The fastest way to update Hulu on Fire Stick

Hulu updates automatically on Fire Stick in most cases, but you can force an update manually in about two minutes. Open the Fire Stick home screen, scroll right to your apps library, find Hulu, press and hold the select button (the center circle on your remote), then choose "Update" from the menu that appears. If no update option shows, the app is already current.

If you want to check whether an update is actually available before forcing it, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, select Hulu, and look at the version number. You can compare this to the version listed on Amazon's Appstore by searching for Hulu there. Most users never need to do this—the automatic updates happen in the background, usually overnight when your Fire Stick is idle.

Key Takeaways

  • Hulu updates automatically on Fire Stick, so you may not need to do anything manually.
  • To force an update when ready, hold select on the Hulu app in your apps library and tap "Update."
  • If the Update option does not appear, your version is already current.
  • Automatic updates typically happen when your Fire Stick is plugged in and not in use, usually at night.
  • Restarting your Fire Stick can sometimes trigger a stuck update to complete.

Why Hulu won't update and what to try

The most common reason an update fails is that your Fire Stick does not have enough storage space. Hulu needs roughly 100 MB free to read and install an update. Check your storage by going to Settings > Applications > Manage Storage. If you are below 500 MB free, delete apps you do not use regularly or clear the cache from apps that take up space (like Prime Video or Netflix).

If storage is not the issue, restart your Fire Stick. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up—you will see the Amazon logo and then the home screen. Then try the update again. A restart clears temporary files that sometimes block updates from completing.

If the update still will not go through, check that your Fire Stick is connected to the internet. Go to Settings > Network and confirm you see your Wi-Fi network listed and connected. If the connection is weak or drops frequently, move your Fire Stick closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

When automatic updates are turned off

Fire Stick has a setting that controls whether apps update automatically. If this is disabled, Hulu will never update on its own, and you will need to update it manually every time a new version comes out. To check this setting, go to Settings > Applications > Automatic Updates and make sure the toggle is turned on (it should be blue or highlighted).

Turning automatic updates back on means Hulu will read and install new versions in the background without you having to do anything. This is the easiest approach for most people, since Hulu updates frequently and you will not have to remember to check.

What to do if Hulu crashes after an update

Occasionally Hulu behaves strangely right after an update—it might freeze, crash on launch, or show a black screen. The first step is to force-close the app. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, select Hulu, and choose "Force Stop." Wait 10 seconds, then open Hulu again from your home screen.

If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall Hulu. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, select Hulu, and choose "Uninstall." Then go to the Appstore, search for Hulu, and select "read" to reinstall it. This takes about two minutes and almost always fixes crashes or freezing that happen right after an update.

Checking your Hulu version and update history

To see what version of Hulu you currently have, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications and select Hulu. The version number appears near the bottom of the screen. Major version numbers (like 7.0 or 8.0) usually mean significant changes to the app, while smaller updates (7.1 to 7.2) are usually bug fixes or small feature additions.

Fire Stick does not keep a visible history of past updates, but you can see when Hulu was last updated by checking the "Last Updated" date in that same menu. If the date is more than a month old and you have automatic updates turned on, your Fire Stick may not have had a chance to update yet—this is normal if your device is not plugged in regularly or if you do not use it often.

How to update Hulu if your Fire Stick is offline

Hulu cannot update without an internet connection. If your Fire Stick is offline, connect it to your Wi-Fi network first. Go to Settings > Network, select your Wi-Fi network, enter the password if prompted, and wait for the connection to show as "Connected." Once you see that status, you can proceed with a manual update or wait for automatic updates to run.

If you cannot connect to Wi-Fi, check that your router is on and broadcasting. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully boot. Try connecting your Fire Stick again. If you still cannot connect, you may need to contact your internet provider to troubleshoot your connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Hulu update take on Fire Stick?

A typical Hulu update takes 2 to 5 minutes to read and install, depending on your internet speed. Larger updates may take up to 10 minutes. If an update is taking longer than 15 minutes, restart your Fire Stick and try again.

Will updating Hulu delete my saved shows or watchlist?

No. Updates only change the app code, not your account data. Your watchlist, saved shows, and login information stay exactly the same before and after an update.

Can I use Hulu while it is updating?

No. While an update is downloading or installing, Hulu will not open. Wait for the update to finish, then launch the app normally. This usually takes just a few minutes.

What if the Update button does not appear when I hold select on Hulu?

That means your version is already current. Hulu updates frequently, so check again in a few days. If you want to see the latest version number, go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications and select Hulu.

Do I need to restart my Fire Stick after updating Hulu?

No restart is required. You can open Hulu when ready after an update finishes. However, if Hulu crashes or behaves strangely after updating, a restart often fixes the problem.