How to reset a Kobo completely as a prelude to returning it?

RobertJSawyer · 07-06-2026, 10:03 PM

Well, since there doesn't seem to be a solution to the problem I reported here of the Kobo Libra Colour flashing to white every page turn in Invert (not Dark) mode, I'm going to return my device for a refund.

Just doing a factory reset doesn't put it back to the way I received it. Firmware has been updated over Wi-Fi, and that's retained; patches are retained; Nickel Clock and Nickel Menu are retained; added fonts and dictionaries are retained.

Of course, I can individually remove all these things, but I wonder if there's some command that will do a true, complete reset?

Thank you!

PeterT · 07-06-2026, 10:06 PM

I think if you enable dev mode there is a Factory Reset option in the Developer Options

nAhu · 07-07-2026, 07:50 AM

There is another way to hard reset here : https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/artic...o-Libra-Colour

Did you try it ?

n`Ahu

Rid · 07-14-2026, 04:00 AM

I used to do the below when i did a reset as some folders were not removed. I think it stopped the patches from reinstalling and having books still on the device but I am not sure now as it has been a while since I have done a reset...

1. Begin the factory reset - but do not set-up the device.
2. After the set language screen, select "Don't have a WiFi network?.
3. Delete all files & folder in the kobo directory.

DNSB · 07-14-2026, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rid

I used to do the below when i did a reset as some folders were not removed. I think it stopped the patches from reinstalling and having books still on the device but I am not sure now as it has been a while since I have done a reset...

1. Begin the factory reset - but do not set-up the device.
2. After the set language screen, select "Don't have a WiFi network?.
3. Delete all files & folder in the kobo directory.

That will not help with some of the patches that are designed to survive. NickelMenu for example would just come up and complain its config file was missing.

The hardware manual factory reset or the true factory reset from the Developer options menu are the only way to do a reset back to factory.

Rid · 07-15-2026, 09:10 PM

Cool good to know, I will make of note of that for next time.

07-06-2026, 10:03 PM	#1
RobertJSawyer Guru Posts: 783 Karma: 4306712 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Libra 2, Clara 2E, and Clara HD; Kindle PaperWhite	How to reset a Kobo completely as a prelude to returning it? Well, since there doesn't seem to be a solution to the problem I reported here of the Kobo Libra Colour flashing to white every page turn in Invert (not Dark) mode, I'm going to return my device for a refund. Just doing a factory reset doesn't put it back to the way I received it. Firmware has been updated over Wi-Fi, and that's retained; patches are retained; Nickel Clock and Nickel Menu are retained; added fonts and dictionaries are retained. Of course, I can individually remove all these things, but I wonder if there's some command that will do a true, complete reset? Thank you!

07-14-2026, 04:00 AM	#4
Rid Addict Posts: 212 Karma: 20980 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kobo Aura One, Aura HD (R.I.P.) :(	I used to do the below when i did a reset as some folders were not removed. I think it stopped the patches from reinstalling and having books still on the device but I am not sure now as it has been a while since I have done a reset... 1. Begin the factory reset - but do not set-up the device. 2. After the set language screen, select "Don't have a WiFi network?. 3. Delete all files & folder in the kobo directory. Last edited by Rid; 07-14-2026 at 04:03 AM.

07-15-2026, 09:10 PM	#6
Rid Addict Posts: 212 Karma: 20980 Join Date: Oct 2020 Device: Kobo Aura One, Aura HD (R.I.P.) :(	Cool good to know, I will make of note of that for next time. Last edited by Rid; 07-15-2026 at 09:14 PM.

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07-06-2026, 10:06 PM	#2
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,039 Karma: 83121446 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I think if you enable dev mode there is a Factory Reset option in the Developer Options

07-07-2026, 07:50 AM	#3
nAhu Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 102928 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: France Device: Kobo Glo (kobo4) / Kobo Libra Colour (kobo11)	There is another way to hard reset here : https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/artic...o-Libra-Colour Did you try it ? n`Ahu