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 factory. After the reset completes, you'll see the setup screen you saw when the tablet was brand new. This is useful if the tablet is running slowly, you're giving it away, you're selling it, or you want to start completely fresh.
The reset takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your tablet model and how much data is stored. During the reset, the tablet will restart several times. Do not unplug it or force it off while the reset is running—this can damage the tablet's software.
Before you start, back up anything you want to keep. Photos and documents stored in your Amazon account (Amazon Photos, Amazon Drive, or Kindle books) will still be there after the reset, but anything saved only to the tablet's local storage will be gone.
Key Takeaways
- Back up any photos, documents, or files you want to keep before starting the reset, because local storage will be completely erased.
- A factory reset takes 10 to 30 minutes and requires the tablet to stay plugged in and powered on throughout the process.
- You can start a factory reset from the Settings menu under Device Options, or by holding the power and volume-down buttons together if the tablet won't turn on normally.
- After the reset finishes, you'll need to sign in with your Amazon account again to read your apps and restore your content.
How to Reset Through the Settings Menu
This is the standard method and works on all Fire tablet models. First, open the Settings app. On most Fire tablets, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick menu, then tap the gear icon. On some older models, you may need to tap the menu button (three horizontal lines) and find Settings that way.
Once Settings is open, scroll down and tap Device Options. Then tap Reset to Factory Defaults. The tablet will show a warning that all data will be erased. Tap Reset to confirm. The tablet will restart and begin the reset process. You'll see a progress bar and the Amazon logo several times. Let it finish without interrupting it.
When the reset is complete, the tablet will show the initial setup screen asking you to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi. This means the reset worked.
How to Reset If Your Tablet Won't Start Normally
If your Fire tablet is frozen, won't turn on, or is stuck on a boot screen, you can force a factory reset using the hardware buttons. First, make sure the tablet is plugged into power.
Hold down the power button and the volume-down button at the same time. Keep holding both buttons for about 10 seconds. You should see the Fire logo appear, then a menu with options. Release the buttons when you see the menu.
Use the volume buttons to highlight Recovery and press the power button to select it. The tablet will restart into recovery mode. You'll see another menu. Use the volume buttons to highlight Wipe Data/Factory Reset and press the power button to select it. Confirm the action when prompted. The reset will begin and take several minutes.
What Happens After the Reset Completes
When the factory reset finishes, your Fire tablet will display the setup screen. You'll be asked to select your language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, and sign in with your Amazon account. Use the same Amazon account you used before the reset so you can restore your apps and content.
After you sign in, the tablet will begin downloading and reinstalling your apps automatically. This can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. You don't need to do anything—just let it run. Your Kindle books, Amazon Photos, and other content stored in your Amazon account will reappear once the apps are installed.
Any apps you purchased will reinstall for free. Free apps will also reinstall. However, any settings you had customized in those apps will be gone—you'll need to set them up again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not unplug the tablet or hold down the power button to force it off during a reset. The tablet needs to complete every step, and interrupting it can leave the software in a broken state. If the reset seems to be taking longer than 30 minutes, wait another 10 minutes before assuming something went wrong.
Do not sign in with a different Amazon account after the reset unless you want to start completely fresh with that account's apps and content. If you sign in with the wrong account by mistake, you can reset again and sign in with the correct one.
Do not assume your data is gone just because you don't see it when ready after signing back in. Content stored in Amazon Photos, Amazon Drive, and your Kindle library takes a few minutes to appear. Wait at least 10 minutes and refresh the app before concluding that something was lost.
How to Back Up Before You Reset
The easiest way to back up is to make sure everything important is stored in your Amazon account rather than just on the tablet. Photos taken with the tablet's camera can be automatically backed up to Amazon Photos if you enable that setting. Documents and files can be uploaded to Amazon Drive. Kindle books are always tied to your account and will reappear after the reset.
To enable Amazon Photos backup, open Settings, tap Applications, then Amazon Photos, then Camera Upload, and turn it on. Any new photos will upload automatically when you're on Wi-Fi.
For files and documents you want to keep, connect the tablet to a computer using a USB cable and copy them to your computer's hard drive. This is the safest method for anything you cannot replace.
Troubleshooting a Reset That Isn't Working
If the reset starts but gets stuck on a screen showing the Amazon logo, wait at least 30 minutes. The tablet may be processing in the background. If nothing changes after 30 minutes, try the hardware button method instead: hold power and volume-down together for 10 seconds, select Recovery, then select Wipe Data/Factory Reset.
If you see an error message during the reset, make sure the tablet is plugged into power and connected to Wi-Fi. Some resets require an internet connection to complete. If the error persists, try the reset again from the beginning. If it fails a second time, the tablet may have a hardware problem that requires service.
If the tablet restarts but never shows the setup screen, and instead boots back into the normal home screen with all your old apps still there, the reset did not complete. Go back to Settings, Device Options, Reset to Factory Defaults, and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my Kindle books and Amazon purchases?
No. Kindle books, apps you purchased, and content in your Amazon account are tied to your account, not the tablet itself. After the reset, sign in with the same Amazon account and everything will be there. You can read your books and apps again for free.
Can I reset my Fire tablet if I forgot my Amazon password?
Yes. You can perform a factory reset using the hardware buttons (power and volume-down) without needing your password. After the reset, you'll need to sign in with your Amazon account during setup, so you'll need to remember or recover your password at that point.
How long does a factory reset actually take?
Most resets take 10 to 30 minutes from start to finish. Older Fire tablet models or tablets with a lot of storage may take closer to 45 minutes. The tablet will restart several times during the process, which is normal. Do not interrupt it.
What if I want to sell my Fire tablet—is a factory reset enough?
A factory reset removes your personal data and accounts, which is sufficient for most situations. However, if you want extra security, you can perform the reset twice in a row. After the first reset, set up the tablet again, then perform a second reset. This overwrites the storage more thoroughly.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone. This is why backing up important files before you reset is critical. If you reset by mistake, you can restore your apps and content by signing back in with your Amazon account, but any files stored only on the tablet will be lost.