Three ways to reset your Fire Stick, ranked by speed
The fastest reset uses your Fire Stick remote: hold the back button and the right button on the D-pad together for 10 seconds until the device restarts. This clears your account, apps, and settings but keeps the Fire Stick software version the same. If your remote is lost or broken, go to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults on the Fire Stick itself — it takes longer because you navigate with the remote's alternatives, but it does the same thing. The slowest option is a full factory reset through the Amazon Appstore or by unplugging the device for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and holding the reset button on the back of the device for 40 seconds, but most people never need this route.
Which method you choose depends on what you are trying to fix. A remote-button reset works when the Fire Stick is slow, apps are crashing, or you want to clear your account before selling it. A settings-menu reset is identical in outcome but useful if your remote batteries are dead. A full factory reset through the device itself is rarely necessary — it is the same as the other two for most purposes.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the back button and right D-pad button together for 10 seconds to reset your Fire Stick in under two minutes using only your remote.
- A reset clears your Amazon account, all apps, and all settings, but does not change the Fire Stick's software version or performance.
- If your remote does not work, navigate to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults on the Fire Stick screen itself.
- After a reset, you will need to sign back into your Amazon account and re-read any apps you want to use.
What happens when you reset a Fire Stick
A reset removes your Amazon account login, all downloaded apps, all saved passwords, and all custom settings like display resolution or parental controls. The Fire Stick returns to the state it was in when it left the factory, except the software version stays the same — you do not get an older or newer version of Fire OS.
A reset does not fix hardware problems like a broken HDMI port or a remote that will not pair. It also does not speed up a Fire Stick that is slow because of the model itself — an older Fire Stick will still be older after a reset. What a reset does fix is software slowness, app crashes, login loops, and account problems. If your Fire Stick is stuck on your ex's account or a previous owner's account, a reset is the standard fix.
Reset using your remote in 10 seconds
This is the method most people use because it is the fastest. Make sure your remote has working batteries. Point it at the Fire Stick and hold down the back button (the curved arrow at the top left) and the right button on the D-pad (the directional pad in the center) at the same time. Hold both buttons for 10 seconds. You will see a message on screen asking you to confirm. The Fire Stick will restart, and the reset is complete.
The Fire Stick will take about one to two minutes to fully restart. During this time, the screen may go black or show the Amazon logo. Do not unplug it. When it finishes, you will see the setup screen asking you to select a language and sign in to Amazon. This is normal — the reset worked.
Reset through the settings menu if your remote does not work
If your remote is lost, broken, or has dead batteries, you can still reset the Fire Stick using a different remote or by using the Fire TV app on your phone. If you have a second remote that works with Fire Stick, use that one and follow the 10-second button-hold method above.
If you do not have a working remote, read the Amazon Fire TV app on your phone (available on iOS and Android). Open the app, select your Fire Stick from the list of devices, and use your phone as a remote. Navigate to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults and select it. Confirm the reset when prompted. The Fire Stick will restart the same way as the button-hold method.
Full factory reset using the device's reset button
Every Fire Stick has a small reset button on the back or bottom of the device. This button is recessed so you cannot press it by accident. To use it, you need a straightened paperclip or a similar thin object. Unplug the Fire Stick from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. While it is starting up, press and hold the reset button for 40 seconds. The device will restart and perform a full factory reset.
This method is slower than the remote method and produces the same result, so most people do not use it. It is useful only if your Fire Stick will not turn on, will not respond to any remote, and will not connect to WiFi. If you are at that point, the reset button is worth trying before you assume the device is broken.
What to do after your Fire Stick resets
When the Fire Stick finishes restarting, it will ask you to select a language and country. Follow the on-screen prompts. You will then be asked to connect to WiFi and sign into your Amazon account. Use the same Amazon account you used before, or a different one if you are setting up the Fire Stick for someone else.
After you sign in, the Fire Stick will read your apps and settings from Amazon's servers. This can take several minutes depending on how many apps you had. You do not need to manually re-read each app — Amazon remembers what you installed and restores them automatically. If an app does not restore, you can read it again from the Appstore.
Your watch history, saved passwords, and other account data will also restore from Amazon's backup. If you reset the Fire Stick because you wanted to erase all of that data before selling it, sign out of your Amazon account after the reset and do not sign back in. The new owner can then set up their own account from scratch.
When to reset your Fire Stick and when not to
Reset your Fire Stick if apps are crashing repeatedly, the device is stuck on a loading screen, you cannot sign into your account, or you want to clear everything before giving it away. A reset is also the standard fix if the Fire Stick is stuck on someone else's account and you cannot access the settings to sign out.
Do not reset your Fire Stick if it is slow because of the model itself — resetting will not make an older Fire Stick faster. Do not reset if the problem is your internet connection — a slow WiFi network will still be slow after a reset. Do not reset if a specific app is crashing; instead, uninstall that app and reinstall it. Do not reset if you are trying to fix a remote that will not pair; instead, go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices and re-pair the remote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a reset delete my saved passwords and login information?
Yes. A reset removes all saved passwords, WiFi credentials, and login information. After the reset, you will need to sign back into your Amazon account and re-enter any other passwords you had saved. Your Amazon account itself is not deleted — you can sign back in with your email and password.
Can I reset my Fire Stick if it is not connected to the internet?
Yes. The remote-button reset and the reset-button methods work without an internet connection. The settings-menu reset requires WiFi because you need to navigate the menu. After the reset is complete, you will need to connect to WiFi to sign back into your Amazon account.
How long does a reset take?
The button-hold reset takes about 10 seconds to initiate, then one to two minutes for the Fire Stick to restart. The settings-menu reset takes longer because you navigate with the remote, but the restart time is the same. The reset-button method takes 40 seconds to hold the button, then one to two minutes for the restart. Total time from start to finish is usually three to five minutes.
Will a reset fix my Fire Stick if it is not turning on?
If your Fire Stick is completely unresponsive and will not turn on, a reset button press is worth trying. Unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and hold the reset button for 40 seconds. If the device still does not respond after that, the problem is likely hardware, not software, and a reset will not fix it.
Do I need to reset my Fire Stick before selling it?
Yes. A reset removes your Amazon account, all your apps, and all your personal data. This is the standard way to prepare a Fire Stick for a new owner. After the reset, do not sign back into your account — leave the device at the setup screen so the new owner can set it up with their own Amazon account.