How to Restart an Amazon Fire TV Stick (3 Easy Ways)

Restarting an Amazon Fire TV Stick fixes most everyday problems: apps that freeze or won’t load, buffering, a laggy menu, a remote that stops responding, or Wi-Fi that won’t connect. There are three ways to do it, and one works even when the screen is frozen. This guide covers all three for every Fire TV Stick model, plus what to try if restarting doesn’t help.

Quick Answer

Press and hold Select (the center button) and Play/Pause on the remote together for about 5 seconds, until a message says the device is powering off. Or go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart. If nothing responds, unplug the power adapter for 30 seconds and plug it back in.

Method 1: Restart With the Remote (Fastest)

1. Point the remote at the TV.
2. Press and hold Select (the center of the circular navigation ring) and Play/Pause at the same time.
3. Keep holding for about 5 seconds, until a message appears that your Fire TV is powering off.
4. Let go. The stick restarts and returns to the home screen in about a minute.

This works even when an app is frozen, as long as the remote is paired and the stick is responding to input.

Method 2: Restart From Settings

1. Press the Home button.
2. Select the Settings gear icon on the right side of the home screen.
3. Choose My Fire TV (on some older models, Device or Device & Software).
4. Select Restart, then confirm with Restart.

Shortcut: hold the Home button for a few seconds to open the quick settings menu, then choose Settings.

Method 3: Unplug It (Power Cycle)

Use this when the screen is frozen or the remote doesn’t work.

1. Unplug the power adapter from the wall outlet (or the USB cable from the stick).
2. Wait at least 30 seconds.
3. Plug it back in and wait for the home screen.

Use the power adapter that came with the stick and plug it into a wall outlet. Powering it from the TV’s USB port often doesn’t supply enough power and can cause random restarts, freezes, and a low-power warning.

If Restarting Doesn’t Fix the Problem

• Remote not working: replace the batteries, move closer, then hold Home for about 10 seconds to re-pair it. You can also control the stick with the Fire TV phone app while you troubleshoot.
• An app keeps crashing: go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, select the app, and choose Force stop, then Clear cache. If that doesn’t help, Clear data (you’ll need to sign in again) or uninstall and reinstall it.
• Slow or out of space: uninstall apps you don’t use; the stick has limited storage.
• Wi-Fi problems: restart your router too, and check Settings > Network. Moving the stick with the included HDMI extender can improve the signal.
• Update the software: Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates (or Install Update).
• Last resort, factory reset: Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults, or hold Back and the Right side of the navigation ring for about 10 seconds. This erases apps, sign-ins, and settings.

Restart vs. Sleep vs. Reset

Action	What it does	Data kept?
Sleep	Turns off the display output; the stick stays on in the background	Yes
Restart	Fully reboots the stick and clears temporary glitches	Yes
Factory reset	Returns the stick to out-of-box condition	No

If the screensaver keeps interrupting playback, see how to turn off the Fire TV Stick screensaver.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I restart my Fire TV Stick?

There’s no requirement, but a restart every week or two, or whenever it feels sluggish, keeps it running smoothly.

Does restarting delete my apps?

No. Restarting keeps your apps, sign-ins, and settings. Only a factory reset erases them.

Can I turn off a Fire TV Stick completely?

There’s no power-off option. The stick sleeps when you’re not using it. To turn it off completely, unplug it.

Summary

1. Hold Select + Play/Pause for about 5 seconds.
2. Or go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart.
3. If the stick is frozen, unplug it for 30 seconds.
4. Power it from a wall outlet with the original adapter to prevent repeat problems.