Home > 5th Edition, How to:, Nokia, Nseries, S60, Symbian > How to: Hard reset your Nokia N97

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).

DEEP RESET

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


  1. llaadd
    July 19, 2009 at 9:17 am | #1

    I’m getting my replacement N97 soon will test both methods properly for you…probably on Tuesday… I think I did the *#7370# and it did wipe everything from the phone (well I hope it did!)

    • J Outri
      August 28, 2009 at 2:54 pm | #2

      Reset OK but the map not working any more I update the map still not working and contact problem remain unchange when searching with letter A only responce memory full close application and tray again thanks

  2. July 19, 2009 at 1:53 pm | #3

    Hi, yep, I can confirm that the key combo works and will no doubt become semi-permanently embedded in my memory since I’ve had my phone 3 weeks now and had to hard reset it about 5 times now.

    For a flagship device, it’s pretty poor.

  3. kid
    July 21, 2009 at 2:08 pm | #4

    i can not get the back of my phone it is a nokia N97 what can i do?

    • Nishant dahiya
      August 22, 2010 at 10:14 am | #5

      At the bottom back in the center u’ll see a small cut .
      Put something inside and then it will come .Remember it it tight pressed.so u’ll hear some sounds

  4. Louise Polednik
    July 22, 2009 at 12:51 am | #6

    I too am having problems with my new N97 freezing, and read with horror the prospect of hard reset being a regular occurance. Until now removing the battery has worked. I now have the white ‘Nokia screen’ displaying and nothing else. Is a hard reset my only option?
    I must say I am pretty disapointed in its performance. It is comlicated to set up and I still haven’t managed to get it ti synchronise with Exchange! I am missin my Palm Treo!

    • madi
      September 25, 2009 at 2:47 am | #7

      heyy man … yo i got the same problem man.. wa da hell should i do.. yo how should i hard reset my phone ?

    • N97
      January 13, 2010 at 7:45 pm | #8

      i know its been a long time since ur post and ur prob is prolly solved by now, but for future ppl.
      i had this same prob, it froze at the nokia screen and didnt go any further
      hard reset was the only option and i was afraid of loosing all settings, contacts, data etc…
      solution i tried and it worked for me:
      1. take out sim and turn on phone
      2. back up on pc everything
      3. now normally hard reset using those 4 keys
      4. phone should turn on now normally with sim card
      5. restore backup file into fone
      6. never turn off fone again while its online (fb)

      • Fyre1432
        January 22, 2010 at 1:29 pm | #9

        Just want to confirm that this does work.

        My nokia N97 also had the white screen of death refusing to boot after trying to install the latest firmware and had nothing but NOKIA on the screen.

        Hard reseting has restored the phone back to factory settings, however just for timing i think it took about a minute holding the buttons before it kicked in reseting.

        Hope this also helps others.

      • dead
        May 29, 2010 at 5:30 am | #10

        hey, i’m just wondering, is there any possible way to backup the phone while it can’t be start?
        My phone has the same problem as everyone here,it somehow hangs on the Nokia startup screen. and how to make a backup on the pc if it can’t even start?pls help.

      • vikas sabharwal
        June 30, 2010 at 7:19 pm | #11

        i ma n-97 its coming phone startup failed contact retailer

  5. dn95
    July 22, 2009 at 3:14 am | #12

    Firstly: thanks for this post!

    Can’t get the back off the phone? Video here:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYRbyaIXx8Q

    But in case you’re reading this on and old phone that doesn’t do flash:
    Find the gap at the bottom of the phone (under the red/green buttons) and if your fingers are too big, use the stylus to dig inside and flip the bottom of the back off. Then run the stylus (or finger) up each side to release those catches. The back will almost be off – you just have to tweek the top. Et voila.

    Key combo definitely works and saved me a trip to the Repair Centre (and 1-14 days without a phone no doubt). Phone decided to stall on the Nokia bootup screen. Holding the buttons down for 20-30 seconds resolved the issue, although I have had to reinstall everything – grrr…

    Think it must be an app I recently added as I (perhaps stupidly) reinstalled everything again in no particular order and when I turned the phone off, it did the same thing… Definitely not a prob with the phone – when nothing’s installed it turns on and off perfectly fine. Now to go through the laborious process of working out what did it – installing my apps one by one & switching on and off each time. What a pain!

    • Jay
      July 24, 2009 at 12:31 pm | #13

      Thanks for the update and video link ;)

  6. Azn
    July 24, 2009 at 10:43 am | #14

    w,ll c!

  7. July 29, 2009 at 7:33 pm | #15

    Thanks a million, my mobile was stuck at the white death boot screen of Nokia. I was searching for information on how to do do a hard total reset but couldn’t find any think. But you method did work find and now i have my mobile working back normal without going to the workshop

  8. ehab
    July 31, 2009 at 12:04 am | #17

    Thanks guys, it works 100%.

  9. George
    August 1, 2009 at 11:21 am | #18

    hi
    I got a problem with my GPS. It works for a few days each time I reset my fone. After that it again stops working. Normally (when the GPS works) when I go to Location-GPS data-Satellite status, it shows many satellite bars, first with no range, and a few seconds later, the bars begin to get filled. My position is shown in ovi maps. When it stops working after a few days, only 1 or 2 filled satellite bars are shown and no empty ones are shown. When I open Ovi maps, the position is not shown. Again when i reset the fone using *7370#, it starts working again. Please note that all this was done outdoors, everytime in the same location(so its not bcos of no satellite coverage). It works perfectly on my bro’s n79
    Has anyone had the same problem?

    • Parth
      January 11, 2010 at 4:13 pm | #19

      hey…even i have xactly the same problem!i cant figure what 2 do..i love the gps system and i really want it 2 work..please help!

  10. Ola
    August 4, 2009 at 7:48 pm | #20

    Hi

    I have this problem (among many others!) with my N97 not showing images in the nokia photo-viewer. It worked for about two weeks, now it’s just symbols for images. GPS refuses to work as well…but the real bummer is the images, I find, as one of the main reasons I bought the N97 was the 5 MP camera, as I take a lot of pics…

    Going to attempt the hard-reset. I have one question though: does this erase all my contacts? As this would be a pain to back-up by hand, writing, as I don’t know how to back them up “digitally” but I guess I can find out…

    cheers, ola

    • Jay
      August 4, 2009 at 9:58 pm | #21

      Are you using Ovi Maps 3.0? I’m on 2.0 and found GPS works, but moment I put 3.0, it stopped working.

      As for photo viewer, is that the default viewer? That is really annoying, but good thing for me is that I use Nokia Photo Browser, another picture viewer app which is a million times better for browsing pictures.

      There are a few ways to back up, via PC, over Ovi or memory card. With the memory card option, go to file manager>memory card>backup. Then after a hard reset go back to memory card>restore. In 3rd edition s60 it used to restore everything, settings/apps/messages/contacts/menu layout but this backup isn’t so good. I only rely on it to backup my contacts.

    • August 26, 2010 at 8:33 pm | #22

      hi my nokia n97 photo and music plaler dont work

  11. Ola
    August 5, 2009 at 5:32 am | #23

    Hi Jay,

    thanks a bunch for this info, most helpful to me right now. I had Ovi maps version 2.0 – and it didn’t work – up graded and still same. Google maps works better, both on my former E71 and now N97. I mean it works, at least ;)

    As to the photo-browser, I installed one that I found on Ovi, but think it’s a beta-version and the ONLY thing I can do with that one is BROWSE, not edit, or upload, delete or ANYTHING, which is rather useless with such a capable (in theory!) machine as the N97.

    For some reason my phone refuses to upgrade to the new firmware version 11.x, but reading the posts online, this won’t help me with the default image-browser anyway, so I’ll back up by contacts and do a hard reset as soon as I have the time & energy! ;)

    thanks again, o.

    • Jay
      August 5, 2009 at 10:36 am | #24

      Hi there.
      I’m not sure how else to fix the GPS. What I noticed was that my first backup/restore was restoring a fault that continued to cause GPS/Voice dialling to fail. When I manually put contacts back into phone and did no restore, the N97′S gps worked fine.
      Btw, if you have another S60 phone with your contacts,you can use the “SWITCH” app to send contacts/messages/calendar events. Alternatively, PC suite can be used to copy contacts (just save and export the contacts file, and you can import it later on after a reset)
      In terms of using the default photos app to edit/upload go to Photos>Download – this has every single image/video stored on phone/mass memory/memory card. You can swipe/scroll edit/supload like the “captured” category. (This “download” category used to be the default view in S60 3rd edition)

  12. Ola
    August 6, 2009 at 11:55 am | #25

    I did as suggested above, backed-up the important stuff, and did a hard-reset. Camera worked for ONE PICTURE, that it showed up in images, captured. When I tried again, it was back to normal, ie, just symbols for pictures, impoossible to view them. Ovi maps still useless.
    What the fXXXXk Nokia? I’ve always thought they made the best phones but this is a disaster! What’s the use of a 5-megapixel if one can’t view the images!? Still says that there is no firmware update, though I have version 10.x and the word on the web is that a 11.x version is out since at least a week?

    Ola

    ps. back up went well though, and the restore…but to no use in the end…

  13. Ola
    August 6, 2009 at 3:06 pm | #26

    An hour later the default Nokia photo-browser decided to start working again, although I’d done nothing more than the described above… just hoping it will continue to work!
    GPS still dead, oh well, can’t have it all, it seems…waiting for firmware 11.x to become available for my N97.

    cheers, o.

  14. ALI
    August 7, 2009 at 7:16 am | #27

    Hello when i try to do what u wrote it keeps telling me what is the lock code?? and i dont remmember putting one in my mobile plzzzz help plz

    • Jay
      August 10, 2009 at 10:24 pm | #28

      The security code is 12345 by default. You can change it in settings to something more secure and memorable.

  15. mughal
    August 18, 2009 at 1:27 am | #29

    hi guys my n97 has stall on white nokia screen its not rebooting or reading any thing.i have tried to take the battery out couple of time but its not working could anyone please help.will be much obliged.thanks

    • Jay
      August 18, 2009 at 10:42 pm | #30

      Hi there.
      If the 4-button method will not work to reboot your N97, you may need to take it to a registered Nokia Care Centre/bring it back to your retailer.

      • mughal
        August 19, 2009 at 12:57 am | #31

        hi there it did work though i lost all my data and contacts i mean every thing from the phone,thanks for the help.

      • May 26, 2010 at 9:35 pm | #32

        it does

  16. Ben
    August 19, 2009 at 9:14 pm | #33

    Thanks!! this worked. I wonder what caused the phone to freeze when opening the photos folder? Just got it 3 days ago, could it be the widgets like facebook,accuweather etc? they were just showing loading contents before, but now after restoring it, they’re gone, which is not a big deal at all as long the phone works, also updated the firmware to 11.0.021. so far so good.
    Thanks again!

    • yom
      March 1, 2010 at 9:31 pm | #34

      hi!!!!!!!!! ben i have d same problem with my phone and its getting angry.. pls how do you solve yours. HELP!!!!!!!!!!

  17. J
    August 20, 2009 at 2:28 pm | #35

    New firmware released. 12.x.x.x.x

  18. Rocky
    August 22, 2009 at 7:01 am | #36

    I must say I am quite dissappointed in the N97. It is a total waste of my $650. The battery dies in less than an hour, there is no network at home at all, my display screen is gone for my keypad use even after the hard reset does not seem to work. I am so upset and wish no one else buys this piece of junk. Tech support does not answer you phone. It goes straight to some weird country where they have no clue what the N97 looks like. Its sad. Horribly sad. And this coming from a hardcore Nokia fan.
    A truly dejected nokia fan.

  19. Hossam
    August 22, 2009 at 12:51 pm | #37

    when i make any call i found on the screen (closed user group 65535 in use ) i formate the mass memory and the phone memory ………but the same
    ?
    how can i re install face book and Ap

    • Jay
      August 22, 2009 at 1:07 pm | #38

      To reinstall Facebook, go to Ovi Store on your N97. Use the search option there and then install.:)

  20. Hossam
    August 22, 2009 at 1:53 pm | #39

    when i make any call i found on the screen (closed user group 65535 in use ) i formate the mass memory and the phone memory ………but the same
    ?

  21. August 22, 2009 at 3:11 pm | #40

    I have N97 and I will hard reset it tomorrow. I have 3 questions:

    1. When I will upgrade to newer FW, will be Qik, Boingo and so on (shit software) back, or it will be deleted forever?

    2. Is there any other bad side of hard resetting? Is it same as *#7370# and hard reset will delete the shitty software like Qik, Boingo,… ?

    3. Will adobe reader stay?

    Thanks for answers

    • Jay
      August 22, 2009 at 4:52 pm | #41

      1. Most software is wiped. You get 61MB back of phone memory which is nice. Just reinstall to mass memory whatever you want back.
      2. Bad side – well, the only annoyance for me is loss of menu layout. I like to reorganize my menu so I can access everything within 2 clicks. No scrolling, so searching.The backup isn’t as good as S60 3rd edition. That brings back almost everything.
      3. Adobe Reader stays and you get 15 days or however many free days of use again.

  22. August 25, 2009 at 2:38 am | #45

    I uninstalled OVI contacts, and now every thing is fixed and the contacts are in synced.

    Thank you.

  23. Albert Nieuwenhuis
    August 26, 2009 at 8:44 pm | #46

    Hello,

    I had a problem with my nokia n97. It was jammed after a firmware update. I used the reset discribed here and my phone is working good again. Thanks a lot. :-)

    Greetings,

    Albert Nieuwenhuis

  24. J Outri
    August 28, 2009 at 2:52 pm | #47

    My Nokia N97 when searching contact start with letter A responce memory full close some applicationa dn try again.
    alredy reset still same responce

    • Lon
      September 1, 2009 at 9:13 pm | #48

      Hi i have the same problem! ive been trying to open some applications and my phone freeze, and when i try to open music and other application i get the memory full message i dont know what to do, have you solved your problem?

  25. Stefan
    August 31, 2009 at 12:48 am | #49

    HELLO!!! THANKS for help! This reset works perfect!
    I tryied change product code and after update i have got just flushing screen by white….
    I told the phone is F…..
    Was looking for some re-flushing software, tryied one but nothig was good.
    BUT THIS reset got my n97 back to life))))))))))))))))))))) and is working perfect!
    Thanks again

  26. September 16, 2009 at 7:20 pm | #50

    Hi, I´m about to hard reset the phone. Should I format the E: drive before restting it? Will it be restored to factory after the reset ( all original folders ) ?
    Thnks all.
    Very usefull all entries.

    • Jay
      September 16, 2009 at 7:42 pm | #51

      You don’t need to format E: but if you want a fresh phone, formatting E will remove any installed applications which might continue using C:.

      I have not had a good experience with restoration. Restoring on S60 5th Edition with N97 is an absolute nightmare. If you backup onto memory card, it will not restore any new folders you create in main menu or menu configuration. At best, it restores the phonebook.
      You may have more luck with the PC suite backup, although mine has always gotten stuck at around 81% backup which is dreadfully annoying.

      • September 16, 2009 at 11:18 pm | #52

        Thanks a lot Jay. I buyed the phone a week ago, so there´s not so much to backup. All Contacts are in my Outlook and can be Synced again. The main concern with the phone is that I´m unable to Sync Calendar. It´s the only thing that makes me move along with the N97 and my old reliable Palm T/X. Hope this reset makes it function.
        Rgds from Argentina.
        Ricardo

      • September 17, 2009 at 12:02 am | #53

        Jay, Found something funny. It´s impossible to format E: Drive, or, at least, can´t find the way to do it, neither from the phone o from my Windows XP PC.
        Do you have any idea?
        THX

        • Ricardo
          September 17, 2009 at 1:20 am | #54

          Just found it on File Manager. Will try tomorrow.
          Ricardo

          • Ricardo
            October 29, 2009 at 5:34 am | #55

            Sorry not to post again. Reset the phone and everything started working.
            Thx

  27. nadine
    September 19, 2009 at 10:53 am | #56

    You go to settings, phone, phone management, factory settings then restore and the code is 12345. That is how you really do it! Just rang vodafone and it works with all nokia n97′s!

  28. KARTHICK
    September 25, 2009 at 4:48 pm | #57

    hello i just bought a nokia n97 with a contract .But my problem is there is some options missing in the settings section. these are call barring option in calling settings and there is no option for to manual selection of networks. i dont know what is this.could some one help me regarding this…

    thank you

  29. John federico
    September 27, 2009 at 2:38 pm | #58

    HELLO ALL ,,,, MY N97 İS NOT WORKİNG BUT MY PHONE İS NOW VERY GOOD STARTER THANK YOU BOY

  30. moet
    September 29, 2009 at 2:01 pm | #59

    My N97 does not seem to be allowing me to access the internet yet strangly I can still access World Traveller and I can also still receive my hotmail emails through the messinger settings. But cannot access web’n'walk or anyother internet appliations and sites even the help section cannot access the internet. I have deleted off Cookies etc and still getting nothing. Can anyone help? The phone is due to be sent back for fixing lol but if I can fix it instead it would be helpful.

    Thanks

  31. David Haverty (Ireland)
    October 4, 2009 at 4:24 pm | #60

    Hi Guys, I rebooted my Nokia N97, no the phone wount work, cant get a connection, WHY???

  32. anil1328
    October 6, 2009 at 12:04 pm | #61

    thanks a lot, the COMBO works

  33. james
    October 8, 2009 at 9:43 am | #62

    can serf web, but maps or GPS tracking sware for no apparent reason cannot send data over gprs. fones 4 u say its orange’s fault, orange say its fones 4 u’s fault. orange also say they dont sse it failed thier reliability test!!

    i’m taking it back and so should you. back to samsung for me.

  34. Steph Mc
    October 10, 2009 at 9:41 pm | #63

    Hey,
    Had a bit of trouble with My N97 White.
    First got the phone everything was fine using WIFI at home was fine.
    THEN!! Vodafone sent me the configuration message! And all the apps started faulting. AP news could not download, Accu Weather would not get the weather, BBC I player went to pot and would not start.
    Iv deleted all these now and wondering if its possible to fix my probs and how can i get those apps back??

  35. sadasd
    October 12, 2009 at 7:52 am | #64

    how to hard reset nokia 5530 with OFF phone ?

  36. Sam
    October 16, 2009 at 1:30 pm | #65

    Thank you Boss!!

    You are the BEST!!!!!!!!!1

  37. Tom Knight
    October 20, 2009 at 8:47 pm | #66

    I have the n97 and my phone wont recieve text messages. I have to turn the phone off then back on and the the texts come through.So im doing hard reset and see what happens

  38. Osioke
    October 21, 2009 at 1:36 pm | #67

    *#7370# works

  39. yousry
    October 22, 2009 at 8:10 am | #68

    i want to restore factory setting … but i forgot my lock code …. plz reply on my email … yousry_ddtt@hotmail.com

  40. Dan
    October 31, 2009 at 12:24 am | #69

    Worked like a charm :)

  41. Anoosha
    November 6, 2009 at 6:42 pm | #70

    i tried the hard reset but it dint work. what am i to do now? my phone is freezing for the second time in 4 days. the 1st time i got it done at the Nokia customer care.God they are seriously annoying as they don even respond properly. And seems my devise the latest 20.024 version is not yet out. i’ve started to hate NOKIA. Errrrrrr…….

  42. miss luck
    November 6, 2009 at 9:28 pm | #71

    i have nokia n97 and i turned on the wifi at home on the phone and every time my phones on i cant get rid of the wifi been on the settings but nothins happens what do i do as it drains my battery .

  43. becs
    November 7, 2009 at 7:54 am | #72

    thanks for the hard reset help very annoying though

  44. Jake
    November 8, 2009 at 9:23 am | #73

    my 5530 stuck at the white nokia welcome screen for 2 days now, i dont know what to do, since i can’t even get to the part where i type the reboot code…. anybody knows what can i do?

  45. NYL
    November 9, 2009 at 1:36 am | #74

    nokia n97 worst fone nokia ever made!!!!!!

  46. Dao
    November 9, 2009 at 2:00 am | #75

    my N97 phone is freeze when starting up, it only displays the sign NOKIA. Anyone can help please? thanks alot

  47. n97
    November 11, 2009 at 7:07 am | #76

    I dunno whats wrong with my fone, but its frezzing alot i dont know why, i have alot of songs on it, and whever i want to do something with the music it freezes. Can anyone help me out with this, or is it just because of the device, which has malfunctions?

  48. glen
    November 12, 2009 at 12:11 am | #77

    i bought an n97 on 3 network but im on vodafone, is there any way to reset anything so its unlocked as i can’t get it done in a store as they don’t have the software and 3 said i need to have a contract with them to get an unlock code ?

  49. SpongeBob
    November 12, 2009 at 12:30 pm | #78

    Hi guys, it’s a shame to see nokia’s flagship has caused so many people to being busy with their phone in such a negative way.. I still think my N97 is way better then the Iphone 3GS if it wasn’t for all the care that goes in to the N97 when wanting to use it for more then just calling..

    I have my own business so it’s really unacceptable for my phone to get stuck at the boot screen.. I’m really getting tired of the time that goes into this wonderful phone..

    Y’all are talking about the same problem quite a lot(stuck at boot screen) and if I understood it right y’all held down, power, shift, space and backspace at the same time for a while but even that doesn’t seem to work on my phone..

    Does this mean I’ll have to visit the shop or did I just not understand y’alls explanation quite right?

  50. SpongeBob
    November 12, 2009 at 2:38 pm | #79

    O, after trying a few different things the reset worked :)

    Still a goddamn shame I have to reinstall most of my programs while the phone cost me 700 euro’s..

  51. varun
    November 13, 2009 at 5:40 am | #80

    thanx a lot it helped

  52. mamamama `
    November 15, 2009 at 4:13 pm | #81

    heey,
    after i changed the product code my nokia n97 freeze at start up .what can i do to fix it.

  53. ch31kh
    November 15, 2009 at 11:33 pm | #82

    thanks! :)

  54. Chaitanya
    November 16, 2009 at 1:17 am | #83

    Thanks guys!!

  55. roger
    November 17, 2009 at 12:28 am | #84

    had frozen on the white screen at powering on, did the holding down key thing at the top of this page, worked perfectly without wiping my mass memory (photos etc saved!).
    Thanks!!!!

  56. Ski
    November 18, 2009 at 9:55 am | #85

    thank you guys. worked for me

  57. apro
    November 19, 2009 at 7:08 am | #86

    Thanks, saved me a lot. I was a bit bothered at having to send it in to Nokia repair shop… But it works fine though all my apps are gone, but it keeps the last update i did on the phone

  58. parham jm
    November 20, 2009 at 11:44 am | #87

    thanks for your useful info.

  59. khan
    November 20, 2009 at 11:50 pm | #88

    thanks alot man ur trick is awesome my 97 is wrking now :) ))

  60. js
    November 21, 2009 at 12:04 pm | #89

    hi frenz. I having problem wit my n97. At 1 time my phone be come so slow until need to wait for 5 to 10min to open any app like msg or contact. then i switch off and on again. Suddenly my mass memory cant open. Its say corrupted. but after some time back to normaly and after few min its back again. and now i cant access my mass memory. But i discover some way some how, locked. wen i wan change my msg using memory to mass memory it asking to put password… i realY dont have any idea how it can automatic can set password. i dont wan format my mass memory. u all guys got idea how i can unlock the password. plzPly help. for ur info i got install kaspersky 7. 0.

  61. Martin
    November 21, 2009 at 3:59 pm | #90

    Hi. I have a problem with wifi conection on my nika n 97. Soft ver 20.0.019
    Problem is when Im usin my email for example reply and after that I want to go to main scren I pres red buton and email automaticly gets dissconected. Soft 12 was better at this point. I wish to come back to soft 12 but I have no ide how to do down date

  62. Nizar
    November 21, 2009 at 4:49 pm | #91

    thanks man !! you saved my ass !!

  63. Lee
    November 25, 2009 at 5:49 am | #92

    Worked

  64. dmondphn
    November 29, 2009 at 10:11 am | #93

    Hi,

    Thanks man..I used you key combo for my Nokia N97 mini.You saved my time rather thaan have to wait 2 hrs to wait at Nokia Care Center.In fact, i only need 2 mins to get my phone work.

  65. Courtney
    November 30, 2009 at 8:58 am | #94

    Hey guys…..

    well after an unfortunate night out my n97 got all wet and now refuses to turn on…does anyone know how to fix it or a rough estimate of howlong it will take to fix and how much it will cost???

    • bedoski
      January 8, 2010 at 8:59 am | #95

      Hi guys? Have the same problem as courtney here…only mine turns on but the backlight wont come on, so cant use it in the dark or at night. The screen and the flex are checked out and are ok, so anybody with an idea what else it may be???

  66. Alice
    November 30, 2009 at 10:34 am | #96

    After updating my n97, it now says ‘phone start-up failed contact retailer’ everytime i try to turn it on. Would this hard reset work in this case?
    Also i can access my phones folders via the usb cable, is there any way i can retrieve my phone numbers off the handset?

  67. Steph Mc
    November 30, 2009 at 8:53 pm | #97

    hey alice hard resetting ur phone using the method pictured up top should work! i had to do it last night! And if u have the ovi suite for the pc then u can still back up the phone it took a lil bit of perservernce for mine to be recognised by my laptop but once it was recognised it backed up without a flaw then i reset the phone and guess what im writing this blog from my n97 woo hoo proof tlc works a treat ha ha ha ha ha p.s thanks to all the guys who left soloutions on this page if it wasnt for u guys i wouldve killed the b*****ds for selling me this phone.

    • Calixteid
      December 13, 2009 at 2:21 pm | #98

      Hi Steph. My phone has also frozen at the boot up stage. Are you saying you were able to backup using the Ovi Suite even if the phone is stuch in the frozen mode? I tried it without success. What did you have to do?
      Cheers

  68. rod
    December 3, 2009 at 5:04 pm | #99

    some kind of way i locked my keypad all i get is a screen asking me to enter a code and i dont know or cant remember if i ever set up a code. how do i reset the phone so i can then reset my code

  69. Anand
    December 4, 2009 at 6:32 pm | #100

    Hi
    I have nokia N97 mini when I power on my set it only displays NOKIA & stops at that screen.Please lent me know how to reset my phone.

    • Anand
      December 5, 2009 at 6:09 pm | #101

      Hi
      It is realy a GREAT job well done thanks a lot.My mobile is working fine after reset.Thanks a lot again.

      • tinus
        December 19, 2009 at 9:56 am | #102

        I also have problems with my N97 mini can you please tell me how to do hard reset on my n97 mini

  70. Laamis
    December 6, 2009 at 2:58 pm | #103

    Thanks VERY VERY much!!!

    Shitty update crushed the whole system of my N97, I tried two different updates, and the newest I tried to install two times… no help…

    I wasn’t able to call, or to go in to my addressbook… if I tried *BOOM* crash…

    Hard reset didn’t reset the software to the old version, but fortunately solved the problem. YIPPEE!!!

    First boot (resetboot) with the new 20.0.019.C01.01 installed (twice) works well. Seems to be a bit faster also…

    anyhow… huge thanks to you who wrote the hard reset tips… Nokias own help site sucks ass bigtime…

  71. Jason
    December 7, 2009 at 11:37 pm | #104

    Thank you – stopped my N97 becoming a brick!

  72. Anand
    December 8, 2009 at 9:45 am | #105

    My mobile is not starting again there is RM-555 problum please let me know any one has any solution.

  73. Zeka
    December 8, 2009 at 11:48 am | #106

    hello evryone i have same problem but I fixed this problem.
    I arranged with buttons to print and keep the dog should turn off phone then keep listening for 1 min buttons until the phone be set to reset.
    ok do not forget remove battary. and then press Enter and Backspace, shift.and shutdown button. then hold the fuel until your phone. thaks
    Forgive me for bed English

  74. Val
    December 8, 2009 at 11:24 pm | #107

    You are grate!! Gracias, thanks from Arg!!

  75. December 11, 2009 at 10:25 am | #108

    Hello and THANK YOU for this guide!!

    Unfortunately I was not able to fix my phone any other way than the hard-reset method. It removed everything including my contacts and now I have to write them in from the beginning.. I just hope I have them all somewhere in my computer..

    Could you please explain to me how to format the mass memory? Every time I try to do so I get an error message about it being used.. I tried deleting all applications that was installed on mass memory and therefore were left on my phone after hard-reset but I am still unable to format it..

    Thanks

  76. December 12, 2009 at 10:01 pm | #109

    thankkkkkkk youuuuuu veryyyyyyy muchhhhhh I could not be happier than this billions of thanks!

    From TURKEY! TURK POWER ATA!!! :D

  77. karan
    December 13, 2009 at 6:11 pm | #110

    hey thanks hard reset helped solve my problem…

  78. Ritesh
    December 14, 2009 at 6:12 am | #111

    I have issues with my 3g. I use nimbuzz application in 3g and it works. But rest all web applications like my web browser, opera mini. google maps etc do no not work. kindly help me out with this. i even did hard reset for my phone but all in vain

  79. Ife
    December 15, 2009 at 12:43 pm | #112

    pls i want to format my fone but i forgot my lock code. i need hel urgently. tnx

  80. December 17, 2009 at 2:20 pm | #113

    my mass memory is not working anymore. what should I do restore it again? when I scan it says that the memory is not in use.

  81. ruud
    December 22, 2009 at 6:41 pm | #114

    i have a problem with the camara , it turns on with no comment.
    i hope a hard reset will help me?

  82. Damo
    December 24, 2009 at 7:23 pm | #115

    Hi all. my phone has froze, and when i have tried to reset it, it won’t work, really like the phone, but can’t be doing with it freezing and crashing, perhaps i should’ve just stuck to a basic phone instead of a computer, must admit, haven’t heard any complaints about the blackberry curve, loads about the i phone.

  83. ray
    December 26, 2009 at 1:56 am | #116

    omg…it works…i booted the phone up that way and it reset. very nice

  84. yousaf
    December 26, 2009 at 4:35 pm | #117

    how to hard reset htc p3400

  85. Pascal
    December 27, 2009 at 4:01 pm | #118

    thanks a lot !!!
    My phone crashed and didn’t start again.
    Your method worked really fine.
    For my settings I had a backup on PC-suite

    thank again

  86. Marco
    December 31, 2009 at 10:15 pm | #119

    hey people would anybody know anything about the web browser and things that use it crashing when i try to go online?
    i mean everything else works fine ive had no problems with gps or camera but since a couple of weeks its been crashing repeatedly time after time

  87. leroy
    January 1, 2010 at 3:07 pm | #120

    hi,
    recently tried to download a app of ovi and now i am not able to open my menu so i cant get into anything, a black screen flashes up for a second then it just returns to normal front screen when i do press menu button.

    please can anyone help?

    thanks

  88. dj
    January 2, 2010 at 2:19 pm | #121

    Hey guys; im trying to do a hard reset on my nokia n97 but i have changed the lockcode and forgotten and it had askd on startup even when i press the four button and the first screen shown is lock code. ive tried 12345 and it says code error. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR TIPS? THANKS!

  89. JM
    January 3, 2010 at 12:15 pm | #122

    I got my Nokia N97 & updated it to the latest firmware (12.2.024) via the PC software update. After that I ran SW Update & updated a few apps. Ever since whenever I execute SW Update it starts & then shuts down after about 5-10 seconds. Is this because all apps are up to date, or is something wrong?
    At first I assumed something was wrong so I re-installed firmware 12.2.024, but still have the same issue.
    Can anyone confirm the following:
    - is this expected behaviour if all apps are up to date?
    - if it is an error is there a way that I can re-install SW Update?

    • Frank
      January 15, 2010 at 3:20 pm | #123

      just wait till u get the latest updates as for present everyone facing same problems most probably…& latest firmware is not 12.2.024 but 20.0.019….

  90. miklo
    January 4, 2010 at 12:23 am | #124

    Thanks man, the hard reset works for me.

  91. dapa don
    January 4, 2010 at 1:04 am | #125

    fone got frozen on boot screen fort id f* my fone but thanks to the reset method at the top of this page which saved me goin to the shop gr8 stuff ….

  92. JodieC
    January 4, 2010 at 3:56 pm | #126

    Thanks for all this advice, i’m currently trying to reset now, trying the soft reset as I really don’t wanna hard reset just yet and it’s a little difficult to push all those buttons at once!!
    Now all I need is my LOCK CODE!! Any ideas?

  93. had
    January 5, 2010 at 12:36 pm | #127

    @JodieC: try 12345 – original lock code from nokia..

  94. Matt
    January 7, 2010 at 1:18 am | #128

    The N97 is a poor phone indead.

    Ive had to hard reset my phone so many times now, that i’ve literally lost count.

    I’ve heard they are recalling the Nokia N97? any news on whether we get to choose a differant phone? I definatly wish i never bothered with the N97.

  95. bedoski
    January 8, 2010 at 9:03 am | #129

    Hi guys? My N97 got wet and misty over christmass and now after suspecting that the screen or the flex cable could have been messed, this has been checked out and they are intact, but the backlight just wont come on…anyone had this problem and how did it get fixed??/

  96. rodzman
    January 8, 2010 at 1:26 pm | #130

    hey dude.. ur 4 button reset totally works.. awesome tips.. was so dissappointed b4 dis.. oh ya.. how would i know the code to do the factory reset thingie? will be waiting for ur respond.. cheers..

    • Frank
      January 15, 2010 at 3:19 pm | #131

      its 1 2 3 4 5 thats it…cheers….

  97. bubu
    January 10, 2010 at 8:16 pm | #132

    Well … done it … but nothing .. usb in … usb charging light on .. connecting to pc suite: nothing .. not a sign of it .. i don’t even know if it’s charging .. because it doesn’t start .. only from time to time with the usb cable in .. it starts, but frezzes on nokia logo, stays this way for a couple of minutes, than turn off… got the phone as a Christmas present .. and I really want to keep it … :”( … so WHAT NEXT?? please heeelp :( ..

  98. January 11, 2010 at 10:52 am | #133

    the hard resett 4 button works like a bomb! l like it! ln fact, l no longer have to que at the service centers, under the mercy of those morons who no nothing about soft or hardware, yet they pretend to know everything!!!!!!!!!!!!

  99. Damo
    January 13, 2010 at 7:19 pm | #134

    Hi all, i have a problem with the ovi store on my N97, when i try to open the ovi store up it won’t open, and the time(clock) in the right hand corner flashes, i can use the ovi store when i use the browser, but would prefer to use the ovi store that is stored on my phone, as this is much quicker.

    Could anyone help me with this problem please, if you can i would be so grateful

  100. jack
    January 18, 2010 at 9:49 am | #135

    hi..i have a scratch on my nokia n97 can u tell me how could i get the new screen..or wat should i do to replace its screen..plz rply fast..

  101. January 19, 2010 at 10:17 am | #136

    Jack! Just buy one from eBay, original Nokia screen. Or if it’s not that bad just put a screen protector over it and its less noticeable.

  102. Sean
    January 21, 2010 at 3:53 pm | #137

    Hi, i have wireless internet at home, but everytime when i go online, its go connect to my phone ISP, did try changing all the “piority” sequence, putting network as piority 1. so, anyone experiance the similar problem? my question is, how could i set the phone to use the wireless internet automatically? thanks

  103. January 22, 2010 at 8:03 am | #138

    Woohoo! I’d been trying EVERYTHING. Factory Settings + lock code (12345) wouldn’t work, so my phone was threatening to block. But this has reset the main streen and given me heaps of phone memory back! No more petulant message saying it can’t do an action because it hasn’t enough memory!

    THANK YOU!

    A

    • March 10, 2010 at 8:51 pm | #139

      Hi there my phone is doing the same, how did you sort it out please can you tell me. alison

  104. Nelson
    January 25, 2010 at 2:57 pm | #140

    Hello, sometimes mi Nokia N97 screen “freezes” when I recieved a call and pass the finger on the screen to activate the call. I have to turn off the phone and turn on. Any suggestion? Should I do the hard reset?

    Thank you, thank you, thank you

    Nelson

  105. see
    January 25, 2010 at 2:58 pm | #141

    when hone is freeze when starting up, it only displays the sign NOKIA. they is some solution… one is hard rest… another one is u take out de baterry thn put it bck try 2 plug in de charger thn de phn will detect n a beep sound will come out… u wait de nokia screen come out thn de white colour led light beside de usb charger on n de menu key appear light thn u can on the phn 2 back up ur file n use it as usual… tis procedure u may try few time becoz from my experience sometimes it work n sometimes it won work n need try many times….it is better 2 use this method whn ur phn is not fully charged becoz it will not on the phn by tis way…. the most important is be patient n once on go back up ur file to avoid ur file gone 4ever….thanks

  106. sick of nokia
    January 25, 2010 at 7:22 pm | #142

    am sick of this shit. iv had to hard reset my n97 atleast 20 times since i bought it 6months ago.

    this is def my last nokia after all the problems i had with my n95 too.

    an android device is my next purchase!
    and i suggest every1 else whos sick of this shit dont buy a nokia again

  107. Angela
    January 27, 2010 at 3:17 pm | #143

    Tnx, the code did not work but the keys did!

  108. gareth
    January 27, 2010 at 8:45 pm | #144

    *#7370# reset does work ;-)

  109. BobbyJackk
    January 28, 2010 at 4:55 am | #145

    okay right now i just did the 4 button thingy and like as all you guys say it will show nokia sign only and yet its taking forever. and i am just a lil 13 year old child i dont really know what to do now
    and how longg does it re-appear?

  110. cottitoo
    January 28, 2010 at 7:20 pm | #146

    hello!!!!!

    Please help me!!! My adobe reader trial period has expired and I have to fill in that unlock code. What is the unlock code for N97 ?? IMEI: 35++++++++++++++++

  111. Jose
    January 29, 2010 at 5:51 am | #147

    If I change the product code, and something fails and the cell phone get bricked…. doing a hard-reset, will the product code back to its factory default value as well?

  112. meturhan
    January 30, 2010 at 12:19 am | #148

    thx. working like a charm

  113. Milos
    January 30, 2010 at 11:40 am | #149

    How to get back contacts after hard reset?!? I dont have any backup, is it possible?

  114. ahmed
    February 1, 2010 at 8:24 am | #150

    hiiiii
    i got n97 in white na i can;t scroll the screen around or wherever i want it go…
    if i want to go down i have to push or hold the screen and move my figer down.. but my got same cell phone n97 na he can just scroll down the screen so easy it just flys in his phone but mine wont do that can u plz help meeeee…

  115. andrew
    February 2, 2010 at 10:33 am | #151

    hi i was bsy doing a sofware update and it bomb out is there any was of restoring a previous fireware .As the phone does not swith on

  116. mathew
    February 2, 2010 at 4:44 pm | #152

    i had the white nokia screan displaying and nothing else. I did the hard reset option now my phone is displaying continue using offline mode when i press the screan nothing happens and when i flip the screan to use the keyboard the screan goes blank and the phone stops working and the phone is a nokia n97

  117. xbungle
    February 5, 2010 at 3:05 pm | #153

    When making a backup, don’t include settings.
    Or perhaps just sync your phone (iSync works on N97 after 20.0.019)

  118. John
    February 6, 2010 at 4:18 pm | #154

    Hello guys!

    I had an issue with my N97 several times, when it simply couldn’t boot up. It just got stuck at Nokia logo and the only way out was to do hard reset.
    But when my N97 got stuck last time again, I didn’t want to lose all my data and tried playing with battery, SIM, SD, headphones and charger random insertion and removal.
    After 3 hours of hard work I finaly managed to boot up my N97!
    But after restart the same problem continued, so I had an opportunity to test my magic boot up sequence

    Instructions to bypass WSOD:
    All you need is:
    N97
    Charger

    Follow these steps:
    Turn off your phone.
    Insert charger.
    Remove charger right after screen lights up.
    Wait a couple of seconds till screen turns off and just after that press power button.
    After standart vibration notification just put your charger in.
    VOILA! You can insert your PIN again!

    I am using this method for almost a month and it seems that this is only one way to boot up my N97.
    It would be nice to hear if this method works for you

    Trust me it works DO NOT MASTER RESET!!!

  119. vinod
    February 6, 2010 at 5:46 pm | #155

    how do u format e drive on n97

    • February 6, 2010 at 5:49 pm | #156

      To format E: aka 32GB mass memory, go to File Manager (App)>E>Options>Format Mass Memory.

      Same if you want to format F: aka the memory card.

      Make sure you back up any data (like photos/videos/music).
      Good luck :)

  120. vinod
    February 6, 2010 at 6:03 pm | #157

    how do u remove adobe pdf reader trial version installd in n97 bcoz without it i cant installd crackd version of it.whenever i install n updatd version my phone says cant install component inbuilt

  121. vinod
    February 6, 2010 at 6:03 pm | #158

    vinod :how do u format e drive on n97

    thnx jay

  122. John
    February 7, 2010 at 2:55 pm | #159

    John :Hello guys!
    I had an issue with my N97 several times, when it simply couldn’t boot up. It just got stuck at Nokia logo and the only way out was to do hard reset.But when my N97 got stuck last time again, I didn’t want to lose all my data and tried playing with battery, SIM, SD, headphones and charger random insertion and removal.After 3 hours of hard work I finaly managed to boot up my N97!But after restart the same problem continued, so I had an opportunity to test my magic boot up sequence
    Instructions to bypass WSOD:All you need is:N97Charger
    Follow these steps:Turn off your phone.Insert charger.Remove charger right after screen lights up.Wait a couple of seconds till screen turns off and just after that press power button.After standart vibration notification just put your charger in.VOILA! You can insert your PIN again!
    I am using this method for almost a month and it seems that this is only one way to boot up my N97.It would be nice to hear if this method works for you
    Trust me it works DO NOT MASTER RESET!!!

    I got this from somebody else ,JOHN

    • raj
      May 29, 2010 at 1:32 pm | #160

      Hi John,
      i downloaded the UCPlayer App for S60v5 Edition and when i tried to install it in my N97mini, it thrown error “certificate invalid, contact the admin”. Actually i am looking for “avi” and other format files to play in my mobile. please help
      regards,
      raj

  123. Letty
    February 10, 2010 at 5:24 am | #161

    John, it worked for me too! Thanks…

  124. ANuj
    February 11, 2010 at 8:47 am | #162

    John :

    John :Hello guys!
    I had an issue with my N97 several times, when it simply couldn’t boot up. It just got stuck at Nokia logo and the only way out was to do hard reset.But when my N97 got stuck last time again, I didn’t want to lose all my data and tried playing with battery, SIM, SD, headphones and charger random insertion and removal.After 3 hours of hard work I finaly managed to boot up my N97!But after restart the same problem continued, so I had an opportunity to test my magic boot up sequence
    Instructions to bypass WSOD:All you need is:N97Charger
    Follow these steps:Turn off your phone.Insert charger.Remove charger right after screen lights up.Wait a couple of seconds till screen turns off and just after that press power button.After standart vibration notification just put your charger in.VOILA! You can insert your PIN again!
    I am using this method for almost a month and it seems that this is only one way to boot up my N97.It would be nice to hear if this method works for you
    Trust me it works DO NOT MASTER RESET!!!

    I got this from somebody else ,JOHN

    John it worked for me as well.LOL. Thanx a lot man.

  125. kaori
    February 12, 2010 at 8:21 pm | #163

    Hey guys! I have a huge problem with my N97 (recently updated to v.21.0.045) A couple of weeks ago, it started freezing, I did some tutorials in the web about reseting the thing and it worked for a while. But then, when I open the phone to use the keyboard, I suddenly can’t use the touch-screen, and when I close it, the whole thing is just frozen – the touch screen doesn’t work – but the home button does work (kindda) I have to turn it off, and try to turn it on a couple of times because of the touch screen thing. Now with the newest firmware, it hasn’t solved the problem. Has anybody encountered the same thing? Should I go to have it fixed?

    Thanks and hope you guys can help.

    K.

    • C.Jack
      March 28, 2010 at 3:32 am | #164

      I just got the same over here :( is yours fixed or not yet ?!

  126. josef
    February 12, 2010 at 9:11 pm | #165

    thanks man you realy helped me this number realy works *#7370# you can try it

  127. dzul
    February 13, 2010 at 4:53 am | #166

    thanks guys..it’s really working..
    from malaysia =)

  128. George
    February 15, 2010 at 11:10 pm | #167

    Same problem – updated to v21 last week and by Friday the touch screen stopped working. Can only use the keypad to do 40% of the functions …. cannot even make a phone call now. Ive tried the following:

    1. Reinstall v21 x 4 times now
    2. Reset back to factory settings
    3. Hard reset as above
    4. Soft reset as above
    5. Resorted back to my old phone – very painful
    6. Spoke to support … they responded with … have you updated to V21?
    7. Now packaging and sending back to Nokia …

    Please tell me if there are any other majical resets.

    G

  129. qluki
    February 16, 2010 at 8:32 am | #168

    yeah it really works, and it returns the device to the initional state

  130. issas
    February 16, 2010 at 12:25 pm | #169

    hello there… i have a problem… i used the code 7370 before that i backed up the memory to the memory card and now i cannot restore my memory back … is there anyway i can get the restored data back onto my phone…

    Thank you

  131. jordan
    February 17, 2010 at 5:03 am | #170

    n97 is the WORST phone available. i will be getting rid of it as soon as possible and moving to a HTC phone.

    it’s a poorly designed device.

    just look at the problems people are having with it.

  132. grace
    February 17, 2010 at 4:18 pm | #171

    Hi
    My N97 won’t alert me to new messages. It is set to play a sound (message 1) and it used to beep but now it doesn’t anymore. and the phone is not on silent. It doesn’t show the new message icon either. Only way I know I’ve got a new message is by going into the messages screen and seeing the red inbox sign.
    Will a hard reset fix my problem?

  133. February 18, 2010 at 2:05 pm | #172

    I cannot thank you enough for this post mate!
    I was about to send my fone back to vodafone for repair but thought I would quickly check the web again…..RESULT!

    Phone now hard reset and got it working again,

    Thanks!

    Paul.

  134. David
    February 23, 2010 at 12:44 am | #173

    everything works after a hard reset. I had the same problem when i installed a game not sure which one and I got it from OVI. I did a casual restart to my N97 but then it got stuck at the NOKIA logo. Anyway i did some research online and found out about the HARD RESET. but now i came across this code: *#7370#. could someone elaborate as to what does the code do.
    Much appreciated

    David

  135. Phonola
    February 26, 2010 at 4:47 am | #174

    I have a problem with my n97 picture quality at night, the images are so blare, what should i do to it?

  136. bob
    February 28, 2010 at 6:32 pm | #175

    Last Nokia I ever buy. Even by Nokia’s standards, the software on the phone is appalling and the software on the PC is beyond a joke.

  137. Jorden
    March 7, 2010 at 12:06 pm | #176

    hay to ALLL,
    thanks for the tip on the hard reset
    it fixed my GPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  138. March 10, 2010 at 12:55 am | #177

    dj :Hey guys; im trying to do a hard reset on my nokia n97 but i have changed the lockcode and forgotten and it had askd on startup even when i press the four button and the first screen shown is lock code. ive tried 12345 and it says code error. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR TIPS? THANKS!

    check out this forum it tells you how to do it, I had the same problem :http://forum.dailymobile.se/index.php/topic,3636.0.html

  139. Sanj001
    March 10, 2010 at 9:54 am | #178

    Hi i just bought a Nokia 97 mini, i change my lock code, but i can recall wht i put, pls help me,…

  140. Sanj001
    March 10, 2010 at 9:56 am | #179

    Pls am waiting for an answer,…pls help me,.. Thnks in advance

    Sanjana…….

  141. March 10, 2010 at 8:25 pm | #180

    Hi there can someone help, i have a n97, and im trying to hard reset it, but it wont work, i have had nothing but problems with my phone nothing works and i cant even send text messages.
    I have tried everything.

    Thanks alison

  142. Imola
    March 12, 2010 at 5:55 pm | #181

    N97 mini doesn’t work normally (photo browsing,sometimes no zoom,full memory warning when i have 7 giga left) because of some viruses and bugs or it just comes with the phone? which free antivirus could i use,and is it of any help anyway?

  143. Sami David
    March 14, 2010 at 5:55 pm | #182

    I had the WSOD (white screen of death) and I tried doing every thing other than the hard reset as I had data that was not backed up. I got a new charged batter, and that did not help. Tried to start charging and in the middle take the sim and put back the sim etc.

    Then I found a Russian guy that said to do the following:

    Put your phone into the charger and as soon as the white screen comes up, take it of the charger. Wait a second or so before it lights up turn it on, and plug it to the mains again. It has worked without problems since.

    OK the spare batter sits in the car along with the car charger too. Don’t let your phone get drained as it does not like it with a vengeance.

  144. Sami David
    March 14, 2010 at 6:02 pm | #183

    Just to credit the guy that solved my problem here is the solution in his words

    http://www.ipmart-forum.com/showthread.php?p=2965100&posted=1

  145. F double E M z
    March 14, 2010 at 10:41 pm | #184

    this is the sickest thing it worked amazing .. i just found a phone with japenese crap and i just reset it .. :)

  146. heygirl
    March 15, 2010 at 11:20 pm | #185

    hi i have the nokia surge 6790. How come when i receive an incoming call they can hear me but i can not hear them? If i reset the factory settings will that fix my problem. Will resetting my phone delete everything?

  147. Omojeje1
    March 16, 2010 at 11:43 pm | #186

    Pls I have this problem with my N97. I installed some programmes through the OVI store and after using my phone with my computer. all the applications are sort of hiding. I can still find then in “installed application” but not in the “application” section. Pls any one with an idea on what to do? Thanks

  148. djinstinct
    March 17, 2010 at 2:59 pm | #187

    when my n97 ran out ouff battery it want turn on again iv checked the battery and working fine will this hard reset work???

  149. djinstinct
    March 17, 2010 at 3:00 pm | #188

    it also want charge via plug or usb charger nothing at all !!!

  150. Wendy
    March 17, 2010 at 8:13 pm | #189

    Hehe. ok so i occured this problem yesterday but it turned back on then late last night it like died … so i trie to charge it, but it wouldnt so i left it, checked it this morning but nothing. So i did the hard reset thing or w.e and it worked and im really glad and thankful…but so annoyed i lost ALL of my songs T^T

  151. jaydon
    March 19, 2010 at 7:53 am | #190

    What a heap of shit. I paid near on $1500 for my Nokia N97 on a plan and I thought I was buying the Flagship of nokia phones. I am having every one of the problems described here on this page.
    My advice to anyone considering buying a Nokia N97 is this – Save your money and buy something else. It’s a piece of junk. Thanks Nokia for ripping another hard working Aussie off….You bastards.

  152. Robbie
    March 23, 2010 at 1:38 pm | #191

    this is my first nokia …..AND MY LAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ive had the n97 for nearly 6 months now and it is SHITE !!! lol , im currently making a list of all the things that dont work on it and that list is now at SIXTY TWO FAULTS !!! the biggest thing thats pissing me off is it wont let me upgrade to software version 21.0.045 i currently have version 12 :( also my battery socket on the phone is kaput i have to wiggle the charger to get it in the perfect spot within mm’s to get it to charge which is VERY annoying , can anyone tell me if its possible to download version 21 as a file straight from the net to my pc and open it / upgrade my n97 that way ? i think if i upgrade it to the latest version it might solve most of my problems , HOPEFULLY !! lol , this is by far the WORST phone ive ever had !! please help me :’(

  153. Brian
    March 29, 2010 at 8:56 pm | #192

    I want to change the touch screen functions on my n97 is it possible to change the internet function from the main screen i keep turning it on withouit knowing?

  154. Clayton
    April 4, 2010 at 12:47 am | #193

    my nokia n97′s screen has a mind of its own, if I use the slide lock and don’t use the phone for a while when I go to use it again the touch screen doesn’t work and can take upto 15 mins for me to be able to use the touch screen or anything on the phone and then when it lets me use it, it takes ages to calibrate itself, meaning if I’m in an emergency, I’m pretty f**ked!!! any ideas on how to fix this?

  155. David
    April 4, 2010 at 1:22 am | #194

    hey, i have just gotten the black N97 AN I HAVE HAD IT FREEZE AN IT REFUSES TO SEND OR RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES. I HAVE JUST TRIED THE HARD RESET, IF THIS DOES NOT WORK WHAT ELSE CAN I TRY. AN THIS IS THE SECOND N97 THAT I HAVE HAD SENT TO ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATFUL

  156. Eesaa
    April 8, 2010 at 8:10 am | #195

    i have a nokia n97 and for some reason ill be in the middle of a call and the entire phone will shut off. im not exactly sure why its doing this but it happens all the time. this is the third nokia i have replaced and it doesnt seem to bet getting any better. i did a master reset and took out the battery but nothing seems to be taking care of this issue. i was just wondering if anyone has this problem and if they had any luck with it

  157. Greg
    April 8, 2010 at 9:54 am | #196

    Hi.

    I’m about to do the hard reset, but my PC at home isn’t working, and can’t back up everything at home. Probably a dumb question, but can I just transfer everything to my SD card then reload it after?

  158. Pat Milmlow
    April 10, 2010 at 1:18 am | #197

    WE are having the same problem but how can you back up when you can’t turn the phone on :( Any suggestions?
    Cheers Patty

  159. Spongebob
    April 13, 2010 at 8:00 am | #198

    Okay that’s it, Ovi can officially suck my balls, every single problem I thus far had with my beautiful N97 I had after downloading multiple apps from Ovi. Its always the first time it gets shut down after I have downloaded new apps, it goes crazy.

    So thanks again guys!

  160. Silent.Creed
    April 20, 2010 at 5:53 am | #199

    for everypne who wants to know the ‘*#7370*’ code is the soft reset code… All it does is wipe out the user data from c drive aka phone memory, note ONLYthe user data. While the four button combination wipes out all your phone memory.
    And guys try this:
    Take out SD
    Boot your phone (it shd boot this time)
    And then insert your SD back in.
    This works for nokia 5800 XM i’m sure it will work on n97 as well. Give it a try.

  161. sumit acharya
    April 20, 2010 at 10:29 am | #200

    hi
    i just bought nokia n97
    i found its switched off today
    i tried to switch on but it switch on up to nokia loading screen and then got switched off again
    i try to on again but it doesnot on whatever i do
    plz help me
    i tried to remove battery and put it back again
    it didnt work:(

  162. darina
    May 2, 2010 at 2:20 pm | #201

    Imola :N97 mini doesn’t work normally (photo browsing,sometimes no zoom,full memory warning when i have 7 giga left) because of some viruses and bugs or it just comes with the phone? which free antivirus could i use,and is it of any help anyway?

  163. martin
    May 4, 2010 at 12:29 pm | #202

    Tried this and it did exactly as you sed , thanks

  164. marcos
    May 5, 2010 at 3:10 am | #203

    hello friends, i got a nokia n97 from america, but i live down here in brazil.
    whel, i can’t sync the phone with the pc. i look out in many foruns, and many people said: go to the MENU, than press settings, and then connectivity. well here is the problem, and my nokia, there isn’t that option.so i can’t select the pc suite as a default mode on my device. please help me
    thank you

  165. angela
    May 16, 2010 at 4:31 am | #204

    So i have a problem with my N97 which keeps happening. It won’t send messages.

    It’s happened before and a updated software thing would help. Now it’s not as there is no new updates.

    Have no clue what to do and it’s driving me up the wall.

    • dan
      May 24, 2010 at 10:34 am | #205

      i have a n97 with no probs as yet (touch wood) but wat im interested in finding out if theres some software that will let me watch online vids ( i.e divx web player) cos most websites iv been on says to update flash player or some other player… iv tryed skyfire that works but runs really slow and jumpy and opera dont work at all… and the nokia website makes me laugh

  166. mohammad
    May 17, 2010 at 3:22 pm | #206

    thanks to you very much
    you makes me format my phone without using any one
    thanks again to your help jay

  167. Ali
    May 17, 2010 at 8:26 pm | #207

    Thanks a lot… i got my 60mg bak ;)
    and what i have on the mass mem is still safe :D

  168. dady
    May 22, 2010 at 5:00 pm | #208

    Thank you very much dear

  169. Ana
    May 26, 2010 at 7:31 pm | #209

    my phone is the N97 32g, not the mini, and it keeps saying phone memory full when i dont even have anyhting there, it wont let me send or recieve any texts so if someone could help me with this, it would be great?
    x

  170. Dymo
    May 27, 2010 at 9:41 pm | #210

    He reseteado mi Nokia n97 y ahora cada vez que le apago es como si le reseteo, hay alguna solucion a esto? por favor ayudadme

    Gracias

  171. emeka
    May 29, 2010 at 12:18 am | #211

    hey all.also had the incessant white nokia screen on y phone for about 2 weeks.was thinking about storming the dealer’s when i stumbled upon this hard reset thing.works like a beauty.i’m really not feeling this phone right now because i’m always scared o f installing softwares into it that might ‘hand’ it in to the never coming out cell of the incessant white nokia screen. i’m let down by nokia.

  172. raj
    May 29, 2010 at 1:32 pm | #212

    raj :
    Hi John,
    i downloaded the UCPlayer App for S60v5 Edition and when i tried to install it in my N97mini, it thrown error “certificate invalid, contact the admin”. Actually i am looking for “avi” and other format files to play in my mobile. please help
    regards,
    raj

  173. jassbo87
    June 1, 2010 at 5:56 am | #213

    thank god! it works!!! thanks. after days o searching the web.. thanks dude.. my problem was. after turning my phone ON. is stuck on the nokia logo… what did i do wrong??? did i download something? i only download apps n games from the OVI store.. does it means OVI has something like a bug? virus?

  174. June 8, 2010 at 9:53 am | #214

    hi all to my understanding the N97 is a 36 Gb but if i take 14 to 16 photos it says memory full and when i want to view the photos it says memory full try close some applications. it don’t even open the photos and i don’teven have that much application open. please help

    • Ed
      June 24, 2010 at 8:56 am | #215

      if it said memory full, the problem should be you are saving the photos in your phone memory but NOT the mass storage section. 1)Press the photo button, 2) option, 3)setting, 4)Memory in use: select E:Mass memory. Then you will be ready to go. :-)

  175. margais
    June 9, 2010 at 4:13 am | #216

    GRACIAS gracias si funciono despues de un rato
    me salvo de pagar para la reparacion

  176. chacster
    June 9, 2010 at 10:30 am | #217

    how do i get that ovi widget?

  177. lee
    June 14, 2010 at 7:42 pm | #218

    please help me fix my walk n web. cant get the internet on . last use it two days ago now wont come on

  178. lee
    June 14, 2010 at 7:46 pm | #219

    how do i reset my internet setup

  179. lee
    June 14, 2010 at 8:03 pm | #220

    do you know the lock code for a n97

  180. gee
    June 15, 2010 at 4:04 am | #221

    touch screen not working in my n97 pls help me…

  181. sanju
    June 15, 2010 at 10:20 am | #222

    Thanks alot sir its very helpfull Thanks once again

  182. Iris
    June 15, 2010 at 7:19 pm | #223

    Hi!
    My N 97 does not read any sim card and is an unlocked phone. What can i do?

  183. Dave Bugby
    June 19, 2010 at 12:48 pm | #224

    How can Nokia launch a phone with so many faults. I signed up to a £45 a month contract for 18 months to get this piece of s**t phone. There needs to be some sort of mobile phone provider watch dog or regulatory that can deal with companies who sell you a piece of crap. They must have known it was a problem as it’s got it’s own help line. Have you ever known a specific phone to have its own helpline? Just had to hard reset mine again for the umpteenth time due to C drive being down to just 8mb free, but still got 29gb on E drive even when everything is directed to store on E. I really hate this phone and will NEVER buy another Nokia.

  184. montee
    June 22, 2010 at 10:04 am | #225

    thanx guys it work on my n97, oh am happy now.

  185. KanYo
    June 23, 2010 at 5:34 am | #226

    ok i fully agree with dave bugby….

    My Excitement knew no bounds when i heard i was getting a N97, from singapore.
    then it finally arrived with a friend, i turn it on but didnt have a updater to charge it with. so it went flat
    then i got a adpater and then the thing wont charge at all

    so being super annoyed and pissed off (also no warranty) so i took it to nokia care and they said the phone has component failure on the Main PCB and that its beyond economical repair……. and they dont have the pars for it coz its over seas model….

    now i can think this mighta happened coz there was a power failure in my house while phone was charging but…why doesnt it have a EFFING SAFETY SWITCH TO PROTECT FROM POWER SURGES D< EFFING NOW tHATS 600 $ down the drain and im never buying nokia firstly coz of reading all the problems people have had…. now im stuck wiht a shitty brick ~~

    Nokia are fcking assholes whats the point of making different parts for the same fcking phone just coz its sold somewhere else…

    RAWR im jus fully annoyed at this shit..

    any suggestions on what i should do with my brick of a N97

  186. Ed
    June 24, 2010 at 8:51 am | #227

    The Lock Code for the N97 is 12345

  187. Michael
    June 27, 2010 at 11:13 am | #228

    Nokia N97 just let me down,
    i think i’ll moving to Android or iPhone OS soon,
    believe me if you don’t feel that way or you don’t like my suggestion, I PROMISE YOU WILL.

  188. Sam
    June 27, 2010 at 10:47 pm | #229

    I’m sorry I ever bought this bloody phone – its useless. I have now used this hard reset technique three times and probably it won’t be the last.

    • June 27, 2010 at 10:52 pm | #230

      Holy crap, I didn’t realise there were so many comments on this post. Lots of N97 owners are hurting.

      @Sam – what firmware are you on? This problem has stopped once I got to V21 (though it still annoys me in other areas).

      As well as a hard reset, it may be worth wiping the mass memory too (back it up first).

  189. sherlin1234
    July 1, 2010 at 6:16 am | #231

    Mobile Phone Reviews:
    I would suggest if you cannot afford N97, go for N97 mini. Do not believe on on what people say about what you would love to have or buy. Look out for the features you are looking for in a phone.
    http://www.cdmacellulars.com/

  190. Sam
    July 1, 2010 at 8:25 am | #232

    Jay Montano :Holy crap, I didn’t realise there were so many comments on this post. Lots of N97 owners are hurting.
    @Sam – what firmware are you on? This problem has stopped once I got to V21 (though it still annoys me in other areas).
    As well as a hard reset, it may be worth wiping the mass memory too (back it up first).

    I finally ended up wiping the whole bloody thing, I was lucky as I had done a previous backup but still lost some settings, considering this thing went back to Nokia only 12 days after I bought it because the microphone went pear shaped and no bugger could hear me, I should have seen what was coming for the future, problem after problem. I’ve always had Nokia phones and they have served me extremely well, in fact my oroginal Nokia 6310i only went for recycling the other day. Like a lot of people I am in a contract (Vodafone) but this is not their fault, this is a case of Nokia saying lets get the phone in the shops and fix the problems later – bit like Microsoft really. Like you I thought whenit came back from Nokia with the updated firmware my problems would be over, but were they hell.

    THIS IS THE WORST PHONE I’VE EVER OWNED

  191. grace
    July 3, 2010 at 2:24 am | #233

    my phone failed to srart up….omg…

    • kim
      July 12, 2010 at 6:07 pm | #234

      Have you tried to hard reset like what Jay Montano told us about?
      It’s Really works..

  192. Azhat
    July 18, 2010 at 7:14 am | #235

    My N97 wefi range is to short… any body any solution to it..

    • graham
      July 22, 2010 at 9:03 pm | #236

      Azhat :My N97 wefi range is to short… any body any solution to it..

      yep …stand closer to the wifi modem……lol

  193. Alice
    July 20, 2010 at 11:41 am | #237

    I HATE THIS PHONE! For the third time since I got it I have had to do a hard re-set. It decided to freeze earlier so I took the battery out, when I put it back in & turned it on, it had re-set itself. No contacts, no applications, no messages.. However, it is going SO slowly, so I have re-set it. How long will it behave now?!

    I HATE THIS PHONE. I will never, ever, ever buy a Nokia EVER again.

  194. Nicole R
    July 22, 2010 at 4:47 am | #238

    This is the WORST PHONE EVERRR!!!! what a piece of crap the 12345 doesn’t work the shift, space bar, back button-turn on does not work call nokia they dont know crap WTF paid $700 US for this shit I WILL NEVER BUY A F**KING NOKIA EVER!!!!

  195. graham
    July 22, 2010 at 9:00 pm | #239

    hi..can anyone help me ive got a nokia n97 (32gb) an it works just fine
    apart from ..if i make a call on it no one can ear me….ive tested it with hands free bluetooth an it works fine ..i think it needs the mic replaceing..

  196. kalu
    July 23, 2010 at 11:25 pm | #240

    hi can anyone help me here? my nokia n97 mini is not working very well now
    if i get a call i will see it but the screen is frozen won’t let me press ok to answer or reject, i turned it off and on still the same way rather says system error. looking for help on what to do.
    thanks

  197. July 26, 2010 at 7:20 pm | #241

    Music and Photos not syncing or appearing: I am trying to sync my new Nokia N97 mini to my PC’s music. It it just sits there forever displaying “USB Connection Active” after I click on Music Library. When I browse the phone from my PC it seems to appear as if the music is on the mass storage device, I can browse the songs, but the do not appear in the Music app opn the phone, only the origonal 10 songs that came with it appear.

    When I browse the Nokia phone through My Computer I can see all of the folders of the albums that have been synced My Computer\Nokia N97 mini\Mass memory\Music but they do not show up on the phone, same for photos. Thanks,
    John

  198. lijnu
    July 29, 2010 at 4:09 pm | #242

    My Nokia N97 froze up, when I check all the mass memories are full, which is impossible since I only used about 9 G. How come all the 32 G is full.
    I tried finding out where is that big file using File manager, so far no success yet.
    Really really appreciate anyone advice.

    Thanks

  199. Noldus
    July 31, 2010 at 3:14 pm | #243

    *#7370# code works perfectly to wipe out system memory..
    Don’t know if mass mem gets deleted because i did that before entering the code in the file manager program on the phone. Thx for the tip

  200. rhonian
    August 3, 2010 at 2:25 am | #244

    Need help! any one help me please
    dude i can’t put lock code in my Nokia5530 , why i go to

    Settings>Phone>Phone mgmt.>Security>Security Module

    it says no security modules… why i double tap it.. nothing happens… :(

    any one help me fix this pelase

  201. rhonian
    August 3, 2010 at 2:26 am | #245

    Need help! any one help me please
    dude i can’t put lock code in my Nokia5530 , when* i go to

    Settings>Phone>Phone mgmt.>Security>Security Module

    it says no security modules… why i double tap it.. nothing happens… :(

    any one help me fix this please*

  202. August 3, 2010 at 9:23 am | #246

    Please tell me more about Nokia 5530

  203. JAwad
    August 3, 2010 at 1:41 pm | #247

    Thanks Man thats work

  204. Eric
    August 9, 2010 at 12:21 pm | #248

    Thank you VERY much for this piece of information. The 4 buttons trick DOES work if you press those buttons for a while. I kept them pressed for a minute or so and everything is back to normal.

    Your blog is now in my bookmarks :)

  205. aman
    August 12, 2010 at 6:11 pm | #249

    12345 is the restore password

  206. Giffid
    August 20, 2010 at 1:57 pm | #250

    anyone know when the latest software release is for n97? thnx

  207. kmrt1685
    August 26, 2010 at 7:32 pm | #251

    hello thanks it saved my butt today (the reset button instruction) and for 249th comment check the web or else google it or else became member of on symbian site the you have every thing so bye bye i came here through google search only so thanks to google.com,

  208. faris137
    September 1, 2010 at 3:12 am | #252

    but thath dose dletes wats on the mass momery i want the holl mobile formated..

  1. August 6, 2009 at 12:13 am | #1
  2. August 11, 2009 at 3:14 am | #2
  3. September 19, 2009 at 1:16 am | #3
  4. September 20, 2009 at 12:41 pm | #4
  5. September 23, 2009 at 12:20 pm | #5
  6. October 2, 2009 at 12:16 pm | #6
  7. October 26, 2009 at 10:49 pm | #7
  8. November 5, 2009 at 10:32 am | #8
  9. January 3, 2010 at 7:59 pm | #9
  10. February 1, 2010 at 7:18 am | #10
  11. February 2, 2010 at 10:07 am | #11
  12. February 4, 2010 at 8:27 pm | #12
  13. June 9, 2010 at 8:55 pm | #13