When it comes to modern smart TVs, LG is one of the more well-known names in the industry. Their TVs are made with ease of use at the very forefront. However, there may be some cases in which you may need to reset your device, either to troubleshoot an issue or if you want to give or sell your TV to another user. However, what if you don’t have a working remote handy?

While LG does make a variety of different televisions, the following techniques for resetting your TV without a remote should work for most modern models. Try out some of the methods below to see what might work best for you.

Manually Use the Buttons on the TV for a soft reset

This is perhaps the simplest method when it comes to resetting your LG TV without a remote. You should be able to perform a soft reset by simply holding down the power button for 5-10 seconds.

If that doesn’t work, then navigate from the menu to the settings section. From there, go into the general settings, find the reset option, agree to the warning message, and press “confirm.” (Note: For some LG TVs, you may need to input a password to complete the factory reset process.)

This is the most direct way to perform the reset, but some LG TV models do not have any physical buttons on them. For those televisions, do not worry; there are a few other solutions you can try.

Use the LG ThinQ or a Similar Remote App

One quick and easy way LG TV owners can reset their devices is by using the LG ThinQ App. This app makes managing your smart TV easy; you will be able to use this app to perform all the basic functions of your remote, including a system reset. You just need to make sure that your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV for the app to work.

  • With the app, tap the Gear icon to open up the Settings panel on your TV’s screen.
  • Tap General > Reset to Initial Settings.

Note: This process is similar to any other remote control app you connect to your LG TV.

Unplug the TV for 60 Seconds

You can also try a simple process known as a soft reset. To perform this action, you must first unplug the television from the outlet. Then wait for about 30-60 seconds before plugging the cord back in. After your LG television is on, turn on your device to check and see if the soft reset worked for you. 

Use a Universal Remote

If the reset process can wait, you can always invest in a universal or replacement LG TV remote. Once you have a universal remote, resetting the TV follows the same process that came with the original remote:

  • Go to your TV’s Settings.
  • Select General
  • Select Device
  • Reset to Initial Settings.

Universal remotes allow you to control hundreds of other devices in addition to your LG TV. So, they can come in handy for other circumstances. Some of the top-recommended LG-compatible universal remotes include:

  • Logitech Harmony Elite
  • Logitech Harmony Express
  • Logitech Harmony Companion

In addition, the cost to replace a remote directly from the manufacturer (LG) is actually quite inexpensive. If you are not concerned with controlling dozens of other types of devices, then you can simply buy the LG factory remote for about $20!

Temporarily Remove the TV Battery

This method should be your last resort if nothing else works. If you have already tried to use the TV buttons, the LG ThinQ App, and a universal remote and still haven’t been able to reset the television, then you can try removing the battery to force a system reset. To perform this function, you should:

  • Unplug the television from the power outlet.
  • Locate the battery panel at the back of the device, and remove it.
  • Wait several hours.
  • Replace the battery and reconnect the plug.

Can You Use Other Devices to Reset LG TVs?

Streaming devices and Bluetooth soundbars and sound systems all come with remotes that may allow you to use basic television controls, including volume and/or channel changing; however, they will not allow you to access and change your LG TV’s settings or reset the device. The same applies to gaming consoles.

How to Restore LG TVs to Factory Settings

If you want to restore your LG TV to its original factory settings without a remote, you’ll need to use the manual buttons on the sides or a compatible mobile remote app to do so.

  • Open the Menu > Settings.
  • Select General settings > System > Reset to Initial Settings.
  • Follow the steps shown on the screen and select “Confirm” to continue.
  • You will then need to enter your password; your user guide will have information about your device’s default password, but it’s usually “0000” if you have never set it up.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, LG has managed to provide many different options to easily reset your television. Whether you use the TV’s built-in buttons, perform a soft reset, use the ThinQ app, a universal remote, or remove the battery from the device for a short period, the process is quick and simple. Each LG TV model will be slightly different, but the processes mentioned in this article should look very similar for all models.