sign in with a Barnes & Noble account or create a new one. If you want to use the same account you had before, enter your email and password.

After you sign in, the tablet will read and reinstall any apps that were part of the original Nook software. Your Nook books will appear in the library once you sign in, because they are stored on Barnes & Noble's servers, not on the tablet itself. Any apps you downloaded from the Play Store will not be reinstalled automatically — you will need to read them again from the Play Store if you want them.

Troubleshooting if the reset does not work

If the tablet freezes during the reset or does not complete the process, try a hard reset. Turn off the tablet completely, then hold down the Power button and Volume Down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds. Release both buttons when you see the boot menu or recovery screen. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Factory Reset or Wipe Data, then press the Power button to confirm. This method bypasses the Settings menu and can work when the tablet is too slow or unresponsive to use normally.

If the tablet still will not reset, it may have a hardware problem or a corrupted system file. In that case, contact Barnes & Noble customer service with your tablet's serial number (found on the back or in Settings under About Device). They can walk you through additional troubleshooting or discuss repair or replacement options.

What to do if you forgot your account password

If you want to reset the tablet but cannot remember your Barnes & Noble password, visit bn.com on a computer and click Forgot Password. Enter your email address and follow the link sent to your inbox to create a new password. Once you have reset your password, you can sign into the tablet after the factory reset is complete.

If you do not remember the email address associated with your account, contact Barnes & Noble customer service before you reset. They can help you recover your account or set up a new one. Resetting without access to your account means you will have to create a fresh account on the tablet, and you may not be able to re-read books you purchased under the old account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my Nook books if I factory reset?

No. Your Nook books are stored on Barnes & Noble's servers and tied to your account. After you reset and sign back in, they will reappear in your library. However, any notes, highlights, or bookmarks you made in those books will be lost, because those are stored on the tablet itself.

Can I factory reset my Nook without a password?

Yes. You can reset the tablet using the Settings menu without entering a password. However, after the reset is complete, you will need to sign into a Barnes & Noble account to use the tablet. If you do not remember your account password, you can reset it on bn.com before you begin.

How long does a factory reset take?

The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The tablet will restart automatically when it is done. Do not turn it off or unplug it while the reset is in progress.

What happens to apps I downloaded after a factory reset?

Apps you downloaded from the Play Store will be deleted. Apps that came with the tablet originally will be reinstalled automatically. You can re-read any Play Store apps by opening the Play Store and going to My Apps, then tapping Install next to the apps you want.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset cannot be undone. This is why backing up your files before you start is important. If you have already reset the tablet and lost files you needed, contact Barnes & Noble to see if they can help recover your account data or books.