The two ways to reset a Samsung Smart TV

You can reset a Samsung Smart TV in two ways: a soft reset, which restarts the TV without erasing anything, and a factory reset, which erases all your settings, apps, and login information and returns the TV to how it came from the store. A soft reset takes about two minutes and fixes most freezing, app crashes, and connection problems. A factory reset takes about five to ten minutes and is what you do when you're selling the TV, giving it away, or when the TV has a serious problem that a restart won't fix.

Which one you need depends on what's wrong. If your TV is slow, an app won't open, or the picture looks wrong, try the soft reset first—it almost always works and you don't lose anything. If the TV won't turn on, won't connect to the internet no matter what you try, or you're preparing it to give to someone else, do the factory reset.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (power cycle) fixes most problems and takes two minutes; unplug the TV for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
  • A factory reset erases everything and returns the TV to its original state; use this only when a soft reset doesn't work or before giving the TV away.
  • To factory reset, go to Settings, then Support, then Self Diagnosis, then Reset, and enter your PIN (usually 0000 if you haven't changed it).
  • After a factory reset, you'll need to set up the TV again from scratch, including connecting to Wi-Fi and signing into your Samsung account.
  • If the TV won't respond to the remote during a reset, hold the power button on the TV itself (not the remote) for 10 to 15 seconds.

How to do a soft reset (power cycle)

A soft reset is the fastest fix for most problems. Unplug the TV from the wall outlet—not just turning it off with the remote, but physically removing the power cable. Wait 30 seconds. This gives the TV's memory time to clear. Then plug it back in and turn it on with the remote or the power button on the TV itself.

That's it. The TV will boot up fresh, and most freezing, app crashes, and connection hiccups will be gone. You don't lose any settings, passwords, or apps. If the problem comes back after a few days or weeks, do the soft reset again—it's harmless to repeat.

How to factory reset from the Settings menu

If a soft reset doesn't work, or if you need to erase everything, use the factory reset. On your remote, press the Home button (the house icon). This opens the main menu. Navigate to Settings using the arrow buttons on the remote, then press Enter.

In Settings, find Support and press Enter. Then select Self Diagnosis. You'll see an option called Reset—press Enter on it. The TV will ask you to enter a PIN. The default PIN is 0000 (four zeros). If you or someone else changed the PIN and you don't know it, see the section below on what to do.

After you enter the PIN, the TV will warn you that all settings, apps, and accounts will be erased. Confirm that you want to continue. The reset will take five to ten minutes. The TV will restart several times—this is normal. Don't unplug it during this time. When it's done, the TV will show the setup screen, as if it just came out of the box.

How to factory reset if you don't know the PIN

If the PIN screen appears and you don't know the code, you have two options. First, try the default PIN again: 0000. Most people never change it, so this works most of the time.

If that doesn't work, you can reset the TV using the physical buttons on the TV itself instead of the menu. Turn off the TV. Press and hold the power button on the back or side of the TV (not the remote) for 10 to 15 seconds. The TV will turn on and off a few times, and then the factory reset will begin. This method bypasses the PIN entirely. It takes the same five to ten minutes as the menu reset, and the TV will restart multiple times.

What happens after a factory reset

When the reset is complete, the TV will show the initial setup screen, just like when it was brand new. You'll need to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into your Samsung account (or create one if you don't have one). You'll also be asked whether you want to turn on voice recognition and other features.

After setup, your TV will have no apps except the ones that come built in. You'll need to read Netflix, YouTube, or any other apps you use from the Samsung App Store. Your login information for those apps will not be saved—you'll have to sign in again. If you had a PIN set for the TV menu, that will be reset to the default 0000.

Common mistakes to avoid during a reset

Don't unplug the TV while a factory reset is running. The TV will restart several times on its own—this is normal and necessary. If you unplug it mid-reset, the TV may not start up properly afterward.

Don't assume the TV is broken if it goes black for a minute or two during the reset. The screen will be dark while the TV is restarting. Wait at least ten minutes before deciding something went wrong.

If you're doing a soft reset, don't just turn the TV off with the remote and turn it back on. You have to unplug the power cable from the wall. Turning it off with the remote doesn't clear the TV's memory the same way.

When to try a reset versus calling Samsung support

Try a soft reset first for any problem: freezing, slow performance, apps crashing, or picture issues. It fixes most of these in two minutes and you lose nothing.

Try a factory reset if the soft reset didn't work and the TV is still having the same problem. Also do a factory reset if the TV won't turn on, won't connect to Wi-Fi no matter what you try, or if you're giving it to someone else and want to erase your accounts.

Contact Samsung support if the TV still doesn't work after both a soft reset and a factory reset. At that point, there may be a hardware problem that a reset can't fix. You can reach Samsung through their website or the phone number on your TV's manual or warranty card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset erase my apps and passwords?

No. A soft reset (unplugging the TV for 30 seconds) only restarts the TV. All your apps, logins, settings, and everything else stays exactly as it was. You only lose data if you do a factory reset.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes five to ten minutes from start to finish. The TV will restart several times during this period. Don't unplug it while it's running. If it takes longer than 15 minutes, something may have gone wrong—unplug it, wait a minute, and try again.

Can I factory reset my Samsung TV without a remote?

Yes. Hold down the power button on the physical TV (usually on the back or bottom edge) for 10 to 15 seconds. The TV will turn on and off a few times, then the factory reset will begin. This method doesn't require a remote or a PIN.

What's the default PIN for a Samsung TV factory reset?

The default PIN is 0000 (four zeros). If you changed it and forgot it, use the physical button method instead: hold the power button on the TV itself for 10 to 15 seconds to bypass the PIN.

Do I need to set up the TV again after a factory reset?

Yes. After a factory reset, the TV will show the setup screen. You'll choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into your Samsung account. This takes about five minutes. After that, the TV works normally, but you'll need to read your apps again and sign into each one.