What a factory reset does and when you need one
A factory reset erases everything on your Amazon tablet — all apps, photos, documents, and settings — and returns it to the state it left the factory. You would do this if the tablet is running slowly, freezing constantly, or acting strangely after installing an app. A reset also prepares the tablet for sale or donation by removing your personal data.
The reset process takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires your tablet to have at least 20 percent battery. Once you start, you cannot stop it partway through. After the reset completes, you will need to sign back in with your Amazon account to use the tablet again.
Before you reset, back up anything you want to keep. Photos and documents stored in your Amazon Cloud Drive will still be there after the reset, but anything saved only on the tablet itself will be gone.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset erases all apps, photos, and settings from your tablet and returns it to factory condition.
- You can reset through Settings on the tablet itself, or through your Amazon account online if the tablet will not turn on.
- The reset takes 10 to 20 minutes and requires at least 20 percent battery charge.
- After reset, you must sign in with your Amazon account again before the tablet is usable.
- Photos and files in your Amazon Cloud Drive survive a reset, but anything saved only on the tablet is permanently deleted.
How to reset through the Settings menu
This is the most common method and works on all Amazon tablets. Open the Settings app — usually found by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon, or by finding it in your app list. Scroll down and tap Device Options (on some models it may say About Tablet or System).
Look for Reset to Factory Defaults or Reset Device. Tap it. The tablet will ask you to confirm — this is your final note to back out. Tap Reset or Erase Everything to proceed. The tablet will restart and show a progress bar. Do not unplug it or turn it off during this time.
When the reset finishes, the tablet will display the welcome screen as if it were brand new. You will be asked to sign in with your Amazon account. Use the same email and password you used to register the tablet originally. Once you sign in, your Amazon apps and any content you purchased through Amazon will be available again.
How to reset if your tablet will not start or respond
If your tablet is frozen, will not turn on, or will not respond to touch, you can reset it remotely through your Amazon account. Go to amazon.com on a computer or phone, sign in, and look for Your Account or Accounts & Lists in the top right. Select Your Devices or Manage Your Content and Devices.
Find your tablet in the list of devices. Click or tap the three-dot menu next to its name and select Deregister or Remove from Account. This removes the tablet from your Amazon account but does not erase it. Then turn off the tablet completely (hold the power button for 10 seconds if it is stuck).
Press and hold the power button and the volume-down button at the same time for about 10 seconds until you see the Amazon logo or a boot menu. Release the buttons. The tablet will boot into recovery mode. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and press the power button to select it. Confirm the reset. This method works on Fire tablets and most Amazon devices.
What to do after the reset is complete
When your tablet finishes resetting and shows the welcome screen, you will need to set it up again. Tap Register Now or Sign In and enter your Amazon account email and password. The tablet will read your account settings and restore any apps you purchased from the Amazon Appstore.
Your Amazon Cloud Drive, Kindle library, and music library will be available again once you sign in. However, any apps you sideloaded (installed from outside the Amazon Appstore) will not return — you will need to reinstall them manually if you want them back.
If you are giving the tablet to someone else, do not sign in with your account. Instead, let them complete the setup with their own Amazon account. This ensures they own the device and can manage their own content.
Backing up before you reset
Photos and documents stored in your Amazon Cloud Drive are safe — they will still be there after the reset. To check what is backed up, open the Photos app or Files app and look for a Cloud Drive or Amazon Drive folder. Anything in there survives the reset.
Documents, PDFs, and other files saved only to the tablet's internal storage will be deleted. If you have files you want to keep, connect the tablet to a computer with a USB cable and copy them to your computer before resetting. You can also email files to yourself or upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
For apps and their data, there is no way to back them up before a reset. If an app stores data in your Amazon account (like a game that saves progress to the cloud), that data will return when you reinstall the app. If it stores data only on the tablet, that data is lost.
Troubleshooting a reset that will not complete
If the reset starts but gets stuck on a loading screen, the battery may have died. Plug the tablet in and let it charge for at least 30 minutes, then try again. If it is still stuck, hold the power button for 30 seconds to force it off, then plug it in and try the reset once more.
If you see an error message during reset, write down the exact text and search for it on Amazon's support site or the tablet manufacturer's support page. Some error messages point to a specific problem — for example, a corrupted system file — that may require contacting Amazon support to resolve.
If the tablet resets successfully but then will not sign in to your Amazon account, check that you are using the correct email and password. If you have forgotten your password, go to amazon.com, click Accounts & Lists, select Account, and choose Login & Security to reset your password. Then try signing in to the tablet again.
When to contact Amazon support instead
If your tablet will not turn on at all — no screen, no vibration, no response to charging — it may have a hardware problem. Plug it in for at least two hours, then try holding the power button for 30 seconds. If nothing happens, contact Amazon support rather than attempting a reset.
If the tablet gets stuck in a boot loop (keeps restarting over and over), a factory reset through recovery mode may fix it. If recovery mode itself will not load, or if the reset fails multiple times with an error, the device may have a deeper hardware or software issue that requires professional repair. Amazon support can walk you through additional troubleshooting steps or arrange a replacement if the tablet is still under warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset remove my Amazon account from the tablet?
Yes. After a reset, the tablet is no longer signed in to any account. You will need to sign in again with your Amazon account before you can use it. If you are selling or donating the tablet, do not sign back in — let the new owner set it up with their own account.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once a factory reset completes, all data on the tablet is permanently deleted. This is why backing up important files before you reset is important. If you realize you need something after the reset, check your Amazon Cloud Drive or email — those are separate from the tablet itself.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets take 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish. Larger tablets or older models may take longer. Do not unplug or turn off the tablet during the reset, even if it seems stuck. If the reset is still running after 45 minutes, plug it in and let it sit for another 30 minutes before trying to force it off.
Will I lose my Kindle books or music after a reset?
No. Your Kindle library and music library are tied to your Amazon account, not the tablet itself. Once you sign back in after the reset, all your books and music will be available to read again. You will not lose ownership of anything you purchased.
What if I forgot my Amazon password and cannot sign back in?
Go to amazon.com on a computer, click Accounts & Lists, select Account, and choose Login & Security. Click Edit next to your password and follow the steps to reset it. Once you have a new password, use it to sign in on your tablet.