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HoloLens 2 fundamentals: develop mixed reality applications - Training
Learn about the best practices for developing Azure-enabled mixed reality applications with the Mixed Reality Toolkit.
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If you're experiencing problems with your HoloLens, you may want to try a restart or reset, or even reflash the device by using device recovery. This article guides you through the recommended recovery steps in order.
If you're looking to recover a HoloLens 2, see Recovering a HoloLens 2, as that process differs.
Note
This article focuses on the HoloLens device and software. If your holograms don't look right, see HoloLens environment considerations for information about factors that improve hologram quality.
The safest way to restart the HoloLens is by using Cortana, which is generally the first thing to try when you experience an issue with HoloLens.
Note
Cortana is not available on all devices.
If you still can't restart your device, try to restart it by using the power button:
Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. After 1 second, all five LEDs will illuminate and then slowly turn off one by one from right to left. After 5 seconds, all LEDs will be off, indicating successful shutdown.
Important
Stop pressing the button immediately after all the LEDs have turned off.
Wait 1 minute for the shutdown to complete. The shutdown may still be in progress even after the displays are turned off.
Turn on the device again by pressing and holding the power button for 1 second.
Note
For this process, HoloLens has to be configured as a developer device. Learn more at Windows Device Portal.
If the previous procedure didn't work, try to restart the device by using Windows Device Portal. In the upper-right corner, find the option to restart or shut down the device.
If the previous methods didn't restart your HoloLens, force a restart. This method is equivalent to removing and reinstalling the battery. It's dangerous because it might leave your device in a corrupted state. If that happens, you'll have to flash your HoloLens.
Warning
This is a potentially harmful method and should only be used if the previously cited methods didn't work.
In some cases, you might want to go back to a previous version of the HoloLens software. You can do this by using the Windows Device Recovery Tool to reset your HoloLens to the earlier version.
Note
Going back to an earlier version deletes your personal files and settings.
To go back to a previous version of HoloLens 1, follow these steps:
Note
If the WDRT doesn't detect your HoloLens, try restarting your PC. If that doesn't work, select My device was not detected, select Microsoft HoloLens, and then follow the instructions.
Note
The battery needs at least a 40-percent charge to reset.
If your HoloLens still has a problem, try resetting it to factory state. This step keeps the version of the Windows Holographic software that's installed on it and returns everything else to factory settings.
Warning
If you reset your device, all your personal data, apps, and settings will be erased, including TPM reset information. Resetting will only install the latest installed version of Windows Holographic. You'll have to redo all the initialization steps (calibrate, connect to Wi-Fi, create a user account, download apps, and so on).
If the device is still having a problem after restart and reset, you can use a recovery tool on your computer to reinstall the HoloLens operating system and firmware.
The data that HoloLens needs for the reset is packaged in a Full Flash Update (FFU), which is similar to an .iso, .wim, or .vhd file. Learn about FFU image file formats.
You can install a new operating system on your HoloLens (1st gen) by using the Windows Device Recovery Tool. Before you use that tool, see if restarting or resetting your HoloLens fixes the problem.
The recovery process may take a while. When it's done, the latest version of the Windows Holographic software will be installed.
To use the tool, you need a computer running Windows 10 or later with at least 4 GB of free storage space. You can't run this tool on a virtual machine.
If the HoloLens (1st gen) isn't automatically detected, select My device was not detected. Then follow the instructions to put the device into recovery mode.
If your device isn't detected, follow these steps to put it into flashing mode:
Training
Learning path
HoloLens 2 fundamentals: develop mixed reality applications - Training
Learn about the best practices for developing Azure-enabled mixed reality applications with the Mixed Reality Toolkit.
Documentation
Install localized versions of HoloLens
Learn how to install the localized versions of HoloLens (1st gen), including Chinese and Japanese versions.