Table of contents(15)+
- 01The 30-second test
- 02Where is the reset button on a Roku TV?
- 03Method 1: Restart your Roku TV without wiping anything
- 04Method 2: Use the reset button for a full factory reset
- 05Method 3: Factory reset from the Settings menu (remote working)
- 06Method 4: Reset when the button won't respond or you can't reach Settings
- 07What the reset button does and doesn't fix
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09Where is the reset button on a Roku TV?
- 10How long do you hold the Roku TV reset button?
- 11Does the reset button erase everything?
- 12Can I reset a Roku TV without the remote?
- 13My Roku TV reset button isn't working, what now?
- 14Is there a separate restart button on a Roku TV?
- 15Related guides
The Roku TV reset button is a small pinhole or raised button on the back or bottom of the TV, near the ports. With the TV powered on, press and hold it for about 10–15 seconds until the status light blinks fast. That triggers a full factory reset, which erases every account, app, and setting.
I've factory-reset a TCL 4-Series and a Hisense R6 this way, and the button sits in a different spot on each. On the TCL it's a labeled RESET pinhole tucked beside the HDMI ports. On the Hisense it's a raised button lower on the back panel. So don't assume yours is where a video showed it — feel around near the ports first.
The 30-second test
Before you touch the reset button, answer one question: is your remote still working? If it is, you almost never need the physical button.
- TV is frozen but the remote responds: Restart from the menu (Method 1). No wipe needed.
- Remote is dead or lost: Use your phone as the remote, then restart from the menu.
- Nothing responds and you can't reach Settings: The reset button is your tool (Method 2).
- You're selling or returning the TV: Do a full factory reset (Method 2 or 3).
Lost or dead remote and yours is a Hisense Roku TV? You don't need the button to restart the safe way. The free HiRemote app turns your phone into a full Roku TV remote, so you can open Settings and restart without wiping a thing. No app installed? The browser remote works the same from any phone.
Where is the reset button on a Roku TV?
It's on the back or bottom edge, almost always within reach of the ports. There are two styles, and knowing which one you have decides whether you need a paperclip.
- Pinhole (recessed): a tiny hole labeled RESET. You need a straightened paperclip to press it.
- Tactile (raised): a small button you can push with a finger.
| Roku TV brand | Typical reset button location | Button type |
|---|---|---|
| TCL Roku TV | Back panel, beside the HDMI ports | Usually pinhole |
| Hisense Roku TV | Lower back panel, near the ports | Raised or pinhole |
| Onn Roku TV (Walmart) | Back, near the power input | Usually pinhole |
| Sharp / Philips / RCA Roku TV | Back or bottom edge, by the ports | Varies |
If you can't spot it, look for the word RESET printed next to a port cluster. On wall-mounted sets it often faces down, so a phone flashlight and a small mirror help. Hisense owners can check our Hisense button-location guide for exact photos by generation.
Method 1: Restart your Roku TV without wiping anything
Most 'my Roku TV is acting up' problems clear with a restart, not a reset. A restart keeps your accounts, apps, and settings. Try this first.
If your remote works:
- Press Home on the remote.
- Go to Settings > System > Power > System restart.
- Select Restart and wait for the TV to reboot.
No remote, or the screen is frozen? Power-cycle it instead: unplug the TV from the wall, wait a full 60 seconds, then plug it back in. That drains residual power and clears most freezes.
When it won't help: If the TV keeps crashing after a restart, or it's stuck on the Roku logo, you may need the deeper reset in Method 2.
Method 2: Use the reset button for a full factory reset
This is what the reset button is really for — a factory reset when the menu is out of reach. It erases everything and returns the TV to its out-of-box state.
- Make sure the TV is powered on.
- Find the RESET button (see the table above).
- Press and hold it for about 10–15 seconds. Use a paperclip for a pinhole button.
- Watch the status light. It blinks rapidly, then the TV powers off and restarts.
- Let go. The TV boots to the first-time setup screen.
Heads-up: This wipes your Roku account link, every installed channel, saved Wi-Fi passwords, and picture settings. You'll set the TV up from scratch and sign back into your streaming apps. Don't use it just to fix one frozen app.
When it won't work: If nothing happens after 20 seconds, you may be pressing the wrong recessed hole — some sets have a mic or service pinhole nearby. Confirm it's labeled RESET. Roku's own instructions back the roughly 10-second hold; see Roku's factory reset guide if the light won't blink.
Want the menu-based version with screenshots? Our full Roku TV reset guide walks through every path.
Method 3: Factory reset from the Settings menu (remote working)
If your remote or phone still controls the TV, reset from the menu instead. It's cleaner, and it lets you pick a softer option.
- Press Home.
- Open Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.
- Choose Factory reset everything, or Reset TV audio/picture settings for a lighter reset.
- Enter the on-screen code and confirm.
Tip: The 'Reset TV audio/picture settings' option fixes bad picture tweaks without erasing your accounts. Try that before you nuke everything.
If a broken remote is the only reason you're eyeing the reset button, fix that first. HiRemote gives Hisense Roku TV owners every button — Home, arrows, and the full Settings menu — right on their phone, so you can reset from the menu instead of hunting for a paperclip. Open the browser remote and you're controlling the TV in seconds.
Method 4: Reset when the button won't respond or you can't reach Settings
Sometimes the button does nothing and the menu is frozen. Work through these in order:
- Power-cycle first: Unplug for 60 seconds. A dead-frozen TV often wakes up and lets you reach Settings.
- Use your phone as the remote: If the TV is on your Wi-Fi, a phone remote can reach the menu even when the button won't reset the set.
- Hold longer: A few models need the button held closer to 20 seconds. Keep watching the status light.
- Still nothing? The reset button or power board may be faulty. Contact Roku support or the TV maker before you assume the panel is dead.
What the reset button does and doesn't fix
| Problem | Restart (Method 1) | Factory reset (Method 2/3) |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen or laggy TV | Usually fixes it | Overkill |
| One app crashing | Often fixes it | Not needed |
| Stuck on Roku logo (boot loop) | Sometimes | Often needed |
| Selling or gifting the TV | No | Required |
| Wrong Roku account linked | No | Yes |
| No picture / no power | Try power-cycle | Won't help — it's hardware |
Bottom line: the reset button is a factory-reset tool, not a restart button. Reach for it only when the menu is unreachable or you're clearing the TV for someone else. For a screen that won't light up at all, see Roku TV won't turn on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the reset button on a Roku TV?
It's on the back or bottom edge of the TV, almost always next to the ports and labeled RESET. It's either a small pinhole you press with a paperclip or a raised button you press with a finger. The exact spot varies by brand, so check near the HDMI and power connections first.
How long do you hold the Roku TV reset button?
Hold it for about 10 to 15 seconds while the TV is powered on. The status light blinks rapidly, then the TV restarts into setup mode. A few models need closer to 20 seconds. If nothing happens after that, you're likely pressing the wrong pinhole.
Does the reset button erase everything?
Yes. Holding the physical reset button runs a full factory reset. It wipes your Roku account link, installed channels, Wi-Fi passwords, and picture settings, returning the TV to out-of-box state. To just restart without erasing anything, use Settings > System > Power > System restart instead.
Can I reset a Roku TV without the remote?
Yes. The physical reset button needs no remote — just power the TV on and hold it. To reset from the menu without a remote, install a phone remote app on the same Wi-Fi, open Settings, and run the factory reset from there. Both paths work without the original clicker.
My Roku TV reset button isn't working, what now?
First confirm you're holding the button labeled RESET, not a mic or service pinhole. Keep the TV powered on and hold for up to 20 seconds. If it still won't reset, power-cycle the TV, try a menu reset, or contact Roku support. A truly unresponsive button can point to a faulty power board.
Is there a separate restart button on a Roku TV?
No. Roku TVs have one physical button for reset, and holding it triggers a factory reset, not a simple restart. To restart safely, use the on-screen menu or unplug the TV for 60 seconds. Treat the physical button as a last resort for when the menu is unreachable.
