How to Reset a Fire Stick

This article explains how to reset an Amazon Fire Stick to factory settings to free up its memory and get it working like new. We'll also share how to delete specific apps to free up memory if you don't want to perform a total reset.

How to Reset Amazon Fire Stick

There are two ways to reset the Amazon Fire Stick to its default factory settings. The first involves navigating through the device's settings, while the second uses the remote. Here's how to reset via the first method, which applies to all versions of the Fire Stick and Fire TV devices.

1. Go to Settings.

2. Go to Device.

   This may be System on devices that haven't updated to the latest software version.

3. Scroll down and select Reset to Factory Defaults. If you have a PIN set up, you may be asked to enter it.

4. Select Reset.

5. That's it!

A slightly quicker way to restore your Amazon Fire Stick to factory settings requires the remote control:

1. Press and hold the Back and Right buttons simultaneously until the reset screen appears.

2. Select Reset.

How to Avoid Resetting Your Amazon Fire Stick

Some Amazon Fire Stick users may not want to wipe their entire device. As such, there are a couple of ways to free the Fire Stick's memory without a total reset.

The simplest method involves going to the Fire Stick's settings again:

1. Select Settings.

2. Select Applications.

3. Scroll down and select Manage Installed Applications.

4. For any app you'd like to remove from your device, select it, then select Uninstall.

You can repeat this process for as many apps as you'd like.

Using ES File Explorer

A more involved way of cleaning up your Amazon Fire Stick's memory is to download the ES File Explorer app. This is a file explorer that will enable you to delete specific files you've downloaded onto your Fire Stick, thereby reducing the likelihood of experiencing any memory-related problems. That said, it's usually worth using only if you have and use the Downloader app, which enables you to download individual files from the internet.

To download the ES File Explorer app:

1. Scroll to the left of the Fire Stick's Home menu bar at the top of the screen and select the Search icon.

2. Type ES File Explorer into the search bar.

3. Select ES File Explorer, then select Get.

4. You're done!

To delete files using ES File Explorer:

1. Go to Apps.

2. Open the ES File Explorer.

3. Go to Local, which opens your Fire Stick's internal storage.

4. Go to the apps folder, if you have any Android files downloaded. Alternatively, go to the Downloader and/or Downloads folders.

5. Once in a folder, select the file you want to delete by scrolling to it, then press and hold the Select button on the Fire Stick's remote until a green check icon appears. Repeat this process for any other files you'd like to delete.

6. Scroll to the menu bar at the bottom of the screen and select Delete.

   You have to go through the left-hand menu first.

7. Select OK.

8. Go to the File Explorer's Recycle Bin.

9. Scroll to the far right of the Recycle Bin screen and select Clear All.