Reset a Shelly without the button and without removing it (Gen1 to Gen4) – what each method clears

What you're after: Your Shelly sits behind a switch or in a wall box, the reset button isn't reachable, and you still want to reset it, for example because it's offline after a router change or because you're passing it on.

What you need to know: Shelly has two different "resets". A network reset clears only the Wi-Fi credentials; name, schedules, scripts and calibration survive. A factory reset clears everything. Almost every method that doesn't use the button (switch, power cycles, app, web interface) is a factory reset (per shelly.guide).

Cost: €0 / CHF 0.

What each reset clears (per shelly.guide)

	Network reset	Factory reset
Wi-Fi credentials	cleared	cleared
Device name and room	kept	cleared
Schedules and scenes	kept	cleared
Scripts	kept	cleared
Calibration (cover, dimmer)	kept	cleared
Device password	kept	cleared
Firmware version	kept	kept
Claim to a Shelly account	kept	kept

With both, the device's access point comes back on (for 15 minutes without a password).

Before you start (2 min)

1. Note the device ID. According to shelly.guide it's printed on the housing and never changes, so it's how you find the device afterwards. If the device is still reachable, it's also shown in the app and web interface.
2. Save your settings: write down or screenshot schedules, scenes, scripts and cover calibration.
3. If the device is just offline, check Shelly offline and Wi-Fi problems first.

Method 1 – device still reachable: app or web interface (2 min)

New Wi-Fi only (network reset), Gen2 and newer: the Gen2+ API has the command Shelly.ResetWiFiConfig for this. Open in a browser on the same network: http://<device-IP>/rpc/Shelly.ResetWiFiConfig The Wi-Fi settings are then cleared and the device opens its access point. If a device password is set, the browser asks for it.

Factory reset via the web interface: open the device's IP address in a browser, go to Settings and click Reset next to Factory reset. On Gen2+ devices, the API documentation lists the same as http://<device-IP>/rpc/Shelly.FactoryReset. According to Shelly, the device then stays visible in the app but shows as "offline".

Factory reset via the app: in Shelly Smart Control (or at control.shelly.cloud) open the device settings, choose Factory reset and confirm. According to Shelly this also removes the device from your device list.

Method 2 – via the connected switch or button (factory reset, 2 min)

Works on every generation according to shelly.guide, enabled from the factory, as long as the input is set to switch or button and nobody has turned the feature off in the input settings.

1. Switch the device off and on again (e.g. at the breaker). Shelly support recommends switching the power off for 1 minute.
2. Straight away, within the first 60 seconds after power-up: - Momentary button: press it 5 times. - Regular light switch: flip it 10 times, i.e. 5 times on and 5 times off. Shelly support mentions about 2 seconds between flips; Shelly's reset page stresses switching briskly, otherwise the reset isn't recognised.
3. After 60 seconds the Shelly ignores this sequence; start again at step 1.

If it doesn't work, shelly.guide names common reasons: the feature was turned off in the input settings, or (on Plus and newer) the input isn't powered between L and SW. The latter is a wiring question – don't work on the wall box yourself, ask a qualified electrician.

Method 3 – five power cycles at the breaker (factory reset, only if enabled)

According to shelly.guide this only works if power-cycle reset is enabled in the device settings. Shelly support lists this method as an alternative for relays and controllers.

1. The device must have been switched off and on once before (shelly.guide: a continuously powered device only responds after it has seen one off-and-on of its own).
2. Then 5 power cycles in a row: one cycle is off and on again, so 10 flips of the circuit breaker, with about 2 seconds between each.
3. Only operate the circuit breaker in the distribution board. Don't open any covers.

Tip from shelly.guide: on devices that will be built in, enable power-cycle reset while you still have access.

Method 4 – plugs and devices with a reachable button

• Reset button: on Gen1, 5 seconds is a network reset and 10 seconds a factory reset. On Plus, Gen3 and Gen4, 5 seconds only opens the access point and Bluetooth; 10 seconds is the factory reset (shelly.guide).
• Shelly Plug: according to Shelly, unplug, plug back in and hold the button for 10 seconds within 60 seconds.
• BLU devices (e.g. BLU Button): according to Shelly, remove the battery, put it back and hold the button for 30 seconds.

Afterwards

The device starts in access point mode and broadcasts its own Wi-Fi, which you use to set it up again. Without a password the access point only stays open for 15 minutes; after that, briefly cut the power. If the app says the device belongs to another user when you add it, no further reset will help: Device belongs to another user. If the problem is related to an update: Firmware update failed.

When to contact support

• None of the methods has any effect, and the device doesn't appear as an access point after power-up.
• The device keeps rebooting or doesn't respond at all.
• You would have to open the cover to reset it: have the installation checked by a qualified electrician.

Shelly support (official). Include the device ID, the model and the methods you tried.

Sources

• shelly.guide: Reset a Shelly device – network vs factory reset, table of what's cleared, button hold per generation, switch within the first 60 s, five power cycles only if enabled, access point 15 minutes, account claim kept
• Shelly: Shelly Reset step by step (German) – app/web UI/button/switch, app reset removes the device from the list, Plug and BLU reset, Shelly.FactoryReset
• Shelly support: How to factory reset a Shelly device (German) – power off for 1 minute, then 5× switch with 2 s gaps; alternatively 5× power off/on; button 10 s
• Shelly Gen2+ API: Shelly service – Shelly.FactoryReset and Shelly.ResetWiFiConfig