How to factory reset samsung smart tv

If you are experiencing issues with your Samsung TV, you should try factory resetting it. Resetting any model of Samsung TV is pretty straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Here’s how:

To reset your Samsung TV to its factory settings, press the Home button on your remote then go to Settings > General > Reset (for older models, go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset). Enter your security PIN (“0000”). Your TV will turn off then on again, displaying the initial setup screen.

Reset instructions for Samsung TV based on model year

How you reset your Samsung TV will depend on the exact year your Samsung TV came out.

Below, I provided step-by-step factory reset instructions for all model years!

2019 – Current

To reset your 2019-current Samsung TV to its factory settings, press the Home button on your remote then go to Settings > General > Reset. Then enter your security PIN (“0000” if you never set one). Your TV will turn off and on again and then display the initial setup screen.

Here is a direct screen shot from a 2021 Samsung TV manual detailing these steps:

How to factory reset samsung smart tv

If you forgot your TV’s PIN, you can easily reset it with your remote control.

While the TV is turned on, press the following buttons on the remote control in the order shown and it will reset your PIN to “0000”.

  • On the Samsung Smart Remote or Remote Control: Press +/- (Volume) button > Volume Up > Return > Volume Down > Return > Volume Up > Return
  • On the Standard Remote Control: Press Mute > Volume Up > Press RETURN > Volume Down > Press RETURN > Volume Up > Press RETURN
How to factory reset samsung smart tv

2016 – 2018

To reset your 2016-2018 Samsung TV to its factory settings, press the Home button on your remote then go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset. Then enter your security PIN (“0000” if you never set one). Your TV will turn off and on again and then display the Setup screen.

Here is a direct screen shot from a 2017 Samsung TV manual detailing these steps:

How to factory reset samsung smart tv

If you forgot your TV’s PIN, you can easily reset it with your remote control.

How to factory reset samsung smart tv

Past – 2015

To reset your past-2015 Samsung TV to its factory settings, press the MENU/123 > MENU > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset. Then enter your security PIN (“0000” if you never set one). Your TV will turn off and on again and then display the Setup screen.


Here is a direct screen shot from a 2015 Samsung TV manual detailing these steps:

How to factory reset samsung smart tv

If you forgot your TV’s PIN, you can easily reset it with your remote control.

How to factory reset samsung smart tv

If for whatever reason you do not have access to your TV’s remote, you can still factory reset your Samsung TV.

To do this find the power button on your TV. Depending on the model you have this may be on the right hand side, left hand side, or very bottom of the device.

With the TV on, press the Menu button on the TV and then toggle to Settings > General > Reset.

If you’re having trouble finding these buttons on your TV, or if you TV is mounted in a tight spot, there are other options.

First, consider plugging in a USB keyboard directly into the back of your Samsung TV.

You can then use the keyboard to navigate and reset your TV.

Another option, if you have a Samsung Smart TV, is to download the the Samsung SmartThings app to your smart phone.

After connecting your TV to the app, you can use your smart phone as a remote!

A final possibility is to grab a universal remote you have lying around and enter the appropriate Samsung code for the remote to get it working. Then just use that remote to reset the TV!

When Should I Reset My Samsung TV?

Resetting your Samsung TV can fix a variety of issues you might be experiencing.

If you are regularly experiencing issues though, you don’t want to be factory resetting the TV all the time.

If a regular factory reset doesn’t fix your issues permanently, you should consider getting a new TV or contacting Samsung support.

Here are the most common reasons why people may need to reset their TV:

Your TV Will Not Connect to WIFI

If your TV won’t connect to the network, a factory reset will usually fix the problem.

However, make sure to check your router first.

Unplug and plug the router back in. You can also disconnect the TV from WiFi under Settings and then reconnect it after a few moments.

The TV Keeps Disconnecting or Restarting

If the TV randomly turns off or disconnects from streaming services without warning, you might need a factory reset.

This can fix problems with the software or network settings that you might be experiencing.

You are Experiencing Problems After an Update

Smart TVs need to update every so often for new software and versions.

If the TV has automatically updated recently and begins having issues, you should factory reset it.

It might be able to successfully run the new software after a full reset.

You Bought the TV Used

If you bought the TV from a previous owner, you should factory reset it so that it erases all of the settings from the other person.

That way you can connect the TV to your own network and configure your own settings and passwords etc.

Difference between Restarting and Factory Resetting

Before you factory reset your TV, you might want to try just restarting it. This can fix many different issues as well, and doesn’t erase all your settings like a factory reset does.

Factory resetting the TV will cause all of your information to be erased and you will have to start over as if you just bought the TV.

To try restarting the TV, you can:

  • Unplug the TV.
  • Leave it unplugged for 30 seconds to one minute.
  • Plug it back in.
  • See if the problem you are experiencing is now fixed.

How to reset an app on my Samsung TV

Your Samsung smart TV comes with a ton of built in, downloadable streaming apps like Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and more.

Occasionally these apps will stop loading, freeze or just crash altogether.

If this happens to you, there are a several actions you can take to reset the app.

  1. Restart the TV by holding the power button down for 5 seconds. Or you can unplug the TV from the wall for about 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
  2. Update your TV’s software to the latest version by going to Settings > Support > Software Update.
  3. Delete the app that isn’t working and then reinstall it. Go to Apps > Settings (in the top right hand corner). Find the app and select Delete, then re-download it.
  4. Reset your Samsung Smart Hub by going to Settings > Support > (Device Care) Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub. You may be asked for your PIN (00000).

These are the primary troubleshooting steps recommended by Samsung, so at least one of them should do the trick for you!

Manuals for all Samsung TV models and years

If you’re having trouble resetting your Samsung TV you can try to track down the user manual for your exact model number and year, and search its manual for the words “factory reset”.

You should be able to get the exact model number from the back of your TV.

Samsung support has a great archive of all TV manuals sorted by year here.

Samsung Remote Support Service

If you still aren’t having any luck, try Samsung’s free Remote Support Service.

Samsung Remote Support Service gives you one-on-one support with a certified Samsung Technician who can remotely:

  • Diagnose your TV
  • Adjust the TV settings for you
  • Perform a factory reset on your TV
  • Install recommended firmware updates
  • How does Remote Support work?
  • You can easily have a Samsung Tech service your TV remotely:
  1. Call the Samsung Contact Centre at 1-800-726-7864 (8am- 12am EST 7 days a week) and ask for remote support.
  2. Open the menu on your TV and go to the Support section.
  3. Select Remote Management, then read and agree to the service agreements. When the PIN screen appears, provide the PIN number to the agent.
  4. The agent will then access your TV

Note: in order for Remote Service to work your TV you will need to be connected to a high speed internet connection. If your TV can’t access the internet or if your connection is slow, you won’t be able to connect.

Conclusion

Resetting your Samsung TV is an easy way to get your TV back the settings it had when you first brought it from the store.

It can be a simple solution to fixing a variety of problems that you might encounter while trying to use the TV or when you’re streaming using other devices.

While the reset process varies by the Samsung TV model and year, the basic process is similar. Simply do the following:

  • Click Home on your remote
  • Go to Settings
  • Click General
  • And finally Reset
  • Enter PIN “0000”

While a factory reset for Samsung TVs almost always works, if you are continuing to experience issues, you might want to consider contacting Samsung Contact Centre at 1-800-726-7864.

They should be able to better guide you on a solution to your problem.

How do I reset my Samsung TV to factory settings without a remote?

How do I reset my Samsung TV if it turned off and I don't have a remote for it? Turn the TV off at the power point. Then, hold start button on the back of the TV or under the front panel for 15 seconds. Lastly, turn TV on at the power point.

How do I restore my TV to factory settings?

Select Watching TV or TV. Select Settings. The next steps will vary depending on your TV menu options: Select Device Preferences → Reset → Factory data reset → Erase everything → Yes.