Binge-watching your favourite show only to encounter a frozen Firestick is quite the nuisance, but fear not. There are many easy steps that can be taken in order to get your streaming device back up and running.
Through this article, we will explore why Firestick might freeze as well as provide step-by-step instructions on how to reset Firestick when frozen quickly and effortlessly. So read on to enjoy your everyday viewing experience with one simple reset!
Table of Contents
Why Does Your Firestick Keep Freezing?
There could be many issues causing your Firestick to become unresponsive, including bad connectivity, a lack of storage, and a cheaper external HDMI. Before continuing on to troubleshooting, here is an overview of all the reasons why your Firestick is unresponsive.
Reason#1) Slow Internet Connections
You might have internet connectivity issues if your Firestick TV keeps freezing or buffering during a streaming session. Improve your connection speed by calling your local service provider or by simpling turning the Wi-fi router off and then on again. Your streaming will then be able to continue smoothly, and the screen will not freeze.
Reason#2) Less Storage
One of the most frustrating issues of Firestick TVs is their low storage capacity. Firestick and Firestick 4K both possess a storage of merely 8GB, while the Firestick Cube holds 16 GB of storage. If you download shows or apps that cause the memory to increase significantly, you will face lags and freezes.
Even if you uninstall the apps to free up space, the cache remains in the hardware. This is why we recommend that you do not install heavy apps and stay within the limit of the given storage.
Reason#3) ISP Throttling
The biggest bane to streaming is ISP throttling. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) keeps a check on your streaming behaviors. If you stream a lot of content, it slows down your connection. This may also cause your Firestick to freeze excessively, preventing you from streaming effortlessly.
We recommend using a VPN to prevent ISP throttling. It prevents the internet service provider from incessantly monitoring your location and activities.
Reason#4) Not Using Original Accessories Provided
Your Firestick may become frozen if you do not use the original accessories provided with it. The HDMI cable that comes with the Firestick is the most compatible, and it is strongly recommended that you use it instead of buying an external HDMI.
Low-quality HDMIs also increase data transmission time, slowing your streaming experience. This is another reason to stick to the original one provided.
How to Restart a Firestick When Frozen: 6 Methods
Now that we’ve determined the reasons why your Firestick may be causing problems, it’s time to look into how to reset it to resume smooth streaming. We recommend you closely follow the methods below to resolve this issue.
Method#1) Unplug and Plug Your Firestick
The quickest method to restart firestick when frozen is to unplug it and then plug it back again. Wait 30 to 40 seconds after unplugging before you reconnect the cord. Turn on your TV to see if the freezing is gone.
If not, move on to the following methods, which require manually resetting the Firestick.
Method#2) Restart the Firestick Using the Remote
To restart firestick using the remote, follow the steps below:
- Hold down the Select and the Play/Pause button for about 5 to 20 seconds simultaneously.
- A prompt will show up indicating that your device is going to power off. Wait patiently as it powers off.
Your device will now restart and stream at a better speed.
Method#3) Restart the Firestick Using the Settings Menu
To restart your firestick using the remote, follow the steps below.
- Navigate to the top menu bar on the Firestick home screen.
- Click on Settings.
- Click My Fire TV.
- Choose Restart.
- Two options will appear, asking you to Restart or Cancel. Click on the Restart button once again.
- Your device will now start powering off. Wait 30 seconds for it to reboot.
The restart will cause all your background data to disappear, ensuring smooth streaming and preventing the screen from freezing again.
Method#4) Clear Cache and Uninstall Unspecific Third-Party Apps
Some of the apps you download on your Firestick may have glitches or bugs that enable them to download data that slows down your device. The cache of the apps installed significantly impacts the device’s performance, which is why you should always clear this cache.
Uninstalling unwanted apps can also resolve the problem to a great extent. This can be done by performing the following steps.
- Navigate to the home screen of the Firestick.
- Choose the Settings option.
- Select Applications.
- From the menu that appears, choose Manage Installed Applications.
- Now choose the app whose cache you want to clear by clicking on Clear Cache.
- After clearing the cache, navigate to Uninstall to remove the application from your Firestick.
- Confirm when the Uninstall option shows up once again.
You can repeat the procedure with all the apps that you wish to discard. The speed should now be boosted, preventing your Firestick from being frozen.
Method#6) Factory Reset the Firestick
If you’ve tried all the methods mentioned above and your Firestick remains frozen, the last resort is to factory reset it. Ensure you only perform this action when all other methods fail to yield returns.
To do so, follow the steps below.
- Press and hold the Right and the Back button on your remote simultaneously for 10 seconds.
- The Reset to Factory Default prompt will appear on your screen. Click on Ok.
- Your Firestick will now start to reset. Wait patiently for the process to occur.
- Wait to unplug your device’s power cable until the process is completed.
- Once reset, connect your device to the Wi-Fi and sign in to your Amazon account.
Your Firestick will be returned to the default settings, but your installed apps will remain. Click on any show or app to check if it is streaming without lags. It should now be responsive and working perfectly fine.
How to Stop Older Firesticks from Freezing
If you possess an older model of the Firestick, the chances of it being unresponsive increase significantly. However, there are a few tips and tricks to maintain even the oldest models. Follow the steps mentioned below to make use of this technique.
Step#1) Dismantle the Firestick
Disassembling the Firestick is the first and foremost step to creating a hole in the Firestick. The hole releases the heat that may get trapped in the Firestick. Older models freeze up more because they trap a lot of heat inside the device.
Step#2) Creating a Hole
Use a small drill machine to create a hole that will release the trapped heat. You may even use a knife as the material is not that hard.
Step#3) Put a Heatsink on the Front
Cover the front of the Firestick with an Aluminium Heatsink chipset. It will drain the heat and provide a cooling effect. The lack of heat will enable a trouble-free streaming session on your Firestick.
Conclusion
The unresponsiveness of a Firestick can be frustrating, but luckily, it’s an issue that you can solve easily . We’ve described all the methods that can help you reset the Firestick to solve the freezing problem while also probing into the causes. We hope that the troubleshooting tricks helped and you have effortless streaming again!