Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How to Fix any Samsung Galaxy Factory Reset “Failed to Update” Error
If your Samsung Galaxy won't factory reset and you keep getting a “Failed to update” message after verifying your Samsung account by email, there are several things you can try. In many cases, the problem may simply be that the phone's battery is too low to successfully complete the account verification and reset process.
1. Charge the Galaxy First
This should be the first thing you try.
If your Galaxy has a low battery, especially around 15–20% or lower, the phone may have difficulty completing the Samsung account verification and factory-reset process.
Plug the phone into its charger and allow it to charge to at least 50%, although charging it to 75% or 100% is even better.
Once the phone has sufficient battery power, keep it connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and try the factory reset again.
Go to:
Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset
When Samsung asks you to verify your account, complete the email verification and return to the reset screen.
2. Make Sure the Phone Has a Reliable Wi-Fi Connection
The Samsung account verification requires an internet connection. If the phone has a weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection, the verification may complete in your email but the S21 may fail to communicate the verification back to Samsung.
Connect the phone to a strong Wi-Fi network before attempting the reset again.
3. Complete the Samsung Email Verification Correctly
When Samsung sends the verification email, you may see a message saying:
“One time permission for Samsung account ID verified successfully. Please return to the previous screen (Samsung's application) to continue.”
This means the email verification itself was successful.
After completing the verification, return to the Samsung application/reset screen that originally requested the verification. Don't restart the phone or begin the reset process again immediately.
The phone should then continue with the factory-reset process.
4. Make Sure You Are Using the Correct Samsung Account
Go to:
Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts
Check the Samsung account listed on the phone and make sure it is the account you're trying to verify.
If the wrong Samsung account is being used, the verification process may not complete properly.
5. Try the Factory Reset Again
After charging the phone and confirming that you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection, try:
Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset
Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the Samsung account verification when prompted.
Important
If you're resetting the phone because you're returning or selling it, don't immediately perform a factory reset using the hardware buttons. First make sure your Samsung and Google accounts have been properly removed from the phone.
Removing the accounts before resetting helps prevent the phone from becoming protected by Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which could require the previous owner's Google account when the phone is set up again.
Final Tip
If your phone is showing “Failed to update” after successful Samsung email verification, start with the simplest solution: charge the phone to at least 50% and try again over a strong Wi-Fi connection. A battery level around 16% may not provide enough power for the phone to reliably complete the account verification and reset process. #samsunggalaxy
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases
How to Fix any Samsung Galaxy Factory Reset “Failed to Update” Error
If your Samsung Galaxy won't factory reset and you keep getting a “Failed to update” message after verifying your Samsung account by email, there are several things you can try. In many cases, the problem may simply be that the phone's battery is too low to successfully complete the account verification and reset process.
1. Charge the Galaxy First
This should be the first thing you try.
If your Galaxy has a low battery, especially around 15–20% or lower, the phone may have difficulty completing the Samsung account verification and factory-reset process.
Plug the phone into its charger and allow it to charge to at least 50%, although charging it to 75% or 100% is even better.
Once the phone has sufficient battery power, keep it connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and try the factory reset again.
Go to:
Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset
When Samsung asks you to verify your account, complete the email verification and return to the reset screen.
2. Make Sure the Phone Has a Reliable Wi-Fi Connection
The Samsung account verification requires an internet connection. If the phone has a weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection, the verification may complete in your email but the S21 may fail to communicate the verification back to Samsung.
Connect the phone to a strong Wi-Fi network before attempting the reset again.
3. Complete the Samsung Email Verification Correctly
When Samsung sends the verification email, you may see a message saying:
“One time permission for Samsung account ID verified successfully. Please return to the previous screen (Samsung's application) to continue.”
This means the email verification itself was successful.
After completing the verification, return to the Samsung application/reset screen that originally requested the verification. Don't restart the phone or begin the reset process again immediately.
The phone should then continue with the factory-reset process.
4. Make Sure You Are Using the Correct Samsung Account
Go to:
Settings → Accounts and backup → Manage accounts
Check the Samsung account listed on the phone and make sure it is the account you're trying to verify.
If the wrong Samsung account is being used, the verification process may not complete properly.
5. Try the Factory Reset Again
After charging the phone and confirming that you have a reliable Wi-Fi connection, try:
Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset
Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the Samsung account verification when prompted.
Important
If you're resetting the phone because you're returning or selling it, don't immediately perform a factory reset using the hardware buttons. First make sure your Samsung and Google accounts have been properly removed from the phone.
Removing the accounts before resetting helps prevent the phone from becoming protected by Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which could require the previous owner's Google account when the phone is set up again.
Final Tip
If your phone is showing “Failed to update” after successful Samsung email verification, start with the simplest solution: charge the phone to at least 50% and try again over a strong Wi-Fi connection. A battery level around 16% may not provide enough power for the phone to reliably complete the account verification and reset process. #samsunggalaxy
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified purchases
