What resetting an app means and when to do it

Resetting an app on your Samsung TV clears out all the data that app has stored — login information, saved preferences, watch history, cache files. When you reset, the app goes back to the state it was in the moment you first installed it. This is different from uninstalling, which removes the app entirely.

You reset an app when it stops responding, won't load, keeps crashing, or displays an error message. You might also reset if you want to sign out completely and start fresh with a different account, or if an app is behaving strangely after an update. Resetting often fixes these problems without having to delete and reinstall the app.

The steps vary slightly depending on your Samsung TV model and the version of Tizen (Samsung's operating system) running on it, but the general process is the same across most recent models from 2018 onward.

Key Takeaways

  • You can reset most apps through Settings > Apps, selecting the app, and choosing Reset or Clear Data.
  • Resetting clears login information and stored data but keeps the app installed on your TV.
  • Some apps like Netflix or Prime Video will ask you to sign back in after a reset.
  • If an app still does not work after a reset, uninstalling and reinstalling it is the next step.

How to reset an app using the Settings menu

On most Samsung TVs, the fastest way to reset an app is through the Settings menu. Press the Home button on your remote to go to the main screen. Then navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon in the top right corner).

From Settings, look for Apps or Applications — the exact label depends on your model year. Select it, then find the app you want to reset in the list. Highlight it and press Enter. You should see options including Reset, Clear Data, or Clear Cache. Choose Reset or Clear Data (these do the same thing on most Samsung TVs). The TV will ask you to confirm; select Yes.

The reset takes a few seconds. When it finishes, you are back at the app list. The app is still on your TV and ready to use, but all its stored information is gone.

Resetting apps from the app itself

Some Samsung TV apps have a reset option built into their own settings menu. Open the app you want to reset, then look for a Settings or Options button — this is usually in the app's menu, not your TV's main Settings.

Once you are in the app's settings, search for words like Clear Data, Reset, Sign Out, or Forget Login. Not every app has this option, and the location varies. If you cannot find it in the app itself, use the Settings menu method described above instead.

What happens to your logins and saved data

When you reset an app, you are logged out. The next time you open it, you will need to sign in again with your username and password. This is true for streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu, as well as for any other app that requires a login.

Any saved preferences — like subtitle language, video quality settings, or watch lists — are also erased and return to the app's defaults. If you have downloaded content for offline viewing (available on some apps), that is deleted too. Downloaded movies or shows will need to be downloaded again if you want to watch them without an internet connection.

When to uninstall and reinstall instead of resetting

If an app still crashes or fails to load after you reset it, the next step is to remove it completely and install it fresh. Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and choose Uninstall. Then go to the Samsung TV App Store (or your TV's app marketplace), search for the app by name, and select Install.

Uninstalling and reinstalling takes longer than resetting — usually a few minutes depending on the app's size and your internet speed — but it replaces all the app's files, not just the data. This fixes problems that a reset alone cannot solve, such as corrupted installation files or conflicts with your TV's software.

After reinstalling, sign back in and check whether the app works. If it still does not, the problem may be with your internet connection, your TV's software version, or a compatibility issue with your specific model. In that case, restart your TV (unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in) and try the app again.

Resetting multiple apps at once

If several apps are misbehaving, you can reset them one after another using the same Settings > Apps path. There is no option to reset all apps at once on Samsung TVs — you have to do them individually. However, the process is quick for each app, usually taking less than a minute per app.

If you find yourself resetting many apps regularly, the problem may not be the apps themselves. Check whether your TV's software is up to date by going to Settings > Support > Software Update. An outdated system can cause multiple apps to behave poorly. You might also restart your TV and router to clear temporary glitches affecting all apps at once.

Troubleshooting if reset does not fix the problem

A reset fixes most app problems — crashes, freezing, login errors, and slow loading. But if the app still does not work after you reset it, try these steps in order: first, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds; second, check your internet connection by opening a different app or going to Settings > Network; third, uninstall and reinstall the app as described above.

If the app works on other devices (a phone, tablet, or computer) but not on your Samsung TV, the issue is likely a compatibility problem between that app and your TV model. Check the app's support page or contact the app's customer service to see whether they support your TV. Some apps drop support for older TV models as they update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting an app delete my account?

No. Resetting clears the app's stored data on your TV, but your account still exists on the app's servers. When you sign back in with your username and password, all your account information — watch history, saved shows, preferences — returns.

Can I reset an app without losing my watch history?

Not through a standard reset. A reset clears everything the app stored locally on your TV. However, if the app syncs your watch history to your account (Netflix and Prime Video do this), your history returns when you sign back in.

How long does it take to reset an app?

A reset usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. The app disappears from your screen briefly, then reappears ready to use. Uninstalling and reinstalling takes longer — typically 2 to 5 minutes depending on the app size and your internet speed.

What is the difference between Clear Cache and Clear Data?

Clear Cache removes temporary files the app uses to load faster. Clear Data removes everything — cache, login information, and settings. On Samsung TVs, these options sometimes appear separately, but choosing Clear Data does both. If you see both options, start with Clear Cache; if that does not fix the problem, use Clear Data.

Do I need to reset an app after a TV software update?

Not usually. However, if an app starts crashing after you update your TV's software, a reset often fixes it. The update may have changed how the app stores data, and a reset clears out incompatible old data.