A non-functional LG TV can be a significant concern, especially if it’s your primary source of entertainment. When basic troubleshooting fails to resolve the issue, resetting the firmware to factory settings can be a practical solution. While a factory reset erases all personalized preferences, settings, and apps, it often resolves common problems and restores the TV’s functionality. If you’re unsure how to perform a reset, follow the steps in this guide to bring your LG TV back to working condition.
Why Should You Reset LG Smart TV?
It is important to understand why you should reset your LG TV, as it is often the last troubleshooting step to fix your TV issues. If any of the following conditions apply, you can proceed with the reset steps:
- If your TV freezes, crashes, or behaves unusually.
- If your LG TV fails to connect to the WiFi despite following all basic troubleshooting steps.
- If you plan to sell or give away your TV, a factory reset will restore it to default settings and erase all your personal data.
Try Rebooting Your LG Smart TV
Before moving into the hard reset process, you can try rebooting your LG TV to fix the technical bugs and glitches. Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix the basic problems on your Smart TV.
1. Press and hold the Power button on your LG TV for about 10 seconds.
2. Disconnect your TV from the power outlet and let it idle for at least half a minute.
3. Plug back the power cord of your TV to the wall outlet.
4. Click the Power button on the TV once to turn it on.
Now, check if your TV works fine. If not, move on to the hard reset process.
How to Factory Reset LG Smart TV Firmware
The process of resetting your LG TV depends on the webOS version it is running. Here are the steps to follow based on your webOS version.
WebOS22, 23, and 24
1. Tap Settings on your LG TV remote to launch the settings menu.
2. Select All Settings and tap on the General option.
3. Click System and choose Reset to Initial Settings.
4. If asked, enter the default password: 0000.
5. Choose Reset all or Reset all except network settings based on your preference.
6. Confirm the process by pressing the OK button on your LG TV remote.
WebOS 6.0 or Above [2021]
1. Open the Settings menu and choose All Settings.
2. Tap on General and select System.
3. Hit the Reset to Initial Settings option and confirm the action to begin the reset.
WebOS 5.0
1. Head to Settings and choose All Settings.
2. Tap on the Support option and select Reset to Initial Settings.
3. Confirm the action by selecting OK from the prompt.
WebOS 4.5 or Earlier
1. Tap the Settings button on the remote and choose All Settings.
2. Tap General and select Reset to Initial Settings.
3. Confirm the action to begin the initialization.
After resetting your LG TV, you need to set up the Smart TV from scratch and start using it by installing the required apps.
Can I Factory Reset the LG TV Without a Remote?
Yes. You can download and use the LG ThinQ app on your Smartphone to control your TV without a remote and perform the reset steps. After installing the app, log in with your LG account or create a new one. Select TV from the product category and follow the on-screen prompts to pair your smartphone with the TV.
Once done, you can see a virtual remote on your smartphone, which you can use to operate your LG TV.
Troubleshooting Common Issues During Reset
Sometimes, you may encounter a few issues while trying to reset your LG TV. In those cases, follow the troubleshooting techniques below to fix the error.
- Stuck in Logo: When your LG TV gets stuck on the logo screen during reset, power cycle it. Unplug the TV from the power cord, and plug it back in after a few minutes.
- Forgot Password: When you forgot your TV lock code to begin resetting, you can reset the code by entering the master code “0313” or “0000.”
- Unresponsive TV: If your TV becomes unresponsive to your remote commands, soft reset it using the TV physical button to fix the temporary bugs.
- Reset option greyed out: Try rebooting your TV to release the greyed-out reset option. If the problem persists, contact the LG Support team for help.
How to Avoid Resetting Your LG TV Often
While resets are effective, it’s best to minimize their need. Here are some tips to keep your LG TV running smoothly:
- Check for updates frequently and update your LG TV with the latest firmware.
- Delete the unused apps to free up the storage space.
- Perform regular soft resets to fix the technical bugs, clear the cache, and fix some temporary issues.
FAQ
By default, the LG TV lock passcode will be 0000. If you want to reset, go to Settings → All Settings and find the Safety option under the System or Support menu. There, you can find the option to reset the lock passcode.
