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Have you ever been in a situation where you felt there was no way out, and you prayed for a lifeline? Well, if there’s one lifeline you can always try with any trouble with your Samsung TV, it’s a factory reset.
A factory reset has been dubbed a ‘cure-all’ for Samsung TV issues (except the Black Screen of Death issue, perhaps). The best part is factoring one is a walk in the park — assuming you know your TV model.
Samsung TVs can be factory reset by navigating to Settings > General > Reset on the Smart Hub menu. Alternatively, enter your Samsung TV’s Service Mode from the options menu to start the factory reset process.
Of course, the details vary slightly from one Samsung TV model to another. So, in this post, we’ll show you easy ways to reset your Samsung TV, whether you have the latest model or your TV goes way back in 2015. Read on!
How to Perform a Factory Reset on Different Samsung TVs
Performing a factory reset on Samsung TVs varies depending on the unit’s model and its manufacturing or release date. Below are complete instructions on resetting Samsung TV models and restoring them to their default factory settings.
| WARNING: A factory reset deletes all personal files and TV preferences. Make sure you save a copy, or you’re bound to lose them in the process. |
A remote control will be needed to perform the following factory reset procedures for the various Samsung TV TV models. The good news is for those who don’t have a working remote control, we also have you covered in the later portion of this guide.
1. Reset 2019 – Current Samsung TV Models
There are two different ways to reset Samsung TV models manufactured and released from 2019 up to the present. You can access the factory reset function on these Samsung TVs from the Smart Hub menu or the Service Mode menu.
Whichever of these options you end up using, you’ll be able to achieve the same result. And your Samsung TV will be restored to its default factory settings.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, you’ll lose all the system settings configurations you’ve made on your Samsung TV.
The factory reset process will also wipe your Samsung account data, reset the Smart Hub menu, and delete all the apps you’ve installed on your TV. After the reset, you must sign in with your account, set up Smart Hub, and reinstall your apps.
Below are the complete instructions on performing a factory reset on 2019 and later Samsung TV models. We’ve listed how to perform this procedure through the Smart Hub menu and the Service Mode menu of your Samsung TV.
Use the Smart Hub to factory reset your 2019 Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 8 |
| Time Needed | Approximately 5 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
Step 1: Launch the Samsung Smart Hub menu on your TV display screen by pressing the remote control’s home button . |
Step 2: Scroll left and click Settings on the Samsung TV Smart Hub menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down and click General on the Samsung TV system settings menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down and click Reset on the Samsung TV general settings menu. |
| Step 5: Enter the PIN passcode saved on the Samsung TV and click Done to continue with the reset procedure.  Note: If you haven’t saved any PIN passcode on the Samsung TV, use its default PIN passcode, 0000. |
Step 6: Select Yes to authorize the Samsung TV factory reset. |
| Step 7: Wait for the Samsung TV factory reset sequence to complete. |
| Step 8: Wait for the Samsung TV to reboot and set up the Smart Hub menu after following the instructions on its display screen.  |
Use the Service Mode to factory reset your 2019 Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time Needed | Approximately 5 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
Step 1: Press the power button on your remote control to shut down the Samsung TV. |
Step 2: Point the remote control to your Samsung TV and press the mute, 1, 8, 2, and power keys successively to enter the Service Mode. Note: You can try this button combination multiple times if you cannot access the Service Mode on your first few tries. If it didn’t work on your Samsung TV, you could try other alternative button combinations we’ll be showing at the end. |
Step 3: Select and click Option on the main menu of the Service Mode. |
Step 4: Select/click Factory Reset on the options menu of the Service Mode. |
Step 5: Select/click Factory Reset on the next page to confirm. |
Sometimes, you can’t access your Samsung TV’s Service Mode menu using the button combination provided in the instruction above. In this case, refer to the table below for alternatives.
This isn’t foolproof, though. A few of these button combinations may not work on some Samsung TV models.
| Samsung TV Remote Button Combinations to Access the Service Mode Menu |
| Info + Settings + Mute + Power |
| Mute + 1 + 1 + 9 + Power |
| Mute + 1 + 1 + 9 + Enter |
| Sleep + PSTD + Mute + Power |
| PSTD + Menu + Sleep + Power |
| Display + Info + PSTD + Mute + Power |
| Display + Info + Menu + Mute + Power |
| Info + Menu + Mute + Power |
2. Reset 2016 – 2018 Samsung TV Models
The process of how to reset Samsung TV 2016 – 2018 models is similar to the above method of factory resetting 2019 – current models, especially when using Service Mode.
One caveat: the reset option will be located in a different spot on the Smart Hub menu.
Instead of finding the reset option under the general settings menu, you’ll notice that it’s found under the support menu for 2016 – 2018 Samsung TV models.
You must open the self-diagnosis page from the support menu to access the factory reset option.
You must also enter the saved PIN code on your Samsung TV to perform the factory reset. Surprisingly, factory resetting these Samsung TV models will not affect the network settings.
It means you don’t have to reconnect to your saved WiFi networks after the reset. Aside from a few differences in the overall steps of performing this task, you can see that they still share many similarities.
Here’s how to factory reset your Samsung TV via the Smart Hub:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 9 |
| Time Needed | 5 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
| Step 1: Launch the Samsung Smart Hub menu on your TV display screen by pressing the remote control’s home button . |
Step 2: Scroll left and click Settings on the Samsung TV Smart Hub menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down and click Support on the Samsung TV system settings menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down and click Self Diagnosis on the Samsung TV support menu. |
Step 5: Scroll down and click Reset on the Samsung TV self-diagnosis menu. |
| Step 6: Enter the PIN passcode saved on the Samsung TV to continue with the factory reset procedure.  Note: If you haven’t saved any PIN passcode on the Samsung TV, use its default PIN passcode, 0000. |
Step 7: Select/click Yes to authorize the Samsung TV factory reset. |
| Step 8: Wait for the Samsung TV factory reset sequence to complete. |
| Step 9: Wait for the Samsung TV to reboot and set up the Smart Hub menu after following the instructions on its display screen. |
Here’s how to factory reset your Samsung TV via Service Mode:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time Needed | 5 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
Step 1: Press the power button on your remote control to shut down the Samsung TV. |
Step 2: Point the remote control to your Samsung TV and press the info, menu, mute, and power keys successively to enter the Service Mode. Note: You can keep trying this button combination multiple times if you cannot access the Service Mode on your first few tries. If it didn’t work on your Samsung TV, you can try the alternative button combinations from the previous section of this guide. |
Step 3: Select/click Option on the main menu of the Service Mode. |
Step 4: Select/click Factory Reset on the options menu of the Service Mode. |
Step 5: Select and click Factory Reset on the next page to confirm. |
3. Reset Past 2015 Samsung TV Models
The process to reset Samsung TV models from 2015 and earlier varies greatly depending on the date the unit was manufactured or released. The type of Samsung TV will also affect how the factory reset is performed for that unit.
Most old and non-Smart Samsung TVs can only be factory reset via the Service Mode menu. In some of these older Samsung TVs, the factory reset option may also appear as the flash reset option on the Service Mode menu.
Since there are a lot of different Samsung TV models covered in this time frame, we might not be able to include all of them, especially if they’re already too old.
If you still have a copy of your Samsung TV’s user manual, we suggest checking it for instructions.
Follow the steps below to factory reset your 2015 and older Samsung TV:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 7 |
| Time Needed | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
| Step 1: Open the system settings menu on your Samsung TV display screen by pressing the remote control’s menu button  . |
Step 2: Scroll down and click Support on the Samsung TV system settings menu. |
Step 3: Scroll down and click Self Diagnosis on the Samsung TV support menu. |
Step 4: Scroll down and click Reset on the Samsung TV self-diagnosis menu. |
| Step 5: Enter the PIN passcode saved on the Samsung TV to continue with the factory reset procedure.  Note: If you haven’t saved any PIN passcode on the Samsung TV, use its default PIN passcode, which is 0000. |
Step 6: Select and click Yes to authorize the Samsung TV factory reset. |
| Step 7: Wait for the factory reset sequence to complete and for your Samsung TV to reboot.  |
Use Service Mode to factory reset your old Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Time Needed | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
| Step 1: Press the power button on your remote control to shut down the Samsung TV. |
Step 2: Point the remote control to your Samsung TV and press the mute, 1, 8, 2, and power keys successively to enter the Service Mode. Note: You can try this button combination multiple times if you cannot access the Service Mode on your first few tries. If it didn’t work on your Samsung TV, you can try the alternative button combinations from the previous section of this guide. |
| Step 3: Wait for the Service Mode menu to appear on your Samsung TV display screen.  |
Step 4: Scroll down and click RESET on the Service Mode menu. |
| Step 5: Wait for your Samsung TV to shut down and reboot. Select and click Start to set up your Samsung TV after the factory reset  |
Use Service Mode to flash reset your old Samsung TV.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Time Needed | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
| Step 1: Press the power button on your remote control to shut down the Samsung TV.  |
Step 2: Point the remote control to your Samsung TV and press the info, menu, mute, and power keys successively to enter the Service Mode. Note: You can try this button combination multiple times if you cannot access the Service Mode on your first few tries. If it didn’t work on your Samsung TV, you can try the alternative button combinations from the previous section of this guide. |
| Step 3: Wait for the Service Mode menu to appear on your Samsung TV display screen.  |
Step 4: Scroll down and click SubOptions on the Service Mode menu. |
Step 5: Scroll down and click Flash Reset on the sub-options menu. |
| Step 6: Wait for your Samsung TV to shut down and reboot. |
Here’s how to reset your old Samsung TV to its default values:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Time Needed | 2 minutes |
| Things Needed | Samsung TV remote control |
Step 1: Press the power button on your remote control to power the Samsung TV. |
Step 2: Point the remote control to the Samsung TV and long-press the exit button until the unit’s IR indicator starts blinking. |
| Step 3: Select and click Ok in the pop-up window that will appear to reset the Samsung TV to its default values. |
How to Reset Your Samsung TV Without a Remote Control
Several methods can be used to perform a factory reset on a Samsung TV without having access to a working remote control. Below are the most effective ways to reset your Samsung TV without using its remote control.
1. Use the actual buttons of your Samsung TV to reset it.
Samsung TVs have physical buttons you can use if the remote control stops working or is lost. Depending on the model of your Samsung TV, the physical button layout will be different, and newer units will only have the power button available.
If your Samsung TV only has the power button and four directional buttons that are also the volume and channel keys, using it is similar to having only the power button. This layout lets you use the power button to open your Samsung TV’s menu.
You can use the directional buttons to navigate the TV menu; pressing/holding the power button will confirm the selection. On a Samsung TV with only a lone power button, pressing it once it navigates the menu and holds it confirms the selection.
Using the button controls on older Samsung TVs is easy since they have a set of buttons for opening and navigating the menu. Once you’ve figured out your Samsung TV, refer to our previous factory reset instructions.
2. Utilize the IR sensor of your Samsung TV to reset it.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 8 |
| Time Needed | 5 minutes and 40 seconds |
| Things Needed | SmartphoneA working internet connection |
Since Samsung TVs have an IR sensor, you can take advantage of that and use third-party remote control apps on your smartphone to operate your unit. As long as your smartphone has IR capabilities, you can install any universal remote app on it.
Once you’ve downloaded/installed a universal remote app on your smartphone, simply connect it to your Samsung TV. From there, use the universal remote app to reset Samsung TV to its factory default settings.
Step 1: Open your smartphone’s Google Play/Apple App Store. |
Step 2: Search for “universal remote” on the app store’s search bar. |
Step 3: Select and click your desired universal remote app. |
Step 4: Select and click Install/Get to download and install the universal remote app. |
Step 5: Select and click Open to launch the universal remote app. |
Step 6: Select and click the type of TV you want to use the app with. |
| Step 7: Select and click Samsung Smart TV on the list of brands and follow the on-screen instructions to connect the app to your Samsung TV.  |
| Step 8: Use the universal remote app to operate your Samsung TV and refer to our previous instructions for performing a factory reset. |
3. Use the mobile companion app to reset your Samsung Smart TV.
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 12 |
| Time Needed | 5 minutes and 40 seconds |
| Things Needed | SmartphoneA working internet connection |
Step 1: Open your smartphone’s Google Play/Apple App Store. |
Step 2: Search “SmartThings app” on the app store’s search bar. |
Step 3: Select and click Install/Get to download and install the SmartThings app. |
Step 4: Select and click Open to run the SmartThings app. |
Step 5: Click the + symbol in the upper-right corner of SmartThings’ home page. |
Step 6: Click Add device. |
Step 7: Click Scan nearby. |
Step 8: Select and click your Samsung TV. |
| Step 9: Enter the PIN passcode on the Samsung TV screen and click Done to continue with this setup procedure.  |
Step 10: Select and click Done again to complete this setup procedure. |
Step 11: Select and click your Samsung TV on SmartThings’ home page. |
| Step 12: Use the SmartThings app to operate your Samsung TV and refer to our previous instructions for performing a factory reset.  |
How to reset Samsung TV PIN without using a remote or PIN
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 3 |
| Time Needed | 20 seconds |
| Things Needed | SmartphoneA universal remote app or SmartThings app |
A button combination is needed to reset your Samsung TV PIN so you still need an alternate remote control option such as a universal remote app or the SmartThings app.
You can only proceed with this method if you have one of these remote control options.
This method is similar to entering the Service Mode on your Samsung TV, but it doesn’t open any menu. Once you enter the button combination, your Samsung TV will boot up with its PIN restored to the default value of 0000.
Step 1: Press the power button on your remote control to shut down the Samsung TV. |
Step 2: Point the remote control to your Samsung TV and press the mute, 8, 2, 4, and power keys successively to enter the Service Mode. |
| Step 3: Wait for your Samsung TV to boot up. |
FAQs about Factory Reset on Samsung TV
When should I perform a factory reset on our Samsung Smart TV?
Every time your Samsung TV experiences any type of issue that a soft reset or software update is unable to fix, you can perform a factory reset as a go-to solution. This should be a last resort since it wipes your Samsung TV’s data.
How do I reset a Samsung TV with the black screen issue?
You can only power reset a Samsung TV with a black screen since you won’t be able to navigate its settings menu to perform a factory reset.
To perform a power reset, unplug your Samsung TV from the wall socket and hold its power button for about a minute. After a minute, release its power button and plug your Samsung TV back into the wall socket to power it back on.
What’s the difference between a soft reset and a factory reset on Samsung TVs?
Soft resetting a Samsung TV is a simple shutdown and reboot process that stops all of its running apps and program, which allows it to refresh its system memory. This type of reset will not delete any of your Samsung TV’s stored data.
Meanwhile, a factory reset will delete your Samsung TV’s stored account data, app data, and system settings. Your Samsung TV will be restored to its default factory settings, hence the name.
What’s the way to forcefully reset a Samsung TV?
Unplugging your Samsung TV from its power source and keeping it unplugged for at least 2 minutes is how you forcefully reset it. After 2 minutes, you can plug the Samsung TV back into its power source and turn it on.
