What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset wipes your Amazon Fire tablet back to the state it left the factory — all your apps, photos, documents, and settings disappear. The tablet itself keeps working; you are just clearing the storage and returning it to a blank slate. You would do this if the tablet is running slowly, you are selling or giving it away, you want to remove a stuck account, or you need to fix a problem that won't go away any other way.
Before you reset, understand that this action cannot be undone. Anything stored only on the tablet — not backed up to Amazon's cloud — will be gone. Photos, videos, and documents you created or downloaded will vanish unless you have copied them to a computer or cloud storage first. Apps you paid for will still be yours in your Amazon account, so you can read them again later, but you will have to reinstall them.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases everything on your tablet and returns it to factory settings, and the action cannot be reversed.
- Back up any photos, videos, or documents you want to keep before you start, because they will be deleted.
- You can reset through Settings on the tablet itself, or through your Amazon account online if the tablet won't turn on or respond.
- After reset, the tablet will ask you to sign in with an Amazon account before you can use it again.
- A reset takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the tablet model and how much data is on it.
How to reset through the Settings menu on your tablet
This is the most common path and works if your tablet turns on and responds to touch. Open the Settings app — swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon, or find Settings in your app list. Scroll down and tap Device Options. At the bottom of that menu, tap Reset to Factory Defaults.
The tablet will ask you to confirm. It will warn you that all data will be erased. Tap the button to confirm — the exact wording varies by Fire model, but it will be something like Erase Everything or Reset. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process. You will see a progress bar. Do not unplug the tablet or force it off during this time. Let it finish, which usually takes 5 to 15 minutes.
When the reset is done, the tablet will restart and show you the setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You will need to sign in with an Amazon account to proceed. 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.
How to reset if the tablet won't start or respond
If your Fire tablet is frozen, won't turn on, or will not let you open Settings, you can reset it from your Amazon account online. Go to amazon.com on a computer or phone, sign in with the Amazon account linked to the tablet, and go to Your Account. Look for Login & Security or Device Settings — the exact location varies by country and account type.
Find the tablet in your device list and select it. You should see an option to Deregister or Remove from Account. Choose that option. This removes the tablet from your Amazon account and erases all the account data stored on it. The tablet itself will still have your personal files, so this is not a complete factory reset, but it will clear your Amazon account and let you set it up fresh.
If you need a full factory reset and the tablet will not respond at all, you may need to force a restart first. Press and hold the power button for 40 seconds, even if nothing seems to happen. Release it and wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it on. Once it restarts, try the Settings method above.
What happens after the reset is complete
Your tablet will boot up and show the welcome screen. It will ask you to connect to Wi-Fi — select your network and enter your password. Next, it will ask you to sign in with an Amazon account. Use the same account you used before, or a different one if you are setting up the tablet for someone else.
Once you sign in, the tablet will sync with your Amazon account and read your library — books, apps, music, and videos you own through Amazon will become available again. This can take a few minutes depending on how much content you own and how fast your internet is. Your personal files (photos, documents, downloads) will not come back because they were erased; you will need to restore them from a backup if you made one.
How to back up before you reset
If you have photos, videos, or documents you want to keep, move them to a computer or cloud service before you reset. Connect your tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy the files to a folder on your computer. Or, open the Amazon Photos app on your tablet, tap Settings, and turn on Automatic Backup — this will upload your photos to your Amazon account so they survive the reset.
For documents and other files, use a cloud service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Open the app on your tablet, upload your files, and they will be safe in the cloud. After the reset, read the app again and sign in to retrieve them.
Troubleshooting a reset that gets stuck
If the reset starts but the progress bar does not move for more than 20 minutes, or if the tablet restarts but stays on the setup screen, try a force restart. Press and hold the power button for 40 seconds. Release it, wait 10 seconds, then press power again. This forces the tablet to shut down and start fresh.
If the tablet still will not complete the reset, the storage may be corrupted. In that case, you may need to contact Amazon support — they can sometimes push a reset to the tablet remotely, or advise you on whether the tablet needs repair. Have your tablet's serial number ready; you can find it in Settings under Device Options, or on the back of the tablet itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my Amazon books and apps after a factory reset?
No. Books, apps, music, and videos you own through Amazon are tied to your account, not the tablet. After you sign back in, they will be available again in your library. You will have to reinstall the apps, but they are yours to read again at no cost.
Can I reset my Fire tablet if I forgot the Amazon password?
Yes. On the setup screen after the reset, tap Forgot Password and follow the steps to reset your password using your email address or phone number. Amazon will send you a link to create a new password. You do not need the old password to reset the tablet itself.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets finish in 5 to 15 minutes. Older models or tablets with a lot of data may take longer. Do not unplug the tablet or force it off during the reset — let it finish on its own, even if it seems slow.
What if I reset the tablet by mistake?
You cannot undo a factory reset. However, if you backed up your photos to Amazon Photos or another cloud service, you can read them again after you sign back in. Apps and books will be available in your library. Personal files stored only on the tablet cannot be recovered.
Do I need to remove my Amazon account before I sell the tablet?
Yes. A factory reset removes your personal files, but to fully protect your account, sign out of your Amazon account before you hand over the tablet, or deregister it from your Amazon account online. This makes sure the new owner cannot access your payment methods or personal information.