Which Reset Do I Need?
Use this table to find your problem and see the safest solution. Then, we will explain how to perform.
| If your phone is… | Try this Reset first: | Will I lose my photos/data? |
| Acting a little slow or laggy | Soft Reset (Normal Restart) | NO |
| Completely frozen / Screen won’t move | Forced Restart (Hard Reboot) | NO |
| Wi-Fi or Bluetooth won’t connect | Network Settings Reset | NO (Only Wi-Fi passwords) |
| Selling the phone or has a major virus | Factory Reset | YES (Wipes everything) |
| Stuck on a black screen/won’t turn on | Recovery Mode Reset | YES (Wipes everything) |
What Does Each Reset Do?
A detailed look at the mechanics of each reset.
| Reset Type | What it actually does | When to use it |
| Soft Reset | Closes all open apps and clears the phone’s short-term memory (RAM). | Use once a week just to keep the phone “fresh.” |
| Forced Restart | Like pulling the plug on a computer. It cuts the power for a split second to break a “freeze.” | Use when the screen is “stuck” and buttons won’t work. |
| Settings Reset | Puts things like your ringtone, wallpaper, and font size back to “factory” style. | Use if you accidentally changed a setting and can’t find how to fix it. |
| Factory Reset | Deletes every photo, text, and app. The phone becomes “brand new” again. | The “Last Resort.” Use only if the phone is unusable or being sold. |
Step-by-Step Instructions by Brand
1. The “Soft Reset” (A Simple Restart)
- All Brands: Hold the Power Button for 2 seconds. Tap Restart on the screen.
2. The “Forced Restart” (When the screen is frozen)
- Samsung / Motorola / OnePlus: Hold the Power Button AND Volume Down at the same time. Keep holding for 15 seconds until the logo appears.
- Google Pixel: Hold the Power Button only for a full 30 seconds. Do not let go until you see the Google “G” logo.
3. The “Factory Reset” (Through the Menu)
- Samsung: Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory data reset.
- Google Pixel: Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data.
- Motorola: Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data.
The “King of Kings” Warning: Factory Reset Protection
Before you perform a Factory Reset, they MUST know their Google Account password.
The Trap: If you reset a phone while your Google account is still logged in, the phone will “Lock” itself after the reset for security. You will be stuck on a screen asking for the previous owner’s email.
The Fix: ALWAYS go to Settings > Accounts and remove your Google account before hitting that final Reset button!