Alex Ruben
How To Reset Your Duolingo Progress Easily
Let’s be real, sometimes the current level on Duolingo just doesn’t cut it anymore, or maybe it’s so cluttered with streaks and badges that starting fresh seems like the best option. Whatever the reason, resetting your progress for a specific language isn’t super obvious, and honestly, it feels a little clunky. But it’s doable — if you know where to look. Doing this allows you to re-start from scratch or jump right into a placement test without old stuff getting in the way. Think of it like hitting reset on your language journey, but be warned, it’s a bit of a binary decision – no coming back once you confirm. So, here’s the lowdown on how to actually do it, whether you’re on Android, iOS, or the web.
How to Fix or Reset Your Duolingo Progress in 2023
Method 1: Removing a Course from Your Profile on Desktop or Mobile
This method is for when you want to wipe out your progress for a specific language, which, let’s face it, is kinda weirdly buried under a few menus. It applies if you’ve hit a wall or just want to start over for a clean slate.
- Log into https://www.duolingo.com on your web browser, or open the app on your Android or iOS device.
- Head to your profile icon (top right corner on the website, bottom right on mobile).
- Click or tap Settings. On desktop, it’s a gear icon; on mobile, tap the hamburger menu or the three dots then select Settings.
- Scroll down to find the Courses section. Yeah, it’s kinda hidden.
- Next to the language you wanna reset, there’s a minus (-) sign inside a red circle. On desktop, it’s right there, on mobile it might be a little harder to find, usually in a list or under your courses.
- Click or tap that minus sign. You’ll get a warning that says you’re about to remove that course and delete your progress. Confirm it — prepare for a blank slate.
The reason behind this? Removing the course by deleting it from your profile also wipes out your progress, but it’s kinda hidden — because of course, Duolingo likes to make it harder than necessary.
Once you re-add the course, it’ll be like you’re starting fresh, perfect if you want to redo a placement test or just forget all those phrases you’ve already learned.
Method 2: Re-Adding the Course and Starting Over
This is the second half of the process. After the reset, you just add that language back on and start from zero. It’s weird that it involves removing then re-adding, but hey, it works. Sometimes it’s buggy, and on some accounts, the reset doesn’t stick right away, so a quick refresh or relog might help.
- Go back to the main page or your profile, then tap + Add a Course.
- Locate the language you just removed. The plus icon (+) usually appears next to it.
- Tap that plus sign and wait for it to reappear on your profile. Now, you can kick off learning again or take that placement test to skip ahead if you’re feeling confident.
And that’s pretty much it. You don’t need to scramble for some secret menu, but sometimes it’s not super friendly about confirming the reset, so double-check before you follow through.
Ways Resetting Your Progress Helps (or Not)
Resetting clears out all your progress, XP, badges, streaks — all of it. It’s like telling Duolingo, “I want to start over,” but keep in mind, your overall streak probably gets affected since the app sees it as a significant change. Usually, after a reset, you’re prompted to take a placement test, which can help you gauge your level without starting from absolute scratch. Real-world experience? On some setups, it’s fine, and on others, the reset doesn’t take right away. You might need to log out and back in or do a quick app restart.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
- Remember, resetting is irreversible. Once you confirm, all your progress is toast. Double-check your choice.
- If something weird happens — like the progress not resetting — try clearing cache or reinstalling the app. Sometimes it’s just that simple.
- Visit the Duolingo Help Center if you hit a wall. They have some hidden tricks, maybe, or explanations for bugs.
Wrap-up
Resetting your Duolingo course is kinda hidden in the settings, but once you know where to look, it’s straightforward. Be cautious because it’s a one-way street — no undo. But if done right, it’s a clean way to get a fresh start without creating a new account or losing your entire streak forever. Just don’t be surprised if you have to tinker a bit and reload a few pages to see the reset go through.
Summary
- You can remove and re-add courses from your profile to reset progress.
- This involves deleting the course via the minus sign and then adding it back with the plus sign.
- The process varies slightly between mobile and web, but the core idea is the same.
- Proceed with caution — resets are permanent once confirmed.
Final thoughts
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Not the most obvious process, but it gets the job done. Just another little quirky way Duolingo keeps things interesting. Good luck, and happy language learning — or re-learning, I guess!