Fire Stick updates happen automatically, but you can check for and install them manually

Your Fire Stick checks for updates on its own and installs them when you're not using the device—usually overnight. You don't have to do anything. But if you want to see what version you're running, force an update to happen right away, or troubleshoot an update that didn't work, you can do that from the Settings menu in about two minutes.

The process is the same whether you have a Fire Stick 4K, Fire Stick HD, or the older Fire Stick (2nd Gen). You navigate to Settings, then System, then About, then Check for Updates. If an update is waiting, you'll see a button to install it. If your device is already current, the screen will say so.

Key Takeaways

  • Fire Stick updates install automatically in the background, so manual checking is optional unless you're troubleshooting.
  • To check manually, go to Settings > System > About > Check for Updates from your Fire Stick home screen.
  • Updates usually take five to fifteen minutes and your Fire Stick will restart during the process.
  • If an update fails or gets stuck, unplugging the device for 30 seconds and plugging it back in usually fixes it.
  • You cannot turn off automatic updates, but you can see the current software version anytime in the About menu.

Step-by-step: checking for and installing updates manually

Start from your Fire Stick home screen. Use your remote to highlight the Settings icon (it looks like a gear) and press the select button in the center of the remote. This opens the Settings menu.

From Settings, scroll down and select System. Then select About. You'll see your device name, serial number, and current software version. At the bottom of this screen is a button labeled Check for Updates. Press select on it. The Fire Stick will connect to Amazon's servers and look for a newer version.

If an update is available, a button labeled Install Update will appear. Press select. The Fire Stick will read the update (this usually takes a few minutes) and then restart automatically. During the restart, your screen will go black or show the Amazon logo. Don't unplug the device. Once the restart is complete, you'll be back at the home screen.

What to do if an update is stuck or fails

If the update process hangs—your Fire Stick is stuck on a black screen or the Amazon logo for more than 15 minutes—unplug the power cable from the back of the device. Wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. The Fire Stick will restart and usually complete the update on the second try.

If the same update fails twice, try restarting your internet router as well. Unplug the router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once the router is back online and your Fire Stick has reconnected to Wi-Fi, go back to Settings > System > About > Check for Updates and try again.

If the update continues to fail after a router restart, the issue may be with your internet connection speed or stability rather than the Fire Stick itself. Try moving the Fire Stick closer to your router, or connect it to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band if your router supports it and your Fire Stick is a newer model. Then attempt the update once more.

Why your Fire Stick updates automatically

Amazon pushes updates to Fire Sticks to fix bugs, add features, and patch security issues. These updates are small—usually between 50 and 200 megabytes—so they don't consume much of your internet bandwidth. The device is designed to read and install them when you're asleep or not actively watching, so you won't notice the process happening.

Automatic updates mean you don't have to remember to check for them, and your device stays current without any action on your part. You cannot disable automatic updates in the Fire Stick settings. If you want to know when the last update happened, that information is also in the About menu—it shows the date the current software version was installed.

How to see what changed in a new update

Amazon doesn't always publish detailed release notes for Fire Stick updates. To find out what changed, go to the Amazon Appstore on your Fire Stick, scroll to the top menu, and look for Notifications or Updates. You may see a summary of recent changes there, though it's often brief.

For more detailed information, you can visit Amazon's Fire Tablet and Fire TV community forums online and search for your device model and the software version number. Other users often post what they've noticed in new updates, and Amazon staff sometimes clarify what was changed or fixed.

Updating apps separately from the Fire Stick system

The update process described above updates only the Fire Stick's operating system—the core software that runs the device. Your apps (Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and others) update separately. Apps update automatically by default, but you can also update them manually from the Appstore.

To manually update apps, open the Appstore, go to the menu (three horizontal lines in the top left), and select My Library. Scroll to the Updates section. If any apps have updates waiting, you'll see them listed. Select the app and choose Update. You can update all apps at once by selecting Update All if that option appears.

Troubleshooting: Fire Stick won't connect to Wi-Fi during an update

If your Fire Stick loses its Wi-Fi connection during an update attempt, the update will fail. Before you try to check for updates, make sure your Fire Stick is connected to Wi-Fi and the connection is stable. You can check this by going to Settings > Network and looking at the connected network name and signal strength.

If the connection keeps dropping, restart your router first, then restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Once both devices are back online and connected, try the update again. If the problem persists, move the Fire Stick closer to the router or switch to a less crowded Wi-Fi channel if your router allows it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Fire Stick update take?

Most updates take between five and fifteen minutes from start to finish, including the read and restart. Larger updates or slower internet connections may take up to 30 minutes. Your Fire Stick will be unusable during this time, so plan accordingly.

Will an update erase my apps or settings?

No. Updates to the Fire Stick operating system preserve all your apps, login information, and settings. Your device will look and work the same after the update as it did before, except for any new features or bug fixes included in the update.

Can I use my Fire Stick while an update is installing?

No. Once an update begins installing, the Fire Stick will restart and be unavailable until the update is complete. Don't unplug the device during this time. If you accidentally unplug it, plug it back in and let it finish the update process.

What if my Fire Stick is very old—will it still get updates?

Older Fire Stick models (2nd Gen and earlier) eventually stop receiving updates once Amazon ends support for that hardware. You can check your current software version in Settings > System > About. If your device hasn't received an update in over a year, it may no longer be supported, but it will continue to work with the software version it has.

Do I need to do anything before an automatic update happens at night?

No. Just leave your Fire Stick plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. The device will handle the rest automatically. You don't need to turn it off or put it into any special mode. If you're watching something when an automatic update is scheduled, the update will wait until you're done and the device has been idle for a while.