Techniques regarding resetting highly excited qubits are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a system, which can comprise a memory that can store computer executable components. The system can also comprise a processor, operably coupled to the memory, and that can execute the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise a reset component that can de-excite a qubit system to a target state by transitioning a population of a first excited state of the qubit system to a ground state and by applying a signal to the qubit system that transitions a population of a second excited state to the first excited state.