The reset procedure clears the data disk on your device. Unless you created a backup, you will lose all data and configuration settings.

Performing a factory reset of your device is an extreme measure that should not usually be required and should be done with caution.

Considerations before starting a reset

The reset process requires a working internet connection.

• If your Green can't reach the internet, the reset will fail, leaving you worse off than when you started.

Common issues that don't require a reset

• Can't remember your password: Reset your owner password.
• Can't find your device on the network: Check your router's device list for the current IP address.
• Device seems unresponsive: Power cycle and wait 5 minutes for a full boot.

If you're unsure what's causing your issue, consider asking the Home Assistant Community before resetting your device.

Perform this procedure if you want to perform a factory reset on your device.

Prerequisites

• Home Assistant Green
• microSD card
• Memory card reader for microSD (your computer might have an integrated card reader, otherwise use an external one)
• Computer with internet access
• You have created a backup and stored it on another system

To copy the Home Assistant Green OS to the SD card

Step 1

Downloading the Home Assistant Green OS installer

1. Download the Home Assistant Green OS installer: green-installer-20240410.img.xz
   • This file is hosted on the NabuCasa buildroot-installer releases page on GitHub.
2. Download and start Balena Etcher.
   • You may need to run it with administrator privileges on Windows.

Step 2

Selecting the image

• Choose Flash from file, then select the image you just downloaded.

Step 3

Selecting the target

• To select the target, insert the SD card to your computer.
  • Select target, then pick the SD card as target.

Step 4

Writing the image

• To start writing the image to the SD card, select Flash!.

Step 5

Flash complete

• Once Balena Etcher has finished writing the image, you will see a confirmation.
• You can now remove the SD card.

To reset the device using an SD card

Step 1

Shutting down the system

1. In your Home Assistant UI, go to Settings > System and in the top right, select the three-dots menu. Select Restart Home Assistant.
   • Then, select Shut down system.
   • Wait until all the LEDs turned off.
2. In case the shutdown via UI should not work:
   • To shutdown gracefully, press the power button for 6 seconds.
   • For a hard shutdown (do this only if all else fails), press the power button for 12 seconds.
3. Remove the power cable to remove power from the system.

Step 2

Inserting the SD card

• Insert the SD card with the Home Assistant Green OS installer. Push it in until you hear a click — the slot is spring-loaded and the card must be fully seated.
• Make sure the Home Assistant Green is connected to the Internet.

Step 3

Powering up the system

• Press the power button.
• The operating system is being written to the eMMC.
• During this time, the yellow LED is blinking fast.
• Wait for the LEDs to turn off.

Step 4

Removing the SD card

• When the LEDs turn off, the operating system has been written to the eMMC.
• Remove the SD card.

Step 5

Powering up the system

• Press the power button.
• Once the yellow LED blinks in a heartbeat pattern, the system is ready.

Step 6

Getting started with Home Assistant

• Info: Initial startup may take a while, depending on your internet connection.

1. Install the app: To access Home Assistant from your mobile device, use the QR code to locate the app in the app store.
2. Select your Home Assistant server:
   • Mobile: Confirm the IP address detected by the app. For example http://192.168.1.196:8123.
   • Desktop: Visit http://homeassistant.local:8123 to access the Home Assistant user interface.
3. The Home Assistant user interface guides you through the initial onboarding.
   • Info: For further information, refer to the instructions provided.

Related topics

• Creating a backup
• Onboarding
• Can't access homeassistant.local:8123
• Resetting the device without SD card (OS version 13.1 and later)