Two ways to reset your Fire tablet, depending on what you need
A factory reset wipes your Fire tablet completely and returns it to the state it left the factory. You lose all apps, photos, documents, and settings you added. A soft reset (or restart) closes everything running and refreshes the system without erasing anything — this fixes most freezes and slow performance without data loss.
Most people should try a soft reset first. If your tablet is frozen, apps crash repeatedly, or it runs slowly, restart it. If you are selling the tablet, giving it away, or need to clear everything because of a security concern, do a factory reset instead.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset closes all running apps and refreshes the system without erasing anything; hold the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black.
- A factory reset erases everything on the tablet and returns it to original settings; you can do this from Settings or by holding the power and volume-down buttons together.
- Before a factory reset, write down your Amazon account email and password, because you will need them to set up the tablet again.
- A factory reset takes 5 to 15 minutes and the tablet will restart several times; do not unplug it or press buttons during the process.
How to soft reset (restart) your Fire tablet
Hold down the power button on the top or side of your tablet for 10 seconds. The screen will go black. Wait 5 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. The tablet will restart and all your apps and files stay in place.
This fixes most common problems: apps that crash, a tablet that freezes, or performance that slows down. If the tablet is completely unresponsive and you cannot reach the power button menu, holding the power button for the full 10 seconds will force it off anyway.
Factory reset through Settings
Open Settings from 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 begin erasing everything. This takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not unplug the tablet or press any buttons while it resets.
When the reset finishes, the tablet will show the setup screen you saw when it was new. You will need to sign in with your Amazon account to read your apps again and restore your library. Your Amazon account email and password are required at this step.
Factory reset using hardware buttons (if Settings does not work)
If your tablet will not start, will not respond to touch, or Settings is not accessible, you can force a factory reset using the physical buttons. Power off the tablet completely. Hold down the power button and volume-down button at the same time for about 10 seconds until you see a menu appear on the screen.
Use the volume buttons to highlight wipe data/factory reset and press the power button to select it. The tablet will ask you to confirm; use the volume buttons to highlight yes and press power to confirm. The reset will begin. This method is slower and the screen may look different, but it works the same way as the Settings method.
What to do before you factory reset
Write down your Amazon account email and password. After the reset, you will need these to sign in and restore your apps and content. If you have documents, photos, or files stored only on the tablet (not backed up to Amazon Drive or another cloud service), copy them to a computer or cloud storage first — they will be deleted during the reset.
If you are selling or giving away the tablet, a factory reset is the right choice. It removes your account, payment methods, and personal data. After the reset, the new owner will sign in with their own Amazon account.
Why your tablet might need a reset
A soft reset fixes most problems: apps crashing, the screen freezing, or the tablet running slowly. These happen when the system runs out of memory or an app gets stuck. Restarting clears the memory and closes stuck processes.
A factory reset is necessary if you want to erase everything before selling the tablet, if the system is corrupted and will not start, or if you suspect a security problem. It is also the right choice if you have tried a soft reset and the problems continue.
What happens after a factory reset
The tablet will restart and show the setup screen. You will choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with your Amazon account. After you sign in, the tablet will read and install your apps automatically — the ones you owned before the reset will appear in your library.
Books, magazines, and music you bought through Amazon will be available to read again. Photos and documents you stored in Amazon Drive will still be there. Anything stored only on the tablet itself — photos taken with the camera, documents created in apps, or files downloaded from the web — will be gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a factory reset take?
A factory reset usually takes 5 to 15 minutes from start to finish. The tablet will restart several times during the process. Do not unplug it or press buttons while it is resetting, even if the screen goes black for a minute or two.
Will I lose my Amazon books and music after a factory reset?
No. Books, music, and magazines you bought through Amazon are tied to your account, not the tablet. After you sign back in, they will be available to read again. Photos and files stored in Amazon Drive will also still be there.
What if I forget my Amazon password before resetting?
Go to amazon.com on a computer or phone and use the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page. Amazon will send you a reset link by email. Write down your new password before you reset the tablet, because you will need it during setup.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset permanently erases everything on the tablet. If you have important files, photos, or documents, back them up to a computer or cloud storage before you reset. Once the reset starts, the data cannot be recovered.
Do I need to remove my Amazon account before selling the tablet?
A factory reset removes your account automatically. After the reset, the tablet will show the setup screen and the new owner can sign in with their own account. You do not need to do anything else to remove your information.