A factory reset returns a Fire TV device to its original out-of-box state. It removes your Amazon account, Wi-Fi network, apps, app logins, preferences, and downloaded data.
Use it when the device is badly frozen, repeatedly glitching, or ready to sell or give away. Do not use it as the first fix for one slow app unless smaller troubleshooting steps have failed.
Does this affect you?
These steps apply to Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV Edition smart TVs. If the remote and menus still respond, reset from Settings. If the remote is lost, use the Fire TV mobile app. If the device is frozen, power-cycle first.
Factory reset from Settings
- From the Fire TV home screen, open Settings.
- Select My Fire TV. On some models, this may be labeled Device.
- Choose Reset to Factory Defaults.
- Confirm the warning.
- Wait while the Fire TV restarts and returns to the initial setup screens.
After the reset, you will need your Amazon account email and password, plus your Wi-Fi name and password, to set the device up again.
Reset a frozen Fire TV
If the menus are unreachable, start with a full power cycle. Many frozen Fire TV devices recover without needing a factory reset.
- Unplug the Fire TV device from power completely.
- Wait a full 60 seconds.
- Plug it back in and give it a couple of minutes to boot.
- Try the remote again.
- If the device responds, use Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults only if freezing keeps returning.
Some Fire TV models have a physical button or reset pinhole, but the exact method varies. Check the model-specific instructions before holding or pressing hardware buttons during power-up.
Use the Fire TV app as a remote
If the physical remote is missing or dead but the Fire TV still works, the phone app can navigate the reset menu.
- Install the Amazon Fire TV app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the Fire TV.
- Open the app and select your Fire TV device.
- Use the on-screen remote to go to Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults.
- Confirm the reset.
Before and after resetting
If you are selling or giving away the device, sign out of apps with saved payment or account information before resetting when possible. The reset removes the Amazon account and app data, but signing out first is an extra privacy precaution.
If the device is stuck on a reset screen or spinning logo for more than 10 to 15 minutes, unplug it for 60 seconds and try again. A reset that repeatedly fails can point to storage or hardware trouble.
For occasional slowdowns or one app crashing, clear that app’s cache under Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications before wiping the whole device.
Sources
- Amazon Support – Reset your Fire TV device to factory defaults (2025)
- Amazon Support – Use the Fire TV app as a remote (2025)
- Amazon Support – Troubleshoot a frozen or unresponsive Fire TV (2025)