How to Reset Kodi to Factory Settings on Windows, Mac, Android, and Fire TV

To reset Kodi to factory settings, remove its saved app data, not just the Kodi program. On Android or Fire TV, use Clear storage or Clear data for Kodi. On Windows or macOS, close Kodi and rename its data folder, then reopen the app. These methods give you a fresh Kodi setup without resetting the entire computer or streaming device.

A reset can help after a broken build, conflicting add-ons, or troublesome settings. It also removes your Kodi library database, add-ons, custom skins, sources, and locally stored preferences. It does not ordinarily delete video or music files stored separately on your drives or network shares.

Before you reset: save anything you want to keep

Back up your Kodi data first if you may want your library, watched status, playlists, add-ons, or settings later. The safest desktop backup is a copy of the entire Kodi data folder to a different location. The official Kodi backup guide also describes the Backup add-on available through Kodi’s own repository.

Make sure Kodi is fully closed before copying or renaming folders. If it remains open, it may rewrite settings while you are making changes. Do not confuse Clear cache, which deletes temporary files, with Clear data, which removes the saved Kodi setup.

How to reset Kodi on Windows

1. Exit Kodi completely. If needed, check Task Manager to confirm it is not running.
2. Press Windows + R, type %APPDATA%, and press Enter. In the folder that opens, find Kodi. This is the usual data location for the desktop installer.
3. Copy the Kodi folder to a safe backup location. Then rename the original folder from Kodi to Kodi-Old. Do not rename the entire Roaming directory.
4. Launch Kodi. It should create a new Kodi folder with default settings. Once you have confirmed everything works, you may retain or remove the old backup.

Installed Kodi from the Microsoft Store? Its data lives in a different location. Open %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\XBMCFoundation.Kodi_4n2hpmxwrvr6p\LocalCache\Roaming and back up or rename the Kodi folder there instead. Kodi’s Windows installation instructions explain both locations.

How to reset Kodi on macOS

1. Quit Kodi, then open Finder.
2. Select Go > Go to Folder (or press Shift + Command + G) and enter ~/Library/Application Support/.
3. Copy the Kodi folder somewhere safe, then rename the original to Kodi-Old.
4. Open Kodi again. A new Kodi data folder should be created with a clean configuration.

Moving only the Kodi application from Applications to Trash may leave the Application Support folder behind. That is why a reinstall alone is not always a complete reset. The Kodi data-folder reference documents the path.

How to reset Kodi on Android phones and Android TV

1. Open the device’s Settings app, then find Apps or See all apps.
2. Choose Kodi, and open Storage & cache or its equivalent.
3. Tap Clear storage or Clear data, then confirm the warning.
4. Start Kodi again. You should see its first-run setup rather than your previous add-ons and library.

Exact menu labels depend on the manufacturer and Android version. Clearing only the cache is not a factory reset. Google’s Android storage guidance distinguishes cached files from persistent app data. On newer Android versions, direct access to Kodi’s hidden data folder can be restricted, so the device’s app settings are usually simpler.

How to reset Kodi on an Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick

1. From the Fire TV home screen, open Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications.
2. Select Kodi from the app list.
3. Choose Clear data and confirm. Use Clear cache only if you want to remove temporary files without resetting your configuration.
4. Open Kodi again to set up add-ons and media sources from scratch.

Do not choose “Reset to Factory Defaults” for the entire Fire TV just to fix Kodi: doing so affects other apps and device settings. Amazon documents the app-management route in its Fire TV application instructions.

What about Linux, LibreELEC, and reinstalling Kodi?

On a regular Linux desktop installation, close Kodi and back up, then rename ~/.kodi to ~/.kodi-old. On LibreELEC, the Kodi data folder is /storage/.kodi; use its built-in backup tools before making advanced file changes. Flatpak installations use a different folder, so consult the official platform-specific path list first.

Uninstalling and reinstalling Kodi is not a reliable reset on every platform. Desktop uninstallers may leave user data in place, causing the same configuration to appear after installation. When a fresh install is necessary, obtain it from the official Kodi download page rather than an unknown third-party build.

If Kodi still looks the same after resetting

• Old add-ons or skin still appear: Make sure you changed the active data folder for your installation, including the Microsoft Store location if relevant.
• Kodi cannot open: Close the application, restore your backed-up folder to its original name, and investigate the error before attempting a second reset.
• Your videos are missing from the library: This is expected after clearing the library database. Add your local or network media sources again; do not rescan or delete original media files blindly.
• Thinking of using Ares Wizard or Indigo: Older guides rely on third-party reset tools and repositories whose compatibility and maintenance are not established here. The built-in app-data controls and documented Kodi folders avoid that dependency.

For most users, the safest fresh start is to back up first, reset only Kodi’s data, and reopen the app. You can then reinstall just the add-ons you still need.