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How to factory reset almost anything

Reset procedures for routers, TVs, earbuds, doorbells, consoles and more, pulled from each manufacturer's manual and written out step by step.

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A reset is the most copied piece of advice on the internet and the least explained. Before you hold any button for twenty seconds, it helps to know which kind of reset you're about to do.

A restart (sometimes called a soft reset or power cycle) just turns the device off and on. Nothing is deleted. A factory reset wipes settings, pairings and often stored data, and puts the device back the way it came out of the box. You'll have to set it up again afterwards, so try a restart first.

InfographicRestart, soft reset or factory reset?Always start at step one. Each step up costs you more.
01 RestartPower cycle or force restart
Keeps everything Try this first
02 Soft resetSettings back to default
Keeps your data
  • Resets settings
03 Factory resetBack to out of the box
Erases almost everything
  • Resets settings
  • Resets pairings
  • Resets your data

Factory reset by product

LG WM4000HWA Front-Load WasherWM4000HWA
Clearing a stuck control panel. There is no factory reset button on this washer. If the panel freezes or a code won't clear, unplug the machine (or switch off the breaker) for about five minutes, then…
Samsung WF45T6000AW Front-Load WasherWF45T6000AW
Resetting the washer. Samsung washers don't have a menu-based factory reset. Unplug the machine for a few minutes to reset the control board.
iRobot Roomba i3 Robot VacuumRoomba i3 (3150)
Reboot the robot. If the robot is unresponsive or behaving oddly, reboot it before doing anything else. This doesn't delete maps or schedules. 4 steps
Google Nest ThermostatNest Thermostat (2020)
Resetting the thermostat. On the thermostat, open the settings menu and choose Reset. You can restart it, reset schedules, or do a full factory reset.
Apple iPhone 15iPhone 15
Force restart a frozen iPhone 15. If the screen is frozen or black but the phone isn't dead, a force restart usually brings it back. Nothing is erased. The button order matters and each press is quick. 4 steps
Apple iPhone 15iPhone 15
Erase everything before selling. Back up to iCloud or a computer first. Then go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, and choose Erase All Content and Settings.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Reset AirPods Pro 2. This erases the pairing, so you'll reconnect them afterwards like new. 5 steps
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Reset the Echo Dot 5th Gen. Try unplugging it for a minute first. If it still won't respond or you're giving it away, do a factory reset. 4 steps
Roku Ultra Streaming PlayerRoku Ultra
Factory reset a Roku Ultra. A reset removes accounts, channels and preferences. Use the menu if you can see the screen, or the button if you can't. 4 steps
TP-Link Archer AX55 Wi-Fi 6 RouterArcher AX55
Reset to factory defaults. With the router powered on, press and hold the Reset button until the Power LED blinks, then let go.
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX50 AX5400 RouterRAX50
Reset the Nighthawk RAX50. Resetting erases your Wi-Fi names, passwords and admin login. 5 steps
Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)Video Doorbell (2nd Gen)
Reset the doorbell. Resetting clears the Wi-Fi settings. Do it when changing routers or when setup fails. 5 steps
Nintendo Switch OLED ModelHEG-001
Hard reset a frozen Switch. If the screen is black and the console doesn't respond, it may be frozen rather than dead. This doesn't delete anything. 3 steps
Nintendo Switch OLED ModelHEG-001
Open Maintenance Mode. Maintenance Mode lets you update, restore settings or initialize the console. Turn the console fully off. Then hold both volume buttons (+ and −) and press POWER.
Sony PlayStation 5PS5 (CFI series)
Start in Safe Mode. Safe Mode gives you recovery options without the normal system loading. 5 steps
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless HeadphonesWH-1000XM5
Initialize (factory reset). Try a reset first, which keeps your pairings: connect the headphones to a USB AC adaptor with the USB-C cable, then press the power and NC/AMB buttons at the same time. 4 steps
Garmin Forerunner 255 GPS Running WatchForerunner 255 / 255S
Restart a frozen watch. Garmin's manual warns that restarting the watch may erase data or settings, so sync with Garmin Connect first if you can. 3 steps
Garmin Forerunner 255 GPS Running WatchForerunner 255 / 255S
Reset all settings. Sync with Garmin Connect first, then open settings, System, Reset. Reset Default Settings restores factory settings but keeps your activity history.

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