To restart an Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Restart. If it isn’t responding, press and hold the TV button and the Back (or Menu) button on the remote until the status light blinks rapidly, or unplug the Apple TV, wait five seconds, and plug it back in. A restart keeps everything on the device. A reset, under Settings > System > Reset, erases it.
This guide covers restarting, resetting, and fixing an Apple TV that won’t respond, for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, with notes for older models. The steps come from Apple’s Restart Apple TV 4K and Reset Apple TV 4K guides and its support article Reset or restore your Apple TV to its factory settings.
How to Restart Apple TV from Settings
- Press the TV button (or Home) to go to the Home Screen.
- Open Settings.
- Select System.
- Select Restart.
Result: the Apple TV turns off and starts again. Your apps, accounts, and settings stay as they were.
On older Apple TV models, the option is under Settings > General > Restart instead.
How to Restart Apple TV with the Remote
Use this method when the screen is frozen or you can’t reach Settings.
- Press and hold the TV button and the Back button at the same time. On remotes without a Back button, hold TV and Menu.
- Keep holding until the status light on the front of the Apple TV blinks rapidly.
- Release both buttons and wait for the Apple TV to start up.
Result: the Apple TV restarts without you needing to open any menus.
Blog do iPhone lists the combinations for older remotes: Menu + TV on the first-generation Siri Remote, and Menu + Down on the aluminum or white Apple Remote.
How to Restart Apple TV by Unplugging It
- Unplug the power cable from the back of the Apple TV or from the wall.
- Wait five seconds.
- Plug the cable back in.
Result: the Apple TV powers up again. This works even when the remote is lost or not responding.
How to Reset Apple TV to Factory Settings
A reset erases your accounts, settings, and data, so try a restart first. On the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD:
- Go to Settings > System > Reset.
- Choose one option:
Reset is the fastest way to return to factory settings and doesn’t need an internet connection.
Reset and Update also installs the latest tvOS and needs an internet connection. - Keep the Apple TV plugged in until the reset finishes.
Result: the Apple TV starts up as new and shows the setup screens. You can use your iPhone or iPad to set it up again faster.
Apple TV (3rd generation) or earlier
Go to Settings > General > Reset. Apple says Reset All Settings resets your settings, including accounts and configurations, while Restore returns the device to factory settings, installs software updates, and needs an internet connection. See Apple’s reset article for details.
Troubleshooting
- The remote doesn’t respond: unplug the Apple TV to restart it. You can control the Apple TV from the Apple TV Remote on an iPhone to reach Settings.
- One app keeps freezing: Try closing the app before restarting the whole device. Double-press the TV button to open the app switcher and swipe up on the app.
- The reset seems stuck: leave the Apple TV plugged in. Apple says to keep it connected to power until the reset completes.
- Still not working: Apple’s support pages cover a black screen and a remote that won’t work, and you can contact Apple Support for service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does restarting an Apple TV delete anything?
No. A restart only turns the device off and on. Only a reset erases accounts, settings, and data.
Which reset should I choose?
Choose Reset if you have no internet connection or want the fastest option. Choose Reset and Update if you are connected and want the latest tvOS installed during the reset.
Related: How to update Apple TV and How to connect Apple TV to Wi-Fi.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.