Is Your Yoto Not Turning On? (Try These Simple Fixes!)

It’s disappointing when your Yoto not turning on after pressing the power button, especially if your child has been waiting all day to enjoy their favorite stories or songs. 

Well, don’t worry–this guide offers a clear, structured plan to troubleshoot and fix the problem and restore the functionality of your Yoto in a matter of minutes.

Let’s get started right away!

8 Steps To Fix When Yoto Not Turning On!

Note: Have you tried pressing the Yoto power switch multiple times in a row?

1. Soft Reset Yoto Mini or Yoto Player

Your Yoto might not be turning on due to a temporary functionality issue or an underlying power problem.

The standard Yoto and the Yoto Mini players both have an integrated Power button that affects the power state of the device, and you can use it to perform a soft reset.

1.1 How to Soft Reset the Yoto Player:

The On/Off button on the standard Yoto player can be found in the bottom right corner, right under the speaker holes, so you might have to flip the player over.

Press and hold that button for about 3 seconds until the screen lights up, then wait until the player reboots.

Keep holding for at least ~10 extra seconds after the Yoto Player turns on to “force” reset the system!

1.2 How to Soft Reset the Yoto Mini:

If you have the Yoto Mini, the On/Off button is on the right side, just above the charging port, so it’s easy to notice.

Hold the button for a minimum of ~3 seconds, and once the screen lights up, release and wait.

Press the button again and hold it for at least ~10 seconds to soft reset the player and discharge the AC.

Note: Check whether the power button is stuck or cannot be pressed properly due to debris accumulation!

2. Charge Yoto to Maximum Battery

A depleted battery could also prevent the Yoto player from turning on, especially if you haven’t secured the charging connections.

Position the Yoto into the charging dock, and make sure the dock’s power adapter is firmly connected to the outlet.

Wait for a minimum of 15 minutes until the Yoto reaches at least 15–20% charge and press the “Power” button to test the player. 

How to Check the Yoto Player Charging Level?

All you have to do is short-press the “Power” button of the regular Yoto player or the Yoto mini to check if the unit is charging and see the current battery capacity.

If the charging icon does not illuminate blue after pressing “Power”, it means there’s a charging problem with the player.

3. Reset the Yoto Player Wi-Fi Details

Your Yoto might refuse to turn on if there’s a problem with the Wi-Fi connection.

The player uses the Yoto mobile application to connect with your local Wi-Fi network and provide access to a variety of settings, so the next step is to re-assign the Yoto player Wi-Fi.

Here’s how to reset the Wi-Fi details of the Yoto player:

• Open the Yoto app and navigate to “Settings”.
• Tap “Manage” in the Wi-Fi status panel to start.
• Tap “Add New Wi-Fi” and follow the instructions.
• Make sure the player is charging before starting.
• Check if the Yoto player reconnects to the Wi-Fi.

You can either reconnect the Yoto player to your existing 2.4 GHz local Wi-Fi or test the player on your smartphone hotspot.

Either way, determine if the player connects and press the “Power” switch to test.

Important Note: Both the Yoto Player and the Yoto Mini require a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to connect successfully!

4. Check for Problems with the Charging

If your Yoto Player or Yoto Mini is not turning on after attempting to recharge, the issue is most certainly with the charging equipment and setup.

The charging equipment of either Yoto player consists of a charging contact dock and a charging USB Type-C adapter. 

Here are several things to check regarding the Yoto charging!

Step #1: Inspect the Connection

First, make sure everything is plugged in firmly because a loose connection can prevent the Yoto from charging.

Check the USB-C cable that plugs into the docking station and the adapter in the outlet to determine if anything is loose or unsecured. 

Step #2: Change the Electrical Outlet

Sometimes, the power outlet may be the problem, and that could be the reason why the Yoto player battery fluctuates, preventing the device from turning on.

Unplug the docking station adapter, try a different outlet in another room, and check if the charging light illuminates. 

Step #3: Clean the Docking Station Contacts

Dust or debris on the docking station contacts can interfere with charging and make it inconsistent.

Use a soft cloth and a bit of rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the metal contacts on the dock where it connects.

Step #4: Replace the USB-C Cable or Adapter

If either the USB Type-C cable or the adapter stops working, the Yoto player will not charge consistently.

So, we recommend installing a replacement USB-C cable that supports 5V/2A and connecting it to the dock.

If that doesn’t restore the charging, replace the adapter instead.

Warning: Do not use any third-party or external equipment to charge the Yoto Player!

5. Switch to a Stronger A/C Adapter

A weak A/C adapter could be another reason why the Yoto Player is not turning on.

Whether you have the Yoto Player or the Yoto Mini, installing a stronger power adapter with the existing USB-C cable does not carry a negative consequence, and may just be enough to resolve the problem and turn on your Yoto.

Acquire a stronger adapter, at least 12 watts (5V/2.4A), and connect it to the Yoto charging, then wait for at least 30–40 minutes. 

6. Reinsert the Yoto Player SD Card

Warning: Disassembling the Yoto Player voids the warranty!

A malfunctioning SD card might prevent the Yoto Player from starting up even if you haven’t encountered the storage error.

According to many users, reinserting the microSD card instantly resolves the problem, so it’s worth trying if this is going to save you the headache.

You will require a small Phillips head screwdriver (P00), a 2.5mm flathead, and a pair of pliers!

Here is how to remove and reinsert the Yoto SD card:

• Pry out the orange knobs using the flathead screwdriver.
• Use pliers to remove the screws and keep them safe.
• Peel off the silicon feet and undo both Phillips screws.
• Gently pry open the edges with a flathead screwdriver.
• Unscrew two raised Phillips screws by the battery pack.
• Remove four more screws under the pack in the player.
• Cut the four plastic screen tabs using the screwdriver.
• Lift the SD card hinge and remove the current SD card.
• Wait for 30 seconds, then reinsert the Yoto microSD unit.

If you have also received the SD card storage error, we recommend formatting a new SD card in FAT32 and then placing it in the SD card slot of the Yoto Player. 

Note: The Yoto Player screen will not be as secure after breaking the plastic screen tabs!  

7. Reset Yoto to Factory Default Settings

So, if the Yoto is not turning on after all solutions so far, you should consider a factory reset to erase all of the player settings to defaults.

There is a specific button combination that allows the Yoto player to reset, and you don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary to initiate the process.

Here’s how to reset Yoto to default OS settings:

• First, connect the Yoto player to the docking station.
• Press and hold all three buttons on the Yoto Player.
• Now, wait for the nightlight to pulse red, then release.
• Press the right orange button within three seconds.
• Next, wait for the reset to finish, then set up the Yoto.

Do not interact with the Yoto Player while the factory reset is still in progress.

After the LED has gone off, check if the battery indicator illuminates, and if it doesn’t, try docking the player overnight or for 4 hours.

Note: Get in touch with Yoto customer support if you are still having issues with turning on the player!