Picture this: You’re all set for a cozy night in, ready to binge-watch your favorite show on your trusty Insignia TV. But suddenly, the unthinkable happens and your remote control seems and TV seems to have declared a mutiny.
Frustration levels rising, you find yourself thinking, ‘Why can’t resetting this thing be as simple as hitting the snooze button on my alarm?’ Fear not, my fellow TV enthusiasts, because I’ve been there too, and doing a reset was a heaven-sent solution!
To factory reset your Insignia TV, press the reset button behind the device to start the process immediately. If your Insignia TV doesn’t have this button, go to Settings > Device & Software > Reset to Factory Defaults and click Reset.
Now, if you want things to be more detailed, fret not. In this post, we’ll walk you through resetting your Insignia TV with or without a remote so you can quickly get it in tip-top shape.
How to Factory Reset Your Insignia TV Using its Remote
A factory reset is a troubleshooting procedure for fixing system and software-related Insignia TV errors. This action causes your Insignia TV to lose its saved user, app, and cached data, so we only recommend using this method as a last resort.
Since Insignia manufactures TVs with different operating systems, performing a factory reset will vary between models. For example, the steps for factory resetting an Insignia Fire TV are different when you factory reset an Insignia Roku TV.
Thus, you must know your device’s operating system before resetting an Insignia TV.
Below are the step-by-step instructions for factory resetting your Insignia Fire or Roku TV using its original remote control.
WARNING: A factory reset erases all your stored files and TV preferences, so ensure you save a copy before you undergo the process.
Using the remote control is the standard method to factory reset a faulty Insignia TV. Unfortunately, you can’t use this factory reset method on a frozen or unresponsive Insignia TV since you must access its system settings menu to initiate it.
1. Insignia Fire TV
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 6 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | An Insignia Fire TV An Insignia Fire TV remote |
Performing a factory reset on your Insignia Fire TV is a walk to the park if you’re familiar with Amazon’s Fire devices. After all, Amazon Fire devices use the same layout and have similar settings menus, so factory resetting your Insignia Fire TV should be similar.
The option to factory reset your Insignia Fire TV is “Reset to Factory Defaults.” This option is aptly named since it refers to your Insignia TV’s default configuration after being manufactured and shipped to the retailer you bought it from.
Therefore, factory resetting your Insignia Fire TV helps you restore its initial settings configuration, allowing you to boot it up like a new device. You must set up your Insignia Fire TV after doing the factory reset, like opening it again for the first time.
Step 1: Go to the Insignia Fire TV home screen. |
Step 2: Go to Settings. |
Step 3: Select Device & Software. |
Step 4: Select “Reset to Factory Defaults.” |
Step 5: Click “Reset.” |
| Step 6: Wait as the Insignia Fire TV restores its settings to factory defaults and reboots the system.  |
2. Insignia Roku TV
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 8 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes |
| Things Needed | An Insignia Roku TV An Insignia Roku TV remote |
Insignia Roku TVs share the same situation as their Fire TV counterparts. After all, Insignia Roku TVs use a similar user interface, menu layout, and operating system as other Roku-powered devices.
Since these devices share one operating system, it gives them a universality reminiscent of Windows computers and Android smartphones. This way, you can factory reset your Insignia TV like other TV brands that use the Roku OS.
Like the previous method, you can only use this factory reset method on your Insignia Roku TV if it’s not frozen or unresponsive since you need access to its system settings.
Otherwise, you must use the method in this guide that doesn’t require a remote control.
Step 1: Go to the Insignia Roku TV home screen. |
Step 2: Go to Settings. |
Step 3: Go to System. |
Step 4: Go to your Insignia TV’s Advanced System Settings. |
Step 5: Click Factory Reset. |
Step 6: Select “Factory Reset Everything.” |
| Step 7: Enter the code on your screen and click OK to confirm the Insignia Roku TV factory reset.  |
| Step 8: Wait as your Insignia Roku TV reboots after factory resetting its system. |
How to Factory Reset Your Insignia TV Without its Remote
The factory reset is an essential troubleshooting tool that allows Insignia TV users to fix various device errors. As such, users must be able to factory reset their Insignia TV whether or not a working remote control is available.
Thus, Insignia provides its users with a unique method of factory resetting their TV using only the built-in physical button. Consider this the emergency factory reset method whenever you need to troubleshoot your Insignia TV without its remote.
It’s also practical since it lets you factory reset your Insignia TV when its screen is frozen and unresponsive. Believe it or not, having options for addressing different Insignia TV problems is a godsend.
1. Insignia Fire TV
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 8 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes and 30 seconds |
| Things Needed | An Insignia Fire TV A working wall outlet |
If your Insignia Fire TV doesn’t have a working remote control, you can factory reset it from its Android Recovery menu. This recovery menu is precisely like its mobile counterpart since the Fire OS is a custom operating system based on Android.
In this recovery menu, the option to wipe your Insignia Fire TV and factory reset its system is available. You can use this option to factory reset your Insignia TV when you don’t have a working remote control.
You can navigate the recovery menu using your Insignia Fire TV’s physical power button. Short clicks on the power button let you highlight the options one at a time while holding it down will select the currently highlighted option.
Step 1: Shut down your Insignia TV and unplug the power cord. Note: You can unplug the Insignia Fire TV without shutting it down if it’s frozen or unresponsive. |
Step 2: Hold the Insignia Fire TV’s power button. |
Step 3: Plug your Insignia Fire TV into the outlet as you hold its power button. |
| Step 4: Release the power button when the Insignia Fire TV logo appears on the screen and wait while the Android Recovery menu loads.  |
| Step 5: Click the power button to highlight “Wipe data/factory reset” and hold it to confirm the selection.  |
Step 6: Select Yes to restore your Insignia Fire TV’s factory settings. |
Step 7: Select “Reboot system now” to restart your Insignia Fire TV after you wipe its data. |
Step 8: Wait while your Insignia Fire TV’s system reboots. Note: Follow your Insignia Fire TV’s on-screen setup once it reboots. You can plug in a USB keyboard to complete the setup without a remote control. |
2. Insignia Roku TV
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 8 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 3 minutes and 30 seconds |
| Things Needed | An Insignia Roku TV A working reset button A toothpick or pen A USB keyboard (optional) |
Believe it or not, resetting your Insignia TV with Roku OS is easier than a Fire TV. After all, Roku-powered devices have dedicated reset buttons on their back panel that let you initiate the factory reset process without navigating their system menus.
Thus, it’s an excellent method when you don’t have a working remote control for your Insignia Roku TV. We recommend pressing this reset button to restore a frozen or unresponsive Insignia Roku TV’s factory settings.
However, it’s important to note that Insignia Roku TVs may have different types of reset buttons available. Some may have a physical button sticking out of their back panel, while others may have the button hidden inside a pinhole.
If your Insignia TV’s reset button is inside a pinhole, you must use a thin, long tool to access and press it. We recommend using easy-to-find objects like toothpicks or pens since they’re the most accessible options.
Step 1: Find your Insignia Roku TV’s reset button. Note: The reset button location may vary between models. It may be on the right or left side of the Insignia Roku TV’s back panel. |
| Step 2: Insert a toothpick or pen into the pinhole to hold the reset button and shut your Insignia Roku TV down.  Note: If your Insignia Roku TV’s reset button isn’t inside a pinhole, press it with your finger. |
Step 3: Release the reset button once the Roku TV logo appears on your Insignia TV screen. |
| Step 4: Wait while your Insignia Roku TV reboots during the factory reset. |
Step 5: Follow your Insignia Roku TV’s on-screen setup. Note: You can plug a USB keyboard into your Insignia Roku TV to set it up without its remote control. |
How to Reset Your Insignia TV When it Has a Black Screen
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 3 |
| Time to Perform Fix | 1 minute and 10 seconds |
| Things Needed | Any Insignia TV A working power cable A working wall outlet |
Regardless of the method, you need access to a screen menu to reset an Insignia TV, so it’s difficult when the screen is black.
The only exception is Insignia Roku TVs since you can factory reset them without their remote control through a physical reset button.
Since the process is automatic, you don’t need a working Insignia TV screen to conduct the factory reset using this button. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible with other Insignia TV models since this is unique to Roku devices.
Therefore, your only option is to troubleshoot the black screen problem before performing the factory reset. This way, you can regain your Insignia TV screen and access the factory reset option from its settings or recovery menu.
Step 1: Shut down your Insignia TV and unplug the power cord. Note: You can unplug the Insignia Fire TV without shutting it down if it’s frozen or unresponsive. |
| Step 2: Hold the Insignia TV’s power button for 60 seconds and drain the residual electrical charges.  Note: Power button locations may be different on some Insignia TVs. Refer to your device’s user manual to find its power button’s precise location. |
Step 3: Plug your Insignia TV into the outlet to power it on. Note: Press the built-in power button if the Insignia TV doesn’t start when you plug it into the outlet. |
| Step 4: Follow any of the previous factory reset instructions to restore your Insignia TV’s default settings. |
When is it best to reset your Insignia TV?
An Insignia TV factory reset works best when addressing system and software-related issues. Therefore, we don’t recommend using this troubleshooting method if your Insignia TV suffers from faulty or damaged hardware.
The factory reset will also wipe all your Insignia TV’s saved data, so you should only perform this as your last resort. As such, you must only factory reset your Insignia TV after exhausting all other troubleshooting tips and tricks possible.
After all, you can’t recover your lost data after the factory reset unless you back them up. Insignia Fire TV users can back up their user data using the Amazon Cloud Drive, but you must reinstall apps removed after the factory reset.
Is there a reset button on the Insignia TV?
Some Insignia TVs have a reset button, while others don’t. In particular, Insignia Roku TVs are unique in this sense because you can factory reset them even with a frozen, unresponsive, or black screen.
Therefore, factory resetting an Insignia Roku TV is less complicated than other Insignia TV models. Some older Insignia smart TVs may also have a reset button, but it’s more prominent with Roku devices.
