What resetting your Fire Stick does

A factory reset erases everything on your Fire Stick — all your apps, logins, watch history, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is useful if you're selling or giving away the device, troubleshooting a problem that won't go away, or if you've forgotten a PIN or password and can't get past it.

The reset process takes about 5 to 10 minutes and requires nothing but your remote. Your Fire Stick will restart several times during the process, which is normal. Once it finishes, you'll see the setup screen you saw the first time you turned it on.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset wipes all apps, logins, and settings from your Fire Stick and returns it to its original state.
  • You can reset your Fire Stick using only the remote by going to Settings, then System, then Reset to Factory Defaults.
  • The reset takes 5 to 10 minutes and your Fire Stick will restart multiple times — this is normal.
  • If your Fire Stick is frozen or unresponsive, you can also unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in as a faster alternative.
  • After a factory reset, you'll need to sign back into your Amazon account and reinstall your apps.

How to reset using the Settings menu

This is the standard way to reset and works when your Fire Stick is responding to the remote. Pick up your remote and press the Home button (the house icon) to go to the main screen.

From the home screen, move up to the top menu bar and select Settings. Navigate to System, then select Reset to Factory Defaults. The Fire Stick will ask you to confirm — select Reset again. Your device will now restart and begin the factory reset process. You'll see a progress screen; let it run without interrupting power.

Once the reset finishes, your Fire Stick will show the initial setup screen. You can now set it up as a new device or sign back into your Amazon account.

How to reset a frozen or unresponsive Fire Stick

If your Fire Stick is frozen, not responding to the remote, or stuck on a black screen, a factory reset through the menu won't work. Instead, try a hard reset: unplug the Fire Stick from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This often clears temporary problems without erasing your apps and settings.

If the hard reset doesn't fix the problem and you still need to factory reset, you can use the reset button on the device itself. Locate the small reset button on the back or side of your Fire Stick (the exact location varies by model). Use a straightened paperclip or similar thin object to press and hold the reset button for 10 to 15 seconds until you see a light on the device begin to flash. Release the button and let the device restart — this will perform a factory reset.

The button reset takes longer than the menu reset and you won't see a progress screen, so just let the device sit undisturbed for 10 to 15 minutes while it completes the process.

What happens after the reset is complete

When your Fire Stick finishes resetting, it will display the setup screen you saw when you first unboxed it. You'll be asked to select your language and connect to Wi-Fi. After that, you'll need to sign into your Amazon account — use the same email and password you used before.

Once you're signed in, your Fire Stick will remember your account settings and any subscriptions tied to that account (like Prime Video or Paramount+). However, all the apps you installed are gone and must be reinstalled. Go to the Appstore, search for each app you want, and select Install. Your watch history and preferences within each app will also be gone unless that app syncs them to your account separately.

Resetting before you sell or give away your Fire Stick

If you're selling or giving your Fire Stick to someone else, a factory reset is essential — it removes your Amazon account, payment methods, and any personal data. After you reset, don't sign back in. Instead, leave the device on the setup screen for the new owner to complete.

If you're concerned about data, you can also deregister the device from your Amazon account before resetting it. Go to your Amazon account settings on a computer or phone, find Devices and Accessories, locate your Fire Stick, and select Deregister. Then perform the factory reset. This ensures the device is fully disconnected from your account.

When to call Amazon support instead

If your Fire Stick won't turn on at all, won't respond to the remote, or won't complete a reset even after waiting 15 minutes, the device may have a hardware problem. Try plugging it into a different power outlet or using a different USB cable if your model uses one. If it still doesn't respond, contact Amazon customer service — they can troubleshoot further or replace the device if it's still under warranty.

If you're locked out by a PIN you don't remember, you can reset the PIN through your Amazon account on a computer or phone without factory resetting the device. Go to your account settings, find Parental Controls or PIN Settings, and disable or reset the PIN. This is faster than a full factory reset if that's your only problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Amazon Prime membership?

No. Your Prime membership is tied to your Amazon account, not to the Fire Stick itself. After you reset and sign back into your account, Prime Video and other Prime benefits will be available again when ready.

Can I undo a factory reset?

No, a factory reset is permanent. Once it completes, all apps and settings are gone. If you realize you made a mistake, you'll need to reinstall your apps and reconfigure your settings manually. There's no backup or recovery option.

Do I need to unplug my Fire Stick during the reset?

No. Leave it plugged in the entire time. The reset process requires power, and unplugging it mid-reset can corrupt the device. Only unplug it if you're doing a hard reset to fix a frozen device, and wait 30 seconds before plugging it back in.

How long does a factory reset take?

Most factory resets take 5 to 10 minutes from start to finish. If you use the physical reset button on the back of the device, it may take up to 15 minutes. Don't interrupt the process — let the device restart on its own.

Will resetting fix apps that keep crashing?

Sometimes. If one app crashes repeatedly, try uninstalling and reinstalling just that app first — it's faster than a full reset. If multiple apps crash or the device is slow overall, a factory reset often helps. If problems return after reset, the issue may be with your Wi-Fi connection or your Amazon account rather than the device.