Turn Off Automatic Updates in Device Settings

The fastest way to stop automatic updates is to disable the setting in your Firestick's main menu. Go to Settings, then select My Fire TV (or Device on older models), then About. Scroll down and look for System Updates or Automatic Updates. Toggle this setting to Off.

Once you turn off automatic updates, your Firestick will no longer read and install new software in the background. You will see a notification when updates become available, but nothing will happen unless you manually choose to install them. This setting persists even after you restart your device, so you only need to change it once.

If you cannot find the exact menu path, it may vary slightly depending on your Firestick model and the version of Fire OS it runs. The setting is always under Settings and My Fire TV, but the third or fourth menu level may have a different name. Look for any option that mentions "automatic," "updates," or "system software."

Key Takeaways

  • Automatic updates are controlled in Settings > My Fire TV > About > System Updates or Automatic Updates, where you can toggle the feature off.
  • Turning off automatic updates stops your Firestick from downloading and installing new software without your permission.
  • You will still receive notifications when updates are available, but you decide when or whether to install them.
  • Disabling automatic updates may prevent you from receiving security patches and bug fixes, so check for manual updates every few months.
  • If you cannot find the setting on your model, restart your Firestick and try again, as the menu structure can vary by device age and Fire OS version.

Why Your Firestick Updates Automatically

Amazon sets Firestick devices to update automatically by default because updates often include security patches and fixes for streaming problems. When a new version of Fire OS is released, your Firestick is designed to read and install it overnight or during idle time, usually without asking permission first.

Automatic updates can interrupt your viewing, cause temporary buffering, or restart your device at inconvenient times. Some people also prefer to delay updates if they have heard reports of bugs in a particular version. Turning off automatic updates gives you control over when your device restarts and which software version runs on it.

Manually Check for Updates When You Want Them

After you disable automatic updates, you should still check for new software periodically—roughly every two to three months. Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About and select Check for Updates. This lets you install patches on your own schedule, usually late at night or when you are not planning to use the device.

Checking manually also lets you read about what each update includes before you install it. If a particular version has known issues, you can wait a few days or weeks for Amazon to release a fix. Manual checking gives you the same security benefits as automatic updates without the surprise restarts.

What Happens If You Never Update

If you disable automatic updates and never manually check for them, your Firestick will eventually fall behind on security patches. This does not mean your device will stop working—older Fire OS versions continue to stream apps and services. However, you may miss fixes for streaming glitches, app crashes, or remote control problems that newer versions address.

More importantly, security updates patch vulnerabilities that could let hackers access your device or your Amazon account. Staying several months behind on updates increases this risk, though the danger is small for most home users. The safest approach is to disable automatic updates but check manually every few months.

Restart Your Firestick If the Setting Does Not Stick

Occasionally the automatic updates setting reverts to On after a system restart or after you install a major update. If you notice your Firestick has turned automatic updates back on, go through the settings menu again and toggle it off. Then unplug your Firestick for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart.

After the restart, go back to Settings > My Fire TV > About and confirm the setting is still off. If it keeps reverting, your Firestick may have a software glitch. In that case, you can perform a factory reset (which erases all your apps and settings) or contact Amazon support for help, though a reset is usually unnecessary.

Prevent Updates Over Cellular or Metered Networks

If your Firestick connects to the internet through a mobile hotspot or a metered connection, you may want to disable automatic updates to avoid using your data allowance. Even with automatic updates turned off, be aware that apps you have installed may still update independently—the Firestick setting only controls the Fire OS system software itself.

To further limit data use, go to Settings > Apps & Channels and look for an option to disable automatic app updates. Not all Firestick models offer this control, but if yours does, you can turn it on to prevent both system and app updates over your connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off automatic updates break my Firestick?

No. Your Firestick will continue to work normally without automatic updates. You will still be able to stream all your apps and services. The only difference is that you control when new software is installed instead of Amazon doing it automatically.

Can I turn automatic updates back on later?

Yes. Go back to Settings > My Fire TV > About > System Updates and toggle the setting back to On. Your Firestick will resume downloading and installing updates automatically.

What if an update is already downloading when I turn off automatic updates?

If an update has already started downloading, turning off the setting will not stop it mid-read. Let it finish, and then the setting will take effect for future updates. You can also unplug your Firestick to interrupt a read, though this is not recommended.

Do I need to do anything special to install an update manually?

No. When you select Check for Updates and a new version is available, just follow the on-screen prompts to install it. Your Firestick will restart during the installation, which usually takes five to ten minutes. Make sure you are not in the middle of watching something before you start.

Will my apps stop working if I do not update my Firestick?

Most apps will continue to work on older Fire OS versions. However, as time passes, some app developers may release new versions that require a newer operating system. If an app stops working, updating your Firestick is often the first step to fix it.