Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Reset in Spanish: Reiniciar & Restablecer
Reiniciar · verb · reh-ee-nee-SYAHR
The Spanish word for reset is 'reiniciar' when restarting a device or process, and 'restablecer' when restoring something to its default or original settings. The informal loanword 'resetear' is also widely used in casual tech conversations, though it is not standard in formal writing.
Pronounce 'reiniciar' as reh-ee-nee-SYAHR and 'restablecer' as rrehs-tah-bleh-SEHR.
Tuve que reiniciar la computadora porque se congeló.
I had to reset the computer because it froze.
Reset in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for reset, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| reiniciar | reset | reh-ee-nee-SYAHR | Default, widely understood |
| restablecer | reset | to restore to original settings | |
| resetear | reset | informal loanword used in tech contexts |
How Native Speakers Use Reiniciar
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Technology fix
Si la aplicación no funciona, intenta reiniciar el teléfono.
If the app isn't working, try resetting the phone.
Troubleshooting a mobile device.
Factory reset
Voy a restablecer los valores de fábrica del router.
I'm going to reset the router to factory settings.
Performing a full device reset.
Password reset
Haz clic aquí para restablecer tu contraseña.
Click here to reset your password.
Following instructions on a website.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Reiniciar
Using 'resetar' without the extra 'e'
Incorrect: Necesito resetar mi contraseña.
Correct: Necesito resetear mi contraseña. / Necesito restablecer mi contraseña.
If using the loanword, the accepted informal form is 'resetear' (with the '-ear' verb ending), not 'resetar.' For formal writing, use 'restablecer.'
Confusing 'reiniciar' with 'iniciar'
Incorrect: Voy a iniciar el modem para arreglar el internet.
Correct: Voy a reiniciar el modem para arreglar el internet.
'Iniciar' means to start or begin, while 'reiniciar' means to restart or reset. The prefix 're-' indicates doing the action again.
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See Reiniciar used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Reset in Spanish
- Is 'resetear' accepted in Spanish?
- While 'resetear' is widely used in informal tech conversations across Latin America and Spain, the RAE does not officially recognize it, so formal documents should use 'reiniciar' or 'restablecer.'
- What is the difference between 'reiniciar' and 'restablecer'?
- The verb 'reiniciar' means to restart (turning off and on again), while 'restablecer' means to restore to a previous or default state, such as factory settings on a device.
- How do you say 'factory reset' in Spanish?
- A factory reset is 'restablecimiento de fábrica' or 'restaurar valores de fábrica,' commonly found in device settings menus across all Spanish-language operating systems.