Press and hold the power button until the Amazon logo appears
The power button on an Amazon Fire tablet is located on the right edge of the device, about halfway down. Press and hold it for about three seconds. You will see the Amazon logo appear on the screen, followed by a loading animation. This is normal — the tablet is starting up.
The first time you turn on a Fire tablet, the startup process takes longer than usual, sometimes up to a minute. Let it finish without pressing anything else. Once the screen becomes responsive, you will see either a welcome screen (if it is brand new) or your lock screen (if it has been set up before).
If the screen does not respond after holding the button for five seconds, try again. Make sure you are pressing the actual power button and not the volume controls, which are also on the edge of the device.
Key Takeaways
- The power button is on the right edge of the tablet, roughly halfway down the side.
- Press and hold the power button for three seconds until the Amazon logo appears on screen.
- The first startup can take up to a minute; do not interrupt the process.
- If nothing happens, check that the tablet has a charge by plugging it into the included charger for a few minutes.
- Once the tablet is on, you may need to enter a PIN or swipe a lock screen before you can use it.
What to do if the tablet does not turn on
If you press the power button and nothing happens, the battery may be empty. Connect the tablet to the USB charger that came in the box and wait at least 15 minutes before trying again. The charging port is on the bottom edge of the device. You should see a small light or charging indicator appear on the screen once power reaches the battery.
If the tablet still does not respond after charging for 30 minutes, try a force restart. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds without letting go, even if you see the power-off menu appear. This forces the device to shut down completely and restart. Release the button and wait for the Amazon logo to appear.
Unlocking the tablet after it turns on
Once the Amazon logo disappears and the home screen loads, you may see a lock screen. If the tablet is brand new, you will be guided through a setup process that asks for your Amazon account information and Wi-Fi network details. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete this.
If the tablet has been used before, you will see a lock screen that requires either a PIN, a pattern, or a swipe to unlock. Enter the PIN or complete the pattern you set up previously. If you have forgotten the PIN, you can unlock the tablet using your Amazon account credentials by tapping "Forgot PIN" on the lock screen.
Charging your Fire tablet for the first time
Before turning on a brand new Fire tablet, it is a good idea to charge it for at least 30 minutes. This ensures the battery has enough power to complete the initial setup without shutting down partway through. Use the USB charger and cable included in the box.
Fire tablets charge from empty to full in roughly four to six hours, depending on the model. You can use the tablet while it is charging, though it will charge more slowly if you are actively using it. A small battery icon in the top right corner of the screen shows the current charge level.
Turning off your Fire tablet
To turn off the tablet, press and hold the power button again until a menu appears asking if you want to power off. Tap "Power Off" to shut down the device. The screen will go black, and the tablet will stop responding to touch.
You can also put the tablet to sleep without turning it completely off by pressing the power button once quickly. The screen will turn black, but the tablet remains powered on and ready to wake up when ready when you press the button again. Sleep mode uses very little battery and is useful if you plan to use the tablet again soon.
What to do if the screen stays black after pressing power
A black screen does not always mean the tablet is off. It might be in sleep mode or the battery might be completely drained. Press the power button once to wake it up. If the screen remains black and the tablet does not respond, plug it into the charger and wait 15 minutes, then try again.
If the screen is still black after charging, try the force restart method described earlier: press and hold the power button for 20 seconds. If the tablet still does not respond after a full charge and a force restart, the device may have a hardware problem and you should contact Amazon support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a Fire tablet to turn on?
On the first startup, expect one to two minutes for the tablet to fully load and show the welcome screen. Subsequent startups are much faster, usually 30 to 45 seconds. If your tablet is taking longer than five minutes to start, try a force restart by holding the power button for 20 seconds.
Can I turn on my Fire tablet while it is charging?
Yes, you can turn on and use your Fire tablet while it is plugged in. The tablet will charge more slowly if you are actively using it, but it will still charge. There is no risk to the device from turning it on while charging.
What is the difference between sleep mode and powering off?
Sleep mode turns off the screen but keeps the tablet powered on and ready to wake when ready. Powering off completely shuts down the device and uses no battery. Use sleep mode if you plan to use the tablet again within a few hours, and power off if you will not use it for a day or longer.
Why does my Fire tablet take so long to start up the first time?
The first startup is slow because the tablet is installing updates, setting up your Amazon account, and preparing the system. This can take up to two minutes. Subsequent startups are much faster because these tasks have already been completed.
Is it bad to force restart my Fire tablet?
No, a force restart is safe and is often the correct way to fix a frozen or unresponsive tablet. It is the same as holding the power button until the device shuts down completely, then turning it back on. Use this method if the normal power button does not work or if the tablet is frozen.