TV technician helping fix Sony Bravia that keeps restarting

Steve H.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Sony Bravia & smart TVs, Android/Google TV, boot loops & restart issues, firmware updates, safe mode & factory reset, HDMI-CEC (Bravia Sync), Wi-Fi & app problems

Sony Bravia TV keeps restarting or rebooting — common causes and how to fix the loop

Technician avatar Technician
Hey! Let’s figure out why your Sony Bravia keeps restarting and stop that reboot loop for good. A few quick questions so we don’t guess:
• Exact Sony Bravia model (for example X900F, X85J, A80K, etc.) and the size?
• Is it an Android TV or Google TV (you see Android/Google TV interface), or an older non-smart Bravia?
• What exactly happens: the TV turns off and on repeatedly, stuck on the Sony/Android logo, restarts only when using apps like YouTube/Netflix, or reboots after a firmware update?
• Any red light blinking on the TV, or just the screen going black then the Sony logo again?
• Do you have devices plugged in via HDMI (cable box, Apple TV, PS5, soundbar) when it restarts?
The more detail we have about how your Sony TV keeps restarting, the faster we can tell if it’s a simple software glitch, a bad app, HDMI-CEC/Bravia Sync, or something deeper like firmware corruption.
Customer
It’s a 55″ Sony Bravia X900F Android TV. Lately it keeps restarting over and over. Sometimes it gets to the home screen, freezes for a few seconds and then goes black, shows the SONY logo and repeats. No red light blinking, just this restart loop. It started a few days after a software update. External HDMI devices are a cable box and a PS5.
Technician avatar Technician
Thanks, that helps a lot. What you’re describing is a classic Sony Bravia Android TV restart loop — the TV boots, shows the Sony/Android logo, maybe the home screen, then reboots again.

Common reasons a Sony Bravia TV keeps restarting:
• A buggy or corrupted app (YouTube, Disney+, etc.) crashing Android TV and forcing a reboot.
• A software or firmware update that didn’t finish cleanly — the TV keeps trying to recover and restarts.
• Too many cached files or storage nearly full, which can make Android TV unstable.
• Glitch with HDMI-CEC (Bravia Sync) or an external device that sends “power” signals and triggers restarts.
• In rare cases, deeper firmware corruption that needs a forced factory reset or USB recovery.

We’ll start with simple, safe steps: a proper power reset and soft reset, then test with external devices unplugged. If your Sony Bravia keeps rebooting after that, we’ll move to safe mode, updates, and finally factory reset as a last resort.
Customer
It restarts even when I’m not opening any apps. Sometimes it shows a message like “optimizing system storage and applications” before it reboots again. I did try unplugging it for a minute but the Bravia still keeps restarting after a while.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect, that “optimizing system storage and applications” message is typical of Sony Android TV when the system is cleaning up after an update. Let’s give it a clean soft reset and power reset — stronger than just turning it off.

Step 1 — Soft reset (restart) with the remote
1) With the TV on, point the Sony remote at the TV.
2) Press and hold the POWER button on the remote for about 5 seconds, until you see “Power off” or the TV restarts.
3) Wait for it to come back on and see if it still keeps restarting by itself.

Step 2 — Full power reset (drain residual power)
1) Turn the TV off and unplug it from the wall outlet (not just from a power strip).
2) Leave it unplugged for at least 2–3 minutes so capacitors fully discharge.
3) While unplugged, press and hold the POWER button on the TV itself for 10–15 seconds if it has one (this helps drain residual power).
4) Plug the TV directly into the wall, no surge protector or strip for this test.
5) Turn the TV on and watch if it still gets stuck in a restart loop or if it stays on longer now.

These two steps alone fix a lot of cases where a Sony Bravia keeps rebooting after an update. Let me know what happens after trying them.
Customer
I did the soft reset from the remote and then unplugged it from the wall for a few minutes. It stayed on longer this time, maybe 10–15 minutes, then restarted again when we tried opening YouTube. The Sony TV keeps restarting mostly when we launch apps.
Technician avatar Technician
That’s a really useful clue: if your Sony Bravia TV restarts when opening apps, we’re likely dealing with a crashing app or Android TV software issue rather than bad power hardware.

Let’s see if the TV stays stable in safe mode (Android TV loads with only core system apps):
Step 3 — Boot Sony Bravia into safe mode
1) Turn the TV on and grab the remote.
2) Press and hold the POWER button on the remote until you see a menu with “Restart”.
3) Touch and hold “Power off” or “Restart” on screen (or on some models, keep holding the POWER button) until a message appears asking to reboot in Safe mode — choose OK.
4) When the TV restarts, you should see “Safe mode” in a corner of the screen.

In safe mode, don’t open YouTube or other installed apps — just leave the TV on for 15–20 minutes. If your Sony Bravia stops restarting in safe mode, we know a third-party app or update is causing the reboot loop, and we can fix it by clearing cache/uninstalling updates for the suspects like YouTube, Disney+, etc.
Customer
In safe mode the TV actually stayed on. It didn’t restart for about 25 minutes. As soon as I went back to normal mode and opened YouTube, the Bravia restarted again. So it sounds like an app thing.
Technician avatar Technician
Exactly — safe mode staying stable basically proves that the hardware is fine and that normal mode has an app or data issue making your Sony TV keep restarting.

Step 4 — Clear cache and data for problem apps
1) Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
2) Find YouTube (and any other app that seems to trigger restarts).
3) Open it, then choose Storage & cache → tap Clear cache, then Clear data (or Clear storage).
4) Repeat for other streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video if they were misbehaving.

Step 5 — Check storage and uninstall extras
• In Settings > Storage, make sure you have free space (at least a few GB).
• Uninstall any rarely used apps or games — a full or nearly full TV can make Android TV restart over and over.

After clearing cache/data and freeing space, reboot the TV once from the remote and test YouTube again. If the Sony Bravia still keeps rebooting, we’ll move on to firmware updates and checking HDMI devices.
Customer
I cleared cache and data for YouTube and a few other apps and removed some old games. It improved a bit but I still had one random restart when switching HDMI inputs from the cable box to PS5. The TV also restarted once right after turning it on.
Technician avatar Technician
Good progress — fewer restarts already. Because you still get reboots when changing HDMI inputs, we should rule out Bravia Sync (HDMI-CEC) and external devices sending weird power commands.

Step 6 — Test Sony Bravia with all HDMI devices unplugged
1) Turn the TV off and unplug the power cord.
2) Unplug all HDMI cables (cable box, PS5, soundbar, etc.).
3) Plug the TV back in and power it on with no HDMI devices connected.
4) Leave it on a built-in app like Settings or the home screen for 20–30 minutes.
• If the TV no longer restarts by itself, the issue is likely an HDMI device, cable or CEC conflict.

Step 7 — Turn off Bravia Sync temporarily
• Go to Settings > Watching TV > External inputs > Bravia Sync settings (wording can vary).
• Disable Bravia Sync / HDMI-CEC, then reconnect devices one by one, testing stability.

While you’re in Settings, also check for a system software update in Settings > Device Preferences > About > System update. Installing the latest firmware can fix known issues where a Sony Bravia keeps restarting after an update that was buggy initially.
Customer
With all HDMI devices unplugged the TV stayed on and didn’t restart. When I plugged the cable box back in, it rebooted once after a few minutes. Disabling Bravia Sync seems to help. There’s also a firmware update available that I haven’t installed yet.
Technician avatar Technician
That fits: an HDMI device plus older firmware was likely pushing the TV into instability. Disabling Bravia Sync and updating software usually makes a Sony Bravia that keeps restarting behave again.

Step 8 — Safely update the TV firmware
1) Keep HDMI devices unplugged while updating if possible.
2) Connect the TV to a stable internet connection.
3) Go to Settings > Device Preferences > About > System update (or Settings > System > Software update on some models).
4) Install the update and let the TV restart automatically; don’t unplug it during the process.

After the update, test the TV again with no HDMI devices, then plug them back in one at a time. If, even with fresh firmware and safe mode OK, your Sony Bravia still keeps rebooting, the next step is a factory reset from Settings (and if that fails, a forced factory reset using the buttons on the TV). That wipes apps and settings but often cures a deep restart loop caused by corrupted system data.
Customer
If I do a factory reset, will it fix this kind of reboot loop? I saw something about forced resets with the power and volume buttons on the TV. I just don’t want to brick it completely.
Technician avatar Technician
Good question. On Sony Bravia and Android TV models, a factory reset is actually one of the official fixes for when an Android TV continuously restarts — when done correctly it doesn’t “brick” the TV.

Step 9 — Standard factory reset from the menu
1) Go to Settings > Device Preferences > Reset (or Settings > System > About > Reset, wording varies).
2) Choose Factory data reset > “Erase everything”.
3) Confirm and let the TV erase apps and settings and reboot.
4) After the initial setup, test the TV before installing lots of apps or reconnecting all HDMI devices.

If the TV is so unstable that you can’t access Settings, Sony also documents a forced factory reset using the Power + Volume down buttons on the TV while plugging it in. The exact button combo depends on the model, but it’s designed specifically for TVs that are stuck in a reboot loop after an update. We can walk you through the exact steps for your model live so it’s done safely.
Customer
After the update and a factory reset, the TV has been stable. No more random reboots and the Sony Bravia no longer keeps restarting even with the cable box and PS5 connected. Disabling Bravia Sync on the cable box also helped. Thanks!
Technician avatar Technician
Summary: when a Sony Bravia keeps restarting or rebooting, start with a soft reset and proper power reset, then test in safe mode. Clear cache/data for problem apps, free storage and install the latest firmware. Test with HDMI devices unplugged and Bravia Sync disabled to rule out external gear. If the TV still gets stuck in a restart loop, a standard or forced factory reset is usually what finally stabilises it. Not sure which reset or menu path your model uses? Open the chat and an expert will guide you through it live.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when a Sony Bravia keeps restarting: do a soft reset with the remote and a full power reset, then boot into safe mode to see if the reboot loop stops. Clear cache/data for crashing apps, free storage, and install the latest Sony Android/Google TV firmware. Test the TV with HDMI devices and Bravia Sync disabled. If it still restarts by itself, perform a factory reset (and if needed, a forced factory reset using the buttons on the TV) and then add apps and HDMI devices back gradually.

Why your Sony Bravia keeps restarting or stuck in a reboot loop

Most cases where a Sony Bravia TV keeps restarting are caused by software, not a dead screen. After a firmware update or app update, Android/Google TV may hit a glitch, fail to finish optimising storage, or run out of space. A crashing streaming app can push the TV back to the Sony logo again and again. HDMI-CEC conflicts, where an external box keeps sending power commands, can also make a Sony TV turn off and on by itself. Only in rarer cases is there deeper firmware corruption that requires a forced factory reset, or hardware issues with the power board that need a technician on site.

How to test if your Sony Bravia restart problem is really fixed

After each step, give the TV time to prove itself. Let your Sony Bravia run for at least 20–30 minutes on the home screen, then open a couple of apps like YouTube or Netflix and switch HDMI inputs a few times. If it no longer reboots when opening apps or when you change sources, and you don’t see the TV stuck on the Sony/Android logo, your fix probably worked. If the Bravia starts restarting again only after reconnecting a certain HDMI device or enabling Bravia Sync, you’ve found the trigger and can leave that feature off or replace the device or cable.

Sony Bravia keeps restarting — quick troubleshooting tips

Most reboot loops are fixed by proper resets, app cleanup and a firmware update.

Quick path: first do a soft reset from the remote and a full power reset by unplugging the TV. Then boot into safe mode to see if a third-party app is making your Sony TV keep restarting. Clear cache/data for suspect apps, remove anything you don’t use, and update the TV software to the latest version. Test with HDMI devices disconnected and Bravia Sync off. If your Sony Bravia is still stuck in a restart loop, a factory reset or forced factory reset using the TV buttons is usually the final step before considering hardware repair.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For help tailored to your exact Sony Bravia model, software version, and connected devices, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why does my Sony Bravia keep restarting by itself?

A Sony Bravia that keeps restarting is usually caused by software: a buggy app crashing Android/Google TV, incomplete firmware update, low storage, or HDMI-CEC conflicts. Less commonly, deeper firmware corruption or power-board issues can also make the TV reboot in a loop.

How do I stop my Sony Bravia from turning off and on repeatedly?

Start with a soft reset from the remote and a full power reset by unplugging the TV. Then boot into safe mode, clear cache/data for problem apps, free storage, and install the latest firmware. Test the TV with HDMI devices disconnected and Bravia Sync disabled. If it still keeps restarting, perform a factory reset.

What is safe mode on Sony Android TV and when should I use it?

Safe mode starts your Sony Android/Google TV with only core system apps. If the TV is stable in safe mode but restarts in normal mode, a third-party app or its data is likely causing the reboot loop. Use safe mode when you suspect an app is crashing the system.

When should I factory reset a Sony Bravia that keeps rebooting?

If soft resets, app cleanup and firmware updates don’t stop the restart loop, it’s time to factory reset. This wipes apps and settings but often fixes persistent software corruption. If you can’t reach the menus, use Sony’s documented forced factory reset using the buttons on the TV.

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