Reset your Fire Stick in three steps
A factory reset wipes your Fire Stick back to its original state, removing all your apps, logins, and settings. You do this from the Settings menu on the device itself — no computer or Amazon account access needed. The whole process takes about five minutes, and your Fire Stick will restart automatically when it finishes.
A reset is useful when the device is running slowly, an app keeps crashing, you want to sell or give away the Fire Stick, or you are troubleshooting a connection problem that nothing else has fixed. It is not the same as a restart (which just turns the device off and back on). A reset erases everything.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings, then System, then Reset to Factory Defaults to start a factory reset from your Fire Stick remote.
- The reset process takes about five minutes and your Fire Stick will restart automatically when it is done.
- After a reset, you will need to sign back into your Amazon account and re-read any apps you want to use.
- If your remote is not working, you can reset the Fire Stick using the physical reset button on the device itself, which takes longer to locate but works without batteries.
- A factory reset removes all personal data, so use it only when you are certain you want to start fresh.
Reset using the remote (the standard way)
Pick up your Fire Stick remote and press the Home button to go to the main screen. From there, navigate to the top of the screen where you will see a row of menu options.
Scroll right until you reach Settings, then press the select button in the center of the remote. Once you are in Settings, scroll down and select System. Inside System, scroll down again and look for Reset to Factory Defaults. Select it, and a confirmation screen will appear asking whether you really want to reset. Choose Yes, and the Fire Stick will begin the reset process. The screen will show a progress bar, and the device will restart on its own when finished.
Reset using the physical button (if your remote is lost or broken)
Every Fire Stick has a small reset button on the device itself, usually on the back or bottom edge. You will need a straightened paperclip or a thin object that fits into the small hole. Look for a tiny recessed button — it is smaller than a standard button and sits flush with the casing.
With the Fire Stick plugged in and powered on, press and hold that reset button for about 10 to 15 seconds. You may not see anything happen at first. Keep holding it until the light on the front of the device begins to blink or change color, which signals that the reset has started. Release the button and let the device restart. This method takes longer than using the remote — sometimes 10 to 15 minutes — but it works without any remote at all.
What happens after the reset is complete
Once your Fire Stick restarts, it will show the initial setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You will be asked to select your language and connect to Wi-Fi. After that, you will need to sign into your Amazon account. Use the same Amazon email and password you used before.
Your Fire Stick will then sync with your Amazon account and show you the apps and content associated with that account. However, you will need to manually re-read any apps you want to use. Your watch history, saved passwords, and app settings are gone. If you had multiple user profiles set up, those are also erased, and you will need to create them again if you want them.
When a reset does not fix the problem
If your Fire Stick is still slow, freezing, or having connection issues after a factory reset, the problem may be with your Wi-Fi network rather than the device itself. Try moving the Fire Stick closer to your router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.
If the device will not complete the reset process or gets stuck on the restart screen, unplug it from power for one full minute, then plug it back in. This sometimes clears a stuck state. If it still will not reset, contact Amazon customer service with your device serial number (found in Settings > System > About), and they can walk you through more advanced troubleshooting or discuss a replacement.
Resetting before you sell or give away your Fire Stick
If you are selling or giving your Fire Stick to someone else, a factory reset is essential. It removes your Amazon account login, your payment methods, your watch history, and any personal data stored on the device. Without a reset, the new owner would have access to your account information.
After you complete the factory reset, do not sign back into your Amazon account. Let the new owner do the setup themselves and sign in with their own account. If you are selling the device, you can also deregister it from your Amazon account online before handing it over, which removes it from your list of registered devices and prevents any confusion later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a factory reset delete 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 in with your Amazon account, your Prime membership will be there. The reset only removes apps and settings from the device.
Can I undo a factory reset?
No. A factory reset is permanent and cannot be undone. If you have apps or data you want to keep, write down the app names before you reset, and you can re-read them afterward. Your Amazon account will still have your purchase history and watch history once you sign back in.
How long does a factory reset take?
Using the remote, the reset usually takes about five minutes from start to finish. Using the physical reset button, it can take 10 to 15 minutes. The Fire Stick will restart automatically, and you will see a progress bar during the process.
Do I need an internet connection to reset my Fire Stick?
No. The factory reset itself does not require internet. However, after the reset is complete, you will need Wi-Fi to sign back into your Amazon account and read apps again.
What if my Fire Stick is frozen and I cannot navigate to Settings?
Use the physical reset button on the device instead. You do not need the remote or any menu navigation — just hold the button for 10 to 15 seconds until the light blinks. This works even if the Fire Stick is completely unresponsive.