Factory reset a Samsung TV: menu path by model year, PIN and lighter resets

Where factory reset is on your Samsung TV

A factory reset is in the TV’s General settings (under Support on 2017–2018 TVs), behind a security PIN. After the reset the TV turns itself off and on again and shows the Initial Setup screen (Start Setup on 2017–2018 TVs). The option’s name and its place in the menu depend on the TV’s year:

TV year	Path in Samsung’s e-manual
2024–2026	Home → left directional button → Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → Factory data reset
2023	Home → left directional button → Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → Reset
2022	Home → Menu → Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → Reset
2019–2021	Home → Settings → General → Reset
2017–2018	Home → Settings → Support → Self Diagnosis → Reset

The 2017–2019 paths come from Samsung’s UK/EU e-manuals. On 2017–2018 TVs the reset keeps your Internet and network settings; the 2019 and later manuals don’t mention that exception. The 8K Q900R (2019) shares Samsung’s 2018 manual, so use the 2017–2018 path on it.

If you don’t know your TV’s year, search its model code on Samsung’s support site, which shows the year in the product name. Or look for General & Privacy in the menu: 2017–2021 TVs show General instead, and if Reset isn’t under General, look in Support → Self Diagnosis (2017–2018).

Decide whether you need a full reset

Samsung’s manuals describe three resets that clear different amounts. Use the smallest one that fits your problem:

• Reset Picture (in Picture → Expert Settings) returns only the current picture settings to their defaults.
• Reset Smart Hub (Settings → Support → Device Care → Reset Smart Hub; on 2017–2019 TVs, Settings → Support → Self Diagnosis → Reset Smart Hub) resets the Smart Hub settings. It also deletes information related to Samsung accounts, linked service accounts, Smart Hub service agreements and Smart Hub apps, so you may need to sign in to streaming apps again.
• Factory data reset / Reset restores all TV settings to the factory defaults (on 2017–2018 TVs, all except Internet and network settings). You go through Initial Setup again afterwards.

Before you reset

• Write down anything you’ll want back: the Wi-Fi password, picture and sound preferences, and the sign-ins for the apps you use.
• Have the TV’s PIN ready. Samsung’s 2020–2024 US manuals give 0000 as the default unless you changed it, and the 2024 manual says the default may differ by region. The 2025–2026 manuals don’t state a default, but their PIN-reset sequence (below) sets it to 0000. Samsung’s UK/EU manuals for 2017–2020 TVs give 0000, or 1111 in France and Italy.
• If the TV needs its internet connection to finish setup again, make sure your network is working first. See the Wi-Fi guide if it isn’t.

Reset the TV

1. Open the path for your TV’s year from the table above.
2. Select Factory data reset (or Reset). A security PIN window appears.
3. Enter the PIN, then select Reset (Yes in some 2018–2019 manuals).
4. Wait while the TV resets. It turns off and on again automatically.
5. When Initial Setup (or Start Setup) appears, follow the on-screen steps to choose your settings and reconnect to your network.

If you skipped some Initial Setup steps, Samsung’s manuals point to Set Up TV to finish them later. On 2022 and newer TVs it’s in Connected Devices → TV; on 2019–2021 TVs, start from Source → TV.

If you don’t know the PIN

Samsung documents a remote sequence that resets the PIN to 0000 while the TV is on (to 1111 in France and Italy, per the UK/EU manuals). In the 2020–2026 manuals, the Samsung Smart Remote sequence starts with the +/− (Volume) button; the 2017–2019 UK/EU manuals call the same button VOL. Press it, then continue in this order:

+/− (Volume) → Volume Up → Return → Volume Down → Return → Volume Up → Return

The manuals show Return as a curved back-arrow button. The 2017–2020 manuals also give a sequence for the standard (non-Smart) remote: Mute → Volume Up → RETURN → Volume Down → RETURN → Volume Up → RETURN.

Then try the reset again with 0000 (1111 in France and Italy). Samsung’s manuals note that the PIN function may not be supported on some models or in some regions. If the sequence doesn’t work, contact Samsung support for your model.

If a reset doesn’t fix the problem

A reset clears settings, but it does not repair hardware or replace a software update. Check that the TV has the latest software, and use Settings → Support → Device Care → Self Diagnosis (Settings → Support → Self Diagnosis on 2017–2019 TVs), which offers video and sound tests, before you contact Samsung support.

Common questions

Will a factory reset delete my apps?

Samsung’s manuals say factory reset restores all TV settings to their defaults. They don’t list each item it deletes. Reset Smart Hub, though, explicitly deletes Smart Hub app and account information. Plan to sign in to your apps again after either reset.

Is Reset Smart Hub the same as a factory reset?

No. Reset Smart Hub covers Smart Hub settings, accounts and apps. Factory reset restores all TV settings and sends you back to Initial Setup.