Treadmills have come a long way since their origin, boasting electronic components, software, user interfaces, memory, connectivity, and programs to offer the best user experience. All of these features make them complex systems that have the potential to go haywire every once in a while. Software glitches, electrical issues, calibration problems, overheating protection, and firmware updates can all spur the need for a reset in tech-heavy fitness equipment. 

If this is news to you (or if you’re a new treadmill owner), you might be wondering how to reset a treadmill. Reset procedures vary by make and model, so we’ve compiled a list of the reset procedures for some of the best treadmills on the market. We’ve also included some troubleshooting tips to get your equipment — and you — back up and running.

How to Perform a Factory Reset on a Treadmill

As BarBend expert reviewer Amanda Capritto notes, “Treadmills are generally tech-heavy, complex machines,” and like all technology, sometimes a reset is needed.

In most treadmill models, performing a factory reset isn’t too complicated. That said, you’ll want to make a treadmill reset your last option. Hard resets restore your treadmill back to factory settings and wipe out any data you have stored, so if you’ve got a lot of personal preferences set or like to track the stats of your running workouts, you’ll want to only use this option when necessary.

If you’re new to treadmill ownership, maybe you’re wondering why a treadmill would need a factory reset. Below are some common reasons your treadmill might need a reset:

• Resolving software issues
• Restoring default settings
• Preparing for sale or transfer
• Troubleshooting hardware issues
• Updating firmware
• Correcting calibration errors
• Clearing error codes

The best place to find complete instructions to reset your treadmill can be found on the manufacturer’s website or in your user manual. If the user manual is nowhere to be found or you’re a sucker for convenience, read on for a list of reset procedures for the top treadmills on the market. 

Bowflex

• Bowflex models 10, 22, 25, and 56: During an error, unplug your fitness equipment, wait five minutes, and then plug it back in. Bowflex advises users to consult a professional technician before performing a factory reset.
• BXT models: Hold down the “PAUSE/STOP” button and the decrease button together for three seconds while in the Power-Up Mode to access the Machine Settings Mode. Once there, press the RIGHT button until you see the “RESET CONSOLE NO” prompt. Then push the Increase/Decrease buttons to select the “RESET CONSOLE YES” option, and push Enter. Turn the machine off when the console shows the “POWER CYCLE NOW” prompt.

[Related: Best Treadmills with Screens]

Cybex

• Locate the power switch at the front of the treadmill. Turn the power on, which will place the treadmill in dormant mode. 
• Press “Clear 750” on the keypad to enter into setup mode. From the setup mode, you can choose the option to reset. If your model doesn’t give you this option, contact customer service.

Free Motion

Free Motion has a variety of models but many of them use the same reset procedure. For the popular Freemotion 890, you’ll want to follow these steps to access the “Maintenance Mode.”

• With the key inserted, navigate to the settings menu.
• Select the maintenance mode.
• Choose your option (i.e. update firmware).

Horizon Fitness

For the Horizon T101, T202, and T203 treadmills, perform the steps below. 

• Hold the incline (+) button and the speed (–) button and hold for 5-7 seconds to access the engineering mode. 
• Press the speed (+,-) buttons to navigate to ENG3 and press enter.
• Press incline (+) and speed (-) to enter the ENG8 screen.
• Press enter until you reach P3 and then press the start button. (On older models, it could be P2.)

If you have a different model, you can check out this video created by Horizon to walk users through the process or contact customer service.

Life Fitness

Life Fitness, one of the industry’s premier treadmill brands, has an expansive collection of models with no “standard process” for completing a factory reset. As of June 1, 2024, Life Fitness has created a central hub for all product knowledge, documents, and software called the Life Fitness Knowledge Base where you can access instructions for all models.

Matrix Fitness

For most newer Matrix models, follow the below steps to enter “Engineering Mode.”

• Press and hold the Incline Up and Speed Down buttons for five to 10 seconds.
• Once in Engineering Mode, use the arrow up or arrow down buttons to select your option.

NordicTrack

Many of the best NordicTrack treadmills are compatible with the below process, but not all, so first confirm that your firmware version begins with 7.1. If your NordicTrack treadmill has a USB or HDMI port, it’s not compatible.

• Grab a paperclip, turn your equipment off, and locate the reset hole on either the back of the console or on one of the sides. 
• Once you’ve inserted the paperclip, continue to press it down while a second person flips the power back on.
• You’ll know your efforts were successful if you see the iFIT logo and “system recovery: please wait…” in blue text.

Peloton

Peloton advises against doing a hard factory reset on the Peloton Tread, so stick with the soft reset or contact them directly for more information. Here are the steps from their manual. (1)

• Tap the time on the top right corner of the touchscreen and select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
• Select “Device Settings” and proceed to “System.”
• Select “Factory Data Reset” and then “Reset Tablet.”
• Confirm the selection by selecting “Erase Everything.”

To learn more about this impressive, app-connected machine, read our Peloton Treadmill review.

Precor

If you own a Precor Precision Series and Energy Series home treadmill, you may want to consider contacting Precor customer support or consulting a qualified technician to assist in the reset process. For these models, you’ll need to follow specific instructions — which vary by model — for pressing and holding the reset button for certain lengths of time.

A circuit breaker reset can be performed while the treadmill is off by pushing the red reset button (near the power switch) and then turning it back on. You’ll know it was successful if you see the Precor logo when you turn it back on.

ProForm

Knowing how to reset a ProForm treadmill is relatively easy and requires a paperclip. The brand also recommends having a second person on hand. 

• Turn off the power button and locate the reset hole, which is usually on the right side but can also be on the back of the treadmill console depending on the model. 
• Stick the end of a paperclip in the pinhole and press down. While continuing to hold it down, flip the power back on. (Now we know why they suggested that second person.) 
• You should see the iFIT logo; the process could take up to 30 minutes. Try the process again or contact customer service if it’s been longer.

Sole Fitness

While recalibration and resetting aren’t necessarily the same, recalibrating may solve common problems with many of the best Sole treadmills. Below is the recalibration process for the Sole F63 model.

• After removing the safety key, press and hold the “Start” and “Fast” (speed up) buttons with one hand and replace the safety key with the other. Hold both buttons until “Factory settings” appears in the display, then press enter. 
• Set the display to show Metric or English (miles or kilometers) by pressing the up or down key then press enter. 
• Switch grade return to “On” (This brings the incline to zero when the treadmill is stopped.) Press start to begin calibration. Do not stand on the belt as the process is automatic and the speed will start up without warning.

Sunny Health and Fitness

Sunny Health and Fitness makes some of the best budget treadmills we’ve tested. A common issue that may need a reset is the incline motor. Below are the instructions from their website to reset the incline motor on a Sunny Treadmill. (2)

• Lean the treadmill on its side to remove the bottom motor cover screws.
• Remove the safety key from the top motor cover.
• Return the unit back to its normal position.
• Insert the safety key back into the unit and carefully place the cover to the side.
• Plug the power cord in and turn the Power Switch “ON”.
• Press the “Black” button for 5 seconds. (The incline motor will rise and lower as it resets itself.)
• Turn off the unit and remove the power cord before installing the cover.
• Reinstall the cover, return to the regular position, plug it in, and turn it on.

Xterra

For the Xtrerra TR150, here are the steps you’ll need to follow to perform a recalibration. (3) 

• After removing the safety key, press and hold down the “Program” key while replacing the safety key at the same time. (The treadmill’s console will enter into Calibration Mode and display “ENG.”)
• Press the “Start” key to move to the next item.
• While off the treadmill, press the “Start” key to begin the calibration. Use caution as the treadmill belt will move automatically as the machine calibrates.
• The treadmill console will return to the standby screen automatically after the calibration is complete. 

Learn more about this solid budget treadmill with our Xterra TR150 Treadmill review. 

Treadmill Troubleshooting Tips

While a treadmill reset can resolve certain issues, it’s best to use it as a last resort. A factory reset will do exactly what the name implies — restore the treadmill to its factory settings. Take note that it will wipe out all workouts, preferences, settings, performance stats, and any other data you’ve stored. 

If you’ve determined a reset is necessary, take note that it could be a temporary fix for underlying problems. Also, check to see if a factory reset affects the validity of your warranty.

Check the Owner’s Manual

Look to see if your specific problem has a solution listed in your owner’s manual. If you can’t find your owner’s manual, try looking at the manufacturer’s website, as most are listed online in PDF form.

The best high-end treadmills have comprehensive user manuals to help you through many common problems. Common problems like error codes, speed sensor issues, touchscreen malfunctions, and issues with connectivity and Wi-Fi can likely all be found in your manual with step-by-step guidance on potential fixes. 

Is the Power Cord Plugged In?

It might be a Homer Simpson “d’oh!” moment, but sometimes the issue is as simple as the power cord being unplugged from the electrical outlet, or in the case that you’re using a power strip or extension cord, it could be faulty or unplugged. It’s generally advised to plug your fitness equipment directly into a dedicated wall outlet with a 15-20 AMP circuit for safety, a steady stream of power, and to prevent tripping your circuit breaker.

Turn the Power Switch On and Off

Just like with a cell phone or computer, sometimes technology just needs a reboot. Turning the power switch on and off — referred to as a power cycle — can be an effective way to handle a variety of minor issues, like clearing temporary software glitches, reinitializing sensors, and improving overall performance.

Is the Safety Key Connected?

Safety keys are a vital component manufacturers include for user safety. If the safety key isn’t connected, the treadmill won’t start or operate for the user’s protection. (Although some models allow you to disable this feature.) Sometimes the key might appear in place but needs to be inserted a bit further. Check to make sure it’s fully inserted into the console.

If you’ve lost yours and are wondering where to get a replacement safety key, we’ve got you covered. 

Check Your Wi-Fi Signal

Some connectivity issues or issues with fitness platforms like the Peloton or iFIT apps can be attributed to a poor or nonexistent wireless connection. Below are some things to try if your Wi-Fi isn’t connecting.

• Restart Network: Turn off the router, wait for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. After the router has fully rebooted, try reconnecting the treadmill.
• Restart Treadmill: Turn off the treadmill, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Try reconnecting to the Wi-Fi after restarting.
• Check Password: Double-check and re-enter the Wi-Fi password, ensuring there are no typos or errors.
• Check Router Configuration: The router settings, such as MAC address filtering or firewall settings, might be preventing the treadmill from connecting.

Update Firmware

Regular updates to your treadmill’s firmware can fix bugs, enhance features, improve stability, and ensure compatibility with new devices and software. Look in your user manual for specific instructions for updating the firmware.

Final Word

The technology built into treadmills provides entertainment, comfort, and integration with the best running apps, but these bells and whistles can potentially mean glitches, errors, and malfunctions over time. Sometimes these issues call for a quick shut-down or troubleshooting, while others call for a full factory reset. However, a factory reset should only be used as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.

The process for resetting your treadmill will look different depending on what make and model you own. It’s best to find the specific instructions for your model in your owner’s guide but if that’s not available, or doesn’t have the information you need, try contacting the manufacturer’s customer service.

How to Reset a Treadmill FAQs

References

1. Factory Reset Your Peloton Product. (n.d.) Peloton Support. https://support.onepeloton.com/s/article/21641387416212-Factory-Reset-Your-Peloton-Product?language=en_US
2. How to Reset the Incline Motor. (n.d.) Sunny Health & Fitness. (n.d.) https://support.sunnyhealthfitness.com/hc/en-us/articles/19020544284827-SF-T722076-How-to-Reset-The-Incline-Motor
3. How to Calibrate Your TR150. (2021) Xterra Fitness. https://support.xterrafitness.com