Article ID : 00157241 / Last Modified : 28/07/2021

Perform a Forced Factory Reset on an Android TV using the TV button(s)

Performing a forced Factory data reset will remove all customized settings in the TV including downloaded apps, systems data, channels, and wireless network settings. For some models listed below, if you perform a forced Factory data reset, then theDemo data for retail will be erased from internal storage.

  • 2020 models: ZH8 series
  • 2019 models: ZG9, AG9, XG85, XG87 and XG95 series
  • 2018 models: AF9 and ZF9 series

This article can be used to perform a forced Factory data reset in situations when you can't perform a normal factory data reset, such as:

  • when the software crashes after a firmware update.
  • when the screen of the normal factory data reset doesn't open for some reason.

Before you start

  • If you can access the TV menu, perform a factory data reset instead.
  • A forced factory data reset can only be done on TVs with Android™ 6.0 Marshmallow or higher operating system installed.
  • This procedure may require two people.
  • The location of the buttons will vary depending on the TV model.
  • Some applications data might be recovered if Apps are synced with your Google™ account. The steps to sync apps vary depending on the TV menu options.
    • HOME →Settings →Device Preferences or Accounts & Sign-In →Google →Choose synced apps → Select items you want to sync with the account →Sync now.
    • HOME →Settings →Google →Choose synced apps inSync → Select the items you want to sync with the account →Sync now.
    • HOME →Settings →Personal →Google →Choose synced apps inSync → select the items you want to sync with the account →Sync now.

How to perform a forced factory data reset

First, determine the number of buttons on your TV:

Side by side diagram of two TVs. TV A and TV B

  1. Only one button on the TV: The (Power) button is located on the bottom center or left side of the TV when viewed from the front.
  2. Three buttons on the TV: The buttons are located on either right or left side of the TV or the back, depending on the model.

If you can't find the buttons on the TV, refer to the TV.

Follow the instructions according to the number of buttons on your TV.

Type A: Your TV model has only one button

  1. Unplug the TV AC power cord from the electrical socket.
  2. Press and hold thePowerbutton on the TV (not on the remote), and then (while holding the button down) plug the AC power cord back in. Continue to hold the button down until the white LED light appears. It will take approximately 10-30 seconds for the LED light to turn white.
  3. Release the button after the white LED light appears. If the LED light doesn't turn white within 30 seconds, start from Step 1 again.
  4. Wait a few minutes for the forced Factory reset process to take place. The TV will reboot (turn on and off) twice. If the TV doesn't turn back ON automatically, press thePower button to turn the TV back ON.
  5. When theWelcome setup screen appears, perform the setup. If theWelcome setup screen doesn't appear, unplug the AC power cord and then plug it back in.

If the forced Factory data reset didn't resolve the issue, repeat the procedure again starting from Step 1.

Type B: Your TV model has three buttons

  1. Unplug the TV's AC power cord from the electrical socket.
  2. Simultaneously press and hold down thePower and volumeDown (-) buttons on the TV (not on the remote), and then (while holding the buttons down) plug the AC power cord back in. Continue to hold the buttons down untilErasing screen appears.

    Note: It will take approximately 10-30 seconds for appearingErasing screen.

  3. Release the buttons afterErasing screen appears.

    Note: IfErasing screen doesn't appear within 60 seconds, start from Step 1 again.

  4. Wait a few minutes for theFactory data reset process to take place. The TV will reboot (turn on and off).

    Note: If the TV doesn't turn back ON automatically, press thePower button to turn TV backON.

  5. When theWelcome setup screen appears, perform the setup.

    Note: If theWelcome setup screen doesn't appear, unplug the AC power cord and then plug it back in.

  6. If the forcedFactory data reset didn't resolve the issue, repeat the procedure again starting from Step 1.

Other models

  1. Unplug the TV AC power cord from the electrical socket.
  2. Simultaneously press and hold down thePower and volumeDown (-) buttons on the TV (not on the remote), and then (while holding the buttons down) plug the AC power cord back in. Continue to hold the buttons down until the green LED light appears.

    Note: It will take approximately 10-30 seconds for the LED light to turn green.


    Image for buttons on TV
    1. POWER button
    2. volumeDown(-) button
    3. Rear of TV
  3. Release the buttons after the green LED light appears.

    Note: If the white LED light doesn't turn green within 30 seconds, start from Step 1 again.

  4. Wait a few minutes for the forced Factory reset process to take place. The TV will reboot (turn on and off) twice.

    Welcome setup screens will appear on the TV twice. Do NOT setup the firstWelcome setup screen. The TV will autoFactory data reset within one minute of the firstWelcome setup screen.

    • For models released in 2019 or earlier: TheWelcome setup screen will appear on the TV twice. Do NOT setup the firstWelcomesetup screen. The TV will auto Factory data reset within one minute of the firstWelcomesetup screen.
    • If the TV doesn't turn back ON automatically, press thePower button to turn TV back ON.
  5. When theWelcome setup screen appears, perform the setup.
    • For models released in 2019 or earlier: Perform the setup when the secondWelcomesetup screen appears.
    • If theWelcome setup screen doesn't appear, unplug the AC power cord and then plug it back in.

If the forced Factory data reset didn't resolve the issue, repeat the procedure again starting from Step 1.

  • Sony Community

    Visit our Community and share your experiences and solutions with other Sony customers