How to Reset Frozen Firestick / Fire TV

If your Amazon Fire TV is experiencing lag or freezing issues, it might be a good idea to perform a reset. Resetting your device will clear its memory and typically resolve any problems you’re encountering. You can follow these steps to reset Amazon Firestick, Toshiba, Insignia, and Fire TV box models.


Fix 1 – Force Reset from Remote

To reset Fire TV from the remote:

Press and hold the “Select” and “Play” buttons on the remote simultaneously until the Fire TV resets. The screen should go black, then show the Fire TV logo. These steps reboot the Fire TV and will not clear any data from the device.


Fix 2 – Remove Power

Unplugging Amazon Firestick

It’s safe to simply pull the power cord from the back of the Fire TV, then wait about 10 seconds before plugging it back in. This should fully reboot the device allowing you to continue using it.


FAQ

My Fire TV still keeps freezing. What can I do?

If the freezing seems to happen only when using certain channels or apps, you may want to try uninstalling then reinstalling the problematic channel or app.

If your Fire TV is freezing constantly, you may want to try a factory reset. A factory reset will clear all data and settings from the Fire TV. It’s extreme, but it may be the only thing that allows you to use your Fire TV again. A factory hard reset will wipe all data and settings from the device and set it back to how it was when you first purchased it. You can do this by going to “Settings” > “My Fire TV“, “Device & Software” or “System” >” Reset to Factory Defaults“. From there, enter your PIN, then choose “Reset“.

If you can’t access the menus to factory reset, you can press and hold “Right” ◑ on the directional pad and “BackFire TV Remote Back Button together for 15 seconds, or until you see a message appear that says, “Reset to Factory Defaults“.

Firestick Factory Reset Buttons

Once the message appears, press “Left” on the directional pad and select “OK“, or just let the time tick and the system will automatically reset.

Hopefully, the Fire TV will restart and allow you to go through the setup process to get it working again.

Is there a way to factory reset Fire TV without the remote control?

Your best option would be to use the remote control feature in the Amazon Fire TV app. The app is free and available for download to your Kindle Fire, Apple, or Android device. You can also plug a keyboard into the USB port to navigate. I go into more detail about this in my post here.

11 thoughts on “How to Reset Frozen Firestick / Fire TV”

  1. I did a hard reset. My fire TV is frozen at the select language option. I have tried unplugging TV and pushing select and play alternately. TV still frozen. What else can be done.

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  2. on my television I had an older fire stick and then purchased a new fire stick In both cases it will freeze and buzz at any time I have done a hard reset and I have also return to factory default edit apps on again and again it is still doing it is it my TV is it an outlet please help

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  3. You are a genius. Haven’t been able to scroll right then the picture became Hugh. The reset fixed it all! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

    Reply
  4. Did factory reset and now stuck on update. Says cannot update your tv and try unplugging which we have already done several times.

    Reply

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