A Fire TV Stick that keeps rebooting or dropping back to its startup screen usually has one of three problems: not enough power, trouble in the HDMI connection, or software that needs repair. Start with power, then work down the list until the Stick stays on.
Give the Stick the Power It Actually Needs
Start here before anything else. Amazon's own troubleshooting tells you to use the power cable and adapter that came with your device.
On adapter-powered Sticks, plug the power cable into the Stick and into its supplied power adapter, then plug the adapter into a wall outlet. For the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, Amazon specifically says not to power it from the TV's USB port.
The Fire TV Stick HD (2nd Generation, 2026) is the exception. It supports running off the TV using the included USB-C-to-USB-A cable. If the TV can't supply enough power, connect a USB-C cable and a 5V 1A USB power adapter to a wall outlet instead.
If a low-power notification appears on a Stick running off the TV, such as the HD, try a different USB port on the TV, preferably a USB 3.0 port if the TV has one. On the 4K Select, go back to its supplied adapter and a wall outlet. If the low-power screen shows up before the Stick finishes starting, switch to wall power. Selecting Got it or Ask me Later only hides or postpones the warning. It doesn't fix the power problem.
Lost the original cable or adapter? Amazon recommends Amazon-branded replacements.
Unplug It for a Full Minute
A proper power-cycle works even when you can't reach any menus. Disconnect the Stick's power cord, wait 60 seconds, and plug it back in. Pull the power, not just the HDMI connection.
When the Stick stays up long enough, restart it from Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > Restart. You can also force a restart with the remote by holding Select and Play/Pause together for about five seconds.
Remote not responding? Install the Amazon Fire TV app on your phone and connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the Stick. Sign in, tap the remote icon, choose Set Up New Fire TV, and follow the prompts. The app's controls then reach the settings-based fixes below. It can't help if the Stick never boots or never joins Wi-Fi.
If the Stick still hangs at startup after you've sorted out power, leave it switched on for 25 minutes or until the screen changes. If nothing changes, move on to the HDMI checks.
Check the HDMI Chain
Work through these connection checks one at a time, testing the Stick after each change.
- 1.Try the Stick with and without any HDMI extender or adapter attached.
- 2.Move it to a different HDMI port on the TV.
- 3.If it runs through an HDMI hub, receiver, or soundbar, plug it straight into the TV instead.
- 4.Reseat the HDMI connection and confirm the TV is set to the right input.
- 5.Replace a suspect HDMI cable or hub, using a High-Speed HDMI cable for 4K connections.
- 6.Check your TV manual's video-connection section for HDCP support, and test the Stick on another TV if you can.
Rule Out a Blank Screen That Looks Like a Reboot
Sometimes the culprit is the display, not the Stick: a blank or unresponsive screen can look exactly like a restart.
Amazon notes that starting or stopping 4K playback can briefly black out the display, so a short dropout at that moment is not a reboot.
For a screen that goes blank or stops responding, toggle HDMI-CEC. Open Settings > Display & Sounds > HDMI-CEC Device Control, turn it off, and then turn it back on. Amazon recommends this off-and-on cycle, not leaving CEC permanently disabled.
If you can't see anything at all, hold Up and Rewind on the remote together for five seconds. The Stick then cycles through its available resolutions.
Cool Down a Hot Stick
Check this when the Stick is hot to the touch or sits near heaters or other heat-producing equipment.
Disconnect the power and let it cool for several minutes before you handle it.
Before plugging it back in, move it away from heaters and other heat-producing gear. Amazon's safety guidance for the Fire TV Stick 4K covers this, and other models have their own matching safety guides.
Update Stuck System Software
When a system update fails or won't finish, Amazon points to two things to check: free storage and your network connection.
To check for an update, go to Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > About > Check for System Update and follow the prompts. Updates normally download automatically over the internet, and this menu lets you check manually.
If the update won't finish, look at storage next. From the same About screen, open Storage. Amazon says you need at least 500 MB free for an update, so uninstall apps you don't use and try again.
A weak connection can also stop an update. Open Settings > Network and press Play/Pause to test the connection. If the test fails, restart your modem or router and then retry the update.
Repair the App That Crashes
If the Stick only seems to restart inside one app, fix that app in this order.
- 1.Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, pick the app, and select Clear Cache.
- 2.If it still misbehaves, return to the same screen and choose Clear Data. This resets the app, so you'll have to sign in and set it up again.
- 3.Still crashing? Select Uninstall and follow the prompts. On the New Fire TV Experience, you can also highlight the app and long-press Select to find the uninstall option.
- 4.Reinstall a fresh copy by opening Find or pressing the Alexa Voice button to search for the app, then choosing Get or the Shopping Cart icon. The New Fire TV Experience uses Search and Appstore instead. Amazon recommends reinstalling for app crashes because it also gets you the latest version.
Run a Factory Reset as the Last Software Fix
A factory reset erases your account information and downloaded content, so save it for when nothing else has worked. Afterward, you'll need to go through setup again.
If you can reach the menus, go to Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > Reset to Factory Defaults and confirm.
If you can't, safely eject any expandable storage first. Then hold Back and the right side of the navigation circle together for ten seconds, and respond to the reset prompt. Amazon warns that if you don't make a choice, the reset can go ahead automatically.
Get Help From Amazon
Contact Amazon when you've fixed the power, checked the startup and HDMI setup, and tried software recovery, but the Stick still keeps restarting.
Before you do, sign in to Manage Your Content and Devices on Amazon's website, open Devices, and select your Stick. On eligible devices, Device Summary and Device Details show connectivity, firmware, storage, update status, and any alerts. Some connected devices also offer remote reboot or firmware-update actions there.
Next, open Amazon Device Support, identify your Stick, and request troubleshooting or service. Whether you can get a replacement depends on your model and its warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I power my Fire TV Stick from the TV's USB port?
It depends on the model. Amazon says the Fire TV Stick 4K Select should use its supplied adapter plugged into a wall outlet, not the TV's USB port. The 2026 Fire TV Stick HD (2nd Generation) does support TV USB power, but if it reports low power, switch to a 5V 1A USB adapter in a wall outlet.
Does saying "Alexa, restart" reboot the Fire TV Stick?
No. Amazon documents "Alexa, restart" as a playback command that jumps back to the beginning of what you're watching, not a device reboot, and its reboot instructions don't include a voice command. To reboot the Stick, unplug it for 60 seconds, hold Select and Play/Pause for about five seconds, or use Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > Restart.
How long should I wait if my Fire Stick is stuck on the startup screen?
Once you've confirmed it has proper power, leave it switched on for 25 minutes or until the screen changes. If it's still stuck after that, check the HDMI connection and then try a factory reset.
Will a factory reset delete my apps and sign-ins?
Yes. A factory reset removes your account information and downloaded content, so you'll have to set the Stick up again, sign back in, and reinstall your apps.