What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset wipes your Nook tablet back to the state it left the factory — all your apps, files, accounts, and settings disappear. After the reset completes, you'll see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned on the device. This is useful when the tablet is running slowly, freezing often, or behaving erratically, or when you're selling or giving it away and want to remove your personal data.
A factory reset is different from a straightforward restart. Restarting just turns the device off and back on. A factory reset erases everything and returns the software to its original state. Once you start a factory reset, you cannot stop it partway through — the process will complete.
Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Nook tablets do not automatically save your library to the cloud the way some devices do. If you have books, documents, or files stored only on the tablet itself, they will be gone after the reset.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all apps, files, accounts, and settings and returns the tablet to its original state.
- Back up any books, documents, or personal files before you reset, because they cannot be recovered afterward.
- The reset process takes place in the Settings menu under Device or System, depending on your Nook model.
- After the reset finishes, you will see the initial setup screen and can sign in with your Barnes & Noble account to restore your library.
- A factory reset usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, and the tablet will restart several times during the process.
How to reset a Nook tablet through Settings
The most common way to reset a Nook tablet is through the Settings menu. Open Settings, then look for a section called Device, System, or About — the exact name varies by model and software version. Inside that section, you should find an option labeled Reset, Factory Reset, or Erase All Data.
Tap that option. The tablet will ask you to confirm — it will warn you that all data will be erased. Read the warning carefully to make sure you understand what will happen. Tap the button to confirm. The tablet will begin the reset process, and you will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the tablet or remove the power cord during this time. The process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, and the tablet may restart several times.
When the reset is complete, the tablet will display the initial setup screen. You can now sign in with your Barnes & Noble account. Your library — the books you purchased or borrowed — will reappear once you sign in, because Barnes & Noble stores your library in the cloud. Apps you downloaded from the Nook Store will not automatically reinstall; you will need to read them again if you want them.
Resetting when you cannot access Settings
If your tablet is frozen, will not turn on, or will not let you open Settings, you can perform a hard reset using the physical buttons on the device. The exact button combination depends on your Nook model. For most Nook tablets, hold down the Power button and the Volume Down button at the same time for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Nook logo or a recovery menu appear.
Once the recovery menu appears, look for an option that says Wipe Data, Factory Reset, or Clear Storage. Use the Volume buttons to move between options and the Power button to select. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Select Yes or Confirm. The reset will begin, and again, do not interrupt it.
If you are not sure which buttons to hold or your tablet does not respond to the button combination, look up your specific Nook model number. You can find the model number in Settings under About, or on the back of the tablet. Search for "[Your Model Number] hard reset" to find the exact steps for your device.
What to do after the reset is complete
When the tablet finishes resetting, it will show the initial setup screen. You will be asked to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Barnes & Noble account. Sign in with the same email address and password you used before. Your Nook library — all the books you own or have borrowed — will sync back to the tablet automatically once you are signed in.
Your personal files, photos, and documents will not return, because they were not stored in the cloud. If you backed them up to a computer or cloud storage service before the reset, you can transfer them back now. If you did not back them up, they are gone.
After you sign in, you can read apps from the Nook Store again if you want them. The tablet will also read any system updates that are available. Let it finish updating before you use it heavily, because updates can take several minutes.
Backing up your data before a reset
To back up books and documents, connect your Nook tablet to a computer using a USB cable. The tablet will appear as a removable drive on your computer. Open it and look for a folder called My Documents, Books, or My Files. Copy any files you want to keep to a folder on your computer. This includes PDFs, Word documents, and any ebooks in formats the Nook can read.
For books you purchased from Barnes & Noble, you do not need to back them up — they are stored in your Nook account and will return when you sign in again. However, if you have borrowed books from a library or downloaded free ebooks from other sources, those files should be copied to your computer before you reset.
If you do not have a USB cable, you can also email files to yourself or upload them to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. This takes longer but works if you only have a few files.
Troubleshooting a reset that will not complete
If your tablet is stuck on the reset screen or the progress bar is not moving, wait at least 30 minutes before you assume something is wrong. Some resets take longer than expected, especially on older tablets or if the storage is nearly full. If the progress bar has not moved in 30 minutes, try a hard reset using the button combination for your model.
If the tablet will not turn on at all after a reset attempt, plug it into a power outlet and let it charge for at least an hour. Sometimes a reset drains the battery completely. After an hour, try turning it on again. If it still will not respond, try the hard reset button combination again.
If you have tried both a Settings reset and a hard reset and the tablet still will not work, the device may have a hardware problem. At that point, contact Barnes & Noble customer service or visit a store location. They can run diagnostics or replace the device if it is still under warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my books come back after I reset?
Books you purchased or borrowed from Barnes & Noble will return when you sign in with your account, because they are stored in the cloud. Books you downloaded from other sources or sideloaded onto the tablet will not return — you will need to transfer them back from your computer or re-read them.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once a factory reset completes, the data is gone and cannot be recovered. This is why backing up important files before you reset is essential. If you realize too late that you needed something, a data recovery service might be able to retrieve it, but this is expensive and not always successful.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most factory resets take 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish. The tablet may restart several times during the process. Do not turn it off or unplug it while the reset is running, even if it seems to be taking longer than expected.
Do I need to remove my account before I reset?
No. A factory reset removes all accounts automatically. You do not need to sign out first. When the reset is complete, you can sign back in with the same account or a different one.
What if I forgot my Barnes & Noble password?
Go to the Barnes & Noble website and use the "Forgot Password" link on the sign-in page. You will be asked to enter your email address, and Barnes & Noble will send you a password reset link. Use that link to create a new password, then sign in to your tablet with the new password after the reset is complete.