Fixed: Dell Reset and Update Not Available for This Computer

If you have problems fixing the “Dell reset and update not available for this computer” issue, please continue to read below and learn the solutions. And the methods to factory reset a Dell laptop is also included.

Maggie

By Maggie Updated on November 20, 2023

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What does it mean: Dell reset and update not available for this computer

If you search " Dell reset and update not available for this computer " online, you may find the first page is almost a forum or support page. The problem occurs most after when users are trying to troubleshoot their failed hard drives. Also, some users say they just want to perform a Dell factory reset but find no Dell reset update option.

Case 1. Factory reset Dell computer

I’m trying to reset my Dell 9300 using the Reset and Update option, the Reset to Factory is greyed out, and the reset always fails at the “Extracting Driver Files” step.

Case 2. Reinstall the OS

Inspiron 5566. Hard drive failed. So need to replace drive and obviously reinstall the OS.

Downloaded "Dell OS Recovery Tool" and prepared a USB drive per instructions. Laptop boots fine from the USB drive and loads the "SupportAssist"

However: The option for "reset to factory setting" i.e. reinstall windows 10) is "greyed out" the "recommended" option with updated drivers "Requires internet connection" and requires you to click on an option to configure network. However, the software then says it won't find the network card. Went into BIOS and it's all enabled in BIOS. But the SupportAssist can't find a network interface.

Why can't I easily do a factory reset, and is there a way to make it happen forcefully? Otherwise, the Dell OS Recovery Tool is just not helpful at all.

How to solve the ‘update and reset’ option greyed out

Way 1. Enable recovery environment with Command Prompt

To potentially resolve this issue, you can try typing "reagentc.exe /enable" in Command Prompt with administrative privileges. This command is used to activate the recovery environment, which might allow you to restore your system. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt in the results, and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. Enter reagentc /info and press Enter to check the Windows RE status. If it shows Disabled, it means the recovery environment is not enabled.

Step 3. Type reagentc /enable and press Enter. If the process is successful, you should see the message "REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successfully."

Reagentc Enable

Way 2. Run Command Prompt command

Step 1. Open Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2. Type the command disk/online/cleanup-image/restorehealth and press Enter.

Step 3. Reboot your computer after executing the command.

How to reset a Dell laptop

If you face the Dell reset and update not available for this computer issue, you must find to reset your current system. So here are 4 ways to give you the freedom to choose from.

Way 1. Use the Dell factory image restore option

Step 1. Restart your Dell laptop and go to the desktop.

Step 2. Type reset and choose Reset this PC in the Settings app.

Step 3. Click Restart now under Advanced Startup.

Recovery

Step 4. In the Windows recovery environment, choose Troubleshoot > Factory Image Restore, and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process.

Factory Image Restore

Way 2. Use Dell Datasafe recovery and emergency backup

If you're on a Windows 7 system, you can use Dell DataSafe Recovery and Emergency Backup by following these steps:

Step 1. Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly to access the Advanced Boot Options window. Choose Fix Computer.

Step 2. Select your preferred Keyboard Input Method.

Keyboard Input Method

Step 3. If there's an administrative password, enter it; otherwise, select OK.

Step 4. Once in the System Recovery Options, choose Dell DataSafe Recovery and Emergency Backup.

Datasafe Recovery and Emergency Backup

Step 5. Check the option Restore computer and preserve my new or changed files (Recommended) and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the remaining steps. If this option is not available, choose Select other System Backup and More Option.

Way 3. Use powerful OneKey Recovery Software

If your recovery image is damaged or unavailable, the Dell factory image restore option won't be present in the Windows recovery environment, making the previous methods unusable. Or when Dell reset and update in progress stuck, which will definitely influence your mood. In this case, consider using third-party software such as AOMEI OneKey Recovery Professional to restore user backups to your Dell laptop.

✪ With its OneKey System Backup, you can make a factory recovery partition the first time you get the computer, or create a user backup later to include everything you will use.
✪ It supports daily, weekly, and monthly schedule backup to keep changes from the default backup or the previous one.
✪ It can compress the backup image to a smaller size and encrypt it with a password.
✪ Using its OneKey System Recovery, you can either perform a factory restore on a Dell laptop or revert it to a previous functional state. This feature is not limited to Dell; it works across all brands of computers, allowing you to do a Lenovo desktop factory reset or reset other computer brands as well.

To restore a Dell laptop, there are two situations in the following:

>> If you already have a backup image, whether it's a factory image or a user backup, you can proceed with restoring your Dell laptop. The user backup contains not only the operating system but also applications, drivers, personal data, and more, significantly minimizing data loss in case of a disaster.

>> If you don't have a backup image, please create one first. Ensure your computer is in good working condition, and you can refer to the "onekey backup" process.

Please download reliable software - AOMEI OneKey Recovery and start this recovery.

Download OKRWindows Servers & PCs
Secure Download
  1. Install and launch this reliable software - AOMEI OneKey Recovery. Click OneKey System Recovery.

    OKR Recovery

  2. Tick Restore system by using the image file in AOMEI OneKey Recovery partition if you back up to it.

    Restore from

  3. The software will, by default, restore the system to its original location. If you wish to restore it to a different location, please select it manually. Then, click Start Backup to initiate the restoration process for the Dell laptop.

    Confirm Restore

Way 4. Use professional restore software

As mentioned in Way 3, if your computer becomes unresponsive and you're unable to create a system image for the current PC, a solution is to use a versatile restore software like AOMEI Backupper Professional.

This software features a Universal Restore function, enabling you to restore the system to a new computer with different hardware. It automatically installs all necessary drivers to ensure your new computer can start successfully.

Convert Virtual Machine to Physical Machine

If you find yourself in this situation, download AOMEI Backupper Professional for system recovery. If your computer is not bootable, you can create a bootable USB or recovery environment to access the software without booting into Windows.

Verdict

To solve Dell reset and update not available for this computer, just trying troubleshoot the issue via above mentioned 2 ways. Then you actually need to reset your Dell PC, you can choose one of the four ways randomly.

For enhanced data security, the last two methods are recommended as they encompass the entire system, including the operating system, installed programs, drivers, and data. Notably, AOMEI Backupper stands out for supporting dissimilar hardware restoration. For comprehensive PC protection or customization options, explore its Technician edition.

Maggie
Maggie · Editor
Maggie is a technical editor from AOMEI and troubleshoots technical problems against data protection. She has received professional and systematic technical training. With a focus on user experience, security, and problem-solving, she always puts herself in the readers' shoes and provides them with valuable technical insights.