Three ways to reset your Samsung TV, depending on what you're trying to fix

A factory reset wipes your Samsung TV back to its original state—erasing all your passwords, app logins, picture settings, and channel lists. A soft reset restarts the TV without erasing anything, like rebooting a computer. A power reset drains the TV's memory completely by unplugging it. Which one you need depends on whether your TV is frozen, running slowly, won't connect to WiFi, or you're selling it and want to clear your personal data.

Most problems—apps crashing, remote not responding, picture settings gone wrong—fix with a soft reset first. Only do a factory reset if the TV still won't work after a soft reset, or if you're preparing to give the TV away.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (power off and on) fixes most freezing and connection problems and takes 30 seconds.
  • A factory reset erases all your settings, logins, and saved channels, so only use it as a last resort or before selling the TV.
  • A power reset unplugs the TV for 30 seconds to clear its memory and is useful when the remote won't respond at all.
  • On Samsung TVs made after 2016, you can factory reset through Settings > General > Reset without a PIN, unless you set one yourself.
  • After a factory reset, you'll need to set up the TV again from scratch, including WiFi connection and app logins.

Soft reset: restart the TV without losing anything

A soft reset is the safest first step. Press the power button on your remote to turn the TV off completely. Wait 30 seconds—this gives the TV time to clear its temporary memory. Then press power again to turn it back on. The TV will boot up normally with all your settings, apps, and logins still there.

If your remote isn't responding, you can also press the power button on the TV itself, usually located on the bottom right or left edge of the frame. Look for a small indented button; you may need to use your fingernail or a pen tip to press it.

A soft reset fixes most common problems: apps freezing, the TV responding slowly, WiFi dropping out, or the picture looking wrong. If the TV still won't work after a soft reset, wait another 30 seconds and try again. Sometimes it takes two attempts.

Power reset: drain the TV's memory when the remote is dead

If your remote won't respond at all and the TV won't turn off, a power reset forces the TV to clear its memory. Unplug the power cable from the back of the TV (not from the wall outlet). Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and press the power button on the TV itself to turn it on.

This step is stronger than a soft reset because it completely cuts power, but it still doesn't erase your settings or logins. Use a power reset when the TV is completely unresponsive or when a soft reset didn't work.

Factory reset through the Settings menu

If you've tried a soft reset and power reset and the TV still isn't working, or if you're selling the TV and want to erase all your personal data, do a factory reset through the menu. On most Samsung TVs made after 2016, press the Home button on your remote. Navigate to Settings (usually a gear icon at the top right). Select General, then scroll down and select Reset.

The TV will ask you to confirm. Select Yes. If you set up a PIN when you first installed the TV, you'll need to enter it now. If you don't remember your PIN, see the section below on resetting without a PIN.

The reset will take 1 to 2 minutes. The TV will restart and show the setup screen you saw when you first bought it. You'll need to choose your language, connect to WiFi, and log into any apps again. All your old channels, picture settings, and saved passwords are gone.

Factory reset if you forgot your PIN

If the TV asks for a PIN and you don't have it, you have two options. First, try the default PIN: 0000 or 1111. Many people never change it from the factory default.

If that doesn't work, unplug the TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and when ready go back to Settings > General > Reset. Some Samsung models will let you reset once without a PIN if you do this quickly after a power reset. If the TV still asks for a PIN and you can't remember it, contact Samsung support with your TV model number (usually on a sticker on the back of the TV). They can walk you through a PIN recovery process, though it may require proof of purchase.

What to expect after a factory reset

After a factory reset completes, your TV will look and act like it did the day you bought it. You'll see the initial setup screen asking you to choose a language and country. Connect to your WiFi network. Sign into your Samsung account if you have one (this is optional but lets you restore some settings across Samsung devices).

read your apps again from the Samsung app store. Log into Netflix, YouTube, and any other services. Adjust your picture settings back to how you like them. This process takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on your WiFi speed and how many apps you use.

If you're selling or giving away the TV, you're done—the new owner will see a clean setup screen. If you're keeping it, you're back to where you started.

When to factory reset versus when to call Samsung

Do a factory reset if: the TV won't turn on after a power reset, apps keep crashing even after a soft reset, WiFi won't connect after you've tried forgetting and rejoining the network, or you're preparing to sell the TV.

Call Samsung support instead if: the TV won't turn on at all (even the lights don't respond), you see an error code on the screen, the picture is completely black or distorted even after a factory reset, or the TV won't hold a charge (if it's a portable model). These usually mean a hardware problem that a reset won't fix. Samsung's support line is available by phone or through their website; have your model number ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset delete my Netflix account?

A factory reset erases the Netflix app and your login from the TV, but not your Netflix account itself. When you read Netflix again after the reset, you can log back in with your email and password. Your watch history and saved shows stay in your Netflix account.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. Once you confirm a factory reset, it cannot be undone. All your settings, app logins, and channel lists are permanently erased. If you're unsure, do a soft reset first to see if that fixes the problem.

How long does a factory reset take?

The reset itself takes 1 to 2 minutes. The TV will restart and show the setup screen. Setting up WiFi, downloading apps, and logging back in takes another 10 to 20 minutes depending on your internet speed.

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

No. You can leave it plugged in. Only unplug it if the remote isn't working and you need to do a power reset first. Once you're in the Settings menu, you can do a factory reset without unplugging.

What if the TV is still broken after a factory reset?

If the TV still won't work after a factory reset and a power reset, the problem is likely hardware-related—a broken power supply, failed display, or damaged circuit board. Contact Samsung support with your model number, or take the TV to an authorized repair center. If the TV is still under warranty, the repair may be covered.