What a soft reset does and when you need one

A soft reset on a Rivian restarts the vehicle's computer systems without turning off the engine or requiring a full power-down. It clears temporary glitches—frozen screens, unresponsive buttons, audio cutting out, or the infotainment system lagging—without erasing your saved settings, passwords, or driving data. Think of it as rebooting your phone without losing your contacts or photos.

You'll want to try a soft reset when something on the dashboard or touchscreen stops working the way it should, but the vehicle itself drives normally. It's the first troubleshooting step before you contact Rivian service, and it often fixes the problem in under a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • A soft reset restarts Rivian's computer systems and clears temporary glitches without erasing your settings or data.
  • The most common method is to hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes black.
  • You can perform a soft reset while parked or, in some cases, while driving, depending on which system is frozen.
  • If the screen remains frozen or unresponsive after a soft reset, the next step is to contact Rivian service or try a full power cycle.

The steering wheel scroll wheel method

The easiest way to soft reset a Rivian is through the steering wheel controls. Locate the two small scroll wheels on either side of the steering wheel—these are the same buttons you use to adjust volume and navigate menus.

Press and hold both scroll wheels simultaneously for 10 to 15 seconds. You'll see the touchscreen go black, and the system will restart. The Rivian logo may appear briefly. Once the screen comes back to life, your vehicle is reset. This method works on both R1T and R1S models and does not require you to stop driving, though it's safer to do it while parked.

What happens during and after the reset

While the reset is happening, you may hear the system power down and back up. The touchscreen will be unresponsive during this time—this is normal. The entire process usually takes 30 to 60 seconds from the moment you release the buttons.

After the reset completes, your vehicle will return to its home screen. Your saved settings—seat position, climate preferences, navigation history, and connected apps—remain intact. You will not lose any data. If you were in the middle of navigation, that route may be cleared, but your destination history stays in the system.

When a soft reset may not be enough

A soft reset fixes most temporary glitches, but some problems require more. If the touchscreen remains completely black or unresponsive even after a reset, or if a specific feature (like the backup camera or climate control) stops working, a soft reset alone won't solve it.

In those cases, you can try a full power cycle: shift into Park, turn off the vehicle completely using the power button on the touchscreen or by pressing the brake and holding the power button on the steering wheel for several seconds, wait 30 seconds, and restart. If that doesn't work, contact Rivian service through the mobile app or call your local Rivian service center.

Soft reset vs. other troubleshooting steps

A soft reset is different from a factory reset, which erases all your personal data and settings and returns the vehicle to its original state. You should never need a factory reset unless Rivian service specifically instructs you to perform one.

A soft reset is also different from a hard reset, which involves disconnecting the vehicle's battery. Rivian does not recommend hard resets for owners—that's a service center procedure. Stick with the steering wheel method for any glitch you encounter on your own.

Troubleshooting if the reset doesn't work

If the steering wheel buttons don't respond at all, try this: make sure the vehicle is in Park, press the brake pedal, and attempt the reset again. Sometimes the system requires the brake to be engaged before it will respond to the steering wheel controls.

If the touchscreen is completely black and won't turn on, try adjusting the brightness. Press the brightness control on the steering wheel (usually the up or down arrow near the scroll wheels) several times. If the screen still doesn't appear, perform a full power cycle as described above. If nothing restores the screen after two attempts, contact Rivian service—this may indicate a hardware issue rather than a software glitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a soft reset erase my saved addresses and contacts?

No. A soft reset only restarts the software and clears temporary glitches. All your saved locations, phone contacts, and connected apps remain in the system. Your seat and climate settings also stay the same.

Can I soft reset while driving?

Yes, you can hold both scroll wheels while driving, though it's safer to do it while parked. The reset takes about 30 seconds, and the touchscreen will be unresponsive during that time. Avoid performing a reset in heavy traffic or on the highway.

How often should I soft reset my Rivian?

You should only soft reset when you notice a specific problem—a frozen screen, unresponsive button, or audio glitch. There's no benefit to resetting regularly, and you don't need to do it as routine maintenance. Reset only when troubleshooting.

What if both scroll wheels don't respond?

If the steering wheel buttons are completely unresponsive, try a full power cycle instead. Shift into Park, press the brake, and hold the power button on the steering wheel for several seconds until the vehicle powers down. Wait 30 seconds and restart. If that doesn't work, contact Rivian service.