When your Samsung TV suddenly freezes, loses sound, or refuses to connect to Wi-Fi, it can feel like the world’s most expensive black screen, before calling Samsung customer support or rushing to buy a new one. This guide will show you how to reset your Samsung TV properly, whether you have your remote with you or not.
Before Resetting Your Samsung TV: Should You Troubleshoot First?
Not every issue needs a full reset. If your TV is just lagging or buffering, try these quick checks first:
- Unplug the TV for a minute and plug it back in.
- Make sure your Wi-Fi router works well.
- Turn off unnecessary HDMI devices.
If none of that helps, then it’s time to move on to a reset. But knowing when to reset is key: a reset wipes out settings and preferences, so it’s best used when the TV truly won’t behave.
Related: 10 Tips to Fix the Samsung TV Not Connecting to Wi-Fi Trouble
The Quick Fix: How to Soft Reset a Samsung TV with Your Remote?
A soft reset simply restarts your TV without erasing data. It’s like refreshing your laptop when it freezes.
Here’s how to soft reset a Samsung TV:
- On your Samsung TV remote, press and hold the Power button for about 5 seconds.
- The TV will turn off, then automatically turn back on. You’ll see the Samsung logo appear as it reboots.
- Once the TV restarts, try launching your apps or streaming again – performance should feel smoother.
If it doesn’t come back on right away, leave it unplugged for another minute before retrying.
On newer models, you can also find a reset option in the menu:
Settings > General > Power and Energy Saving > Reset.
Force Restart: How to Reset Your Samsung TV Without a Remote
Lost your remote, or is it unresponsive? Don’t worry, you can still perform a forced restart to refresh your Samsung TV. A forced restart clears temporary glitches and unfreezes the system without deleting your apps, accounts, or settings.
Method 1: Use the TV’s Built-in Buttons
Most Samsung TVs have a physical button or joystick under the screen. The exact location varies by model, but it’s usually centered at the bottom or on the back corner.
- Press and hold the button for about 10–15 seconds.
- Release it once the Samsung logo appears on the screen.
- Your TV will reboot, clearing minor freezes or lag.
Method 2: Unplug the TV
If your model doesn’t have a visible button, simply unplug the TV from the wall socket:
- Leave it unplugged for at least 30–60 seconds.
- Plug it back in and turn on the TV.
- This effectively forces a restart, similar to pressing the power button.
Method 3: SmartThings App
For smart TVs, Samsung’s SmartThings app turns your phone into a remote:
- Download SmartThings on your smartphone and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.
- Once paired, use the app to navigate to Settings > General > Reset or perform a forced restart.
- This option is particularly useful if you frequently misplace your remote.
A forced restart is a quick and safe way to fix temporary glitches without touching your personal data. If the TV still has persistent issues, consider a full factory reset as the next step.
How to Factory Reset a Samsung TV?
This process erases all apps, accounts, and personalized settings, so it’s best used as a last resort.
Step-by-Step Factory Reset:
- Press the Home or Menu button on your remote.
- Navigate to Settings > General > Reset. (On older models, it may be under Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset)
- Enter your PIN when prompted. (The default is usually 0000.)
- Confirm the reset and wait for the TV to restart.
After the reboot, your Samsung TV will behave like it did on first setup. You’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi credentials, sign into streaming apps, and adjust picture or sound settings.
Tips for a Smooth Factory Reset:
- Ensure the TV is plugged in and don’t turn it off during the reset process.
- Backup any important Smart Hub apps or accounts if needed.
Advanced Resetting: Picture and Sound
Samsung TV lets you reset picture and sound settings individually. You can use this method when your colors look off or the audio feels muffled. This restores defaults for these specific areas without affecting apps, accounts, or Wi-Fi settings.
To reset picture settings:
Go to Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > Reset Picture.
To reset sound settings:
Go to Settings > Sound > Expert Settings > Reset Sound.
Both restore factory defaults for those categories only, and there is no need to redo your entire setup.
FAQs – How to Reset Samsung TV
Q1: Will resetting my Samsung TV delete my apps and accounts?
Yes, if you perform a factory reset. That process removes all installed apps, signed-in accounts, and custom preferences. However, if you only do a soft reset or a picture/sound reset, your personal data stays untouched. Always back up your Smart Hub logins before proceeding with a full reset.
Q2: My Samsung TV keeps freezing even after a reset. What should I do?
If the problem persists after a reset, the issue might not be with your TV software. Try checking your internet connection, HDMI cables, or any external devices plugged in. Outdated firmware can also cause performance issues – go to Settings > Support > Software Update to make sure your TV is running the latest version.
Q3: Could my internet connection be the problem even if my Wi-Fi looks fine?
Absolutely. Sometimes, your internet service provider (ISP) may throttle certain streaming apps or cause DNS conflicts that affect Smart TV performance.
Using a reliable VPN such as LightningX VPN can help stabilize your connection by encrypting traffic and bypassing regional restrictions.
It’s especially useful if your Samsung TV struggles to load apps like Netflix or Disney+ after a reset – a Samsung TV VPN routes your data securely and ensures consistent access across regions.
