Two ways to reset your Kindle Fire: soft reset vs. factory reset
A soft reset restarts your tablet without erasing anything—use this first if your Kindle is frozen or apps are crashing. A factory reset wipes all your data and returns the tablet to its original state—use this only when you plan to sell it, give it away, or troubleshoot a serious problem you cannot fix any other way.
Most people need a soft reset. It takes 30 seconds and fixes lag, unresponsive screens, and apps that won't close. A factory reset takes 5 to 10 minutes and erases everything: downloaded books, apps, photos, documents, and settings. Once you start a factory reset, you cannot stop it partway through.
Before you do either one, know that a factory reset will remove your Amazon account from the tablet. You will need your Amazon password to sign back in afterward. If you do not remember your password, reset it on Amazon.com before you reset the tablet.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset (holding the power button for 20 seconds) fixes most freezing and app problems without erasing anything.
- A factory reset erases all books, apps, photos, and settings and returns the tablet to how it came from Amazon.
- Factory reset is found in Settings > Device Options > Reset to Factory Defaults, and takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
- After a factory reset, you must sign back into your Amazon account with your password before the tablet is usable again.
How to do a soft reset (the quick fix)
Press and hold the power button on the top or side of your tablet for 20 seconds. The screen will go black. Keep holding. After about 20 seconds, you will see the Amazon logo appear. Release the button and wait for the tablet to finish restarting—this takes 30 to 60 seconds.
Do not let go early. If you release the button after only 5 or 10 seconds, the tablet will just turn off instead of restarting. The full 20-second hold is what forces a restart.
Once the home screen appears, test whether the problem is fixed. Open the app that was crashing, or try the action that was frozen. If it works now, you are done. If the problem returns within a few hours, move on to a factory reset.
How to do a factory reset through Settings
Open the Settings app. On most Kindle Fire models, this is a gear icon in the top-right corner of the home screen. Tap it to open Settings.
Scroll down and tap Device Options. This menu contains settings for the tablet itself (not for individual apps). Look for the option that says Reset to Factory Defaults or sometimes just Reset Device. Tap it.
A warning will appear asking you to confirm. It will say something like "This will erase all your personal data and settings." Read it carefully. Tap the button that says Reset or Erase Everything to proceed. Some models ask you to type a word or number to confirm—do that if prompted.
The tablet will restart and begin erasing data. You will see a progress bar. Do not turn off the tablet or unplug it during this time. The process takes 5 to 10 minutes depending on how much data is stored. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen you saw the first time you turned on the tablet.
What to do after a factory reset
The tablet will ask you to connect to Wi-Fi. Select your network and enter the password. Then it will ask you to sign into your Amazon account. Enter the email address and password associated with your Amazon account. This is the same account you use to buy books and apps on Amazon.
After you sign in, the tablet will read your books, apps, and settings from Amazon's servers. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many books and apps you had. You do not need to do anything—just leave the tablet plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
Once the read finishes, your books and apps will be back on the tablet. Your personal files (photos, documents, notes) will not return—those are gone. If you had important files, you should have backed them up to a cloud service like Amazon Drive or Dropbox before resetting.
When to factory reset instead of soft reset
Use a factory reset if a soft reset did not fix the problem, or if the tablet is so slow or buggy that it is unusable. Also factory reset if you are selling or giving away the tablet—this removes your account and personal data so the new owner starts fresh.
Do not factory reset just because the tablet is slow. First, try closing apps you are not using, clearing the cache (Settings > Apps > [app name] > Clear Cache), or deleting old books and files you no longer need. These steps often speed up a tablet without erasing everything.
Troubleshooting: what if the tablet won't turn on
If your tablet is completely unresponsive and will not turn on, try charging it for at least 30 minutes. Plug it into a wall outlet (not a computer USB port) using the original charger if you have it. Some tablets drain completely and need time to power back up.
After 30 minutes, press the power button. If it still does not respond, try a soft reset anyway: hold the power button for 20 seconds even though you see no response. The tablet may restart even if the screen appears dead.
If the tablet still will not turn on after charging and a soft reset attempt, a factory reset will not help—the problem is hardware-level, not software. Contact Amazon support or visit an authorized repair center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a soft reset delete my books and apps?
No. A soft reset only restarts the tablet. All your books, apps, photos, and settings stay exactly as they were. It is the same as restarting a computer—nothing is erased.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once a factory reset completes, all personal data is gone permanently. Your books and apps will read again when you sign back into your Amazon account, but files like photos and documents will not return unless you backed them up separately.
How long does a factory reset take?
The actual reset process takes 5 to 10 minutes. After that, signing back into Amazon and downloading your books and apps can take another 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much content you had. Keep the tablet plugged in and on Wi-Fi during the whole process.
Do I need my Amazon password to factory reset?
You do not need it to start the reset, but you will need it when ready after to sign back in. If you do not remember your password, go to Amazon.com and reset it before you reset the tablet, so you have it ready.
What if I forgot which button is the power button?
On most Kindle Fire tablets, the power button is on the top edge or the right side. It is usually a small raised button. If you are not sure, check the manual that came with your tablet, or search "Kindle Fire [your model] power button" online to see a photo of your specific model.