How to reset your Firestick
The Amazon Fire TV Firestick is already a hot favorite when it comes to streaming the latest in home entertainment. With the Firestick, you simply plug the small device into the HDMI port on your TV.
This allows you to access your Prime service and to see a full range of films, TV shows, music, subscription services, games, and photos – from Amazon’s own service and from Netflix. Even better, the nature of the Firestick means that you can easily carry it with you to access Amazon prime entertainment content on the go.
However, there are occasions when you might need to know how to reset Firestick devices, for example, if it has frozen or simply is not responding. Although the Amazon Firestick is generally very reliable, there are sometimes occasions when it doesn’t work as it should.
The good news is that it is generally easy to identify the source of the problem and to apply a fix. Let’s look at the common glitches that can occur and detail how to reset Firestick devices quickly and easily.
How to reset Firestick TV devices easily
You’ll know if there is a problem with your Amazon TV Firestick if your Fire TV is showing a blank screen, failing to power on or appears to be frozen. These are the troubleshooting processes you need to follow to identify the problem and then fix it.
If your device isn’t responding
Sometimes the FireTV device shows a normal display but won’t allow you to make any use of the controls. If this happens, get the remote and rule out any issues here. You may need to repair your Fire TV remote with the TV. If this doesn’t fix the issue, then take the classic IT helpdesk approach and restart the device! To do this, follow one of these three approaches:
- Power cord removalTake out the power cord from the device itself or the power outlet, wait a few moments and then plug the cord back in.
- Remote control buttonsIt’s also possible to restart your device using your remote control. Find the select button, then press and hold it along with the play and pause button simultaneously. You’ll need to do this for five seconds or so.
- Fire TV menuAlternatively, go to the Fire TV menu and select Settings->Device->Restart.
Adaptors and cables
When doing this, be sure that you are using the Fire TV’s provided power supply. Get the power adapter that comes included and connect it to the back of the device, where the power port is. Then, get your nearest power outlet and plug the other end of the adapter into it.
Looking at the cables
If you have a first or second generation Amazon Fire TV, use a high-speed HDMI cable. You’ll know that it’s the right one if it has either “High speed,” “1.3,” or “1.4” written on the side. Again, plug your HDMI cable into the port on the back of the Fire TV at one end and the other into a TV HDMI port. Make sure you use the HDMI extender that is provided by the Fire TV stick.
Has your Firestick turned off?
If your device has turned off during a software update installation or when you were using it, allow it to cool down and leave the device unplugged until then.
A blank screen?
There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a blank TV screen when you’re trying to watch your favorite show! If this happens, try these steps:
- Check that your TV is actually on and that you are using the right HDMI input channel to the one your Amazon Firestick is connected to.
- Try unplugging any other devices that might be connected to the HDMI ports on your TV.
- Try adjusting the resolution of your TV, such as to 720p or 1080p. To do this, press both the up and the rewind button on your remote simultaneously for five seconds. The system will move through the screen output resolutions that are available and pause for ten seconds at each option. Choose Current resolution when you find the one that suits you.
- If your Firestick is connected to a sound bar or A/V receiver, check that this is switched on and is using the right input. If it doesn’t solve the problem, connect your Fire TV device and TV together directly.
As a note, when you are streaming a 4K Ultra HD programme, your screen may turn black for a few seconds or flicker, before the content loads.
HDMI hubs
We’ve focused on Firesticks in this blog, but some people will be using HDMI cables to link their Fire TV device to the TV. If you’re watching Prime content via an HDMI hub and having issues seeing the content, disconnect the device from it to cancel the connection. From here, plug the Firestick into the TV directly and see if that works.
You can also try to switch to an alternative HDMI port on your TV. Make a note of the port you have chosen and then adjust the input channel accordingly on your TV. One good tip is that if the Fire TV device continues to show on the TV logo screen when you are setting up, you should give it at least ten minutes to finish loading.
Top tip
If your first or second gen Fire TV still shows little sign of starting properly after you have carried out the initial set up, you should check that the HDMI cable you are using is a high speed one.
In summary
There are different ways to get past the problem of a malfunctioning Firestick, so you needn’t fret if your content fails to load. If you are wondering how to reset Firestick devices, refer to this quick guide and you will be back to watching your favorite show or film in no time!
