Part of the Computing fundamentals glossary:

A soft reset is a restart of a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or personal computer (PC). The action closes  applications and clears any data in RAM (random access memory). Unsaved data in current use may be lost but data stored on the hard drive, applications and settings are not affected. 

Next Steps

On PCs, a soft reset consists of restarting as opposed to shutting down completely and starting the computer again. For handheld devices, such as smartphones, the process usually involves shutting the device off and starting it afresh. 

Soft resets are usually conducted in an attempt to fix  malfunctioning applications or because they're required for software installation. Soft reset contrasts with hard reset, which removes all user data, settings and applications and returns a device to the same state it was in when it shipped from the factory. 

 

See also: reboot

This was last updated in January 2013
Contributor(s): Ivy Wigmore
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • hard reset (factory reset; master reset)

    - A hard reset, also known as a factory reset or master reset, is the restoration of a device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to its state when it left the factory. All settings, applications and da... (WhatIs.com)

Glossaries

  • Computing fundamentals

    - Terms related to computer fundamentals, including computer hardware definitions and words and phrases about software, operating systems, peripherals and troubleshooting.

  • Wireless and mobile

    - Terms related to wireless and mobile technology, including definitions about consumer mobile technology devices and communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX and LTE.

  • Desktop PCs

    - Terms related to PCs, including definitions about desktop computers and words and phrases about computer components.

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