What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Nook tablet and returns it to the state it left the factory — all your apps, books, photos, and settings are removed. The operating system itself stays intact. You would do this if the tablet is running slowly, freezing often, or you are selling it and want to wipe your personal data before handing it over.

A factory reset is different from a straightforward restart. Restarting just turns the tablet off and back on. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone, so back up anything you want to keep before you start.

If your Nook is frozen or won't turn on, a factory reset may not be possible through the normal menu — you may need to use the hardware reset method instead, which is covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset removes all apps, books, photos, and personal settings from your Nook tablet and cannot be undone.
  • The standard method is to go to Settings, select System, then Reset Device, and confirm the action.
  • If your tablet is frozen or unresponsive, you can force a hardware reset by holding the power button for 20 to 30 seconds.
  • After a reset, you will need to sign back into your Barnes & Noble account to access your library and re-read apps.

How to factory reset through the Settings menu

This is the standard method and works when your Nook is responding normally. Open the Settings app — you will usually find it in the app drawer or by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon.

Once Settings is open, look for System or About Device (the exact name depends on your Nook model and Android version). Tap it, then look for Reset Device, Factory Reset, or Erase All Data. Tap that option.

The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning carefully — it will tell you that all data will be erased. Tap Reset or Erase to proceed. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not unplug it or turn it off during this time.

When the reset is complete, your Nook will restart and show the initial setup screen, just as if it were brand new.

Force a hardware reset if the tablet is frozen

If your Nook is completely unresponsive — the screen is frozen, buttons do not work, or it will not turn on — you can force a reset using the hardware method. This works even when the tablet is stuck.

Locate the power button, usually on the right edge or top of the tablet. Press and hold it for 20 to 30 seconds without releasing. You may see the power-off menu appear, but keep holding. The screen will go black, and after a few seconds, the Nook logo will appear and the tablet will restart.

This is a hard restart, not a full factory reset. It clears the tablet's temporary memory and can fix freezing or crashing. If the tablet is still having problems after a hard restart, then proceed with the factory reset through Settings as described above.

What happens after the reset is complete

Your Nook will boot up and show the initial setup screen. You will be asked to connect to a Wi-Fi network, accept terms, and sign into your Barnes & Noble account. Use the same email address and password you used before.

Once you sign in, your Nook library — the books you have purchased — will be available to read again. Your apps will not automatically reinstall; you will need to open the app store and read them again if you want them back.

Your personal files, photos, and documents are gone and cannot be recovered, so make sure you have backed them up before starting the reset.

Back up your data before resetting

If you have books, documents, or photos on your Nook that you want to keep, move them to your computer or cloud storage before you reset. The easiest way is to connect your Nook to a computer with a USB cable and copy files to a folder on your hard drive.

For books you have purchased through Barnes & Noble, you do not need to back them up — they are tied to your account and will be available to read again after you sign back in. However, if you have sideloaded books (added them yourself from other sources), those will be erased and should be backed up.

If you have photos or documents stored on the tablet, connect it to your computer, open the file manager, and copy them to a safe location before you proceed with the reset.

Troubleshooting a reset that will not complete

Occasionally a factory reset will stall or fail. If the reset screen is stuck on a progress bar for more than 15 minutes, try a hard restart: hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds, let the tablet restart, and then try the factory reset again through Settings.

If the tablet will not turn on at all, plug it in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes. A completely drained battery can prevent the reset process from starting. After charging, try the hard restart method again.

If you have tried both methods and the tablet still will not reset or respond, the hardware may be damaged. At that point, contact Barnes & Noble support or take the tablet to a repair shop — a factory reset is no longer possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my books from my Nook account?

No. Books you purchased through Barnes & Noble are stored in your account, not on the tablet itself. After you sign back in, you can read them again. Sideloaded books (ones you added from other sources) will be erased and cannot be recovered.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset is permanent. Everything on the tablet is erased and cannot be restored. This is why backing up important files before you reset is essential.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes from start to finish. Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during this time, or the reset may fail and leave the tablet in an unusable state.

Do I need to sign into my Barnes & Noble account after the reset?

Yes. After the reset, your Nook will show the setup screen. You will need to connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with your Barnes & Noble email and password to access your library and read books.

What if my Nook is stuck on the setup screen after a reset?

Try a hard restart: hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds until the screen goes black, then release. If it still will not progress past setup, the tablet may have a hardware issue and should be checked by a repair technician.