How to Factory Reset a Bell Streamer Without Video Output

[Inf]

My streamer was showing an entirely green screen but everything aside from video out was working since pressing buttons made it play sound. Technical support did not know how to reset it and recommended a replacement unit. I figured out the button sequence for the factory reset myself and it fixed the issue. Hopefully this guide can save others from a replacement.

Steps

Start with the streamer turned on and the TV set to the HDMI input the streamer is plugged into. There's no video but the click sounds the TV makes after the button presses will help you count the presses you've made. Next, press the following sequence of buttons on the streamer remote to factory reset the streamer.

1. Press the home button on the streamer remote, then right, then OK. The streamer should play a sound clip from a TV channel. This confirms the streamer's other functions are working. Alternatively, you can ask Google Assistant a question via the Google Assistant button.
2. Press home.
3. Press down seven (7) times.
4. Press right.
5. Press ok.
6. Press down three (3) times.
7. Press ok two (2) times.
8. Press down two (2) times.
9. Press ok.
10. Press down.
11. Press ok.
12. Press down.
13. Press ok.

The streamer's green light should now turn off after a few seconds, indicating it's restarting. After it restarts, video output should start working. It will erase everything, then show the setup screen again.

[BellPatricia · Accepted solution]

Hi there @Inf. Welcome to the Bell Community.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share which steps you took to factory reset your Bell Streamer without having video output!

Have a great day.

- Patricia

[AlexS]

Wow how did you figure this out?

But it’s an economic device. I can find a very very similar model on Google from the US Walmart for merely $20 USD. And once I complained about my remotes became obsolete (the early model doesn’t have Crave and Prime Video buttons, and even the official website hasn’t replaced the old pic with the new one) not long after receiving a replacement, the online agent suggested me order a latest version for merely $20 CAD.

[Inf]

You’re welcome! Is it possible to add these steps to the bell streamer troubleshooting support page?

[Inf · Accepted solution]

A local bell store let me look at their demo unit to figure out the key press sequence. The Walmart model is indeed very similar. The manufacturer makes several variations of this model for different companies, which are listed here: https://www.androidtv-guide.com/oem/askey/ . It’s interesting to note the Google variant has the same hardware but runs android 13 while bell’s runs android 10. https://developer.android.com/tv/release/13

[AlexS]

Did you try to install Android 13 on both devices by yourself? I saw people on Reddit discussing the possibility of Android 13 on that Walmart device.

[Inf]

I finally tried today but it doesn’t seem possible. The boot loader on the bell streamer is locked and cannot be unlocked.