Speed Up a Slow Firestick

A Firestick is a small computer with limited memory and storage. Older models, especially the Fire TV Stick Lite and the original 4K stick, have just 1 to 1.5 GB of memory to share between the system, the home screen and your apps. As apps get bigger and Fire OS adds features, that memory runs out faster. The good news is that a few changes free up a surprising amount of headroom.

1. Restart it properly

For a full list of settings worth changing, see the best Firestick settings in 2026.

Putting the Firestick to sleep does not clear its memory. A real restart does. Hold Select and Play/Pause on the remote together for about five seconds, or go to Settings › My Fire TV › Restart. Do this once a week, and any time things feel sluggish.

2. Free up storage

With less than about 1 GB free, Fire OS struggles. Clear app caches, delete leftover APK files and remove apps you do not use. Our storage guide walks through each step.

3. Force-stop apps running in the background

Apps you have left keep running and holding memory. Go to Settings › Applications › Manage Installed Applications, select an app you are not using and choose Force stop. It only lasts until you next open the app, but it helps before a long viewing session.

4. Turn off automatic video and audio previews

The Fire TV home screen plays trailers and previews in its banner, which uses processing power and network bandwidth.

• Go to Settings › Preferences › Featured Content.
• Turn off Allow Video Autoplay and Allow Audio Autoplay.

5. Turn off data collection

Fire OS collects usage data in the background. Turning it off saves a little processing and network activity.

• Settings › Preferences › Privacy Settings: turn off Device Usage Data and Collect App Usage Data.
• In the same menu, turn off Interest-based Ads.
• Settings › Preferences › Data Monitoring: turn it off unless you need it.

6. Turn off notifications from apps you do not need

Go to Settings › Preferences › Notification Settings › App Notifications and switch off notifications for apps that do not need them. Fewer background wake-ups means less work for the processor.

7. Check your network, not just the device

Many “slow Firestick” problems are actually a weak Wi-Fi signal. Go to Settings › Network, highlight your network and press the Play/Pause button to see the signal strength. If it shows Weak or Fair, moving the router, using the 5 GHz band or adding an Ethernet adapter will help more than any setting on the stick. See our buffering guide.

8. Use the HDMI extender

The short HDMI extender cable that comes in the box is not just for tight spaces. It moves the stick away from the back of the TV, which improves Wi-Fi reception and helps keep the stick cool. Overheating causes slowdowns, so plug it in if you are not using it.

9. Use the power adapter, not the TV's USB port

Most Firestick models need more power than a TV's USB port supplies. Underpowered sticks throttle their performance and can show a warning about insufficient power. Use the Amazon adapter that came with it, plugged into a wall socket. The newest USB-powered models are the exception.

When it is time to upgrade

If you have done all of the above and your stick is still slow, it may simply be too old for today's apps. Signs include constant reloads of the home screen, apps closing as soon as you switch away, and menus that take seconds to respond. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd gen) has twice the memory of older sticks. If you install apps from outside the Appstore, read which Fire TV devices can still sideload before buying, because the newest Vega OS sticks cannot.

Frequently asked questions