How to Fix It When Fire Stick Keeps Optimizing

This article explains how to get your Fire Stick out of the endless optimization loop.

Why Does My Fire Stick Keep Optimizing?

When a Fire Stick undergoes optimization, you will usually see these messages:

• "Optimizing system storage and applications…"
• "This will take approximately 10 minutes to complete"

This message usually appears after the Fire Stick firmware is updated. Under normal circumstances, you can leave the Fire Stick alone for a while, and it will eventually finish the optimization process. But sometimes the Fire Stick gets stuck, so it starts optimizing again immediately after finishing, or reboots and starts optimizing again. Common reasons for a Fire Stick to get stuck optimizing include corrupt firmware, an incompatible power source, and HDMI issues.

The solutions below rank from easiest to hardest; try them in order as you work out which option will finally break the endless loop.

How Do I Stop It From Optimizing?

To stop your Fire Stick from optimizing so you can start streaming again, try each of the following fixes in order:

1. Wait the suggested amount of time. If your Fire Stick has been on the optimization screen for less than 10 minutes, let it work for a while and check back later. Most Fire Sticks will finish optimizing in less than 10 minutes, but it can take longer.

2. Check your power supply. If your Fire Stick is powered by a USB port on your TV, unplug it and plug it into the USB power supply included with the Fire Stick. Fire Sticks require more power than some USB ports and USB power supplies can supply.

3. Try a different USB cable. If you have a spare micro USB cable, try switching cables. The cable may be damaged, which can, in turn, prevent the Fire Stick from receiving enough power.

4. Restart your Fire Stick. The Fire Stick may have a temporary glitch, in which case restarting it could fix the problem. To restart your Fire Stick, unplug it from power for at least five minutes, then plug it back in.

5. Switch to a different HDMI port. There may be a compatibility issue, or the port may be malfunctioning. Unplug your Fire Stick and insert it into a different HDMI port on your TV. If you have another TV, you can also try connecting your Fire Stick to a second TV.
   

   Unplug the Fire Stick from its USB power source before you unplug it from the HDMI port, then reconnect the USB cable after you’ve connected it to a new HDMI port.

6. Reset the Fire Stick. If your Fire Stick has corrupt firmware, a factory reset may fix the problem. You will then need to set up the Fire Stick, install any available updates, and download all of your apps just like you did when you first got it.

How Do I Fix My Fire Stick Boot Loop?

Fire Sticks can get stuck in a boot loop for a handful of different reasons, and the problem can manifest in different ways. If your Fire Stick immediately reboots after optimizing and then starts optimizing again, then you could have a power supply issue or corrupt firmware. If your Fire Stick is stuck on the Amazon logo or reboots after displaying the Amazon logo, try connecting it to a different HDMI port and make sure you’re using a compatible power supply.