Reset your Fire tablet by going to Settings, then Device Options, then Reset to Factory Defaults
A factory reset wipes your Fire tablet back to the state it left the Amazon warehouse — all your apps, files, photos, and account information are removed. The tablet itself keeps working the same way it did before. You do this when you are selling the device, giving it away, troubleshooting a serious problem, or starting fresh after months of clutter.
The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and requires you to be on the device itself. You cannot reset a Fire tablet remotely from another device. Once you start the reset, you cannot stop it partway through.
Key Takeaways
- A factory reset removes all apps, files, photos, and account data from your Fire tablet and returns it to its original state.
- You must perform the reset directly on the tablet using the Settings menu — there is no remote reset option.
- The reset takes 10 to 15 minutes and cannot be interrupted once started.
- After the reset completes, you will see the initial setup screen as if the tablet is brand new.
- Charge your tablet to at least 50 percent before starting, because a power loss during reset can damage the device.
Steps to reset your Fire tablet
Open the Settings app by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the gear icon, or by finding Settings in your app library. Once Settings opens, look for the Device Options menu — the exact name varies slightly by Fire tablet model, but it is always near the top of the Settings list.
Tap Device Options, then scroll down and tap Reset to Factory Defaults. The tablet will ask you to confirm by tapping Reset again. At this point, the tablet will begin erasing itself. You will see a progress bar. Do not unplug the tablet, close the cover, or press any buttons while the reset is running.
When the reset finishes, the tablet will restart and show you the welcome screen, the same one you saw when you first turned it on. From here you can set it up as a new device or sign in with an Amazon account to restore your apps and purchases.
What happens to your data after a reset
Everything stored on the tablet itself is deleted: apps you installed, photos and videos you took or downloaded, documents, email messages, browsing history, and any files in the Downloads folder. Your Amazon account information is also removed, so the tablet no longer knows which account it belongs to.
Data stored in Amazon's cloud — your Kindle books, music library, photos backed up to Amazon Photos, and your list of purchased apps — remains in your Amazon account. If you sign back in with the same account after the reset, those items will be available to read again. If you do not sign in, or if you sign in with a different account, you will not see them on the tablet.
If you are giving the tablet to someone else, do not sign back in after the reset. Let the new owner set it up with their own Amazon account. If you are selling it, a factory reset is the standard way to remove your personal information before handing it over.
Prepare your tablet before resetting
Charge the tablet to at least 50 percent battery before you start. If the battery dies during a reset, the tablet may not restart properly and could require service. A full charge is safer if you have the time.
Back up anything you want to keep. Photos and documents stored in Amazon's cloud services (Amazon Photos, Amazon Drive) are already backed up. If you have files stored only on the tablet itself, move them to a cloud service, email them to yourself, or copy them to a computer first. Once the reset starts, there is no way to recover them.
Sign out of any accounts you do not want left on the device. This includes email accounts, streaming services, and social media. Signing out before the reset is cleaner than relying on the reset to remove them.
What to do after the reset is complete
The tablet will show the welcome screen and ask you to connect to Wi-Fi. Choose your network and enter the password. The tablet will then ask whether you want to sign in with an Amazon account or set up as a new device.
If you are keeping the tablet, sign in with your Amazon account. The tablet will restore your apps, books, music, and other purchases from the cloud. This can take several minutes depending on how many apps you had. If you are giving or selling the tablet to someone else, do not sign in — let them set it up with their own account.
After setup is complete, your tablet will work exactly as it did when new. All your previous settings, app layouts, and customizations are gone. You will need to reinstall apps, adjust settings, and set up email accounts again if you want them.
When a factory reset does not fix the problem
If your tablet was crashing, freezing, or running slowly, a factory reset often solves it. If the problem returns after the reset, the issue is usually a hardware fault rather than software clutter. Contact Amazon support with the tablet's serial number — you can find it in Settings under Device Options or on the back of the tablet.
If the tablet will not turn on or will not reach the Settings menu, you cannot perform a factory reset through the normal steps. In this case, you will need to contact Amazon support. Some Fire tablets have a hard reset button or a recovery mode, but the method varies by model and is not something to attempt without guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. Once the reset finishes, the data is gone. If you backed up files to the cloud or a computer before resetting, you can restore them after setup. Otherwise, they cannot be recovered. This is why charging the tablet and backing up important files beforehand is essential.
Will a factory reset remove the Amazon account from the tablet?
Yes. The reset removes all account information, including your Amazon login. After the reset, the tablet will ask you to sign in again or set up as a new device. If you sign in with the same account, your apps and purchases will be available to read again.
How long does a factory reset take?
Most resets finish in 10 to 15 minutes. Older Fire tablets or tablets with very full storage may take longer. Do not interrupt the process — let it run until the welcome screen appears.
What if I forget my Amazon password before resetting?
You can reset your Amazon password on any computer or phone by visiting Amazon's login page and clicking "Forgot your password?" You do not need to know your password to perform a factory reset on the tablet itself. After the reset, you can sign in with your corrected password.
Does a factory reset remove the operating system?
No. The reset removes apps and files but leaves the Fire tablet's operating system in place. The tablet will still run Fire OS, the same software it shipped with. You cannot change the operating system on a Fire tablet.