The Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick’s “Factory Reset” option seems to be the source of a lot of confusion. Questions constantly come up on what it does or doesn’t do, and whether it is safe to do on a modded Fire TV running custom ROMs. Some of the confusion stems from the options label, since it most certainly does not reset the Fire TV to the state it was in when it left the factory. Hopefully this post will clear up some of the mystery behind this option.
Performing a Factory Reset will…
- Remove Apps and App Data
Performing a factory reset will delete all of your installed apps and the data associated with them. This includes both official apps downloaded from Amazon and sideloaded apps. Some games will save your progress to Amazon’s cloud servers, so reinstalling those games after a factory reset will restore your progress.
- Disable ADB
Performing a factory reset will disable ADB access. This is important because it essentially locks you out of the Fire TV. Some of the first bricked Fire TVs became bricked because they were factory reset with modified system files. Without ADB, there is no way to access those system files. So if you’ve rooted and modded your Fire TV and run into issues, think twice before performing a factory reset since it will disable ADB and close the best venue you have to fixing your issues.
- Re-Enable Updates
Performing a factory reset will re-enable updates if you’ve disabled them using the “pm disable” method. This is why it is a good idea to also block updates in your router. This is not much of an issue if you are running ClockworkMod custom recovery since a stock update that gets downloaded will not be installed upon rebooting anyway if you have ClockworkMod installed. That said, the first thing you should do after performing a factory reset is to re-disable updates.
- Force Initial Setup Process
Performing a factory reset will cause you to go through the initial setup process again. This is important to realize because the Fire TV or Fire TV Stick will try to update during the initial setup. Depending on the software version you are running, the device may refuse to complete the initial setup without updating. A Fire TV that got through initial setup fine with updates blocked won’t necessarily do it everytime.
Performing a Factory Reset will NOT…
- Downgrade or Change Your Software Version
Performing a factory reset will not change the software version currently running on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick. It doesn’t matter what software version your device originally came with, or what software version is currently installed. It will still have whatever version is currently installed after the reset. This applies to both stock software and custom ROMs. If your Fire TV is running a custom ROM, it will not go back to a stock ROM by factory reseting.
- Remove Root
Performing a factory reset will not remove root access. However, if you are running a stock software version that has been rooted with towelroot, it may seem like you’ve lost root because the towelroot and SuperSU APKs will be gone. But in reality, root access survives because the SU binary remains in the system. The same goes for any pre-rooted ROM.
- Remove ClockworkMod or the Kernel Boot Menu
Performing a factory reset will not remove ClockworkMod custom recovery or the Kernel Boot Menu. With either one (or both) installed, it’s safe to do a factory reset. You can do it from either the Fire TV settings menu or from within ClockworkMod.
@AFTVnews
AFTVnews
I think the confusion stems from the “Looking for software upgrade” screen that appears after a factory reset.
It lead me to be uncertain wheter a newer version would be found if i factory reset a older version without router block.
And no it’s defenatly not a real factory reset.
It failed to delete data from obb and some other places, so after a factory reset i only had 3GB of the 5GB’ish free lol
Also I think it’s worth mentioning that a factory reset in the FireOS will reboot you into cwm, supposingly to do a factory reset from there?.
Using lastest pre-rooted rom..
Ok I factory reset my ha fiat stick and now I lost all my apps including kodi and my whole family has try ed to get it back so if any one can help plz do thanks
did you get it sorted pal because ive done the same
Did you get it back and If so can you help me as I have done the same
I have the same problem. I never had a password. I bought mine off the streets. Help
Go to youtub you will fixed and fast do that
I did the same thing did you get yours fixed if so how did you do it
Thanks
This is what happen to ours How did you fix yours. Thanks
I lost everything only thing that has is choose your language English United States and it just keep beeping how do I get my television back on
I have the same problem. I never had a password. I bought mine off the streets. Help lll
I boaght a second hand stick and it’s got pin code on it so carnt get in to it,could you help at all or is it not good with out the code
Well… Great article, but not complete… :-P
So, what the best option to start over on rooted Fire TV?
I played with mine for a while now, so it’s time start over and do it right.
See my guide here for that: http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-revert-an-amazon-fire-tv-back-to-stock-recovery-and-stock-software/
I didn’t mean completely stock. :)
I want to keep it rooted, with boot menu & CW recovery.
So… Maybe just boot into recover, clear cache, dalvik cache, user data?… Format anything? Flash rooted software and start over? What are the steps?
PS Thank you for putting all the information related to FireTV in one place and keeping it east to comprehend. :)
Oh ok, then yeah, just clear cache and data and flash a ROM to essentially reset everything.
Hey what do you mean when you say “flash a rom”?
By “flash a ROM”, I mean install a custom ROM through ClockworkMod. http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-install-a-custom-rom-image-on-the-amazon-fire-tv/
Hi AFTVnews, seems that just clearing cache data and flashing a ROM does not erase everything do we need to format/erase something else to have a clean system but keep it rooted, with boot menu & CW recovery ?
I have unlocked the bootloader.
Thanks in advance.
hey
I have an issue updating fire tv to the latest 51.1.5 released on march 24. Do you think it is normal for some users to receive updates earlier than other users. It has been three days and it still does not show any sign of update on my fire tv.
Please help me.
My fire stick has completely disappeared all of my apps.I tried to RE boot and RE start but not working help please
+1 Great article.
It would be nice if you could provide a guide to get everything back to somewhat factory state. As said doing a a factory reset in fireOS rebooted me into cwm, does that mean i should perform it in cwm. Also as i brought up before it failed to delete /sdcard/Android/data and obb.
I also get a strange error resetting in cwm after it has formatted /cache and /data, the error goes something like:
E:
Error could not mount sd-ext
Could it have something to do with anything
I currently have a new FireTV that is running a rooted version. I mistakenly started it up and it downloaded – but did not install – a newer and unrootable version. It’s currently waiting to install the software. How can I stop this pending update? Would a factory reset do it?
Same problem like jstan but without rooted rom.
I used a non blocking router and the update is already downloaded (I am not rooted and on version 51.1.20_user_512073320)
Is there any way to stop the pending update! Will “factory reset” clear the downloaded update? thnx
Since you’re not rooted, a factory reset is your only option. I don’t know if it will clear it. Sorry.
Followed your advice and went for the factory reset. Everything is back to normal and no pending updates! Thank you.
What if I performs the “deregister account” function on the FireTV? Does it work like a factory reset?
How can I reset a AFTV tied up to another person’s account that boots up to a login/register device screen?
Just so I fully understand:
My Fire TV is currently rooted and have ClockworkMod and Kernel Boot Menu installed. Lets say an app like “Setting” that I sideloaded messes up. (That has happen to me before and the only way to fix it was to reset my Fire TV at that time it was not rooted). If this happends now that I am rooteed how could I reset the Fire TV but keep my Root? and if I do reset would that require me to reinstall of towel root,busybox, and su root? Keep in mind that “Setting” app uninstalling and reinstalling was not going to solve the issue.
Hi AFTVnews, seems that just clearing cache data and flashing a ROM does not erase everything do we need to format/erase something else to have a clean system but keep it rooted, with boot menu & CW recovery ?
I have unlocked the bootloader.
Thanks in advance.
When I do this, it boots me into the CWM recovery screen. What do I do from there? Reboot or use the wipe data/factory reset from the menu listing of CWM?
Just tried it… wipe data/factory reset from the menu listing of CWM is the way to go to do this.
I start amazon and it just stays on amazon icon can reboot or nothing , nothing works?
Hello
I accidentally performed a factory reset on my Amazon Fire TV stick, is there anyway of undoing this or do I have to reinstall everything again?
Sorry, but there is no way to undo a factory reset. You will have to re-install everything.
ive done the same can you tell me how to start reinstalling again ive had it 2 days am an idiot i know please help
I have a pin lock on an old aftv device.. Tried resetting it on Amazon no luck.. Will factory reset clear this?.. If not I will just have to run with old installs :(
someone please help me I have the Kodi installed on my fire stick and its unlocked an everything but for some reason lately it hasn’t been letting me watch anything at all and things have gone missing what should I do and I keep getting error messages for everything I go into
I need help with my tv fire stick, I install the apk settings and disable the Bluetooth error. Fire control and my stick unresponsive. Disable bluetooth as I can not navigate the menu. As active again without using bluetooth control and I can not? help…
please can you tell me if you ever fixed your issue with nothing working after disabling the bluetooth. im stuck with a unresponsive fire stick remote
and control nothing now.
please help me out
I have the same question as many of the earlier questions, but a clear answer is not yet given.
FireTV already has 51.1.4.0 or newer rbox pre-rooted rom.
Planning to install the latest 51.1.6.3 rbox pre-rooted rom.
After I upgrade, I would like to do a complete factory reset/wipe.
Yes, lose all apps, especially remove towelroot (that was installed when I first rooted the firetv!), etc.
What is the best way to reset? Do it from firetv reset, or clockworkmod?
Can I also format the data partition? Also, do I have to disable the amazon update service again?
It would be nice to have an article on this. Thanks.
This will DEFENATLY Upgrade The Software in You Fire Tv. it Upgrade mine from 51.1.1.0 to 51.1.6.3 and it was rooted with updates blocked.
Plug fire stick in and just get a message sayin ti leave it few minutes it will start up and everythin will resume but it doesn’t. Turned it off and on a few time and still get that message in red writing. Any1 any ideas how to fix this???
My fire stick keeps restarting?????? Why????
I got a Fire TV stick and did nothing but sideload Kodi and everything was working great for days. Then I started loading it up with other apps and noticed Kodi started buffering and wasn’t able to play some streams (I have over 50Mbps). I did a factory reset and reloaded Kodi but the slowness has stayed. I am going to start trying the usual fixes, but is it possible that some remnants of the other apps are still in there slowing me down? I had put Llama, ES file explorer, Chrome, and some kids educational apps (as sacrificial apps to try to get Kodi on the home screen via Llama) before the factory reset. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
None of the reset buttons on the remote cause a reset…nothing happens. Unplugging and replugging bring up the home screen but cannot make choices…buttons dont work. Can watch a couple programs then everything goes dead. Is it a defective unit?
replace or switch your remote batteries will reset the link.
Kodi is gone. How do i get it back? Someone please treat me like a child and break it down barney style.
I have no idea what ur problem is but what u said is hilarious!! Haha I sooooo feel u tho hee hee
KODI not working properly after latest auto update from amazon. Fire tv and fire stick both having problems. Now im whishing i had blocked updates in the first place. Should i try reinstalling KODI?
My Firestick updated and kodi stopped working. The new version didn’t have the options for kodi to work properly. I did factory reset and reinstalled kodi. With correct version back all is well. What I want to do it take my account off without changing any apps or versions so I can give back to guy that had me fix it.
Fire stick stopped working. It scans through all the recent shows quickly, but won’t stop. The time has lost an hour. I tried unplugging and holding the home button God 10 seconds. Still won’t work. Please suggest something.
I wish I read this before I did the reset…now nothing works, blank screen and when I unplug the power it comes back with the “resetting” screen then just goes black again. Now what??
Purchased an amazon fire stick online and the person I purchased it from put a pin lock on it. Is there a way to bypass this? Or am i SOL andI need to register on amazon and buy one on my own.
I factory reset my fire stick, but I have been using the remote app since I lost the remote. Now I am having trouble pairing the remote app from the factory reset. The fire stick won’t start without the remote and the remote app won’t find the device until it starts up. Does anyone know any tips and tricks?
This is happening to me now as well, did you find a solution?
My fat fingers typed my name and email all wrong there.
Did you ever find a resolution for this, I cannot get into my firestick at all now as I can’t pair the remote app.
Hey everyone, I bought one of these Amazon Fire Tv Box from Sunday Market and it doesn’t allow me to use it, I get a message saying Register or Login … I called amazon and gave them the serial on the box and they told me it’s been reported Lost or Stolen and they can’t give me any details and now I am stuck with the box.
Anyone know any way to bypass this problem so I can be able to use it ? Thank you #Amazon #FireTv
I bought a fire stick and it will not go past the update screen so I can not even use it. can any one help me? I have a wireless router. and windows 10 if that helps. I don’t know a lot about ‘puters but treat me like maybe a 8th grader. I have unplugged it and re-plugged it in about 100 times. nothing, just says try again in a little while or unplug…. ect… does anyone know how to fix this problem or do I have to send it back? :'(
I bought my fs off the street but when I try to download explorer it has the old version but won’t allow me to update it what do I need to do
Sell it back on the street!
On a amazon firestick factory reset does the serial number change
No
how can you unroot a fire stick rooted with kingo root?
I want to know if I deactivate account will fire tv also delete kodi and other apps I want to remain
I called Amazon customer service and found out that if you have problems with your Fire TV remote you can reset it and it will start working again.
You just have to press Back, Menu and Left at the same time, for approximately 15 seconds. Once reset you should be able to re-pair the remote with the Fire TV. I just used this method to “fix” two different voice remotes.
Had Kodi installed then did a factory reset and now the remote will not pair, I’ve tried holding home for 10 seconds then double clicking and also back left and menu for 15 seconds. Nothing works! Please HELP
Raven, you have new batteries? If batteries are good then next is do you have two remotes paired with the Firestick? One needs to be “un-paired”, Just go the the settings then to controllers and unpair one of the remotes. Now the remote should work.
Did a factory reset and my entire home screen changed. Instead of all my options be on the far left, they’re all on the top. Any reason why this has happened?
I have a firestick that is not being recognized. Just a black screen, nothing else. Is there a way to reset it via laptop at all? It isn’t being recognized through a USB Port either.
My fire stick did a factory reset and now I can’t get the remote to match up I have did the battery things along with pushing home for 10 second nothing works what can I do
Had my Fire-stick disconnected for about a month and when I reconnected it only the register screen came up. As I already have an Amazon account I first of all replaced the batteries in my remote, clicked on “have an account”, entered my email address and Amazon password and then upgraded to the latest software from Amazon. 10 minutes later the new Fire-stick menu came up(just the same as the old one in content) clicked on “Applications”, then manage installed Apps and everything I had previously was still there!
Looks like the trick is to replace the remote batteries and then just enter your details etc., etc..
For those having bought “off the street” do the same as the above, but remember you will need to open an Amazon account logon and password, then click on “new to Amazon”. If you already have bought on Amazon, use that logon & password.
Hope this helps.
Did a factory reset and now my Amazon user is and password do not work to register. Anyone else ever have this issue?
I ordered my Amazon fire TV from https://www.entertainmentbox.com/product-category/android-kodi-tv-box-shop-uk-usa-kodi-box/ it already had kodi 17. If I flash this Amazon fire TV with a custom ROM and brick it do you think they will know? As I would hope they allow this sort of thing with their background. Thanks in advance.
I’m not sure of what you were wanting under the website section…
I’ve done a factory reset on my Kodi and I restarted it now I have a message saying your library is currently empty. In order to populate it with your personal media, enter files section, add media source and configure it. After the source has been added and indexed you will be able to browse your library. How do I add a media source and configure it? Also is my VPN that blocks my IP still there or do I need to do that again as well? If so, I need help with that as well. Please advise.
I’m not sure of what you were wanting under the website section…
Did a factory reset and now it wont load settings. How do I just get the fire stick settings back?
Help. I have a firestick I loaded Kodi and a build on it. When I tried running the build white lines starting showing up on screen. I turned TV off and unplugged firestick. Plugged everything back in now when I try to use firestick it can not find a signal. Router is next to TV. Please help.
I have a jailbroke Amazon fire TV stick. For some reason it won’t allow me to change the pin. My pin worked when I went to bed but when I woke up in the morning the same pin wouldn’t work I tried following their steps to reset it on Amazon but no luck. Help please.
This was really helpful. Thanks a lot
I was doing a factory reset and in the middle of it my husband turned off the tv. Now it’s stuck on the registration page
Hi there, I did the reset, but now I can not use the alexa feature anymore. I can only search for videos with my voice, but cant ask for the weather for example. Anyone knows how to pair this? Also I can not find the fire tv in the alexa app anymore..
Thanks for the reset process will try it out….
Firestick all of a sudden lost network connection, stuck on search and couldn’t find any networks, rang customer service who told me to a factory re-set, did that and it still cant find any networks, modem is fine, all other devices are connected to the router fine. Now been told I have to wait 4-5 days for someone to call me back after they have done tests. Not great !!
My fire stick is froze on home screen also remote will not do anything, Have tried everything seen in net but nothing works. could not find phone # for help
I have 2 firesticks. When I did a factory reset on one, the one in the other room was factory reset as well. The remotes have never interfered with each other before.
What did I do wrong?
How to change my cable provider on my fire stick?
hi my firestick remote is broke i set my samsung phone to use as a remote all was well until i did a factory reset ive got half way through and its asked for my phone 4 digit code wich i have not got any help please
https://www.howtogeek.com/250603/how-to-reset-your-amazon-fire-tv/
Anybody have any luck rooting an AFTV2 on update 5.2.6.7?