Independent guide - not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta.
A factory reset wipes your Quest back to its out-of-the-box state. Here is when it is worth doing, what you lose, and the three official ways to do it: from the headset, from the Meta Horizon app, or remotely.
The short answer
To factory reset a Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S from the headset itself, turn it off, hold the power and volume down buttons together until the boot screen appears, use the volume buttons to highlight Factory Reset, press power, then highlight Yes and press power again. That is the method in Meta's official factory reset article, and it works even if you cannot get into the normal menus.
A reset is permanent. It removes the account sign-in, downloaded games and any app data that was not backed up, so read the next two sections before you press anything. If you are only trying to fix a problem, there is a good chance you do not need a reset at all.
Try these first: most problems do not need a reset
Meta lists a factory reset as a last resort. Before you wipe anything, try the two steps Meta suggests first. A hard reboot, holding the power button for around 30 seconds, clears most freezes and stuck menus. The software update tool can update a headset that is unresponsive, which fixes many crashes that start after a failed update.
If the headset will not turn on or the screen stays black, work through our Quest not turning on guide first. Charging problems, a covered proximity sensor and a stuck boot are all far more common than a corrupted system. If only the controllers misbehave, our controller pairing and fix guide covers re-pairing without touching the headset data.
Before you reset: what you lose and what you keep
Per Meta's article, a reset erases account information, downloaded games and other content stored on the headset. Your purchases are tied to your Meta account, not the hardware, so anything you bought can be downloaded again after you sign back in.
What you can lose for good is progress that only lived on the headset. Turn on cloud backup in the headset settings before resetting so app data and settings that support backup are saved. Some games keep their own online saves, but do not assume every app does. Screenshots and recordings stored on the headset are also wiped, so copy any you want to keep to your phone or computer first.
Meta also asks you to make sure the battery is at least 50 percent charged. A headset that powers down halfway through a reset can end up in a worse state than when you started, so leave it on the charger for a while before you begin.
Method 1: factory reset from the headset
This is the method to use if the headset is acting up, you cannot reach the menus, or you do not have your phone to hand. Turn the headset off completely. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button at the same time until the boot screen loads. If it never loads, charge the headset and try again.
In the boot menu, the volume buttons move the highlight and the power button selects. Highlight Factory Reset and press power. On the confirmation screen, highlight Yes and press power. The headset will erase itself and restart into first-time setup. Do not turn it off while it is working.
Method 2: factory reset with the Meta Horizon app
If the headset is paired to your phone, you can also start the reset from the Meta Horizon app. Open the app, go to Devices, choose the headset, then look in the headset settings (usually under Advanced settings) for Factory reset. Keep the headset switched on and close to your phone, with Bluetooth enabled, while it runs. Menu names in the app change from time to time, so if you cannot find the option, follow the app tab in Meta's reset article.
The app route only appears for the account that owns the headset. If you bought the headset second-hand and the previous owner is still signed in, use Method 1 instead. Our guide to the Meta Horizon app explains how the app and headset are linked.
Method 3: remote reset for a lost or stolen headset
Meta's article also describes a remote factory reset from your Meta account, for a headset you no longer have in your hands. The reset is carried out the next time the headset connects to the internet. If the option does not appear for your device, Meta notes that its software version may not support remote reset. In that case, change your Meta account password, review the devices signed in to your account and contact Meta Store Support.
Resetting a Quest before you sell or give it away
Selling or passing on a headset is the most common good reason to reset. Do it in this order: back up anything you want to keep, sign out of any third-party apps that hold logins, factory reset the headset, then remove the device from your Meta account so it no longer shows under your devices. Hand over the controllers with it, because they are paired to that headset.
If you are on the buying side, ask the seller to reset in front of you, or reset it yourself as soon as you get it home. Our refurbished vs new headset guide covers what else to check on a used Quest.
After the reset: setting up again
After a reset the headset behaves as if it is brand new. You will pair it with the Meta Horizon app again, connect to Wi-Fi, install the latest software and draw a new boundary. Our first-time Quest 3 setup guide walks through each step, and the boundary setup guide explains the play area options. Expect the first software update to take a while, so keep the headset charging.
If the controllers do not connect after the reset, pair them again from the app. Meta's controller pairing article has the exact steps.
When a reset does not fix it
If the same fault returns straight after a clean reset and update, it is unlikely to be a software problem. That points to hardware, and the right next step is Meta's official support route: start at the Meta Quest Help Centre, which also covers warranty and returns. Do not pay third parties who offer to repair or unlock a headset remotely, and never share your Meta password or two-factor codes with anyone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I factory reset a Meta Quest 3 without the app?
Turn the headset off, hold the power and volume down buttons until the boot screen appears, highlight Factory Reset with the volume buttons, press power, then select Yes and press power again.
Will a factory reset delete my games?
It deletes the downloaded copies on the headset. Purchases stay on your Meta account and can be downloaded again after you sign in. Progress that was not backed up to the cloud can be lost.
Should I factory reset my Quest before selling it?
Yes. Back up what you want to keep, reset the headset, then remove it from your Meta account so the buyer can set it up as their own.
How much battery do I need to factory reset a Quest?
Meta recommends at least 50 percent battery before you start, so the headset does not shut down during the reset.
What should I try before a factory reset?
Try a hard reboot by holding the power button for about 30 seconds, and try Meta's software update tool. Both fix many problems without erasing anything.