How to Factory Reset Your Samsung Smart TV

What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases all settings, apps, and account information from your Samsung TV and returns it to the state it left the factory. This wipes your Wi-Fi passwords, streaming logins, picture adjustments, and any apps you installed. Use a factory reset when your TV is running slowly, an app keeps crashing, you are selling or giving away the TV, or you want to remove all your personal information before disposal.

The reset does not affect the TV's firmware or operating system — those stay the same. It only clears the data layer. If your TV has a hardware problem like a broken screen or power failure, a factory reset will not fix it.

Key Takeaways

Samsung TVs have a factory reset option in the Settings menu under Support or General, accessible without a remote if you use the physical buttons on the TV frame.
A factory reset removes all apps, logins, Wi-Fi passwords, and picture settings but does not change the TV's operating system or fix hardware problems.
The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes and the TV will restart automatically when finished.
If you forget your Samsung account password before resetting, you will need to recover it on a computer or phone before the reset completes.

Reset using the remote control

Press the Home button on your Samsung remote to open the main menu. Navigate to Settings — the gear icon — and select it. From there, go to Support, then Self Diagnosis, then Reset. Some newer models place this under General instead of Support; if you do not see Support, try General first.

The TV will ask you to enter a PIN. The default PIN is 0000 unless you set a custom one. Enter it and select Reset. The TV will warn you that all data will be erased. Confirm by selecting Yes or Reset again, depending on your model. The TV will restart and take 5 to 15 minutes to complete the process. Do not unplug it during this time.

Reset using the physical buttons on the TV

If your remote is lost or broken, you can reset using the buttons on the TV frame itself. Locate the physical buttons on the bottom or side edge of your TV — usually labeled Menu, Volume, Channel, or Power. Press and hold the Menu button (or the button closest to the center) for 10 to 15 seconds until a menu appears on screen.

Use the Volume buttons to navigate up and down through the menu options. Find Settings or Support and press the Menu button again to select it. Continue navigating to Self Diagnosis or Reset using the same method. When you reach the reset option, select it and confirm. The process is slower this way because you are using single buttons instead of a directional pad, but the result is identical.

What happens after the reset completes

Once the TV finishes restarting, it will display the initial setup screen as if it were brand new. You will be asked to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in to a Samsung account. You do not have to sign in to a Samsung account to use the TV, but doing so lets you restore apps and settings from a previous backup if you have one.

After setup, all your previous apps are gone and you will need to reinstall them from the Samsung App Store. Your picture settings return to factory defaults. Any streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ will require you to log in again. If you are keeping the TV, take time now to adjust picture settings to your preference and reinstall only the apps you actually use.

Troubleshooting a reset that will not start

If the reset option is grayed out or will not respond, try unplugging the TV for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This clears the TV's temporary memory and often fixes menu freezes. Wait for the TV to fully boot before trying the reset again.

If you are locked out by a PIN you do not remember, you have two options. First, try the default PIN 0000 again — some models reset the PIN if the TV has been unplugged for several minutes. Second, contact Samsung support with proof of purchase; they can provide a master PIN or walk you through a different reset path. Do not guess the PIN repeatedly, as some models lock the reset option after three wrong attempts.

Preparing your TV before a factory reset

Before you reset, write down any settings you want to remember: picture mode, brightness level, color temperature, or audio output settings. Take a photo of your Wi-Fi network name so you can reconnect after the reset. If you use a Samsung account and want to keep your app list, sign into your account on a computer or phone and check that your apps are backed up to your Samsung cloud.

If you are selling or giving away the TV, the factory reset removes your personal data, but it does not remove the TV from your Samsung account. After the reset completes, sign into your Samsung account on a computer, go to your devices or connected devices, and remove the TV from your account. This prevents the new owner from accessing your information or seeing the TV as yours.

When a factory reset is not the answer

If your TV will not turn on, has a black screen, or shows no picture, a factory reset will not help because you cannot reach the settings menu. In these cases, try unplugging the TV for two minutes, then plugging it back in. If that does not work, the problem is likely hardware-related and you will need to contact Samsung support or a repair technician.

If a single app is crashing, you do not need a full factory reset. Instead, go to Settings, Apps, find the problem app, and select Uninstall or Clear Cache. Reinstall it from the App Store. This solves most app problems without erasing your entire TV setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset fix a slow TV?

Often yes. A slow TV is usually caused by too many apps running in the background or a full storage cache. A factory reset clears both. However, if the TV is still slow after the reset and before you reinstall many apps, the slowness is likely a hardware issue and the reset did not fix it.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once the reset completes, all data is gone permanently. If you have a Samsung account backup of your apps and settings, you can restore from that backup during the setup process after the reset. Otherwise, you will need to manually reinstall apps and reconfigure settings.

Do I need to unplug the TV during a factory reset?

No. Leave the TV plugged in and powered on during the entire reset process. Unplugging it mid-reset can corrupt the TV's system files and cause it to fail to boot. The reset typically takes 5 to 15 minutes.

What if I do not know my Samsung account password?

You can still reset the TV, but you will not be able to restore your backed-up apps and settings during setup. Before you reset, go to samsung.com on a computer or phone and recover your password using your email address. Write it down so you have it ready after the reset completes.

Does a factory reset remove viruses or malware?

A factory reset removes most malware because it erases all apps and data. However, if malware is in the TV's firmware itself, a factory reset will not remove it. This is extremely rare on Samsung TVs. If you suspect a serious security issue, contact Samsung support.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.