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
id say we’d see more software issues with the n97 than anyone other phone, though looking through some of these posts its more likely your problem is hardware related. You can check out some commmon Nokia problems at http://phone-repairs-perth.com.au/nokia-service/
Thanks, It worked. My phone was really slow and it used to freez a lot until i just gave up using it, i thought it was a waste of my money. I was really strugling and approached cell repairs and they were asking me a lot of money. Thank you very much.
It worked! I tried for several times but finally it worked just keep trying if it doesn’t work the first time. Well i hope that my n97 problems will be done now. But i’m sceptic…all these years i had nokia phones but with this one my nokia era will be over. Totally over to i phone!
Totally agree… this is the last Nokia for me!
same with you two, i’m the biggest fan of nokia for these years, i have many nokia phone, especially the N-gage classic, but with this nokia N97, i will not buy another nokia phone, many bad things, for first month it already go to nokia care center 3 times to flash and upgrade, because it freeze at startup, cant reboot at nokia logo, after sales service is sucks,many factory error at the case, even my keylock slider is gone. and dont forget with the flash leak with the camera. Conclusion is NOKIA N97 is S*CK, i’m regret buying it, better buy iphone or blackberry…
it works thanx fr the help
I will like to share my experience of Nokia N 97 with users / prospective buyers .
Nokia service center has failed to repair my 2 years old N 97 and has informed me that it can only be Junked.
Some issue with the mother board
The Nokia online help was of no help
I UPDATED MY NOKIA N97 MINI AND CAN NOT BOOT ANYMORE WHEN I PRESS THE POWER BUTTON
Worked for me…
Thank you
N97 is a memory gobbling piece of s**t. I want my N95 back
worked for me on 2nd attempt.thanks
me too. C:
The instruction works perfectly as prescribed. Thanks you a lots…..
thanks it is really amazing,cos it just work out for me,thanks lol
it doesnt work
hi my n97 keeps telling me (phone start-up failed. contact the retailer) someone please help thanks
oh thanks God! thanks for the help. God bless.
Apparently after rebooting my phone, my N97 Mini does not start up, instead, it shows a white screen with the word “NOKIA” and it’s stuck there forever.
Googled the issues and I am not the only one who faces this problem, but the thing is, people cannot seem to find any solutions to this, I was hoping to get assistance over here. True enough I can bring my cellphone to the nearest Nokia Care Center, but how many times do I have to face this? And I’m lucky to have a spare phone with me, otherwise, traveling is going to be a problem for me because my phone is my essential.
Anybody has any solution to this?
I would like to report the EXACT same problem.
I am also on my 3rd handset now =(
When the phone works , its the best phone ive had, but this is failing too often now.
Regards
Thanks,it worked..:D
i used the procedure but it never worked on my nokia N97
my nokia 97 end cal red colour buton and on cal green buton not work
I have had ALL of the same problems mentioned above.
Until this phone I have never had any issues with the hand sets, even when they have fallen from 3meter heights and smashed into pieces, they just rebuilt and turn back on.
Luvky for me it was a freeby, I will be going back to my old handset. I think this will be my last Nokia too.
thanks man …..^_^
hi
hey i have some problem in my phone.. go to File manager – e : mass memory . … it says mass memory in use .. how do i solve this problem ? …. i have a nokia n97 mini .since i have soft formatted it,
I had d n97 for a year nd nw m fed up wid it !!
Goin to sell it as soon as i get a buyer !!
now switched to blackberry and windows phone..
Waaaw…. It was nightmare, I`m happy that I did not sold it for $10.
Thanks Man… Its work great..
I also had problem with the Nokia Suite, but after the hard-reboot, I got back my 60MB free & its become more faster…(almost like my N8)
Hello there, I discovered your site by the use of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable subject, your site came up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked to favourites|added to my bookmarks.
Thanks for this, my Nokia 97 mini decided it didn’t want to use it’s screen which sent me in a bit of a panic after taking the battery out a few times and still nothing. Was still able to backup contacts etc in Ovi and then hard reset worked a treat. Thanks again!