The Yoto Player is a child-friendly audio device designed to make storytelling, music, and learning accessible and enjoyable for kids. Like any electronic device, your Yoto Player might occasionally require a reset to resolve technical issues or restore its functionality.
This guide will walk you through the steps for how to reset yoto player safely and effectively, ensuring it continues to provide a seamless experience for your little ones.
What is a Yoto Player?
The Yoto Player is a screen-free audio device created specifically for children, combining entertainment and education in a safe, interactive format. It works with physical cards that, when inserted into the device, play audio content such as stories, music, podcasts, or educational activities. Designed with simplicity and durability in mind, the Yoto Player allows kids to independently control what they listen to while parents can manage settings through the Yoto app. With its robust library of age-appropriate content and the ability to create custom audio cards, the Yoto Player has become a valuable tool for fostering creativity, learning, and imagination.
When Should You Reset Your Yoto Player?
There are a few situations where resetting your Yoto Player might be necessary. If you notice the device is not responding, experiencing connectivity issues, or failing to play content correctly, a reset can often resolve these problems. Additionally, if you are transferring ownership of the Yoto Player, resetting it ensures that all personal data and settings are removed before handing it over to a new user. It’s also a good idea to reset the device if you’re troubleshooting persistent software bugs or attempting to refresh the player for optimal performance. Always consult the Yoto Player’s official guide for the proper reset procedure to avoid any potential issues.
10 Methods How to Reset Yoto Player
1. Perform a Soft Reset by Holding Both Orange Buttons
The most basic method for resetting a Yoto Player—useful for minor glitches like audio stuttering, temporary freezing, or Wi-Fi drops—is to perform a soft reset. Simply press and hold both orange buttons on the top of the player simultaneously for around 10 seconds. You’ll see the pixel display go blank or flash momentarily.
Once released, the player will reboot and reload its current settings without erasing any data or downloaded cards. This gentle reset refreshes the internal system and resolves many common performance hiccups without affecting your downloaded content or Wi-Fi settings.
2. Restart from the App Without Pressing the Device
Another easy way to initiate a basic reset is through the Yoto App on your smartphone. Open the app, select your Yoto Player from the connected devices list, and tap the settings icon. Scroll down until you see the “Restart Device” or “Reboot Player” option, then confirm your choice. This method is especially handy if the buttons are unresponsive or your child is using the Yoto at a distance. It remotely restarts the device without removing any downloaded content or account links, and it can be done in seconds from any room in the house.
3. Reset Wi-Fi Settings to Reconnect Your Network
If you’re experiencing ongoing Wi-Fi issues—like card audio not downloading or the player failing to show updates—you may need to reset the Wi-Fi settings. First, press and hold both orange buttons for about 10 seconds until the pixel display shows a Wi-Fi symbol. This places the Yoto Player into setup mode. Then, open the Yoto app and walk through the connection steps again. You’ll re-enter your Wi-Fi credentials and reconnect the player to the internet. This doesn’t affect any cards or content already downloaded; it simply updates the network access settings.
4. Factory Reset via Hardware Buttons
When a more thorough reset is needed—such as when gifting or selling your Yoto Player—you should perform a factory reset. Start by turning off the Yoto Player (you can simply unplug it and plug it back in while holding the buttons). Then, press and hold both orange buttons for 30 seconds during boot-up, until the display shows a factory reset confirmation icon (usually a trash bin or reset image).
Confirm the reset by holding the right orange button again when prompted. This method completely wipes the player, removes any user accounts, and returns it to its original factory settings. Only use this option if you’re sure you want to erase all settings and downloaded cards.
5. Factory Reset Using the Yoto App
You can also perform a factory reset through the Yoto app, which is more intuitive and visual than the button-only method. Open the app, select your device, and go to the settings menu. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Factory Reset.” The app will ask you to confirm, and once accepted, the player will reset entirely. This is perfect for preparing the Yoto for a new child or account, especially if you’re handing it down or reselling. It’s also a good troubleshooting step if the player consistently fails to sync, play cards, or connect to your account.
6. Clear Content Cache Without a Full Reset
Sometimes the Yoto Player might behave erratically because of a corrupted or stuck cache. If your player plays the wrong card content or repeats the same file, try clearing the content cache. While there isn’t a dedicated “clear cache” button, doing a soft reset (Method 1) while removing and reinserting the card typically forces a re-download of the card’s data. Alternatively, remove the affected card from the app’s “My Library” and then re-add it, forcing a fresh sync to the player. This can clear up playback glitches without deleting unrelated data or settings.
7. Unlink and Re-link Your Yoto Player from the App
In certain situations—such as managing multiple players or switching family accounts—it may be helpful to unlink and re-link your player from your Yoto app. First, open the app, go to settings, and choose “Remove Player” or “Unlink Device.” Then, perform a soft reset on the player, and follow the setup instructions to re-add it to your account.
This doesn’t delete your content but refreshes your device linkage and can fix syncing or account permission issues. It’s particularly useful when a second parent or caregiver wants to manage the same Yoto Player under a different app profile.
8. Reset Bluetooth or Headphone Connection Issues
If your child’s Yoto Player isn’t connecting to Bluetooth speakers or wired headphones correctly, try resetting the audio output settings. Unplug the headphones, turn off Bluetooth on any connected device, then hold the left orange button for 5 seconds to reset the current output. You can also restart the Yoto Player (using Method 1 or 2) to force it to rescan for available audio outputs. Then try reconnecting your Bluetooth device via the app. These steps help recalibrate the player’s audio routing, which may be confused if there were multiple previous connections.
9. Use Offline Mode to Test Without Wi-Fi Dependency
If you’re unsure whether the issue is with the Yoto Player itself or the internet connection, test it in offline mode. Remove the Wi-Fi by holding both orange buttons until setup mode is triggered, then do not reconnect to Wi-Fi. Insert a card that you’ve previously downloaded. If it plays smoothly, the issue is likely your Wi-Fi and not the player. You can then reset the Wi-Fi as described in Method 3. This is an easy diagnostic method before performing a full factory reset, saving you time and data re-downloading later.
10. Reset the Night Light and Clock Functions Independently
If the night light or pixel clock isn’t functioning properly—or has been accidentally turned off—it can be reset without touching the core Yoto functions. Open the Yoto app, go to the player settings, and manually turn the night light or pixel clock off and on again.
If the features still don’t respond, perform a soft reset on the player and reconfigure your settings from the app. Sometimes, firmware updates or power interruptions can cause these features to glitch. Resetting them from the app is usually enough to restore normal function without affecting audio or card use.
Conclusion
Resetting your Yoto Player doesn’t have to be confusing or intimidating. Whether you’re solving a simple Wi-Fi issue, preparing the player for a new child, or troubleshooting unusual behavior, these 10 methods cover a broad range of needs—from the lightest soft reset to a full factory wipe. The Yoto ecosystem is built with user-friendliness in mind, and most resets take just a minute or two when guided through the app or with simple button presses. Thanks for reading our blog post on how to reset yoto player! We hope you found it helpful and informative.
