How to reset your Amazon Fire Tablet
You can reset your Fire tablet in two ways: a soft reset that clears temporary files and restarts the system, or a factory reset that erases everything and returns the tablet to its original state. A soft reset takes a few seconds and fixes most freezing or performance problems. A factory reset wipes all your apps, photos, documents, and settings—use it only when you're selling the tablet, giving it away, or the soft reset didn't work.
Both methods are built into the tablet itself. You don't need a computer, a special tool, or access to your Amazon account, though you will need your Amazon password if you want to set up the tablet again after a factory reset.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset (holding the power button for 20 seconds) fixes most problems and keeps all your data intact.
- A factory reset erases everything on the tablet and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it.
- You can perform a factory reset from the Settings menu without losing the ability to recover your content later through your Amazon account.
- If your tablet is frozen and won't respond to button presses, force it off by holding the power button for at least 40 seconds.
Soft reset: the quick fix for freezing and slow performance
A soft reset restarts your Fire tablet without erasing anything. It clears temporary files and stops apps that may be running in the background and causing problems. Most freezing, lag, or app crashes go away after a soft reset.
To soft reset your Fire tablet, locate the power button (usually on the top or side edge). Press and hold it for 20 seconds, then release. The screen will go black. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The tablet will restart and you'll see the Amazon logo.
If the tablet is completely frozen and won't respond to the power button, hold it down for at least 40 seconds. This forces the tablet off even if the screen is stuck. Then press the power button again to turn it back on.
Factory reset from the Settings menu
A factory reset erases all apps, photos, documents, contacts, and settings. Use this when you're selling or giving away the tablet, or when problems persist after a soft reset. After a factory reset, the tablet looks and works exactly as it did when you first unboxed it.
To perform a factory reset, open the Settings app (usually a gear icon on the home screen). Scroll down and tap Device Options. Tap Reset to Factory Defaults. The tablet will ask you to confirm. Tap Reset again. The tablet will restart and erase everything. This process takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off the tablet during this time.
After the reset completes, the tablet will show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You can set it up as a new device or sign in with your Amazon account to restore apps and content you purchased through Amazon (photos and documents you stored locally will not return).
Factory reset if you can't access Settings
If your tablet is so frozen or damaged that you can't open the Settings app, you can force a factory reset using button combinations. The exact combination depends on your Fire tablet model, but the most common method works on most current models.
Turn off the tablet completely. Press and hold the power button and the volume-down button together for about 10 seconds. Release both buttons. The tablet will vibrate and show a boot menu with white text on a black screen. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Recovery and press the power button to select it. The tablet will restart into recovery mode. Use the volume buttons to highlight Factory Reset and press the power button. Confirm the reset. The tablet will erase everything and restart.
If this combination doesn't work on your model, the tablet's model number (found in Settings > Device Options > About Fire Tablet) will help you find the correct button combination in Amazon's support documentation.
What happens to your Amazon account and purchases
A factory reset does not delete your Amazon account or remove your purchases from your account history. After the reset, you can sign back in with the same Amazon email and password. Apps you bought through the Amazon Appstore will be available to read again at no cost. Books, movies, and music you purchased will still be in your Amazon library.
However, files stored only on the tablet—photos you took, documents you created, notes you wrote—will be permanently deleted. If you want to keep these, connect the tablet to a computer and copy them to the computer before you reset, or upload them to a cloud storage service like Amazon Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
When to soft reset versus factory reset
Start with a soft reset if the tablet is slow, freezing, or apps are crashing. A soft reset takes 30 seconds and solves most problems. Try it before doing anything more drastic.
Use a factory reset only if a soft reset didn't work, or if you're preparing the tablet to sell, give away, or pass to someone else. A factory reset is permanent for files stored only on the tablet, so make sure you've backed up anything you want to keep.
If the tablet won't turn on at all, or if it's physically damaged, a reset won't help. Contact Amazon support or visit an authorized repair center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Amazon account from the tablet?
Yes, a factory reset removes your account from the tablet. After the reset, you'll see the initial setup screen. You can sign back in with your Amazon email and password, and your purchases will be available again. Your account itself is not deleted—it remains active on Amazon's servers.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No, a factory reset cannot be undone. Files stored only on the tablet are permanently deleted. However, if you sign back in with your Amazon account, you can re-read apps and content you purchased. Personal files like photos or documents are gone unless you backed them up before the reset.
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 10 minutes from start to finish. The tablet will restart several times during the process. Do not turn it off or unplug it while the reset is running, or you may damage the tablet's system files.
What if my tablet is stuck on the Amazon logo after a reset?
If the tablet stays on the Amazon logo for more than 15 minutes, try a soft reset by holding the power button for 20 seconds. If that doesn't work, try the factory reset using button combinations (power + volume-down). If the tablet still won't start, contact Amazon support—the system files may be corrupted.
Do I need Wi-Fi to reset my Fire tablet?
No, you don't need Wi-Fi to perform a soft reset or factory reset. However, if you want to sign back in with your Amazon account after a factory reset, you'll need Wi-Fi to read your apps and content. The initial setup screen will prompt you to connect to Wi-Fi.