How to: Hard reset your Nokia N97
If you’re unfortunate enough to encounter a problem on your Nokia N97, a hard reset maybe what you need to do. This wipes the entire phone memory and settings fresh to how it was (or should be) when you bought it. It’s also useful if you’re also unfortunate enough to have to send away your Nokia N97 for repair or exchange, or maybe in future you maybe selling it and don’t want your information/details/media stored onto your device for someone else to access.
The traditional method won’t work as the N97 doesn’t have the old keypad. After you’ve backed up your data onto memory card/pc/ovi, turn your phone off and simultaneously press these four buttons circled in red.
- Caps shift
- Space bar
- Delete button
- On button
You’ll know it’s worked when you see the initial set up screen, asking country of origin. I haven’t actually tried this, but I’ll be doing so when I return the trial N97.
Update 26-07-09 - tried it -
- wiped phone memory but did not touch the mass memory (you’ll have to format that separately via File Manager) – got 61 MB back.
- Applications installed onto the memory card are still present
- Fixed voice dialling, but after restoration from memory card, voice dialling was disabled again -_-
- Hasn’t Fixed broken GPS. Refuses to get a GPS fix.
- Restoring from memory card doesn’t put back widget/applications from phone memory you would have hoped to have been backed up on memory card – e.g. facebook/Nokia Messaging/N-Gage is gone.
- Restoring from memory card does not restore the menu to how you may have reconfigured it (extremely annoying).
I’m not sure if the *#7370# code (enter code in dialler) has the same effect of wiping everything on the N97 – I’m not going to try and find out. In previous experiences with other Nokia devices, the button method has the advantage of being able to reset your phone if your device refuses to turn on.
Soft reset
- back to factory settings: This should maintain your data (contacts/messages/calendar/notes etc), just returning your N97 back to all previous settings
From menu:
Settings> Phone>Phone Management>Factory Settings
Via Symbianplanet
Category: 5th Edition, How to:, Nokia, Nseries, S60, Symbian
I wish I could day the same about my N97. I was watching videos while charging it, and it suddenly blanked out… Okay, I thought there was some Paranormal Activity going on. I thought arg, Perhaps it’s just my battery. Bought a new one, and nothing happend. I had it checked, and they couldn’t find anything wrong with it, despite the fact that it doesn’t appear on any Pc, including mine. The charging light switches on but the screen is blank. I tried Hard resetting it, but nothing really happens…
The touch screen stopped responding and it is clicking on positions which i am not touching.
if i had a time machine i would go back in time and buy any other phone
thank you so much………….!! it really helped me a lot god bless you ..
ur help brought a wonderful smile on my sister’s face..
Hi! I have problem with my N97. all the time the phone memory is full and i can put anything. I check it and i dont have photos or video or massages or programs
can you tell me what can I do ?
You have filled up the Phone Memory which is very small instead of filling up your Mass Memory.
Go to Settings/Application Manager/Installed Apps
and Uninstall the applications that you don’t use.
Or backup your phone for contacts etc. and dial
*#7780#
NOKIA Factory Reset (Hard Reset)
Security Code is 12345.
Hiyamike
Work fine!!! thanks
If your phone says that it`s memory is full it`s because you have some old messages on your sim. You have to do this: messaging ->options-> sim messages. Then delete at least one message and your problem is gone.
mine kept saying low memory on C:
After I had backed up my data onto computer or memory card, I did the factory reset (soft reset), it was reset, but did not free the C: memory of the phone.
then I held simultaneously pressed the 4 buttons (actually didnt turn off the phone) but nothing happened.
then I typed the *#7370# code as the article says,and then it said “Set your current location country” then the C: phone memory was empty
uhm, i dont really know all this technical stuff, but could someone please please please help me ! i turned my phone on, but the screen just stays white, it doesnt start up properly & when i slide the keyboard out, the lights dont light up on the keyboard :/ can someone pleaaaaaaaaaase help me ? what do i do ? if you know what to do then can you send it to me via email ???? its yala_bubbles@hotmail.com THANKS
my phone’s display is blank, i can hear it click, so the touch pad is functioning, but i have no idea what I’m typing cause i can’t see anything… does anyone have any idea what happened to it? and what to do to fix this? it is being recognized by the pc, and i can receive calls, but i just can’t see anything on the display screen.
Thank you…
i keep pressing and pressing the 4 buttons but it just wont work
i realy need my phone for uni
some one help me sort it out
Why is it that when I received a text, my N97 does not notify me? There is no notification or what-so-ever in the home page. It went directly into my Inbox without notifying me. HELP!
hi i got a nokia n 97 when i was pairing with a blackberry it didnt not connect. so i switched my bluetooth on and of. when switching it on it says “bluetooth operation couldnot be performed” i wondering if a hard reset with solve the problem?
Thank you very much. It works..
my N97mini always connects to my home WLAN !!
even thou all settings are set to “after confirmation” !!
it will have about 9kb in 10 to 15 seconds !!!
also I cannot open “installed apps” ?????
..screen goes black , then after about 5secs , goes back to application management menu ..!!!
Any help ….please
thanx
Hi I have a problem with my nokia N97. I can not view pictures or videos that I have taken on a phone but I can only view them when I connect it to a computer. I also cannot delete phone memory. pls help me. anyone may send me an email ash4real@live.com
pls help me to block my n97 somebody stole it from me i have the serie number, and if u no the site to block phone in network test it to my email (douglas.loveth@gmail.com) pls i beg u with the name of God
thank u so much… i was able to reset my phone again..