By Klaus Jakobsen, developer of A Decent Remote Android TVs and boxes freeze more than most, partly because they are small computers with a lot of apps and not much memory. A factory reset feels like the obvious fix when the remote is gone. It is usually the last thing you want, and here is why before we get to how.
Why should I try a restart first?
A factory reset wipes the TV back to its first-time setup, and that setup needs a controller. So with no remote, the reset can turn a slow TV into one that is stuck on a welcome screen.
A power cycle costs nothing and fixes most freezes:
- Unplug the TV or box at the wall.
- Wait a full minute, so it properly discharges.
- Plug it back in and give it a couple of minutes to start. Android TVs boot slowly, and the first screen can look frozen when it is not.
If the problem comes back, the next step is often storage. A box that is full gets slow and crash-prone, so uninstalling a few apps may do more than a reset would.
What should I set up before a factory reset?
Do this while the TV still works, because it decides whether the reset goes smoothly:
- Find a USB mouse or keyboard. This is what gets you through the setup afterwards. Test it now and see that a pointer appears.
- Have your Wi-Fi password ready. The reset forgets it.
- Plug in Ethernet if you can. A wired connection means one less step during setup.
- Know your Google account password. You sign in again afterwards.
Your phone cannot finish the setup for you, and this is the part that surprises people. The reset removes the TV’s Wi-Fi and its pairing, so a remote app has nothing to connect to until the setup is done. That is why the mouse comes first.
How do I factory reset an Android TV from the menu?
Use a paired phone or a USB mouse to get around. The path depends on the version:
- Google TV: Settings, then System, then About, then Reset.
- Android TV: Settings, then Device Preferences, then Reset.
Some TV makers move this around, so if yours differs, search the settings for “reset”. The TV asks you to confirm at least once, and it may ask for a PIN if one was set. After that it restarts into first-time setup.
To do it from a phone, pair it first while the TV is working, then use the remote app’s arrows and select button as you would on the normal remote.
How do I reset a box that will not respond at all?
This is where boxes have an advantage over TVs, because many have a physical reset.
Generic Android TV boxes. Many hide a small button inside the AV socket, and others have a pinhole on the bottom or back. With the box unplugged, push a toothpick in until you feel a click and hold it, plug the power in, and keep holding until the logo changes or a recovery screen appears. Layouts differ, so check your model first. If you reach a recovery menu, you need a mouse or keyboard to choose the wipe option.
Chromecast with Google TV. There is a small button on the device itself. While it is powered, hold it until the light blinks, and keep holding until the light goes solid.
Android TVs. A TV has no standard reset button, and button combinations vary by brand. If a power cycle does not help and the menus will not open, check the maker’s support page for your exact model number rather than trying combinations at random.
What happens after the reset?
The TV starts its first-time setup. Plug in your USB mouse or keyboard, choose a language, join Wi-Fi and sign in. You can skip most of the optional screens. Once you reach the home screen, pair your phone again, because the old pairing went with the reset.
If you have no mouse at all at this point, a cheap replacement remote is the honest answer. Most Android boxes accept a basic USB or Bluetooth remote, and it will cost less than the time you would spend trying to get around it. The general TV reset guide covers other brands and the setup wizard in more detail.
