Colin FosterBy Colin Foster

Updated November 2026

Resetting an Asus notebook laptop wipes the system back to its original state, which clears most software problems, slowdowns, and corrupted settings. You can do a standard reset from Windows that keeps your personal files, or a full reset that erases everything. If the laptop won’t boot at all, a hardware-level hard reset can sometimes bring it back without touching the operating system.

Before You Start: Back Up and Charge

A reset can delete data, so back up anything you care about first. Plug the laptop into its charger, because a reset interrupted by a dying battery can leave the system unbootable. Keep the power adapter connected for the entire process.

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  1. Copy documents, photos, and downloads to an external drive or cloud storage.
  2. Note your Wi-Fi password and any software license keys.
  3. Confirm the battery is charged or the charger is connected.

How to Reset Asus Notebook Laptop Through Windows

If Windows still loads, this is the simplest route. Open Settings, select System, then Recovery, and choose Reset this PC. You will see two options: “Keep my files,” which reinstalls Windows while preserving personal data and removes installed apps, and “Remove everything,” which returns the machine to factory condition.

Choose the option that matches your goal, then follow the on-screen prompts. The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the drive and whether the reset downloads fresh system files from the cloud.

Using the Asus Recovery Partition

Many Asus notebooks ship with a hidden recovery partition. If Windows won’t reach the Recovery menu, restart the laptop and tap F9 repeatedly during startup. On some models, pressing Windows key plus the reset option from the sign-in screen also works. Choose Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, and proceed.

Hard Reset for a Frozen or Unresponsive Laptop

A hard reset cuts power to the hardware and clears temporary memory. It does not erase your files. Unplug the charger, remove the battery if it is removable, hold the power button for about 40 seconds, then reconnect power and turn the laptop on. Many Asus models have internal batteries, so you may need to rely on this power-hold method alone.

Common Mistakes and Tips

  • Skipping the backup. “Keep my files” still removes installed programs and can misplace some data.
  • Interrupting the reset. Force-shutting down mid-process is the most common cause of a boot loop afterward.
  • Using a cheap, non-original charger during the reset, which can cause the battery to drain at the wrong moment.
  • Expecting a hard reset to fix software corruption. It only clears hardware-level glitches.
  • Forgetting to reinstall drivers. Download the latest chipset and graphics drivers from Asus support after the reset.

An external USB drive gives you a reliable place to store backups before resetting, so you do not lose files if something goes wrong. View on Amazon

A surge-protected power strip keeps the laptop from losing power during the reset, which is a common reason the process fails. View on Amazon

FAQ

Will resetting my Asus laptop delete everything?

It depends on the option you choose. “Keep my files” preserves personal documents but removes installed apps, while “Remove everything” erases the entire drive.

What if the Asus laptop won’t reach the recovery menu?

Try pressing F9 during startup, or perform a hard reset by holding the power button for about 40 seconds with the charger disconnected, then try again.

Does a reset fix a laptop that won’t turn on?

Not always. A hard reset can clear hardware glitches, but a dead battery, failed charger, or drive failure needs a different fix; the Why Won’t My Lenovo Laptop Turn On? A Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide walks through similar checks you can apply to other brands.

Conclusion

For most Asus notebooks, the Windows Reset this PC option is the safest way to start fresh, with the recovery partition and hard reset as fallbacks. Back up first, keep the laptop charged, and do not interrupt the process. If the problem persists afterward, the charging and power issues covered in Laptop USB C Charging: How to Fix Slow or No Charging (Step-by-Step) may be the real culprit.

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Colin Foster

About Colin Foster

Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our consumer tech how-to & troubleshooting guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.