Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-second test
- 02Method 1: Restart your TCL Roku TV
- 03Method 2: Factory reset from the settings menu
- 04Method 3: Factory reset with no remote (RESET button)
- 05Method 4: Reset only your Wi-Fi or network settings
- 06Which reset should you use?
- 07What to do after a factory reset
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09Where is the reset button on a TCL Roku TV?
- 10How do I factory reset a TCL Roku TV without a remote?
- 11Does resetting a TCL Roku TV delete everything?
- 12Why won't my TCL Roku TV reset?
- 13How do I restart a TCL Roku TV that's frozen?
- 14Related guides
To reset a TCL Roku TV, go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset, then enter the on-screen code. For a quick fix, try Settings > System > Power > System restart first. No remote? Hold the physical RESET button on the back for about 20 seconds until the light blinks.
I've reset a lot of TCL Roku TVs. Two of my own: a 4-Series 55S451 in the living room and a 6-Series 65R635 I set up for my brother. Here's what most guides skip: the menu reset and the button reset do the same full wipe. The button is your only move when the screen is frozen or the remote is dead. On my 4-Series that RESET button sticks out on the back panel. On older 3-Series sets it's a pinhole that needs a paperclip.
The 30-second test
Before you wipe anything, run this quick check. Unplug the TV at the wall for 30 seconds. Plug it back in and watch. If the freeze, black screen, or lag clears, you never needed a full reset.
Still broken? Move down to a factory reset. And if the TV won't power on at all, that's a different problem — see our guide on a Roku TV that won't turn on first.
No remote to reach the menu? A phone remote gets you into Settings so you can start the reset. The free Roku app pairs with any TCL Roku TV on the same Wi-Fi. On a Hisense Roku TV, HiRemote and our browser remote do the same job — open it, use the direction pad, and head to Settings.
Method 1: Restart your TCL Roku TV
A restart fixes most freezes, crashes, and slow menus. It keeps all your apps, logins, and settings. Try this before anything drastic.
- Press Home on your remote.
- Open Settings > System > Power > System restart.
- Select Restart and wait about a minute.
No Power menu on your model? Some TCL Roku TVs list it as Settings > System > System restart instead. If the menu is frozen, pull the plug for 60 seconds — a power cycle does the same thing as a restart.
Method 2: Factory reset from the settings menu
A factory reset wipes everything and puts the TV back to how it left the box. Use it before selling, or when a restart didn't fix a deep glitch. You'll sign back into every app afterward.
- Press Home, then open Settings > System > Advanced system settings.
- Select Factory reset > Factory reset everything.
- Enter the 4-digit code shown on screen.
- Select OK and wait for the TV to restart into setup.
Honest caveat: this erases your Roku account link, so have your login ready. Roku's own factory reset guide covers account recovery if you get locked out.
Method 3: Factory reset with no remote (RESET button)
Lost or broke the remote? Every TCL Roku TV has a physical RESET button, so you can still wipe it. This does the exact same full reset as the menu.
- Make sure the TV is powered on.
- Find the RESET button on the back or bottom panel. It's a small tactile button or a pinhole.
- For a pinhole, use a straightened paperclip.
- Press and hold for about 20 seconds until the status light blinks.
- Let go. The TV restarts into the setup screen.
One gotcha: a quick tap often does nothing, or only restarts the TV. Hold the full 20 seconds for the factory wipe. Model tip: check TCL's support site for your exact button location if you can't spot it.
Setting the TV back up? After any factory reset you'll re-pair the remote and sign back into your apps. If the physical remote won't cooperate, drive the setup screens from your phone with the Roku app. Hisense Roku TV owners can use HiRemote or the browser remote instead.
Method 4: Reset only your Wi-Fi or network settings
Sometimes you don't need to nuke everything. If the only problem is Wi-Fi, reset just the network. This keeps your apps and logins.
- Open Settings > System > Advanced system settings.
- Select Network connection reset.
- Confirm. The TV restarts and forgets saved networks.
After it reboots, reconnect to your Wi-Fi from the network menu. Try this before a full reset when streaming keeps buffering.
Which reset should you use?
Each reset clears different things. Match the fix to your problem so you don't lose more than you have to.
| Reset type | What it clears | Time | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| System restart | Nothing — just reboots | ~1 min | Frozen, slow, or crashing apps |
| Power cycle (unplug) | Nothing — clears memory | ~2 min | The restart menu won't open |
| Factory reset (menu) | Everything | ~5 min | Selling, gifting, or deep glitches |
| Factory reset (button) | Everything | ~5 min | No remote, or the menu won't load |
| Network reset | Wi-Fi only | ~1 min | Only Wi-Fi is broken |
What to do after a factory reset
A factory reset drops you at the first-time setup screen. You'll pick a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and link your Roku account again. Then re-download or re-log into your streaming apps.
If the remote won't pair during setup, it's usually batteries or a quick re-pair. Our guide to pairing a Roku remote walks through both the button and no-button methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the reset button on a TCL Roku TV?
The reset button is on the back or bottom panel of the TV, usually near the ports. On most models it's a small raised button labeled RESET. On some older 3-Series sets it's a recessed pinhole that needs a paperclip. Look along the same edge as the HDMI inputs if you can't find it.
How do I factory reset a TCL Roku TV without a remote?
Press and hold the physical RESET button for about 20 seconds while the TV is on. Wait until the status light blinks, then release. The TV wipes itself and restarts into the setup screen. This does the same full reset as the on-screen menu, so save any account details first.
Does resetting a TCL Roku TV delete everything?
A factory reset deletes everything — your apps, logins, picture settings, and Roku account link. A simple restart or power cycle deletes nothing; it just reboots the TV. A network reset only clears saved Wi-Fi. Choose the smallest reset that fixes your problem.
Why won't my TCL Roku TV reset?
If the menu reset won't start, the screen is likely frozen, so use the physical RESET button instead. If the button does nothing, you may be tapping it instead of holding it — hold the full 20 seconds. A TV that won't respond at all may have a power fault rather than a software issue.
How do I restart a TCL Roku TV that's frozen?
Unplug the TV from the wall for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. This power cycle clears the memory and restarts the system without deleting anything. It's the fastest fix for a frozen screen when the menu won't respond. If it freezes again soon after, run a factory reset.
