The fastest way to reset your Fire tablet to factory settings

A factory reset wipes your Fire tablet completely and returns it to the state it left the Amazon warehouse. The process takes about 10 minutes and erases all your apps, photos, documents, and account information. You do this through the Settings menu on the tablet itself — no computer needed.

Before you start, know that a factory reset cannot be undone. If you have photos, documents, or anything else you want to keep, back them up to your Amazon account or a cloud service first. Once you begin the reset, everything on the tablet is gone.

Key Takeaways

  • Factory reset erases everything on your tablet and returns it to original settings, and the process cannot be reversed.
  • You access the reset option through Settings > Device Options > Reset to Factory Defaults on the tablet itself.
  • The reset takes about 10 minutes and requires your tablet to be plugged in or have a full battery.
  • After the reset completes, you will need to sign in with an Amazon account to use the tablet again.
  • If your tablet is frozen or unresponsive, a hard reset (holding the power button) may work before you try a factory reset.

Step-by-step factory reset through Settings

Open the Settings app on your Fire tablet. You will find it in the app library or by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon. Once Settings is open, scroll down and tap Device Options.

In Device Options, scroll to the bottom and tap Reset to Factory Defaults. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning — it tells you that all your personal data will be erased. Tap the confirmation button to proceed. Your tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not unplug it or turn it off during this time.

When the reset finishes, your tablet will show the setup screen you saw when it was brand new. You will need to sign in with an Amazon account to continue. If you do not have an Amazon account, you can create one during setup or skip this step and use the tablet in limited mode.

What to do if your tablet is frozen or will not turn on

If your tablet is completely unresponsive and you cannot reach the Settings menu, try a hard reset first. Press and hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This forces the tablet to shut down and restart without erasing anything.

If the hard reset does not work and your tablet still will not respond, then a factory reset through Settings is not possible. In that case, you have two options: contact Amazon support for help, or try connecting the tablet to a computer and using Amazon's Device Utility software if you are comfortable with that route. Amazon support can walk you through those steps or arrange a replacement if the tablet is still under warranty.

Backing up your data before you reset

Amazon automatically backs up certain items — your Kindle books, apps, and some settings — to your Amazon account. When you sign back in after the reset, those items will reappear on your tablet. However, photos, videos, and documents you created or downloaded are not automatically backed up unless you moved them to Amazon Photos or Amazon Drive.

To save photos and videos, open Amazon Photos on your tablet and turn on Camera Roll Backup in the settings. This uploads your photos to your Amazon account automatically. For documents and files, use Amazon Drive or another cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. read the app, sign in, and upload the files you want to keep. After the factory reset, sign back into that service and read your files again.

What happens to your Amazon account after the reset

The factory reset removes your Amazon account from the tablet, but it does not delete your account itself. Your account, your order history, and your digital library remain on Amazon's servers. When you sign back in after the reset, you will see all your books, apps, and purchases exactly as they were.

If you are selling or giving away your tablet, signing out before the reset is the right move. After the reset, the next person will see a blank tablet and will need their own Amazon account to use it. They will not see your account information, payment methods, or order history.

Resetting a Fire tablet that is linked to a child account

If the tablet is set up with a child account or parental controls, you will need the parent account password to perform a factory reset. Go to Settings > Device Options > Reset to Factory Defaults as usual, but when the confirmation screen appears, you may be asked to enter the parent password. If you do not know the password, you will need to reset it through your Amazon account on a computer or phone before you can reset the tablet.

To reset your Amazon password, go to amazon.com, click Account & Lists, select Login & Security, and follow the steps to change your password. Once you have reset the password, use the new one to confirm the factory reset on the tablet.

How long a factory reset takes and what to expect

The entire process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your tablet model and how much data was on it. During the reset, you will see a progress bar or a spinning icon on the screen. The tablet may restart one or more times — this is normal. Do not interrupt the process by unplugging the tablet or pressing buttons.

Make sure your tablet has at least 50 percent battery before you start, or plug it in during the reset. If the battery dies during the process, the reset may fail and leave your tablet in an unusable state. After the reset completes and the setup screen appears, your tablet is ready to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove the Amazon Appstore and Fire OS?

No. A factory reset only removes your personal data and apps you installed. The Amazon Appstore and Fire OS (the operating system) are part of the tablet's core software and cannot be removed by a factory reset. After the reset, your tablet will have the same software it had when it left the factory.

Can I factory reset my Fire tablet without knowing my Amazon password?

If the tablet is linked to a child account or has parental controls, you will need the parent password. If you have forgotten your Amazon password, reset it at amazon.com on a computer or phone before attempting the factory reset. If the tablet is not linked to parental controls, you can reset it without a password.

What if my tablet gets stuck during the factory reset?

If the reset appears to be frozen and the progress bar has not moved for more than 20 minutes, try unplugging the tablet and waiting 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If it still does not respond after another 10 minutes, contact Amazon support. Do not force shut down the tablet repeatedly, as this can damage the file system.

Do I need to remove my microSD card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect a microSD card. Any files stored on the card will remain there after the reset. If you want to erase the card as well, you can do that separately through Settings > Storage after the reset is complete, or remove the card and format it on a computer.

Will my apps reinstall automatically after the factory reset?

Apps you purchased or downloaded from the Amazon Appstore will appear in your library after you sign back into your Amazon account. You can reinstall them one at a time, or use the Manage Your Apps and Devices section of your Amazon account to reinstall multiple apps at once. Apps from outside the Amazon Appstore will not reinstall automatically.