What a Factory Reset Does and When You Need One

A factory reset erases everything on your Fire tablet—all apps, photos, documents, settings, and accounts—and returns it to the state it left the Amazon warehouse. After the reset completes, you'll see the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned on the device.

You might factory reset a Fire tablet if you're selling or giving it away, if the device is running slowly or freezing, if you forgot your Amazon password and can't access the tablet, or if you want to clear out years of accumulated data. A reset is also the standard troubleshooting step when an app won't install or the tablet won't connect to Wi-Fi after other fixes have failed.

The process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is stored on the tablet. During the reset, the tablet will restart several times. Do not unplug it or force it off—let it finish completely.

Key Takeaways

  • Factory reset removes all personal data, apps, and accounts from your Fire tablet and cannot be undone, so back up anything you want to keep first.
  • You can reset through Settings on the tablet itself, or through your Amazon account online if you can't access the tablet.
  • The tablet must have at least 10 percent battery remaining before you start, and should stay plugged in during the reset process.
  • After the reset finishes, you'll need to sign in with your Amazon account again and reinstall any apps you want to use.

Back Up Your Data Before You Reset

Once you factory reset, there is no way to recover files, photos, or documents that were only stored on the tablet. Before you begin, move anything you want to keep to a computer, cloud storage, or another device.

For photos and videos, connect the tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy the files from the tablet's internal storage to a folder on your computer. For documents and ebooks, check whether they're stored in your Amazon account (most Kindle books are) or only on the device. You can view your Kindle library at amazon.com/myk by signing in with your account—anything listed there will be available again after you reset and sign back in.

If you use the tablet for email or messaging apps, take a screenshot of any important conversations or contact information you might need later. For most other apps, your data is tied to the account you use within the app (like your Gmail account for Gmail), so you won't lose it—you'll just need to sign back in after the reset.

Reset Through Settings on the Tablet

This is the fastest method if your tablet is working well enough to navigate the menus. Plug the tablet in to power first, then follow these steps in order.

Open Settings from the home screen. Swipe down from the top of the screen to see the quick settings menu, then tap the gear icon, or look for Settings in your app library. Once Settings opens, scroll down and tap Device Options. At the bottom of the Device Options menu, you'll see Reset to Factory Defaults. Tap it.

A warning message will appear telling you that all data will be erased. Read it carefully—this is your final note to cancel. If you're ready to proceed, tap Reset or Erase Everything (the exact wording varies by Fire tablet model). The tablet will restart and begin the reset process. You'll see a progress bar and possibly a spinning circle. This can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not interrupt it.

When the reset finishes, the tablet will show the initial setup screen with language and Wi-Fi options, just as if it were brand new. You can now set it up again or pass it to someone else to set up.

Reset Through Your Amazon Account If You Can't Access the Tablet

If your tablet won't turn on, won't respond to touch, or is locked with a password you don't remember, you can reset it remotely through your Amazon account on a computer or phone.

Go to amazon.com and sign in with the Amazon account that is registered to the tablet. Click Account & Lists in the top right, then select Your Account. Look for a section called Devices and Accessories, Your Devices, or Manage Your Devices—the exact name depends on which Amazon site you're using. Find your Fire tablet in the list and click on it. You should see an option that says Deregister, Remove from Account, or Factory Reset. Click that option and confirm.

Amazon will send a signal to the tablet telling it to reset. The tablet must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi for this to work. If the tablet is off, turn it on first and make sure it can connect to your Wi-Fi network. The reset will begin within a few minutes and will proceed the same way as a reset done through Settings.

What to Do After the Reset Completes

When you see the setup screen, you have two choices: set up the tablet for yourself again, or prepare it for someone else.

If you're keeping the tablet, tap through the language and Wi-Fi setup screens. When prompted, sign in with your Amazon account. The tablet will read your apps, books, and settings from your Amazon account and restore them. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. Leave the tablet plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi during this process.

If you're giving the tablet away, do not sign in with your account. Instead, skip the sign-in step or sign out after setup. The new owner can then set up the tablet with their own Amazon account. If you're selling the tablet, leave it at the setup screen so the buyer can complete setup themselves.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

If the reset seems to be taking longer than 15 minutes and the screen hasn't changed in several minutes, the tablet may be frozen. Hold the power button for 30 seconds until the screen goes black, then release. Wait 10 seconds and press the power button again to turn it back on. The reset should resume or restart.

If you see an error message during setup after the reset, the most common cause is a weak Wi-Fi connection. Move the tablet closer to your router and try again. If the error persists, restart the router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to reconnect before trying setup again.

If the tablet won't turn on after the reset, plug it in and wait 30 minutes. A completely drained battery can take time to charge enough to power on. If it still won't turn on after charging, hold the power button for 30 seconds, release, wait 10 seconds, and press it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will factory reset remove my Amazon account from the tablet?

Yes. After the reset, the tablet will show the initial setup screen and will not be signed in to any account. You'll need to sign in again with your Amazon account to read your apps and content. If you're giving the tablet to someone else, they can sign in with their own account instead.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No. A factory reset permanently erases all data on the tablet. Once it's done, you cannot recover files, photos, or apps that were only stored on the device. This is why backing up important files before you reset is essential.

Do I need to remove my Amazon account before I sell the tablet?

Yes. Before you sell or give away your tablet, you should deregister it from your Amazon account through amazon.com so the new owner can register it with their own account. A factory reset removes your personal data, but deregistering removes the link between the tablet and your Amazon account.

How much battery do I need to factory reset?

Your tablet should have at least 10 percent battery before you start a factory reset. It's safer to plug the tablet in and let it charge to at least 50 percent before you begin. Keep it plugged in throughout the entire reset process.

What happens to my Kindle books after a factory reset?

Kindle books stored in your Amazon library will still be there after you reset and sign back in. You can re-read them to the tablet. However, any notes, highlights, or bookmarks you made in those books will be lost unless Amazon has saved them to your account, which happens for some books but not all.