What a Tesla reset does and when you need one
A Tesla reset clears temporary data from your vehicle's computer system and restarts its software without erasing your saved settings, passwords, or driving history. Most resets take between two and ten minutes and happen while you sit in the car. You might need one if your touchscreen freezes, the car won't wake up, navigation stops working, or the climate control becomes unresponsive.
The reset does not delete your Tesla account, your saved addresses, your music playlists, or your charging history. It also does not affect your vehicle's battery, range, or performance data. Think of it the way you would restart your phone when an app stops responding — the action fixes a software hiccup without touching the things you care about.
Tesla owners often try a reset before calling service, because many glitches that feel serious are actually just the infotainment system getting stuck. If your car still misbehaves after a reset, you have real information to give a service center instead of guessing.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset restarts the touchscreen and infotainment system without turning off the car, and works for most frozen screens or unresponsive controls.
- A hard reset restarts the entire vehicle computer, takes longer, and is the step to try if a soft reset does not fix the problem.
- Both resets preserve your saved addresses, music, passwords, and account information — they only clear temporary data.
- You perform both resets from inside the car using the touchscreen or steering wheel controls, with no tools or apps required.
Soft reset: restarting the touchscreen
A soft reset restarts just the infotainment system — the touchscreen, navigation, and climate controls. It leaves the car running and takes about 30 seconds. Use this first if your screen is frozen, unresponsive, or showing a black display.
To perform a soft reset, sit in the driver's seat with the car in Park. Locate the two scroll wheels on either side of the steering wheel. Press and hold both scroll wheels at the same time for about 10 to 15 seconds. You will see the Tesla logo appear on the touchscreen, and the screen will go black briefly. When the logo disappears and the home screen returns, the reset is complete.
If your touchscreen is completely black and you cannot see anything, you can still perform this reset — the scroll wheels work whether or not the screen is displaying. Hold them both down for the full 15 seconds even if nothing appears to happen, then wait another 30 seconds for the screen to wake up.
Hard reset: restarting the entire vehicle computer
A hard reset restarts the car's main computer system, not just the screen. It takes longer — usually three to five minutes — and is the step to try if a soft reset did not solve the problem. A hard reset can fix issues with the car not waking up, the doors not unlocking, or the infotainment system still being unresponsive after a soft reset.
To perform a hard reset, shift the car into Park and make sure you are parked safely. Press and hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for about 10 to 15 seconds, the same way you would for a soft reset. This time, keep holding them even after the Tesla logo appears. Continue holding for another 10 to 15 seconds after the logo shows up. The screen will go black, and you may see a loading screen or progress bar.
During a hard reset, the car may make sounds, the lights may flicker, or the climate system may turn off temporarily. This is normal. Do not open the doors, press the brake, or touch the steering wheel while the reset is happening. Wait until the home screen returns and the car is fully responsive before you drive.
What to do if the reset does not work
If both a soft reset and a hard reset leave the problem unsolved, the issue is likely something the reset cannot fix — a hardware problem, a software bug that requires an over-the-air update, or a sensor malfunction. At this point, contacting Tesla Service is the right move.
Before you call or schedule service, write down exactly what is not working, when it started, and whether it happened after a specific event (like a software update, extreme weather, or a long drive). If you performed a reset, mention that too. This information helps the service center narrow down the cause faster.
Tesla also releases software updates over the air that sometimes fix glitches automatically. If your car is connected to WiFi and plugged in, check whether an update is available by going to Controls > Service > Self-Test on the touchscreen. An available update may resolve the issue without a service visit.
Resetting individual features instead of the whole system
If only one feature is misbehaving — like navigation, the climate system, or Autopilot — you can sometimes reset just that feature without restarting the whole car. These targeted resets are faster and worth trying before a full hard reset.
To reset navigation, go to Controls > Service > Power Off on the touchscreen, wait 30 seconds, then press the brake pedal to wake the car. To reset the climate system, go to Controls > Service > Power Off, wait 30 seconds, then press the brake. To reset Autopilot, shift into Neutral, then back into Drive while the car is stopped. If none of these work, move on to a full soft or hard reset.
When a reset might not be the answer
Some problems look like software glitches but are actually hardware issues that a reset will not fix. If your car is not charging, the battery percentage is dropping unusually fast, the car is making grinding or clicking sounds, or a warning light stays on after a reset, these point to physical problems that need service.
Similarly, if your car was recently in an accident, exposed to extreme cold or heat, or submerged in water, a reset is unlikely to help. In these cases, contact Tesla Service right away rather than trying troubleshooting steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reset erase my saved addresses and music?
No. A reset clears only temporary data that the system uses while running. Your saved locations, playlists, phone contacts, and login information all stay in place. Your account information and driving history are stored on Tesla's servers, not on the car's local storage, so they are never affected by a reset.
How often can I safely reset my Tesla?
You can reset your Tesla as often as needed without damaging anything. Resets are a standard troubleshooting step that Tesla Service recommends. If you find yourself resetting more than once a week to fix the same problem, that is a sign to contact service rather than keep resetting.
What is the difference between a soft reset and a hard reset?
A soft reset restarts only the touchscreen and infotainment system, takes about 30 seconds, and fixes most frozen screens. A hard reset restarts the entire vehicle computer, takes three to five minutes, and is stronger — use it if a soft reset does not work or if the car itself is not responding.
Can I reset my Tesla from the mobile app?
No. Resets must be done from inside the car using the steering wheel controls or touchscreen. The Tesla app does not have a reset function. If you cannot reach your car to perform a reset, contact Tesla Service for remote troubleshooting options.
Do I need to be in Park to reset my Tesla?
Yes. Always shift into Park before attempting any reset. The car should be parked safely and not moving. If you are driving and the screen freezes, pull over safely, shift into Park, and then perform the reset.