Instructions
Affected Platforms:
- OptiPlex
- Latitude
- Inspiron
- Alienware
- Precision Workstations
- Vostro
- XPS
- Dell G-Series
A hard reset of your Dell computer means:
- Turning off your computer
- Disconnecting all power sources from the computer
- Draining any residual power from the computer
If your Dell computer does not turn on or boot into the operating system, it is recommended that you first perform a hard reset. Performing a hard reset fixes many problems by draining the residual power that may be causing the problem.
Note: Performing a hard reset does not impact any personal files on the computer.
The capacitors on the system board can store residual or static electricity (also known as flea power) even if the computer is turned off, disconnected from the AC adapter and without a battery.
To perform a hard reset on a Dell computer, follow these steps:
- Turn off the computer.
- Disconnect the power cable (for desktops) or disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery (for Dell laptops with removable battery).
- Disconnect all devices such as USB drives, printers, webcams, and media cards (SD/xD).
- Press and hold the power button for 15 to 20 seconds to drain the residual power.
- Connect the power cable (for desktops) or AC adapter and battery (for laptops).
- Turn on the computer.
Additional Information
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Affected Products
Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations
FAQs
Disconnect all devices such as USB drives, printers, webcams, and media cards (SD/xD). Press and hold the power button for 15 to 20 seconds to drain the residual power. Connect the power cable (for desktops) or AC adapter and battery (for laptops). Turn on the computer.
How to perform a hard reset on a PC? ›
Ways to reset a desktop PC
- Click the power button, then hold down Shift while choosing Restart. This opens the recovery menu. This works even if you're not logged into Windows.
- Click Troubleshoot.
- Select either Refresh your PC to repair the PC, or Reset your PC to prepare the PC for another user.
Resetting your PC lets you perform a clean reinstallation and update of Windows while keeping your personal data and most Windows settings intact. In some cases, a clean installation may improve your device's performance, security, browsing experience, and battery life.
Will a hard reset delete everything on my computer? ›
A system restore reinstalls the operating system but does not affect user data. This is a safe way to resolve software issues without losing important files. A hard reset means rebooting a device. It doesn't delete or reinstall anything but may help a slow or frozen device start working again.
What keys hard reset a computer? ›
Restart your computer and press the appropriate function key (often F11) during startup. Follow the on-screen instructions to access the recovery partition. Choose the option to reset your PC to factory settings.
What's the difference between a hard reset and a factory reset? ›
A hard reset is forcing your phone to restart when it's unresponsive. A factory reset is the process of restoring your phone to its original settings, like when you bought it. Factory resetting erases everything on your device, while a hard reset simply reboots it.
How long does it take to hard reset a PC? ›
The length of time it takes to perform a factory reset can vary depending on the size of your hard drive and other factors like processing speed. Generally speaking, most resets should take between 30 minutes and an hour.
What are the disadvantages of resetting PC? ›
Data loss: A factory reset's major drawback is that it erases all of the data on the device, including all contacts, messages, photographs, videos, and other sensitive information that might have been saved there.
Does resetting PC fix problems? ›
Related Topics. Reinstalling the operating system can restore your system to its original configuration and help you fix many software issues on your device, such as slow system performance or malware infections.
How often should you fully reset your PC? ›
An annual reset of your Windows PC offers numerous benefits, from digital decluttering and troubleshooting to improved performance. By regularly resetting your PC, you ensure that your system runs smoothly and is free of unnecessary clutter.
A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled.
Does a hard reset wipe memory? ›
While it may look like all of the memory was wiped when you do a factory reset, in fact, the data still exists in the background, and will continue to be saved there until it is overwritten by new data.
Does a hard reset get rid of everything? ›
While a reset will make your files, photos and other materials “disappear,” it doesn't remove the files themselves. Learn how to dispose of your old smart devices securely.
How do I power reset my PC? ›
How to perform a power reset on the computer.
- Turn the computer off.
- Remove the battery and AC adapter from the computer. ...
- Press and continue to hold the power button for 30 seconds.
- Re-connect the battery and AC adapter, then press the power button.
- The computer has now been power reset and should power on.
Holding down Ctrl while pressing the power button will activate Emergency restart, which will reboot the PC immediately without saving anything. It's recommended to use this only as a last resort if the standard restart method doesn't work.
What buttons do you press on PC to factory reset? ›
Frequently Asked Questions
- Click on the ''Start'' button in Windows.
- Press shift and click on ''Restart''.
- The system will guide you through the troubleshooting section.
- Click on ''Reset my PC''.
- Click on ''Keep my files''.
- The system will reboot itself, and factory settings are restored.
Open the Settings app, then search “Reset". Tap Erase all data (factory reset) in the results. Tap Erase all data (factory reset) on the Reset options screen, then tap Erase all data and enter your password or PIN to confirm your decision.
