# reset button

> button that can reset a device

**Wikidata**: [Q1708141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1708141)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reset_button)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/reset-button

## Summary
A reset button is a push-button mechanism used to reset a device. It is distinct from a power button and is specifically designed to trigger a hardware reset, reboot, or power cycling process. As a subclass of the simple push-button, it controls the device through a temporary push-down action.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification**: It is a subclass of "push-button," defined as a simple mechanism with an area that can be temporarily pushed down to control a device.
*   **Primary Function**: The button is used to perform a reboot or power cycling of a device.
*   **Effect**: Activating this button results in a "hardware reset."
*   **Distinction**: It is explicitly different from a "power button."
*   **Aliases**: Also known as a "reset switch," "botón de reset" (Spanish), and "重置按钮" (Chinese).
*   **Identifiers**: Freebase ID is `/m/01tfxx`; KBpedia ID is `ResetButton`.
*   **Visual Representation**: An example image exists depicting the reset button on a Nintendo Super Famicom Console.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the specific function of a reset button?
A: The primary function of a reset button is to initiate a hardware reset, reboot, or power cycle of a device. This allows the device to restart without fully disconnecting power.

### Q: How is a reset button different from a power button?
A: While both are push-buttons, the reset button is specifically classified as "different from" a power button. A power button typically turns the device on or off, whereas a reset button reinitializes the hardware while power remains connected.

### Q: What kind of mechanism is a reset button?
A: It is a subclass of a push-button, which is a simple mechanism featuring an area that is temporarily pushed down to control a device.

## Why It Matters
The reset button is a critical component in hardware design, serving as the primary physical interface for system recovery and maintenance. By providing a direct method to trigger a hardware reset or power cycle, it solves the problem of unresponsive software or system errors that cannot be resolved through standard digital commands. This distinguishes it from the power button, which manages the flow of electricity to the device rather than specifically targeting the operational state of the hardware logic.

Its classification as a subclass of "push-button" highlights its reliance on a simple, mechanical input to execute complex electronic functions. This simplicity allows users to intervene manually when software controls fail. The ubiquity of the reset button across different languages (such as Spanish and Chinese aliases) and its presence in major knowledge graphs (Wikidata, KBpedia, WordNet) underscore its fundamental role in the operation of electronic devices, ranging from gaming consoles like the Super Famicom to complex computing systems. It ensures that a device can be restored to a functional state without the need for technical disassembly or specialized tools.

## Notable For
*   **Distinct Utility**: Specifically differentiated from a power button, focusing on reinitialization rather than power state.
*   **Hardware Integration**: Classified as a "push-button," utilizing a simple mechanical mechanism to execute critical hardware functions.
*   **Global Recognition**: Possesses aliases in multiple languages, including Spanish ("botón de reset") and Chinese ("重置按钮").
*   **Standardization**: Assigned specific identifiers across major databases, including WordNet 3.1 (04086218-n) and Freebase.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
The reset button is defined taxonomically as a subclass of **push-button**. The parent class, push-button, is characterized as a simple mechanism featuring an area that can be temporarily pushed down to control a device. The reset button inherits this mechanical simplicity but applies it specifically to the function of resetting hardware.

### Function and Operation
The primary uses of the reset button are **rebooting** and **power cycling**. When engaged, the button has the direct effect of performing a **hardware reset**. This action forces the device's hardware to reinitialize, effectively restarting the system's operations without requiring the user to manually disconnect and reconnect power sources.

### Differentiation
Structural properties explicitly distinguish the reset button from the **power button**. While both serve as control inputs on a device, the reset button is dedicated to system recovery and restart procedures, whereas the power button is dedicated to turning the device on or off.

### Identifiers and Metadata
The entity is tracked in multiple knowledge bases and lexical databases:
*   **Wikidata**: Contains a sitelink count of 9 and is available in languages including English, Simple English, Commons, Czech, and others.
*   **KBpedia**: ID `ResetButton` (referenced 2020-07-09).
*   **Freebase**: ID `/m/01tfxx`.
*   **WordNet 3.1**: Synset ID `04086218-n`.
*   **Microsoft Academic**: ID `2779213429` (discontinued).

### Visual Context
A standard visual reference for this entity is the reset button on the **Nintendo Super Famicom Console**, which serves as a concrete example of the component's physical implementation in consumer electronics.

## References

1. KBpedia