A factory reset restores your Samsung TV to default settings by navigating to Settings > General > Reset or Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset, depending on the model year.
Glitches happen. Apps freeze, Wi-Fi drops, or perhaps you plan to sell your TV and need to wipe your personal data. A factory reset handles all these scenarios by erasing every custom setting, account login, and downloaded app.
This process returns the device to its out-of-the-box state. You will need to complete the initial setup again, including scanning for channels and signing into your Samsung account.
Quick Prep: Check Before You Wipe
A full reset is permanent. Before you start, take a moment to ensure this is the right step for your situation.
- Check your account details — Make sure you know your Wi-Fi password and login credentials for apps like Netflix, Hulu, or your Samsung Account. You will need to re-enter them.
- Note your picture settings — If you spent hours calibrating your display, snap a photo of your Expert Settings values. These will revert to standard modes.
Difference Between Soft Reset And Factory Reset
You might not need a nuclear option. A soft reset (or cold boot) clears temporary memory cache without deleting your data. Try this first if your TV is just acting a bit slow.
- Hold the Power button — Keep it pressed on your remote for about 5 seconds until the TV turns off and boots back up with the Samsung logo.
- Unplug the TV — If the remote trick fails, pull the plug from the wall, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
If those quick fixes didn’t solve your issue, proceed with the methods below to perform a complete wipe.
Method 1: Standard Reset For Newer Models (2020–Present)
Samsung slightly changed the menu structure for models released in 2020 and later (Series T, A, B, C, D, and newer). If your remote has a Home button, start here.
- Press Home — Open the main Smart Hub menu on your screen.
- Select Settings — Scroll to the left to find the gear icon.
- Go to General & Privacy — Look for this tab; on some slightly older firmware, it might just say “General.”
- Select Reset — This option is usually at the bottom of the list.
- Enter your PIN — Type in your 4-digit PIN. The default is 0000 if you haven’t changed it.
- Confirm the action — Select Reset again to begin the process. The TV will restart automatically.
Once the TV boots back up, you will see the Welcome screen asking you to choose your language.
Method 2: Resetting Older Samsung TV Models (2016–2019)
For models from the K, M, N, and R series, the path is slightly different. The operating system on these units places the reset function inside the Support menu rather than General settings.
- Open Settings — Use your remote to access the main system menu.
- Navigate to Support — Select the cloud icon or question mark icon depending on your theme.
- Select Self Diagnosis — Open this sub-menu to find maintenance tools.
- Choose Reset — Click this option and enter your PIN (Default: 0000).
This method works for most Tizen-based TVs released before the 2020 menu refresh.
Method 3: Legacy Models (E, F, H, and J Series)
If you own a Samsung TV manufactured between 2012 and 2015, the interface looks different. These non-Tizen or early-smart models use a straightforward menu structure.
- Press the Menu button — Use the physical button on your standard remote control.
- Select Support — Navigate down to the support tab.
- Choose Self Diagnosis — Locate the diagnosis options.
- Execute Reset — Select Reset and enter the PIN code.
If your TV is extremely old (pre-2012), simply holding the “Exit” button on the remote for 12 seconds usually triggers the factory reset prompt.
Troubleshooting: The “Reset” Option Is Greyed Out
Sometimes you navigate to the correct menu, but the “Reset” text is dim and unselectable. This is a common safety feature preventing you from wiping the TV while an application runs in the background.
The system locks the reset function when it detects active app usage. You must close all running processes.
- Change the Source — Switch your TV input to “TV” (Live TV) or an HDMI source like a game console. Do not stay on the Smart Hub apps screen.
- Exit Apps completely — If an app like Netflix is suspended in the background, use the “Return” or “Exit” button to close it fully.
Once you are on a standard TV source, return to the Settings menu. The Reset option should now be white and clickable.
Performing A Hard Reset On Samsung TV Without A PIN
A standard factory reset requires a security PIN. If you changed the default “0000” years ago and forgot it, you cannot access the reset menu. You must reset the PIN first using a specific remote control sequence.
Using A Standard Remote (With Numbers)
This works best with the older, infrared remote control full of buttons.
- Turn the TV on — Ensure the display is active.
- Press Mute — Hit the mute button once.
- Enter sequence 8, 2, 4 — Press these numbers in order followed by the Power button.
- Wait for reboot — The password list should reset to 0000.
Using A Smart Remote (No Numbers)
The sleek, minimal remotes require a different combination involving the volume rocker.
- Turn the TV on — Keep the remote pointed at the sensor.
- Press Volume buttons — Press volume up, then volume down, then volume up.
- Access Volume menu — Hold the volume button down until the menu appears, then proceed.
If these sequences fail, check the official Samsung support guide on PIN management for model-specific codes.
Method 4: Service Menu Reset (Advanced)
If your TV screen is black, the menu is frozen, or you cannot access the standard settings, the Service Menu is your fallback. This is a hidden mode used by technicians.
Warning: The Service Menu contains critical hardware settings. Do not change values unless you know exactly what they do. Stick strictly to the reset option.
- Turn the TV OFF — The TV must be in standby mode (red light on).
- Enter the Code — On a standard remote, press Info > Menu > Mute > Power in quick succession.
- Alternative Code — If that fails, try Mute > 1 > 8 > 2 > Power.
- Wait for the blue menu — The TV will turn on and display a raw text menu (usually blue or white).
- Select Options — Use the arrow keys to highlight “Options” and press Enter/Select.
- Select Factory Reset — Find this line item and press Enter.
- Allow reboot — The TV will shut down. When you turn it back on, it will be wiped clean.
This method is highly effective for “boot loop” issues where the TV restarts constantly before you can reach the main menu.
Method 5: How To Reset Without A Remote
Losing the remote adds a layer of difficulty, but you aren’t out of luck. You can use the physical buttons on the chassis or a USB keyboard.
Using Physical TV Buttons
Most Samsung TVs have a small “Jog Controller” or a set of buttons located under the Samsung logo, on the side bezel, or on the back panel.
- Locate the control stick — Feel around the bottom right or back of the TV.
- Open Menu — Press the center button to bring up the on-screen menu.
- Navigate — Move the stick up/down/left/right to reach Settings > General > Reset.
Using A USB Keyboard
If the physical buttons are broken or too hard to use, plug a standard USB keyboard into one of the TV’s USB ports.
- Access Menu — Press the Windows key or Esc key to trigger the menu.
- Navigate — Use arrow keys to move through the options.
- Enter PIN — Use the number pad to type 0000.
Resetting Smart Hub vs. Full Reset
You may not need to wipe the entire TV. If your only problem is with apps (like Netflix crashing or the browser acting up), try resetting just the Smart Hub.
This process removes your Samsung account and all installed apps but keeps your picture settings and network configuration intact.
- Open Settings — Go to Support.
- Select Device Care — Wait for the scan to finish (on newer models).
- Select Self Diagnosis — Skip this step if you went through Device Care.
- Choose Reset Smart Hub — Enter your PIN to confirm.
This is a faster, less destructive way to fix app-related bugs. Only proceed to a full factory reset if this fails to resolve your issue.
What Happens After The Reset?
Once the factory reset finishes, your TV acts as if it just left the assembly line. You must complete the initial setup to use it.
- Pair the remote — You may need to hold the Back and Play/Pause buttons simultaneously to re-pair a Bluetooth smart remote.
- Connect to Wi-Fi — Have your network name and password ready.
- Sign in — Log into your Samsung Account to download apps and sync Bixby settings.
- Scan for channels — If you use an antenna, run the auto-program feature to find local broadcasts.
Taking the time to perform a clean factory reset usually extends the life of your TV by clearing out years of digital clutter and cached data files.