What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Fire tablet — all apps, photos, documents, and settings — and returns it to the state it left the factory. Use this when you're selling or giving away the tablet, when it's running slowly and won't improve with a restart, or when an app keeps crashing and won't uninstall normally.
The reset also removes your Amazon account from the device. If you're keeping the tablet, you'll sign back in after the reset is complete and can reinstall your apps from your library. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data is stored.
A factory reset is different from a straightforward restart. A restart clears temporary files and closes stuck apps but keeps all your personal data. Start with a restart first — hold the power button for 10 seconds until the tablet powers off, wait 30 seconds, then press power again. If that doesn't solve the problem, then move to a factory reset.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all apps, files, photos, and account information and returns the tablet to factory settings.
- You can reset through Settings on the tablet itself, or through your Amazon account online if the tablet won't turn on or respond.
- The reset process takes 5 to 15 minutes and the tablet will restart automatically when it's done.
- After a reset, you'll need to sign in with your Amazon account again and can reinstall apps from your library.
- Back up any photos or documents you want to keep before you start, because they will be permanently deleted.
How to reset through the Settings menu
This is the fastest method if your tablet is working well enough to navigate to Settings. Open the Settings app — swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon, or find Settings in your app list. Tap Device Options, then scroll down and tap Reset to Factory Defaults.
The tablet will ask you to confirm. Read the warning — it will tell you that all personal data will be erased. Tap Reset to proceed. Do not unplug the tablet or press the power button during the reset. The screen will go dark, and you'll see a progress bar. When the reset is complete, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen you saw when it was new.
If you don't see Device Options in Settings, look for Storage or System instead. The exact menu names vary slightly between Fire tablet models, but the reset option is always in the main Settings menu under one of these headings.
How to reset through your Amazon account if the tablet won't respond
If your tablet is frozen, won't turn on, or is so slow you can't reach Settings, you can reset it remotely through your Amazon account. Go to amazon.com/mytablet on a computer or phone and sign in with the Amazon account linked to the tablet.
Find the tablet in your list of devices and select it. Look for an option called Deregister or Remove from Account. Confirm the action. This removes the tablet from your account and erases all personal data remotely. The tablet itself may take a few hours to complete the reset, but you don't need to touch it.
After the remote reset, turn on the tablet and you'll see the setup screen. You can then sign in again with your Amazon account and set it up as new.
What to do before you reset
Back up any files, photos, or documents you want to keep. Photos stored in Amazon Photos are already backed up to your account and will reappear after you sign back in. Documents, PDFs, and other files stored only on the tablet will be gone forever.
To save files before reset, connect the tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy files to your computer's hard drive. Or email important documents to yourself. If you use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, upload files there before you reset.
Write down any important information you might need after the reset — WiFi passwords, app login details, or notes about which apps you use regularly. You'll need to sign in to these apps again after the reset.
What happens after the reset is complete
The tablet will restart and show the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. You'll be asked to connect to WiFi, sign in with your Amazon account, and choose your preferences. This takes about 5 minutes.
After you sign in, your Amazon account will sync and you'll see your library of apps, books, and music. You can reinstall any apps you had before by going to the Appstore, tapping My Library, and tapping Install next to each app. Your Amazon Photos will also reappear if they were stored in your account.
The tablet will run noticeably faster after a factory reset because there's no accumulated clutter or background processes slowing it down. If it still runs slowly after the reset, the problem may be a hardware issue rather than software.
Troubleshooting if the reset doesn't complete
If the tablet gets stuck on the reset screen or the progress bar stops moving, wait at least 30 minutes before you do anything. Some resets take longer than expected, especially on older tablets or those with a lot of stored data.
If it's still stuck after 30 minutes, try a hard reset: hold the power button and the volume down button together for 10 seconds, then release. The tablet should restart. If it shows the setup screen, the reset worked. If it goes back to the stuck screen, the tablet may have a hardware problem and you should contact Amazon support.
Do not unplug the tablet during a reset unless it's been stuck for more than an hour. Interrupting the reset can leave the tablet in an unusable state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Amazon account?
Yes. The reset removes your account from the tablet completely. After the reset, you'll sign in again during setup and your account will sync with the tablet. Your Amazon library and any files stored in Amazon Photos will reappear.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be reversed. Any files, photos, or apps not backed up to your Amazon account or another cloud service will be lost. Make sure you back up anything you want to keep before you start the reset.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset itself usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. After it's done, the tablet will restart and show the setup screen, which takes another 5 minutes to complete. The entire process from start to finish is usually 20 to 30 minutes.
Do I need to charge the tablet before I reset it?
Yes. Make sure the battery is at least 50 percent charged before you start. If the tablet runs out of power during the reset, it can become unusable. Plug it in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before you begin.
What if I forget my Amazon password after the reset?
Go to amazon.com and click Forgot Password on the sign-in page. Amazon will send a reset link to the email address on your account. Use that link to create a new password, then sign in to your tablet with the new password.