What a Rivian reset does and when you need one

A Rivian reset clears your vehicle's software back to its original factory state. This wipes your saved settings, paired devices, navigation history, and user profiles — but it does not erase your vehicle's ownership records or disable any security features tied to your account. Most owners reset their Rivian when they are troubleshooting a software glitch, preparing to sell the vehicle, or recovering from a connectivity issue that a standard restart did not fix.

The reset process takes between 10 and 30 minutes depending on which type you perform. Your vehicle will be unusable during the reset, so plan to do this when you do not need to drive. After the reset completes, you will need to pair your phone again, reconnect to your home Wi-Fi, and log back into your Rivian account to restore features like navigation and climate presets.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset (power cycle) fixes most temporary glitches and takes under five minutes; try this before a full factory reset.
  • A factory reset erases all user data and settings but keeps your vehicle's ownership and security features intact.
  • You perform a factory reset through the vehicle's Settings menu under System or About, not through the Rivian mobile app.
  • After any reset, you must pair your phone, reconnect to Wi-Fi, and sign back into your Rivian account to restore full functionality.
  • If your vehicle will not power on or respond to the reset menu, contact Rivian support — this usually indicates a hardware issue.

Performing a soft reset (power cycle) first

Start with a soft reset before attempting a factory reset. A soft reset straightforward restarts your vehicle's computer without erasing anything, and it solves most software problems — frozen screens, unresponsive buttons, apps that will not load, or Bluetooth that will not connect.

To perform a soft reset, shift into Park, turn off the vehicle using the power button on the steering wheel, and wait 30 seconds. Then press the power button again to turn the vehicle back on. The screens will go dark during startup, and the Rivian logo will appear. Wait for all systems to fully load before using the vehicle — this usually takes two to three minutes.

If the soft reset fixes your issue, you are done. If the problem persists after a soft reset, move on to a factory reset. A factory reset is more disruptive and should only be your next step if a power cycle did not work.

Steps to perform a factory reset on your Rivian

A factory reset must be done through your vehicle's touchscreen, not through the Rivian app. Make sure your vehicle is parked, the engine is off, and you have at least 30 minutes available — the reset will render the vehicle unusable until it completes.

On the center touchscreen, open the Settings menu. Look for a System or About section (the exact label varies by model year and software version). Scroll down until you see a Factory Reset or Reset Vehicle option. Select it. The system will ask you to confirm — this is your final note to cancel. Confirm the reset.

The vehicle will display a progress bar and may restart multiple times. The screens will go dark, the Rivian logo will appear, and you will see loading indicators. Do not turn off the vehicle or open the doors during this process. Once the reset completes, the vehicle will return to its startup screen and ask you to set up a new user profile.

What happens after the reset is complete

After the factory reset finishes, your Rivian will behave like a new vehicle from the dealership. The startup screen will prompt you to create or select a user profile. You can create a new profile or restore an existing one if you have a Rivian account.

Once you have set up your profile, you will need to reconnect to your home Wi-Fi network through the vehicle's Settings menu. Then pair your phone again through the Bluetooth menu — your phone will no longer be recognized as a trusted device. Open the Rivian app on your phone and sign in with your account credentials to restore features like remote climate control, charging schedules, and navigation history.

Your vehicle's ownership information, security features, and any active service plans remain tied to your Rivian account and are not affected by the reset. You do not need to contact Rivian or re-register your vehicle.

When a factory reset will not work or is not the right solution

If your vehicle will not power on, will not respond to button presses, or will not display the Settings menu, a factory reset is not possible — this indicates a hardware or electrical problem that requires professional service. Contact Rivian support or visit an authorized service center.

If you are experiencing a specific feature that does not work — like the charge port will not open, the doors will not unlock, or the climate system is not responding — a factory reset may not fix it. These are usually hardware or account-level issues. Try a soft reset first, and if that does not work, contact Rivian support with details about what is not working.

If you are selling your vehicle and want to erase your personal data, a factory reset is the right choice. However, you should also contact Rivian to transfer the vehicle's ownership to the new owner's account. The new owner will need to set up their own profile and link the vehicle to their Rivian account after purchase.

Troubleshooting if the reset fails or gets stuck

If the reset progress bar stops moving or the vehicle does not respond for more than 45 minutes, try a soft reset by holding down the power button on the steering wheel for 10 seconds until the screens go dark. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to restart normally. This will interrupt the factory reset and return the vehicle to its previous state.

If the vehicle is completely unresponsive — no lights, no sounds, no screen activity — check that the 12-volt battery is not dead. Open the hood and look for the battery terminals. If they appear corroded or loose, tighten them or clean the corrosion with a wire brush. Then try the soft reset again.

If the reset still fails or the vehicle remains unresponsive, do not attempt further resets. Contact Rivian support with the model year, VIN, and a description of what happened. They can walk you through additional troubleshooting or arrange for a technician to diagnose the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a factory reset delete my vehicle's ownership or security features?

No. A factory reset only erases user data like saved settings, paired devices, and navigation history. Your vehicle's ownership, security features, and any active service plans remain tied to your Rivian account and are not affected.

Will I lose my charging history or saved locations after a reset?

Yes. A factory reset erases all saved navigation locations, charging history, climate presets, and user profiles from the vehicle itself. However, your Rivian app account retains this information, and you can restore some settings by signing back into your account after the reset.

How long does a factory reset take?

A factory reset usually takes 10 to 30 minutes from start to finish, including multiple restarts. The exact time depends on your vehicle's model year and current software version. Do not interrupt the process or turn off the vehicle during the reset.

Can I reset my Rivian using the mobile app?

No. The factory reset option is only available through your vehicle's center touchscreen Settings menu. The Rivian mobile app does not have a reset function. You must be in the vehicle to perform a factory reset.

What should I do if my vehicle is stuck on the Rivian logo screen after a reset?

Wait at least 10 minutes — the vehicle may still be loading. If it remains stuck after 15 minutes, try a soft reset by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If the vehicle still does not respond, contact Rivian support, as this may indicate a hardware issue.