The two ways to reset your Fire Stick
You can reset your Fire Stick in two ways: a soft reset, which restarts the device without erasing anything, and a factory reset, which wipes all your apps, logins, and settings back to how it came from Amazon. A soft reset takes about two minutes and fixes most freezing or streaming problems. A factory reset takes longer and erases everything, but solves deeper issues like forgotten passwords or persistent crashes.
Which one you need depends on what is wrong. If your Fire Stick is slow or an app is stuck, try the soft reset first. If you are selling the device, giving it away, or nothing else has worked, do the factory reset.
Key Takeaways
- A soft reset restarts your Fire Stick without erasing apps or logins and fixes most temporary problems in about two minutes.
- A factory reset erases all your apps, logins, and settings and returns the device to its original state, taking about five to ten minutes.
- To soft reset, unplug the device for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for the Amazon logo to appear.
- To factory reset, go to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults and confirm the action on the screen.
- After a factory reset, you will need to sign in with your Amazon account and read your apps again.
How to do a soft reset
A soft reset is the fastest fix for a Fire Stick that is freezing, buffering, or responding slowly. You do not need to touch any menus—just unplug the device.
Unplug the power cable from the back of the Fire Stick (or from the wall outlet if the cable is plugged into a power strip). Wait 30 seconds. This clears the device's temporary memory. Plug it back in and wait for the Amazon logo to appear on your screen, which usually takes 30 to 60 seconds. Once you see the home screen, the reset is complete. Your apps, logins, and watch history are all still there.
If the device is still stuck after the soft reset, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes a second restart clears the problem.
How to do a factory reset from the Settings menu
A factory reset erases everything on your Fire Stick and returns it to the state it was in when you first unboxed it. Use this when you are selling or giving away the device, or when persistent crashes or login problems have not been fixed by a soft reset.
Pick up your Fire Stick remote and press the Home button (the house icon at the top). Scroll right to Settings. Select Device. Scroll down and select Reset to Factory Defaults. A warning message will appear asking you to confirm. Select Reset. The Fire Stick will restart and show the setup screen, which takes about five to ten minutes. Do not unplug it during this time.
Once the setup screen appears, you can either sign in with your Amazon account to restore your apps and settings, or leave it unsigned if you are giving the device to someone else.
How to do a factory reset if you cannot access the menu
If your Fire Stick is so frozen that you cannot navigate the Settings menu, you can force a factory reset using the physical reset button on the device itself.
Look at the back of the Fire Stick for a small circular reset button, usually recessed so you cannot press it by accident. Use a straightened paperclip or a ballpoint pen to press and hold this button for about 15 seconds. The device will restart and show the setup screen. This method takes longer than the menu reset—sometimes 10 to 15 minutes—because the device is doing a deeper restart.
If you cannot find the reset button, check the model number on the back of your Fire Stick and search for "[model number] reset button location" to see where it is on your specific device.
What to do after a factory reset
After a factory reset, your Fire Stick will show the setup screen in the same language and region it was set to before. You will need to sign in with your Amazon account to read your apps again.
On the setup screen, select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. When prompted, sign in with the Amazon account you used before. The Fire Stick will read your apps, subscriptions, and watch history automatically. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you had and how fast your internet is. Do not unplug the device during this time.
If you are giving the Fire Stick to someone else, do not sign in with your account. Leave it unsigned so the new owner can set it up with their own Amazon account.
When to call Amazon support
If your Fire Stick does not restart after a soft reset, or if the factory reset does not complete after 20 minutes, the device may have a hardware problem. Unplug it, wait five minutes, and try once more. If it still does not work, contact Amazon Customer Service through your Amazon account or by phone. They can troubleshoot further or send you a replacement if the device is still under warranty.
If you forgot your Amazon password and cannot sign back in after a factory reset, go to amazon.com on a computer or phone, select Account, and choose "Forgot password?" to reset it. Once you have a new password, you can sign in on the Fire Stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a soft reset delete my apps or watch history?
No. A soft reset only restarts the device. All your apps, logins, watch history, and settings stay exactly as they were. It is safe to do as many times as you need.
How long does a factory reset take?
The reset itself takes about five to ten minutes. After that, signing back in and downloading your apps can take another 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you had and your internet speed. Do not unplug the device during either phase.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No, a factory reset cannot be undone. All your apps and settings are erased. However, when you sign back in with your Amazon account, the Fire Stick will automatically read the apps you had before and restore your watch history and preferences.
What if I do not know my Amazon password after a factory reset?
Go to amazon.com on a computer or phone, select Account, and choose "Forgot password?" to reset it. You will receive a link by email. Once you have a new password, sign in on the Fire Stick with your email address and the new password.
Do I need to unplug the Fire Stick during a factory reset?
No. Let the device complete the reset on its own, even if the screen goes black or shows a loading message. Unplugging it during a factory reset can damage the device or leave it unable to start up.