Has your Amazon Fire TV Stick been constantly crashing, freezing, or restarting? There are several possible culprits for this annoying issue. Fortunately, with the right troubleshooting, you can likely resolve it yourself without replacing your Fire Stick.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover 19 effective solutions to stop your Fire TV Stick from crashing and rebooting unexpectedly.
Troubleshooting Overview
Here’s a quick rundown of the top fixes covered in this article:
- Update Fire TV software
- Clear app cache and data
- Check internet connection
- Reduce video resolution
- Disable HDMI CEC
- Use official power adapter
- Remove USB drives or hubs
- Switch HDMI ports
- Reset remote pairing
- Disable VPNs
- Prevent overheating
- Reinstall apps
- Factory reset
Read on for steps to implement each fix, plus additional troubleshooting for stubborn reboot issues.
1. Update Fire TV Software
Start with the basics – ensure your Fire TV Stick is running the latest software version. Outdated firmware can sometimes cause stability issues.
To update:
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About
- Select Check for Updates
- Install any available updates
Software updates improve performance, fix bugs, and add features. Keeping your Fire Stick updated is an easy first step toward preventing crashes.
2. Clear App Cache and Data
Over time, cached data from apps can accumulate and start to slow things down. Clearing this data forces closed apps to start fresh, which may prevent crashing.
To clear cache/data for an app:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications
- Select sorting option for App Size
- Choose an app and select Clear Cache followed by Clear Data
- Repeat for other apps, especially larger ones
This frees up storage space and removes corrupted data that could be destabilizing apps.
3. Check Internet Connection
An unstable internet connection can also be the culprit behind a frequently crashing Fire Stick.
Verify that your WiFi network is working properly and that the connection strength is strong in the location of your Fire TV Stick.
To check connection:
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV > Network
- Select your WiFi network
- Confirm status shows “Connected”
Switch networks or move your Stick closer to router if the connection seems weak.
4. Reduce Video Resolution
If you typically stream HD or 4K video related to NFL on Fire TV streaming issues, try lowering video resolution settings to see if it stabilizes performance. High-resolution streams take more processing power and could be overtaxing an aging device.
To reduce video resolution:
- Go to Settings > Display & Sounds
- Select Video Resolution
- Choose a lower setting like 720p and test
HD videos may work fine after reducing load with lower resolution. You can bump it back up if crashes persist.
5. Disable HDMI CEC
This feature allows HDMI devices to communicate and control one another. However, sometimes it can unexpectedly restart HDMI devices like Fire Sticks.
To turn off HDMI CEC:
- Go to your TV settings menu
- Locate Options for HDMI CEC
- Disable HDMI CEC control
If your TV lacks this option, you may need to switch to an HDMI port that does not have HDMI CEC enabled.
6. Use Official Power Adapter
Using an underpowered or incompatible power adapter can lead to reboot issues. Be sure to use the 5V adapter that came with your device.
You may also need to remove any power splitters or extenders between the wall and your Fire Stick, as these can sometimes impact voltage.
7. Remove USB Drives or Hubs
Attached USB devices may be conflicting with the hardware and software, triggering crashes or reboots, similar to issues with universal remote compatibility. Disconnect USB hubs, flash drives or other attached devices.
8. Switch HDMI Ports
HDMI ports can go bad over time. If you’ve ruled out other issues, try inserting your Fire TV Stick into a different HDMI port on your TV to see if problems persist.
9. Reset Remote Pairing
A Remote pairing issue resulting in lack of communication could manifest as random reboots or disconnects.
To reset remote pairing:
- Go to Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices
- Select Amazon Fire TV Remote > Unpair
- Then select Pair Remote and follow prompt
10. Disable VPN Services
Active VPN connections can sometimes interfere with streaming devices like Fire Stick. Check Settings to see if any VPN apps are enabled that could be destabilizing connectivity.
To check for VPN apps:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications
- Look for any VPN or Proxy apps listed
- Select option to disable or uninstall VPN services
11. Prevent Fire Stick From Overheating
Excess heat can definitely cause crashes and reboots. Make sure your Fire TV Stick remains adequately ventilated to prevent overheating.
- Position horizontally to allow for airflow
- Keep away from other hot electronics
- Use a small fan to increase ventilation
- Switch to HDMI port with less heat transfer
12. Reinstall Problem Apps
If crashes seem isolated to particular streaming apps, try uninstalling and reinstalling problem apps, just like fixing Fire Stick loading issues. This will overwrite any corrupted app files.
To uninstall/reinstall an app:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications
- Find the problematic app and select Uninstall
- Then browse app store to reinstall fresh copy
See if a clean reinstallation helps stabilize performance of crashes apps.
13. Factory Reset Your Fire Stick
A factory reset erases all data and resets software to default state. This should resolve any underlying software issues causing crashes, at the expense of losing your personal settings.
To Factory Reset:
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults
- Select Reset and confirm
After completing reset, rerun software update to reoptimize system.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re still experiencing Fire Stick crashes or reboots after trying the tips above, here are a few other things to check:
- Try using a different HDMI cable
- Test Fire Stick on another TV
- Contact Amazon Support for further troubleshooting help
- Consider replacing device if all else fails
If you’ve tried all troubleshooting tips and your Fire Stick keeps having problems, consider replacing the device, just like when dealing with a frequently restarting Roku that won’t stabilize.
Key Takeaways
- Keep Fire TV software up-to-date
- Clear app cache/data to free up storage
- Verify stable internet connection
- Reset remote pairing if disconnected
- Check for overheating issues
- Factory reset fixes software corruption
With consistent restarts disrupting your streaming, diagnosing the cause is crucial. In many cases, our troubleshooting tips will identify the issue and get your Firestick working reliably again.
