The three ways to reset a Samsung TV

A Samsung TV reset clears your settings, apps, and account information and returns the TV to the state it left the factory. You have three options: a soft reset (power cycle), a factory reset through the menu, or a hard reset using the physical buttons on the TV itself. Which one you use depends on what problem you're trying to solve and whether your remote is working.

A soft reset straightforward turns the TV completely off and back on—it clears the TV's temporary memory but keeps your settings intact. A factory reset through the menu wipes everything but requires you to navigate the settings. A hard reset using the TV's physical buttons works when the remote is lost or the TV won't respond to commands, but it also erases everything.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (power cycle) fixes most temporary glitches and takes less than two minutes; try this first before doing a full factory reset.
  • A factory reset through the menu erases all your apps, accounts, and settings but keeps the TV responsive to your remote during the process.
  • A hard reset using the physical buttons on the TV works when your remote is missing or broken, but you cannot undo it once it starts.
  • After any reset, you will need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and sign back into your Samsung account to use streaming apps.

Soft reset: Power cycle your TV in under two minutes

A soft reset is the fastest way to fix freezing, apps that won't load, or a TV that won't respond to the remote. It does not erase anything—it just clears the TV's working memory.

Unplug the TV from the wall outlet and wait 30 seconds. While it is unplugged, press and hold the power button on the TV itself (not the remote) for 10 seconds. This drains any remaining charge. Plug the TV back in and turn it on. The TV will boot up normally, and most temporary problems will be gone.

If the TV still has the same problem after a soft reset, move on to a factory reset.

Factory reset through the menu: Keep your remote in hand

A factory reset erases all your apps, logins, and custom settings. Use this when a soft reset did not work, or when you are selling or giving away the TV and want to clear your personal information.

On your remote, press the Home button to open the main menu. Navigate to Settings (the gear icon). Go to General, then Reset. You will see a prompt asking you to enter a PIN—the default is 0000 unless you set a custom PIN. After you enter the PIN, select Reset again to confirm. The TV will restart and return to factory settings. This takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

Once the reset is complete, the TV will show the initial setup screen, just as it did when new. You can now set it up with a new account or skip setup entirely.

Hard reset using physical buttons: When your remote is gone

If your remote is lost, broken, or not responding, you can reset the TV using the physical buttons on the back or side of the TV itself. The location of these buttons varies by model—they are usually near the power cord connection or along the bottom edge.

Look for a small recessed button labeled Power or Reset. You may need a straightened paperclip or a pen tip to press it. While the TV is powered on, press and hold this button for 10 to 15 seconds until the TV shuts down and a reset menu appears on screen. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset. The TV will restart and return to factory settings.

If you cannot find a reset button, try this alternative: press and hold the physical power button on the TV itself for 10 to 15 seconds while the TV is on. Some Samsung models respond to this as a hard reset trigger.

What happens after the reset is complete

After any reset, your TV will restart and show the initial setup screen. You will need to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into your Samsung account to use apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+. Your TV will not remember any of your previous settings, app logins, or picture adjustments.

If you reset the TV because of a problem—not because you are selling it—write down your Samsung account email and password before you reset, so you can sign back in quickly. If you do not remember your password, you can reset it on Samsung's website before you touch the TV.

When to reset versus when to call Samsung support

A soft reset fixes most problems: freezing, apps crashing, remote lag, or the TV not turning on. Try a soft reset first, wait a full day, and see if the problem returns.

A factory reset is worth trying if the soft reset did not work and the problem is software-related (apps crashing, settings not saving, Wi-Fi dropping). However, if the TV has a hardware problem—no picture, no sound, lines on the screen, or physical damage—a reset will not help. In that case, contact Samsung support or a TV repair service. Samsung's support line can walk you through troubleshooting steps specific to your model number, which you can find on the back of the TV or in the Settings menu under About TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a reset delete my streaming apps?

Yes. A factory reset erases all apps and logins. After the reset, you can read them again from the Samsung App Store and sign back in. A soft reset does not delete anything.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once a factory reset is complete, your settings and apps are gone permanently. If you reset by mistake, you will need to set up the TV again from scratch. This is why it is a good idea to write down your Samsung account information before you reset.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset through the menu usually takes 5 to 10 minutes from start to finish. The TV will restart once or twice during the process. Do not unplug the TV while it is resetting.

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

Try a soft reset: unplug the TV for 30 seconds, press the power button on the TV itself for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If the TV still will not move past setup, contact Samsung support—this may indicate a software issue that requires a service visit.

Do I need a PIN to do a factory reset?

Yes. The default PIN is 0000. If you set a custom PIN and forgot it, you will not be able to reset through the menu. In that case, use the hard reset method with the physical buttons on the TV instead.