The Two Ways to Restart a Fire Tablet
A restart clears your tablet's temporary memory and stops all running apps, which often fixes freezing, slow performance, or apps that won't open. Fire tablets have two restart methods: a soft restart (the normal way) and a hard restart (the nuclear option when the tablet won't respond). Most of the time, a soft restart solves the problem in under a minute.
The soft restart is what you should try first. It closes everything gracefully and lets the system shut down properly. A hard restart forces the power off when ready, which can occasionally cause data loss if you're in the middle of saving something, so use it only when the tablet is completely frozen.
Key Takeaways
- A soft restart takes 30 seconds and fixes most performance problems—hold the power button until you see the power menu, then tap Restart.
- A hard restart forces the tablet off when ready by holding the power button for 40 seconds, and should only be used if the screen is frozen and unresponsive.
- After either restart, wait 10 to 15 seconds before turning the tablet back on so the system can fully power down.
- If your tablet restarts repeatedly on its own or won't turn back on after a hard restart, the device may have a hardware problem that requires contacting Amazon support.
How to Do a Soft Restart
Locate the power button on your Fire tablet. On most models, it is on the right edge or the top edge, depending on whether you hold the tablet in portrait or landscape mode. Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears on the screen—this usually takes 3 to 5 seconds.
Once the power menu is visible, you will see options including Restart and Power Off. Tap the Restart button. The tablet will shut down and turn back on automatically within 10 to 20 seconds. Do not press any buttons while it is restarting. Wait until you see the lock screen or home screen before using the tablet again.
How to Do a Hard Restart
Use a hard restart only if the screen is frozen, the tablet will not respond to button presses, or the soft restart did not work. Hold down the power button continuously—do not release it. Keep holding for 40 to 60 seconds. The screen may go black, or you may see nothing happen for a while. This is normal.
After 40 to 60 seconds, the tablet will power off. Release the power button and wait 10 to 15 seconds. Then press the power button once to turn it back on. The tablet may take 30 to 60 seconds to fully boot up. You will know it is ready when the lock screen or home screen appears.
What to Do If the Tablet Won't Turn Back On
If the tablet does not respond after a hard restart, plug it into a charger using the original USB cable. A completely drained battery can prevent the tablet from turning on. Leave it plugged in for at least 15 minutes, then press the power button. You should see a charging indicator or the Amazon logo.
If the tablet still will not turn on after charging for 30 minutes, try a hard restart again while the tablet is plugged in. If it remains unresponsive, the device may have a hardware fault. Contact Amazon support through your account on Amazon.com—they can walk you through additional troubleshooting or discuss repair or replacement options.
Common Reasons to Restart Your Fire Tablet
Restart your tablet when apps freeze or close unexpectedly, when the home screen becomes sluggish or slow to respond, when Wi-Fi or Bluetooth will not connect even though other devices can, or when you install a large app or system update and want to may support it loads properly. A restart is also useful before troubleshooting other problems, because it clears out temporary files and resets connections.
If your tablet is restarting on its own repeatedly without you pressing any buttons, this usually means a system update is installing or a serious software problem exists. Let it finish restarting on its own—do not interrupt it. If it continues to restart in a loop after 10 minutes, perform a hard restart and then contact Amazon support.
Preventing the Need for Frequent Restarts
Close apps you are not using by swiping them away from the recent apps list. This frees up memory and prevents the tablet from slowing down. Restart your tablet once a week or whenever you notice performance dropping, rather than waiting until it freezes completely.
Keep your Fire tablet updated by going to Settings, then Device Options, and checking for system updates. Updates often include fixes for freezing and performance problems. Also delete apps you no longer use and clear the cache periodically—go to Settings, then Apps & Notifications, select an app, and tap Clear Cache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will restarting my Fire tablet delete my files or apps?
No. A soft restart or hard restart does not delete any files, photos, apps, or personal data. It only closes running apps and clears temporary memory. Everything you have saved will still be there after the restart.
How long does a restart take?
A soft restart takes about 30 seconds total—5 seconds to bring up the menu, then 20 to 30 seconds for the tablet to shut down and turn back on. A hard restart takes 40 to 60 seconds to force the power off, plus another 30 to 60 seconds for the tablet to boot back up, so roughly 2 to 3 minutes end to end.
What is the difference between restart and power off?
Restart shuts the tablet down and turns it back on automatically. Power Off shuts it down and leaves it off until you manually press the power button again. Use Restart when you want the tablet to come back on right away, and Power Off when you want to leave it off for a while.
Can I restart my Fire tablet while it is charging?
Yes, you can restart while charging. In fact, if your tablet is low on battery, it is a good idea to plug it in before doing a hard restart, since the restart process uses a small amount of power.
What should I do if my tablet keeps freezing even after a restart?
If freezing continues after a restart, try uninstalling recently added apps, clearing the cache from Settings, or checking for system updates. If the problem persists, contact Amazon support—the tablet may have a software issue that requires a factory reset or professional help.