SubscribeQ: How do you perform a Hard Reset on the BlackBerry Storm 9500 series device?
A: There are many steps featured on other sites using keyboard combinations, but none of them are a true Hard Reset. The only way to do an absolute Hard Reset is to pull the battery from the device for a few seconds, then place it back into the device. You can then clear the data off the Storm. This will solve problems if the BlackBerry Storm becomes frozen or is unresponsive.
by kyle e., on December 11 2008 @ 8:02 pm
Thanks this was a lot of help!
by Roberto, on January 9 2009 @ 9:48 am
It isn’t the right way….that is a “soft reset”, the method to perform an hard reset is by option>security options>general settings>option key>wipe handled
by Harold, on January 11 2009 @ 1:31 pm
Roberto….You are a SAINT…Thank You for your expertise.
by Michael, on January 21 2009 @ 7:09 pm
Roberto is correct, thanks for the details.
by atul, on March 17 2009 @ 1:26 pm
roberto …u r my life savier …thanks dude..
by Rob, on March 17 2009 @ 9:19 pm
But how do you do that if the touch screen is unresponsive
by James, on April 5 2009 @ 4:20 am
No the answer at the beginning of the thread is the correct “Hard” reset. Roberto, Hard means Hardware, soft means software controlled. Roberto describes something that has nothing to do with a reset, that is called a restore.
by Trevor, on April 11 2009 @ 9:07 am
You got that backwards James, pulling the battery only resets the software if Your phone locks up (soft reset). Resetting through the menu by pressing option>security options>general settings>option key>wipe handled is the proper way to (hard reset) your phone back to factory hardware and software specs.
by Kendra, on April 13 2009 @ 4:19 am
I cant get to the right part of my storm. I get to general settings but i dont have option key etc….help!
by Eric, on April 16 2009 @ 11:49 am
Trevor is right on! I’m trying to find out if anyone knows of a way to perform a “soft” reset on a Storm without having to pull the cover off and yanking the battery out. I used to have a BB 8830 and I could perform a soft reset from hitting a sequence of keys almost like a “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” on a PC.
by Budy, on April 27 2009 @ 2:46 pm
what if the display is not working and not showing anything?
by Budy, on April 27 2009 @ 2:47 pm
I pull the battery out so many times already
by Bobbi, on April 30 2009 @ 8:40 am
My Outlook emails keep showing as “opened” on my desktop computer when I haven’t opened them on either my blackberry or my desktop computer. I am on a server since I work with a school district. Anyone know how to fix this BEFORE I have to change cell phones? I don’t want too. I love my blackberry storm, but I can’t keep it if I can’t keep my emails from showing opened.
by ALex, on May 8 2009 @ 6:23 am
One way to do a hard reset and restore the Storm to original factory configuration is to create a password to lock the phone, change the setting from 10 times to 2 times before the phone locks and then do make the three attempts unlock the phone but with a wrong password. On the third attempt the phone will wipe out all of the data and will reset to original factory settings.
by Monic, on May 11 2009 @ 5:27 am
Ok so I am completely confused.
by Troy, on May 14 2009 @ 5:26 am
option>security options>general settings>Hit the blackberry button to pull up the menu >wipe handled
by ashley, on May 21 2009 @ 5:59 am
SOFT RESET= pull battery out for a few seconds then put back.
HARD RESET= options>security options>general settings> press the bottom where it says Services to pull up a menu, the first thing on it says “wipe handheld”, i just did it, it works. Everything will be set back to factory default so remember to write down ur contacts!
by rz22g, on May 25 2009 @ 9:45 am
The Hard Reset by going through the options>>>> steps is the way to go. That being said… after having my storm for many months now, this is definitely a phone only blackberry crackheads could love. Anyone that loves this phone just has no idea that there are much much better choices.
by Luke, on May 26 2009 @ 10:24 am
What do you do if you can’t get into options?? Java.lang.error
very frustrating
by Mary Anne, on June 2 2009 @ 4:53 pm
rz22g, what is a better option? I still have 29 days to go before I can return my Storm, and I’ve already had problems. Never had probs with Palm.
by becky, on June 6 2009 @ 12:40 am
I have a white screen and “App Error 523″ and the word “Reset” under it. I cannot get into any menus, I can only get it to turn off by pulling the battery. Then it comes right back even after having the battery off for 15 minutes.
Help.
by Chris M., on June 6 2009 @ 11:27 pm
All of these methods, to me, still look like “soft” resets.
By “hard” reset, I need to be able to reset or restore when I cannot make use of the screen or buttons. Taking out the battery is the closest method I see here, and my friend’s BB still shows no response. Just a black screen and the blinking red LED. I even tried putting my BB’s battery into his, but get the same symptoms. Anyone else get this problem after attempting a wireless update?
by Shane J, on June 9 2009 @ 4:33 am
By going through the options and restoring the phone, does this remove all you contacts as well?
by Dennis C., on June 9 2009 @ 1:20 pm
Chris, I have the same issue. Advice to anyone out there. DO NOT attempt the wireless update. This freezes your BB. I guess I have to go to those Techs at the Verizon Store.
by Yanni, on June 20 2009 @ 9:31 am
Let me clear this up for everyone and I am 100% sure of this.
Hard Reset= wipes ur phone completely back to factory state. Options>>> sequence. You will lose it all.
Soft Reset= aka a battery pull, refreshes any leaked memory. If ur phone starts to slow down, this will give it a fresh “morning” so to speak. You lose nothing doing this. Actually, its good to do every day once. There is a free app called QUICKPULL which saves you the effort of pulling the battery.
There is also a program called jlcmdr for ur pc which wipes EVERYTHING off ur storm and u have to reinstall an operating system (don’t do this if u r not an advanced user. It can void ur warranty)
I hope this helps.
O and as far as I know, unfortunately, there is no keyboard shortcut for a hard reset
by Jonathan, on June 23 2009 @ 11:10 am
Ok, not only am I an electronic technician by trade (for the last 7 years) but I was just on the phone yesterday with RIM troubleshooting my storm.
Pulling the battery is a hard reset because it pulls all power from the hardware. Soft reset is done by holding the power button down and turning off the software but keeping electrical charge to the device.
Wiping the memory and returning to factory settings is just restoring or resetting. Verizon calls a “battery pull” a soft reset but this is not accurate to the rest of the electronic world.
by Matt, on June 27 2009 @ 6:58 pm
Pulling the battery is not a considered a hard reset. Pulling the battery does not wipe any data on any device… I don’t care who you are! A hard reset in the mobile device world is a reset to all factory settings, thus making the device like-new as it was new in the box when originally purchased.
by admin, on June 27 2009 @ 10:55 pm
@Matt – That’s why there’s a link on how to wipe the data and complete the reset.
by bil, on June 28 2009 @ 12:23 am
can anyone help me? …i need to restore factory settings on my blackberry storm because i have an Uncaught Exception: Java.Lang.NullPointerException problem (and im hoping this will help) but when i go to “wipe handheld” a message comes up saying enter “blackberry’ to confirm handheld wipe. it lets me type blackberry but then does nothing after….i dont understand, why doesnt it work? …
by Jay, on June 29 2009 @ 5:26 am
Everyone on here is confusing a Hard Reset with Wiping a Device.
A soft reset is a reset initiated by the software, i.e. though the BB GUI. A hard reset interrupts the power, i.e. battery pull.
Wipe Handheld resets the BB back to the factory settings. It has nothing to do with resetting the device. Its the equivalent of telling someone to format their harddrive when their computer gets stuck.
by nelson, on June 29 2009 @ 11:42 am
hi,
i have a verizon blackberry storm, i forgot the locked screen password but i dont have verizon since i bought on ebay can anyone tell me how to reset it or something. Thanks
by imamrifai, on July 4 2009 @ 11:04 am
I have a white screen and “App Error 523″ and the word “Reset” under it. I cannot get into any menus, I can only get it to turn off by pulling the battery. Then it comes right back even after having the battery off for 15 minutes.
Help.
thats the same problem happened to me..
is there any one can help??
by loveleen, on July 5 2009 @ 7:25 pm
i have strom i want put in unlock code i press mep2 but i press mep is working fine but press 2 & turn back on alphabet page cant open enter code page plz help
by Robert, on July 9 2009 @ 3:03 pm
Do anybody know how to unlock ring tones or wall papers or any files after u download them. B cuz every time I down load someting is lock. & I can’t send it or transfer it to another phone can anibody help me
by Dale, on July 16 2009 @ 8:06 am
Does anyone know how to edit a pic?
I read from the manual book about making effect in pic, but I didn’t see the option from the menu!
Really strange for me! And I can’t rotate the pic…
by John, on July 16 2009 @ 11:01 am
hey I have a Blackberry Storm, and well I haven’t been able to unlock it to set it up with T mobile
cuase I can’t even access to any of the menus
I can touch anything, but it doesn’t go on, it does nothing
so, I was reading all this soft and hard resetting thing, well, I also have a T mobile G1
on that one, its easier, to reset the phone
I just press 2 bottoms at the same time
and it re starts itself in seconds, I wish I could also so the same with this Blackberry Storm, or is it that, this Blackberry Storm really sucks ?
by Hollie, on July 27 2009 @ 4:01 am
I downloaded a theme “HD CB 2.0 Storm v1.01.01 by Hedone Design” and now I am unable to access my options button. Does anyone know how I can solve this and get rid of this theme so I can get to my options???
by Natasha, on August 14 2009 @ 10:00 am
I’m having the same problem as loveleen. DEFINITELY need some help!!
by carlos, on August 19 2009 @ 7:06 am
i have a black berry storm that was unlocked but i had to do a reset but now its seems that it is locked it wont’t take my sim card from t-mobile and if i try making a call it tell me that it is not activated. any help
thanks
by osty, on August 19 2009 @ 2:04 pm
my blackberry storm, needs a new upgrade. after every attempt the phone says i need more storage. the phone is practically empty with more storage then neccessary. i went to the verizon store and the technician told me to reset it from a pc. now i’m stuck, not sure where to go once on a computer and would rather do it from my storm. any suggestions?
by Blue, on September 7 2009 @ 5:13 pm
my storm running jump reset all the time and won’t turned on even when I press the ‘on’ button for seconds…it doesn’t do anything but jump reset again and again…I’ve tried to pull off the battery for a while but when I put it back in, the reset process starts all over again until the battery is empty then the screen gone blank…what’s wrong with my storm?, please anyone could help me ‘coz this really made me crazy
thanks
by brandon, on September 9 2009 @ 4:58 pm
They have an app in app store that you can download that mimics a “battery pull” without actually doing it. Its called quick pull I think.
by Evan, on September 10 2009 @ 7:18 am
I can’t even scroll down to “options” once I press the BB key. Frozen. Hard reset? In my dreams.
by Evan, on September 10 2009 @ 7:22 am
by the way. This is my 2nd Storm after the other one had a software issue. I was sent a “new” one. It went down two weeks after I received it. I wonder. I must say, I think the Storm sucks.
by mark, on September 15 2009 @ 10:01 am
ok i have restored the blackberry storm it removed my facebook and email account the trouble is email account is on the phone yet the phone still gets my emails through text message how do i stop this as i cannot resell the phone with someone getting my emails i have even tried changing my password on my email account still nothing help please as i am going mad
by marco, on September 16 2009 @ 10:39 am
i need help i buy a blackberry storm in ebay, but i cant unlock, because the phone don’t regonisaze the sin card, that mean, tha sim card say unknow, isteand active, any idea to fix this problem.
by Bonnie, on September 19 2009 @ 4:57 am
can anyone help me? …i need to restore factory settings on my blackberry storm because i have an Uncaught Exception: Java.Lang.NullPointerException problem (and im hoping this will help) but when i go to “wipe handheld” a message comes up saying enter “blackberry’ to confirm handheld wipe. it lets me type blackberry but then does nothing after….i dont understand, why doesnt it work? …
by Bonnie, on September 19 2009 @ 5:00 am
bil, i just figured it out….hit the enter key
by Crystal, on September 22 2009 @ 3:20 pm
@Bonnie – After you type blackberry hit the curved arrow (the ENTER key) Hope that helps.
by Crystal, on September 22 2009 @ 3:23 pm
Oh I didn’t see the comment below.. disregard my comment.
by E, on September 30 2009 @ 7:22 am
my screen goes out (as in black every now and then when i press certain buttons) is that a screen problem or will this reset fix it?
by Cody, on October 2 2009 @ 8:38 pm
My storm wont let me open the camera. says i need to close other applications then try again. But i just did the hard reset and it still gives me the same message. whats wrong with it.
by mike, on October 27 2009 @ 7:23 pm
does anyone know how to restore a blackberry 8830 to defaults from when purchased? i tried the “hard reset” but it keeps giving me the updated software. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by pipie, on October 28 2009 @ 3:07 pm
BRILLLIIIANNTTTT… been kickin my ass for d past 3 days! Now it’s working back again! THANKS HEAPSSSSSS!
by abraham, on November 17 2009 @ 12:55 pm
i have a white screen thats say’s “jvm error 102″ with reset underneath,i can get it to turn off but it comes back.can anyone help me?
by Don, on November 18 2009 @ 7:18 pm
@abraham…had the same error jvm error 102…Called verizon…they hooked me up with Blackberry..this is a known issue due to a corrupt file and they helped me wipe the software off the phone completely and reload it…its ok now
by Michael, on November 20 2009 @ 7:46 am
@abraham… but what file is corrupted and how did it get corruputed would be my question. I have this issue at least once a month. I’m going to reload it again, takes about an hour but that doesn’t help. Looks like I need to sync to my work machine this time so when it happens again I can reload it at work.
by Damian, on December 1 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Blackberry storm only sends my emails to my message application. Does anyone know how to stop it from doing that. I cant send emails from there. Please help……
by Damian, on December 1 2009 @ 3:27 pm
“Service book information not found” error message I get when I try to open pictures on my phone (attachments)
Anyone got a quick fix for this.
by john cow, on December 2 2009 @ 10:16 am
when i switch my blackberry storm on,it gives me an error message;app error 523.please help
by Gee, on December 2 2009 @ 11:30 am
Hello,
I have read through this blog and thought someone here may be able to help me.
I purchased a Blackberry storm that was NOT unlocked. I purchased the unlock code, and was going thru the unlock procedure when I hit a snag. For soome reason the MEP menu is not coming up when I enter “MEP2″, to allow me to enter the unlock code.
I contacted the place where I purchased the unlock code from and they responded with the following:
If you see “blocked” that means someone has tried to unlock this phone with wrong code for 10 times. Each blackberry only has 10 chances to enter the unlock code. At this point your phone is hard locked so there is no MEP screen pop up after typing MEP2. You will need to find a repair shop to reset the counter.
I have tried the “Hard” reset as per this forum (security options ect)but this has not helped. Will I really have to take the phone to a repair shop to reset the counter?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
by Casey, on December 8 2009 @ 6:30 pm
PLEASE HELP!!
So I did everything everyone said..options>security options>general settings>“wipe handheld”.. Now its saying “Enter “blackberry” to confirm handheld wipe.
I enter “blackberry” and dont know what to do now….where is the Enter button???
by Butch, on December 10 2009 @ 9:24 am
when i first got my storm 2 sms text use to have a series of atleast 6 blue highlighted correction words as you texted.
some reason it doesn’t show that anymore! is there a way to turn that back on!! it helped to have that.
thanks
by jbtimpkin, on December 10 2009 @ 10:07 am
I had an 8830 with my company, with BES — and thus an I.T. policy. I retired back in May but got to keep the 8830. Upgraded to a Storm2 last week and synced using the same Desktop Manager (at home) that I’ve always used. This appears to have installed at least some elements of the old I.T. policy — specifically, Firewall is enabled and locked… Understand from previous posts that a Wipe (hard reset) will restore to factory defaults. Does this include removing any remnants of I.T. policy? I haven’t loaded much, so this seems to be a pretty easy fix if it will work…
by nygal2, on December 13 2009 @ 10:09 am
this has all been very useful info for a tech novice like me. thanks so much to all, op and commenters.
by Shannon Haight, on December 21 2009 @ 3:58 pm
hey i have a storm and it has software verson 4.7 and its freezing up where the touchscreen will highlight what you click on but wont go into it when i take the battery out and turn it back on it jumps from trying to call someone to the camera where it takes pics on its own and back again and when i do get it to work it works for about 15min then messes up please email me at haightss@yahoo.com and help me its my only good phone lol thank you
by shaz, on December 23 2009 @ 6:06 pm
hi, i bought blackberry storm 2, when i tried to setup my emails on my phone, my handset gave me one option which one is blackberry enterprise server only and i saw some clips they have two option. my first question is do i neeed to activate. and 2nd is how am i set up my email account on my handset. thanks
by patrice, on January 7 2010 @ 11:36 am
my blackberry storm 9500 wont turn on but it keeps doing jump start restart (keeps rebooting)..how do i fix this
by faz, on January 8 2010 @ 12:35 pm
iv had my blackberry storm 9500 storm for a month, it crashed on me then neva came bak on, just a plain white screen, i took it to shop they wanted silly money to fix it, all i did was removed the battery for a few seconds twice, and it rebooted itself, it works perfecty, i love my bb!!
by shy, on January 9 2010 @ 9:38 am
i bought a bb storm off craigslist and some how the guy i bought it from deleted the browser and couple of other things on the phone does anyone know how to get those back? i have tried everything on here and none of that has worked….
by hkeem, on January 9 2010 @ 10:27 pm
I purchased a Blackberry storm that was NOT unlocked. I purchased the unlock code, and was going thru the unlock procedure when I hit a snag. For soome reason the MEP menu is not coming up when I enter “MEP2″, to allow me to enter the unlock code.
I contacted the place where I purchased the unlock code from and they responded with the following:
If you see “blocked” that means someone has tried to unlock this phone with wrong code for 10 times. Each blackberry only has 10 chances to enter the unlock code. At this point your phone is hard locked so there is no MEP screen pop up after typing MEP2. You will need to find a repair shop to reset the counter.
I have tried the “Hard” reset as per this forum (security options ect)but this has not helped. Will I really have to take the phone to a repair shop to reset the counter?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
taiz8@yahoo.com
by Lolo, on January 12 2010 @ 7:01 pm
My Blackberry 2 works fine when i am in Washington DC, but I am not able to make and recieve calls while in Rockville, MD, 20850. The error message i gets reads “No Channel/Switch” available. Anybody who can help?
by Lolo, on January 12 2010 @ 7:02 pm
Why do i get the error message “No Switch/Channel Available” when trying to make calls in some areas?
by slah, on January 14 2010 @ 1:46 pm
i have black berry 9500 when i open it it not wanna and its writing app Error 523 reset so pls can u help me wat i have to do for that
thanks for ur help
by Alex, on January 15 2010 @ 10:19 pm
BLACKBERRY STORN 9530, I screwed if I used the wrong mep2 code 10 times?
How can reset original factory and take my chance again??? Please help me.. Thks.. Alex
by Ram, on January 16 2010 @ 7:39 am
I got some media player exception and did a reset. I have Blackberry Storm 2 9550 handset.
Goto Options – Security Options – Security Wipe.
Then select the options. There will be checkbox
1. To wipe contact and emails
2. All installed Applications
3. All media files
Choose the options and then type “blackberry” and hit the enter. Give a couple of minutes then the process starts to wipe ur handheld device. It ask for the confirmation and then all set!
Only problem is after you type ‘blackberry’ and hit the enter key, it takes a minute to confirm. Be patient!
Rgds,
RaaM
by Alex, on January 17 2010 @ 1:38 am
Dear RaaM… You may not believe this!! After Security Options – I don’t have this option (Security Wipe) How is possible??
Sorry for bother you.. and thks for try to help me. But i need my reset this phone and take my 10 chances back for put those unlock codes !!!! I got those software like ( Softreset and QuickPull ) but also doesn’t work !! I don’t know what can i do!!! 
Thks again Alex
by BBC, on January 18 2010 @ 3:05 pm
Alex to do the hard reset meaning wiping out everything to factory default. You go like the tread said Options >> Security Options >> General Settings (Once your here @ General Settings windows tap the Blackberry button bellow your unit next to Phone button. Then you should have an option for “Wipe Handheld”. You can also wipe out third party aplication if you desire. Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Ben
by MOcyber, on January 19 2010 @ 12:54 pm
My problem was my “options” key(ICON) was not responding, therefore, I decided to remove the battery for a few seconds once I place the battery back in the blackberry welcome screen comes up with a loading bar (This can take up to 1 minute) once its complete several templates pops up asking for permission. Once I allow permission all my icons including the option was working properly. This option is the best if you want to power out everything without reverting back to default.
If all fail..remove the battery, no matter what they call it soft or hard
by dong calingacion, on January 29 2010 @ 9:59 pm
“App error523″ reset, got this after updating my storm. what should i do?
by ayesbe, on January 31 2010 @ 7:55 am
Hi guys, I Own a Blackberry storm (the first version). I bought it as a locked one(vodafone) and i made it unlocked.
Now after using 5 to 6 months the prob I’m facing is that my BB storm screen in not responding at certain areas. Like in the “dial” screen there is no blue selection or click for the button areas for “8, 0, contacts and call log.” And certain letters when texting also won’t work.
But in the full menu all areas do have the blue selection and it will move to the nxt page.
I tried by pulling the battery out and wipe handheld method.
Help Needed….
by char21, on January 31 2010 @ 10:04 pm
If i do a wipe handheld (Options – Security Options – Security Wipe) on my blackberry storm, can i restore my data with a backup file?
by stu, on February 8 2010 @ 10:47 am
Please help anyone out there!!!ive a blackberry storm..In the boredom of pressing this setting and that randomly ive now encountering a problem…Signal strength keeps varying from strong to nothing and where the signal strength indicator is on the screen im getting the word edge..What does this mean…Making texting a nightmare….Please help anyone!!!
by Alain, on February 11 2010 @ 1:08 am
I have a 9500 Storm Blacberry. it is locked on handfree profile! I can’t hear anything and I can’t speak of the embedded microphone. It works with the handsfree though. I tried the hard reset but it is still locked. Have you got any idea how to get rid of it.
Tkanks.
AK
by timmysure, on February 12 2010 @ 2:57 pm
i have a BB pearl 8220 and the unlock code has been typed wrongly 10times. please can i still unlock it and how can i do that.
thanks
by timmysure, on February 12 2010 @ 3:05 pm
i have a BB PEARL 8220 and the unlock code has been typed in wrongly 10 times. how do i unlock it.
thanks
by eph28and9, on February 24 2010 @ 7:28 pm
does anyone have a problem while on the phone that after a few minutes the person you are talking to can hear you but you cant hear them. then after a few seconds, you can hear again. and then, unless i keep on speaker the whole time, i still cant hear them. then my phone messes up between headphone, speaker, and handset all at the same time while on the phone. i am going to try another hard reset to see if this helps, but just wondering if this has happened to anyone else.
by kuldeep, on March 2 2010 @ 11:02 pm
roberto u the men………….my life saver
thanx
by Rebecca, on March 5 2010 @ 12:20 pm
I have just added a second email account on my blackberry storm. The first account keeps all sent and received emails, but the new one only keeps sent emails and deletes the received ones as soon as I have read them. I have gone through all email options and they are the same as the first account. Any ideas?