The three ways to restart your Firestick

You can restart a Firestick using the remote control, the settings menu, or by unplugging it. The remote method is fastest and works when your Firestick is responding normally. The settings menu takes longer but gives you more control over what happens during the restart. Unplugging is the last resort — use it only when the device is frozen or not responding to the remote.

Each method accomplishes the same thing: it closes all running apps, clears temporary files from memory, and restarts the operating system. A restart often fixes streaming problems, slow performance, or apps that have stopped working.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest restart uses your Firestick remote: hold the Select and Play buttons together for 10 seconds until the light blinks.
  • You can also restart through Settings > Device > Restart, which takes about 30 seconds but shows you the restart is happening.
  • If your Firestick is frozen and the remote does not work, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
  • After any restart, wait two to three minutes for the device to fully boot before trying to stream or open apps.

Restarting with the remote (fastest method)

Hold down the Select button and the Play button at the same time for about 10 seconds. The light on the front of your Firestick will blink or change color, and the device will restart. You do not need to hold the buttons for longer than 10 seconds — once the light responds, you can let go.

This method works on all Firestick models and remote types. The device will restart in about 30 to 45 seconds. During the restart, your screen may go black or show the Amazon logo. This is normal. Do not unplug the device while it is restarting.

Restarting through the settings menu

If the remote method does not work or you want to see the restart happen, use the settings menu. Press the Home button on your remote to go to the main screen. Scroll up to the top and select Settings.

From Settings, go to Device or Device and Accessories (the exact name depends on your Firestick model). Look for Restart and select it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you want to restart. Select Restart again to confirm. The device will restart when ready.

This method takes longer than the button-hold method, but it is useful if you want to make sure the restart actually happens or if you are troubleshooting a problem and want to document the process.

Unplugging your Firestick (when it is frozen)

If your Firestick is completely frozen — the remote does not work, the screen is stuck, or nothing responds — unplug the power cable from the back of the device. Wait at least 30 seconds. This clears the device's memory completely and stops all processes.

After 30 seconds, plug the power cable back in. The Firestick will restart automatically. The light on the front will turn on, and you will see the Amazon logo appear on your screen. Wait two to three minutes for the device to fully boot before trying to use it.

Unplugging is safe to do — it does not damage the device or delete your apps, settings, or account information. However, if you unplug while the device is actively writing data (for example, during an update), you could corrupt a file. Only unplug if the device is truly unresponsive.

What happens during a restart

A restart closes all running apps and clears the device's temporary memory. It does not delete your apps, your login information, your watch history, or any settings you have changed. Everything you have set up on your Firestick will still be there after the restart.

The restart process takes about 30 to 60 seconds from the moment you trigger it until the home screen appears again. During this time, your TV screen may go black, show the Amazon logo, or display a loading message. This is normal and expected.

When to restart your Firestick

Restart your Firestick if an app is crashing, if streaming is buffering constantly, if the device is responding slowly, or if you are having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi. A restart often fixes these problems because it clears out temporary files and stops any background processes that may be causing trouble.

You should also restart after a major update. Amazon sometimes pushes updates to Firesticks automatically, and restarting ensures the update is fully installed and active.

If restarting does not fix the problem, try unplugging the device for a full minute instead of just restarting it. A longer power-down sometimes clears deeper issues. If the problem continues after that, you may need to contact Amazon support or check whether your internet connection is the source of the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will restarting delete my apps or my account?

No. A restart only clears temporary memory and closes running apps. Your installed apps, your Amazon account, your login information, and all your settings remain exactly as they were. You will still be logged in after the restart.

How long does a Firestick restart take?

The restart itself takes 30 to 60 seconds. However, you should wait two to three minutes after the home screen appears before opening apps or trying to stream, because the device is still finishing its startup process in the background.

What is the difference between a restart and a factory reset?

A restart closes all apps and clears temporary memory but keeps all your settings and apps. A factory reset erases everything — all your apps, your account login, and your settings — and returns the device to the state it was in when it left the factory. Only do a factory reset if you are selling the device or if support specifically tells you to.

Can I restart my Firestick while it is streaming?

Yes, but the stream will stop when ready. If you are in the middle of watching something, the app will close. When the Firestick finishes restarting, you can open the app again and resume from where you left off (most apps save your position).

What should I do if the restart does not fix the problem?

Try unplugging the device for a full minute instead of just restarting it. If that does not work, check your internet connection — slow or unstable Wi-Fi causes many of the same symptoms as a device problem. If the issue continues, contact Amazon support with details about what is happening.