The Two Ways to Restart Your Fire Tablet
A restart clears your tablet's memory and closes all running programs, which fixes most freezing, lag, and app crashes. Amazon Fire tablets have two restart methods: a soft reboot (the normal way) and a hard reboot (the nuclear option when the tablet won't respond). A soft reboot takes about 30 seconds and is what you should try first. A hard reboot forces the tablet off even if it's frozen, but you should only use it when the soft reboot doesn't work.
Both methods preserve your files, photos, apps, and account settings. Nothing is deleted. The tablet straightforward shuts down and starts fresh, the same way restarting a computer works.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reboot uses the Settings menu and is the standard way to restart your Fire tablet when it's responding normally.
- A hard reboot forces the tablet off by holding the power button for 40 seconds and works when the screen is frozen or unresponsive.
- After either reboot, wait 30 seconds before turning the tablet back on to let it fully power down.
- Rebooting does not erase your apps, files, photos, or Amazon account — everything stays on the tablet.
How to Do a Soft Reboot Using Settings
Open the Settings app by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon. On some Fire models, the gear icon appears in the quick-settings bar at the top. On others, you may need to swipe all the way down to see it.
Scroll down and tap Device Options. Then tap Restart. A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to restart. Tap Restart again. The tablet will shut down and turn back on automatically within 30 to 60 seconds.
While the tablet is restarting, you will see the Amazon logo on a black screen. Do not press any buttons or try to turn it back on — let it finish on its own. Once you see the lock screen or home screen, the restart is complete.
How to Do a Hard Reboot When the Tablet Is Frozen
If your Fire tablet is completely frozen and will not respond to taps or swipes, use a hard reboot. Locate the power button on the side or top edge of your tablet (the exact location depends on your model). Press and hold the power button for 40 seconds without letting go.
After about 20 seconds, you may see a power-off prompt on the screen. Ignore it and keep holding. At 40 seconds, the tablet will force shut down. The screen will go black. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button once to turn it back on.
The tablet will restart and show the Amazon logo. This process takes longer than a soft reboot — usually 60 to 90 seconds — because the tablet is recovering from a forced shutdown. Do not interrupt it by pressing buttons or unplugging the charger.
What Happens During a Reboot
When your tablet restarts, it closes all open apps, clears temporary files from memory, and refreshes the operating system. This is why a reboot fixes problems like an app that crashes every time you open it, a home screen that won't scroll, or a tablet that runs slowly.
A reboot does not delete your photos, documents, installed apps, or login information. Everything stored on the tablet stays there. Your Amazon account will still be signed in after the restart. The only thing that changes is that all programs start fresh.
When to Reboot vs. When to Force Shut Down
Use a soft reboot first if your tablet is responding — even if it is slow or glitchy. It is gentler on the device and takes less time. Only use a hard reboot if the tablet will not respond to any taps, swipes, or button presses, or if the soft reboot does not fix the problem.
If you have to hard reboot more than once a week, the tablet may have a deeper problem. Try uninstalling recently added apps or clearing the cache (Settings > Apps > Manage All Applications, then tap an app and select Clear Cache). If problems continue, contact Amazon support with your tablet's serial number, which you can find in Settings > Device Options > About Fire Tablet.
Rebooting vs. Factory Reset
A reboot and a factory reset are not the same thing. A reboot restarts the operating system and closes programs. A factory reset erases everything on the tablet and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. You should never do a factory reset unless you are selling the tablet or Amazon support tells you to.
If a reboot does not solve your problem after two attempts, try clearing the cache for individual apps before considering a factory reset. Most tablet problems are fixed by a reboot or by removing a recently installed app that is causing conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rebooting delete my apps or photos?
No. A reboot only restarts the operating system. All your apps, photos, documents, and settings remain on the tablet. Your Amazon account will still be signed in after the restart.
How long does a reboot take?
A soft reboot takes 30 to 60 seconds from the moment you tap Restart until the home screen appears. A hard reboot takes 60 to 90 seconds because the tablet has to recover from a forced shutdown. Do not interrupt either process.
What if the tablet still won't turn on after a hard reboot?
Plug the tablet into its charger for at least 15 minutes, then try the hard reboot again. If it still will not turn on, the battery may be completely drained. Let it charge for an hour before trying again.
Can I reboot my Fire tablet while it's charging?
Yes. You can reboot while the tablet is plugged in. In fact, if the battery is very low, charging it first may help the reboot complete successfully.
What should I do if rebooting doesn't fix the problem?
Try clearing the cache for the app that is causing problems (Settings > Apps > Manage All Applications, select the app, then Clear Cache). If the issue continues, uninstall any apps you installed in the last few days. If problems persist, contact Amazon support with your tablet's serial number from Settings > Device Options > About Fire Tablet.