HX Stomp Factory Reset

Factory resets allow you to return your device to its original settings. You may do it to resolve software issues with the device or simply go back to the manufacturer’s settings.

Either way, it’s an important action that proves handy in many situations. Like other electronic devices, your HX Stomp also supports this feature.

However, executing a proper HX Stomp factory reset can be tricky if you don’t know the ins and outs of your device. 

Fortunately, here’s a full and detailed breakdown of how to reset your HX Stomp to its original settings. 

What is HX Stomp Factory Reset?

Before we list out the steps for resetting your HX Stomp, let’s first understand what the term means. 

Your HX Stomp is a sophisticated multi-effects processor that’s capable of many features.

With more than 120 presets, over 200 effects, and a multitude of IR (Impulse response) functions, there’s a whole lot of actions you can perform to tweak and personalize the tones and sounds. 

However, as you operate your HX Stomp more and more, there is a risk of phasing out the original sounds and effects that come with the device.

When you perform an HX Stomp factory reset, the processor reverts to its original state. 

It’s essentially a process where all the sounds, settings, and features go back to what they were like when you first purchased it.

Other common terms used to describe a factory reset include hard reset, master reset, hardware reset, software reset, etc.

Possible Reasons for Conducting HX Stomp Factory Reset

Here are some possible resetting scenarios where you may want to execute a factory reset.

• Guitar effects can sometimes develop glitches or software problems as you continue editing the patches and sounds. A reset can reload and refresh all the settings, which can fix some of these issues.
• Inexperienced users may inadvertently edit original patches and change them into new sounds that are often worse than the original sound. Resetting the device will bring back all your original HX Stomp factory presets.
• Users may often want a do-over when it comes to editing and creating new sounds on their HX Stomp. A factory reset is like a second chance at fiddling with all the sounds and patches on the device.
• If you wish to sell your processor, performing a factory reset will allow the buyer to receive the device with its manufactured settings (not your personalized settings, which may not suit the buyer).
• Updating the firmware or adding new software may occasionally cause performance issues in the device. A master reset can resolve these issues in most cases. Even if there are no obvious issues, Line 6 always recommends a full factory reset for its HX devices after every firmware update. 

Creating Backups Before Performing Line 6 HX Factory Reset

Your HX Stomp comes with a fairly simple and straightforward method when it comes to factory resets.

For instance, a hard reset for your HX Stomp is relatively easier compared to, say, an HX Effects factory reset which requires a few extra steps.

However, before you perform a hard reset for your device, it’s important to back up the processor. 

If you’re planning a factory reset because a brand new HX Stomp XL won’t boot, then the backup may not be necessary. That’s because you don’t have any customized data or patches yet. 

But if you’ve used or personalized the sounds for some time, the backup will save this data. That way, you don’t have to lose your customized patches while retrieving the original HX Stomp factory presets and patches. 

The backup is especially important for users who have custom presets that they don’t want to lose. Also, experienced musicians may have unique IRs or setlists that they want to retrieve later on.

Creating a backup is the easiest way of preserving all these customized data while still regaining the original settings.

How to Create a Backup before Your HX Stomp Factory Reset

To perform a proper Line 6 HX Stomp backup, you will need Line 6’s native application called HX Edit. The HX Edit application will allow you to access your device through a computer and use the interface to backup your data. 

The HX Edit app can also allow you to download new HX Stomp firmware and update the programs. So, if there are new HX Stomp factory presets available, you’ll need this application to access them and install them on your device. 

Here’s a step-wise guide of how to execute your HX Stomp backup. 

Step 1: Get HX Edit

To begin, you’ll need to get a copy of the HX Edit application installed on your computer. Follow the actions listed here to get it done.

• Go to the software section of Line 6’s official website. You’ll find it under the ‘Downloads’ tab on the home page.
• On the first drop down menu where it says ‘Choose Hardware,’ find ‘HX Stomp’ and click on it.
• The second drop down menu will be labeled as ‘Choose Software.’ Here, find the option that says ‘HX Edit,’ and click on it.
• In the third drop down menu, you’ll have to choose the operating system that’s in your computer. Click on the menu and choose the appropriate OS (Eg. Windows 10 or Mac OS X). Finally, click on the small ‘Go’ button on the right.
• The subsequent page will display all the updates and changes made on the latest version of the HX Edit app. Scroll down to the lower bottom of the menu and click on ‘Get Download.’ Your browser should automatically save the file in the default location for downloads.

Step 2: Installing HX Edit

• Go to your default downloads folder or whichever folder acts as the designated location for your downloaded content.
• For Windows, the file should appear as an installer.exe file. The name will also have the version number alongside. So, it may look something like HX Edit v.3.15 installer.exe. Click on this installer file to begin the installation.
• For Mac, the file may appear as a .dmg file (Eg. HX Edit 3.15.dmg). Double click on this dmg file first. Then, an HX Edit.pkg file will appear. Double click on this .pkg file to begin the installation.
• For both PC and Mac, simply follow the on-screen buttons and instructions after you click the installation file. 

Step 3: Connect your HX Stomp

Once your HX Edit app gets installed correctly, it’s time to hook up your Stomp to the computer.

• Get a standard 2.0 USB cable ready.

• Connect your USB cable to your HX Stomp on one end and link it up to your computer on the other end. 

Note: USB cables may experience compatibility issues depending on the make and model. Try different cables if the first one does not work.

• Ensure that your HX Stomp is powered on before accessing the program on your computer.

Step 4: Create HX Stomp Backup

• Once your processor is connected, open the HX Edit app on the computer.
• On the HX Edit interface, click on the ‘File’ option located on the top left corner/bar of the application.
• You should get a drop down menu that lists a number of import/export options. At the bottom, click on the ‘Create Backup’ option.
• You’ll have a few storage options when it comes to saving the backup files. It’s usually advisable to simply go for the default Line 6 folder on your computer’s external hard drive.
• If you wish to save or archive the backup in the form of individual sub-folders, you can also categorize them accordingly. For instance, presets will appear as .hlx files and setlists will appear as .hls files. You can create custom folders for each of these categories if you wish.

Note: If you wish to save your Impulse Responses, they will not appear as individual files like presets and bundles (.hlx, .hlb, etc.). Only the IR number will remain associated with the selected preset or setlist.

A good way of getting around this problem is to rename your IRs with an identifiable IR number. This way, you can retrieve your IRs along with the related presets when you restore the backup files later on.

Congratulations! Your HX Stomp back up is now complete, and you’re good to go.

How to Execute a Line 6 HX Stomp Factory Reset

Performing a full or partial factory reset is an easy process on the HX Stomp. Follow the following steps depending on whether you want to simply remove all the stored data or reset the available data.

To erase all presets

• Switch off your HX Stomp and restart the device. 
• While the HX device is booting, press and hold all the three footswitches on the HX Stomp. 
• When fully booted, all the HX Stomp factory presets will get removed. You can also use this action to perform a full ‘HX Stomp XL clear all presets’ command.

To remove all presets + IR and reset them.

• Turn off your HX Stomp and turn the device back on. 
• While booting, press and hold the first two switches (Footswitch 1 and 2). 
• This will remove all existing presets, patches, etc. and reload all the original HX Stomp factory presets.

To remove and retrieve all presets, IR, and global settings

• Power off your HX Stomp and then power it back on.
• When switching back on, press and hold the second and third footswitches. 
• This will remove all settings along with the presets and impulse responses. When fully booted, the device will restore all original presets, IR, and HX Stomp’s global settings.

That’s it! Performing a hard reset on your HX Stomp only requires a few buttons and footswitches. You don’t have to dabble with the software or perform complicated sequences on the device.

The manufacturers have intentionally kept the process simple, straightforward, and easy so that even beginners can retrieve the original settings.

So, whether you’re facing problems like getting your HX Stomp bricked or simply want to recall an original preset, the factory reset is super easy to perform

Bonus Content: Restoring the Backup for your HX Stomp

Most factory resets may require you to recall some elements that you backed up earlier. This is common in cases where the user has created painstaking patches that take a lot of time and effort.

These sounds or settings are too valuable to be deleted permanently. So, having them saved on your backup folders can allow you to retrieve them to the device even after a full factory reset removes all existing data. 

As a measure of additional information, we’ll quickly list out the process for restoring the backup on your device.

• Open the HX Edit application on your computer. 
• Click on the ‘File’ option on the left tab of the interface. 
• On the drop down menu that appears, scroll to the bottom and click on the ‘Restore from backup’ option. 
• Here, you can simply recall the .hxb file if you performed a standard backup earlier. 
• Alternatively, you can retrieve individual sets of backup files. For instance, the .hlx file will restore all the presets you backed up earlier, and the .hlb file will retrieve the bundle files that you backed up.

Closing Note

The HX Stomp is a versatile and feature-rich processor that can add or supplement any rig.

Whether it’s in the jamming studio or live on stage, the HX Stomp offers a multitude of features that allow easy customization and unmatched tones. 

The HX Stomp’s factory reset function is a subtle yet powerful tool that allows you to troubleshoot, restore, retrieve, and preserve all the rich patches and sounds you created on the device. 

As handy as this Helix feature is, it’s not much use if you do not know how to perform it correctly.

This guide is a hands-on, detailed resource that will allow you to backup your data, execute a full or partial reset, and even retrieve your personal patches after the rest. 

Your HX Stomp is a powerful device, but its efficiency depends greatly on the person operating it. Stay in the loop when it comes to making full use of your HX processors by following this page for more insightful guides and updates.