Fire TV Stick not working? Here's what to do

Many people still don't have a smart TV, so they use technologies like the Fire TV Stick: a device that can transform a regular TV into a smart one and also simplify the consumption of different streaming services. But what do you do when this Amazon device stops working?

There could be several reasons, such as fluctuations in the internet network, an overcrowded cache folder, and even a lack of software updates. So, we've brought you some tips to help you when your Fire TV Stick isn't working. Check out more information below.

Restart the software system

When a device stops working, it’s easy to see that the most basic thing to do is to restart the system. In the case of the Fire TV Stick, you can start by turning the device off and on again. Although it may seem like a harmless act, this helps in the process of refreshing the system components and can fix simple problems.

To do this, simply press the “Select + Play/Pause” buttons and hold them for at least five seconds. However, it is also possible to perform the update manually: access the “Settings” tab, click on “My Fire TV” and select the “Restart” button.

Check your internet connection

Watching streaming programs is great, but they only work with the internet. So if your Fire TV Stick has stopped working, it's important to check if your home connection is unstable.

As a first test, you can check if your phone can access social media and update the feed. Then, check if the lights on your modem and router are on correctly. If in doubt, it is worth turning off your internet devices (modem and router), waiting a minute and turning them back on.

Also, remember to check if your Fire TV Stick is connected to your internet. To do this, go to the settings tab and select the “Network” option to check if the internet connection is turned on.

Try different apps

Sometimes, the instability is found in a streaming app and not in the Fire TV Stick. This means that the problem of your series or movie stopping is not your device's fault and to check this is very simple: close the app you were using and open any other.

See if you can watch channels or movies on this other streaming system. If it works normally, then it's clear that the problem was with the previous app and not the Amazon device.

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Clear application cache

The cache is a folder with temporary data that apps save to improve your user experience. However, it is possible that the cache folder has become overcrowded and this excess data is the reason why your Fire TV Stick is not working as it should. In this case, it is recommended to clear the apps' cache folders.

To do this, go to the settings tab, select the “Applications” option and then click on “Manage installed applications”. Then, a list of installed applications will be available: select the desired app and click on “Clear cache”. If this does not work, repeat the steps and, instead of selecting “Clear cache”, select “Clear data”.

In the latter case, you will need to log in to your account again.

Update your Fire TV Stick software

Have you ever noticed that an app on your phone starts to malfunction and you realize that it might need an update? Something similar happens with the Fire TV Stick: from time to time, Amazon releases new updates and sometimes you need to download them manually. This fixes different types of system errors and can solve the problem with your device.

The process is very simple: go to the settings tab, select the “My Fire TV” button, click on the “About” option, and select “Check for updates”. If there are any pending updates, the system will find them; then, all you need to do is click on the “Install update” button.

Examine the controller batteries

The Fire TV Stick controller requires batteries to work. So if you've pressed the buttons on the controller and nothing happens on the screen, then it's important to open the back compartment and check the batteries.

Try removing them and putting them back in correctly: if this doesn't make a difference, test the batteries elsewhere or buy new batteries.

Reset Fire TV Stick to Factory Settings

This is your last resort: a hard reset will delete all saved data and other settings you have made while using the device. However, it can also delete and correct other errors that are preventing the product from working properly.

Head to the settings tab, click on “My Fire TV” and select the “Reset to Factory Defaults” button.