Is your Android TV box lagging, glitching, or not working right? I know how frustrating that can be. Resetting back to factory settings often fixes these types of issues.
This detailed guide will show you how to factory reset your Android TV device to restore speed and performance.
I‘ll cover:
- Step-by-step instructions for popular Android TV boxes
- Warnings about data loss
- Tips to optimize after resetting
- When you should and shouldn‘t reset
Let‘s dig in!
What Does Resetting an Android TV Box Do?
Resetting your Android TV box essentially erases it and restores to original factory condition.
Here‘s exactly what a factory reset does:
- Deletes all downloaded apps and games
- Removes all saved WiFi networks and passwords
- Signs you out of any logged in accounts like Google or Netflix
- Clears all user settings and preferences
- Empties all app data and caches
- Formats any adopted USB or SD card storage
So in summary, it wipes your device clean as if you just took it out of the box for the first time.
Resetting is an easy way to troubleshoot issues, especially performance problems. But backup important data first, as everything will be deleted!
When Should You Reset Your Android TV Box?
Here are some common reasons to factory reset your Android TV device:
Fix Performance Problems
Over time, your Android TV box can start lagging from too many apps or bloated caches. A reset clears all that out for a fresh start.
- According to Statsista, 58% of Android TV users report performance issues like slowness or freezing.
Before Selling or Gifting Your Device
To protect your privacy when giving away or selling your box, be sure to reset it first. This removes all personal accounts and data.
Resolve Software Issues
Glitches, repeated crashes, screen mirroring problems? Resetting your software could fix these annoying bugs.
Remove Unwanted Bloatware Apps
Factory resetting removes any pre-installed apps from your device manufacturer, giving you a clean slate.
When Should You Avoid Resetting?
While factory resetting will fix many issues, it‘s not a magic cure-all. Here are times a reset likely won‘t help or could even make problems worse:
-
Hardware defects – If your remote or HDMI ports are damaged, resetting software won‘t fix physical hardware.
-
WiFi connection problems – If signal strength is weak, a reset won‘t boost your router speed or range.
-
Account login errors – A factory reset won‘t retrieve forgotten passwords or fix account access problems.
-
Missing latest updates – Make sure to fully update your device before resorting to resetting it.
The key is to correctly diagnose the issue first and only reset as a last resort for software-related problems. Backing up important data beforehand is also crucial.
Step-By-Step Guide to Resetting Android TV Boxes
Here are the detailed steps to factory reset common Android TV device models:
Reset NVIDIA SHIELD TV
Here is how to factory reset the NVIDIA SHIELD TV (2015-2019 models):
-
From the SHIELD home screen, select the Settings icon.
-
In Settings, choose the option for Storage & reset.
-
Next, select Factory data reset.
-
On the popup warning, choose Erase everything.
- Be patient as the SHIELD erases everything and returns to factory settings. This takes around 5 minutes.
Once finished, you‘ll be greeted again by the setup wizard to reconfigure your device. All user data is erased!
Reset Xiaomi Mi Box
Here are the steps to factory reset the Xiaomi Mi Box:
-
From the Mi Box home screen, go to Settings.
-
Select Additional settings.
-
Choose Backup & reset.
-
On the Reset options screen, select Factory data reset.
-
Tap Erase everything on the warning popup.
-
Let the Mi Box factory reset complete, around 10 minutes.
And that‘s it! Your Xiaomi Mi Box will be restored to original settings.
Reset Chromecast with Google TV
Here are the steps to factory reset a Chromecast with Google TV:
-
From the Chromecast home screen, go to Settings.
-
Select System.
-
Choose Advanced in the System menu.
-
Tap Reset.
-
Select Factory data reset on the Reset options screen.
-
Tap Erase everything to confirm the reset.
-
Let the reset process finish, about 3 minutes.
Chromecast will then reboot and ask you to set up the device again once factory reset is complete.
Reset Fire TV Stick
To factory reset an Amazon Fire TV Stick:
-
From the Fire TV home screen, go to Settings.
-
Select My Fire TV.
-
Choose Restart or Reset.
-
Tap Factory Data Reset on the next screen.
-
Select Reset to confirm the reset.
-
Let the Fire TV factory reset complete, around 5 minutes.
Once finished, the Fire TV Stick will be back to original factory settings.
As you can see, the factory reset process is very similar across most major Android TV devices. Just look for the Reset option in Settings.
Reset Android TV Box via Pinhole
Some Android TV boxes also have a tiny pinhole reset button.
You‘ll need a paperclip or SIM card removal tool to press the button inside the hole. This forces a hardware-level factory reset.
Important: Unplug the power cord before resetting via pinhole!
Here are the steps:
-
Turn your Android TV box fully off and unplug the power cord.
-
Find the small pinhole on the side or bottom. It could be labeled "Reset".
-
Insert a paperclip into the pinhole.
-
While holding the reset button, plug the power cord back in.
-
Keep holding the reset button for 20 seconds.
-
Release the reset button. The box will boot into recovery mode.
-
Select "Wipe data/factory reset" on the recovery screen.
-
Confirm reset on the next popup.
-
Finally, select "Reboot system now" after the reset finishes.
This will completely factory reset your Android TV box and reboot it.
Backing Up Your Android TV Box Before Resetting
Because a factory reset erases everything, you probably want to backup your apps, accounts, and settings first.
Here are some backup options to restore your box after resetting:
-
Back up app data – Use an app like SHARqnado to backup and restore app data.
-
Sync apps to Google account – Link your Google account so installed apps automatically re-sync after resetting.
-
Export Kodi settings – In Kodi, go to System > Settings > Backup to save your configuration.
-
Note down apps – Manually write down your installed apps so you remember which ones to reinstall.
-
Create full system image – Use ADB commands to make a complete backup image of your Android TV box.
Take 30 minutes to backup your device before taking the factory reset plunge!
Optimizing Your Android TV Box After Resetting
Performing a factory reset often resolves many issues. But don‘t expect the improved performance to last forever.
Here are some tips to keep your Android TV box running fast after resetting:
- Install latest OS updates for performance improvements and bug fixes.
- Limit your installed apps to 25 or fewer to prevent slowdowns over time.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of WiFi when possible for faster speeds.
- Plug your Android TV device into a wall outlet instead of a TV USB port to ensure consistent power.
- Close recently used apps instead of just leaving them open in the background.
- Turn off "suggestions" on the home screen to remove lag from content recommendations.
- Disable or delete pre-loaded apps and games you don‘t use to free up storage space.
- Clear the cache and data for large apps like YouTube every few weeks to keep them from getting bloated.
- Consider adopting a USB drive or microSD card to expand internal storage of your Android TV box.
- Turn off animations and transition effects in Developer Options to reduce lag.
- Restart your Android TV box fully every few days instead of just sleeping it.
Common Questions about Resetting Android TV Box
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How long does a factory reset take to complete?
It typically takes between 3 to 10 minutes for the reset process to fully finish. Just be patient and let it complete.
Can I reset without a remote?
Yes, you can initiate a reset just using the power cord and pinhole button if needed.
Will resetting improve my WiFi connection?
Not directly. Resetting removes bad WiFi settings but doesn‘t boost your actual wireless signal strength or speed.
Can I reset if Factory data reset is greyed out?
Some devices require entering the Security menu first to enable the reset option. Enter your PIN or password.
What happens if I interrupt the reset process?
It‘s important not to power off the device mid-reset. This can corrupt the Android OS. Just leave it be until fully completed.
When to Reset Your Android TV Box (And When Not To)
Here is a quick recap of appropriate times to factory reset your device, and situations when you‘ll want to avoid resetting:
When to Reset Your Android TV Box
- You‘re experiencing performance issues like freezing, lag, or glitches
- Before selling or gifting your Android TV device to someone else
- To remove pre-loaded apps and bloatware for a clean slate
- To resolve system software problems and bugs
- To erase all personal accounts and data
When to Avoid Resetting Your Android TV Box
- If you have physical hardware damage like remote or HDMI port issues
- For problems connecting to WiFi or Bluetooth
- If you have forgotten login passwords or are locked out of accounts
- Before making sure your box has the latest software updates
- If you don‘t have your apps and settings backed up
The Bottom Line
I hope this guide gave you a clear idea of how to factory reset your Android TV box to restore performance and fix issues.
Just follow the step-by-step instructions specific to your model. Be sure to backup your device first and optimize it after resetting.
Resetting your Android TV software can give it new life again! But also consider hardware factors and only use it as a last resort troubleshooting step when truly needed.
Let me know if you have any other questions about resetting your Android TV device! I‘m always happy to help.
