Dealing with a slow FireStick? We’ve all been there. Sometimes it happens suddenly, and sometimes it happens gradually over time. So, what is the root cause? And what can you do to make your slow FireStick faster? I’ll cover all that in this guide.
FireStick is an amazing streaming device that has gained popularity for its ease-of-use and affordability. But the performance of this device may take a downward spiral sometimes.
So, what is slowing down your Amazon FireStick? The main reason for FireStick running slow is either overheating or low storage issue. Cache build-up, outdated firmware & too many apps running in the background are the true culprits behind a slow FireStick.
Slow FireStick can cause lagging & buffering problems, app crashes, out-of-sync video and audio output, poor video quality, and low FPS. The user experience is greatly hampered due to these issues.
If your FireStick has also become slow, we have given all the probable solutions below to tackle it.
Why is my FireStick so Slow?
When your FireStick begins to run slower than usual, it can be frustrating. There can be multiple reasons that may be behind the speed decrease of your FireStick:
- FireStick is getting overheated
- Build-up of cache
- Outdated firmware
- Low storage
- Low RAM
- Too many applications running in the background.
- Spotty Internet Connection
- Buggy updates
- Physical damage
Regardless of the reason, you are likely going to have a bad streaming experience. Following the solutions/hacks given below may fix this problem.
How to Fix a Slow FireStick & Make it Faster
Now that you know the answer to ‘Why is my FireStick running slow?’, it’s time to get to the fixes.
Here are my tips for fixing a slow FireStick:
1. Restart /Reboot FireStick
One of the most effective troubleshooting methods to remedy slow FireStick issue is to restart it. It fixes any performance or lagging issue of FireStick.
Furthermore, this gives a fresh start to FireStick by closing all the processes that were hogging a considerable amount of FireStick RAM.
Let’s learn how to restart FireStick:
Check out our article: How to Restart/Reboot FireStick, where we cover various ways to Restart FireStick including steps to restart firestick without Remote.
1. Press and hold the Play/Pause 
button and Select button of FireStick remote together for 5 seconds.
2. The FireStick will begin to restart.
2. Clear Cache of FireStick Applications
Each app creates its own cache as we use them. Over time, cache can build up to a large amount. This cache, if not cleared, will eat up a lot of FireStick storage space. And hence, it will contribute to the slow performance of Firestick.
Let’s learn how to clear cache of FireStick applications:
For a detailed guide, read our article: How to Clear cache on FireStick
1. Select Gear Icon ⚙️(Settings) from FireStick home screen.
2. Hit Applications.
3. Choose Manage Installed Applications.
4. You will find list of installed apps. Click the app that requires cache clearing. You will be able to see the Cache size on the right size after you select an app. For this demo, I am selecting Unlinked App. As you can see it has 64 KB of cache.
5. Hit Clear Cache.
Note: If you have an app that you rarely use but don’t want to uninstall either, clear data of this app. Clearing data will erase all login info and stored info within the app.
Follow all the step above except the last step. Now, instead of Clear Cache, select Clear Data
Select Clear Data again
3. Keep your FireStick OS Updated
It is a good practice to update your FireStick Operating System to the latest version. This will not only improve FireStick performance but also fix bugs and remove malware, thereby increasing the security of the device. So, make sure you update FireStick to its latest version.
Let’s learn how to check for updates and install update on FireStick:
1. Go to FireStick home screen & click Gear Icon ⚙️(Settings).
2. Select My Fire TV.
3. Then, choose About.
4. Select Check for Updates option.
Note: If FireStick has already checked for updates automatically, you will see Install Update option instead.
5. If your FireStick is already running on its latest version, it will say so on the right. However, if there are any latest available updates, you can download & install them by clicking Install Update option.
4. Uninstall Unused / Unnecessary FireStick Applications
FireStick comes with a low storage space and low RAM. Therefore, keeping apps that are rarely used doesn’t make any sense. These apps, if kept installed on FireStick, will occupy a considerable chunk of your device storage.
This will result in slow performance of FireStick. So, I suggest uninstalling FireStick applications that you use very rarely.
Let’s learn how to uninstall FireStick apps:
1. Press the Home button 
of FireStick remote to reach FireStick main screen.
2. Select Gear Icon ⚙️ (Settings).
3. Hit Applications.
4. Hit Manage Installed Applications.
5. Choose the application that you want to uninstall. I am taking Unlinked as an example.
6. Select Uninstall.
7. Confirm by clicking Uninstall again.
5. Uninstall Unused /Unnecessary Kodi Add-ons
Kodi add-ons also use a lot of space similar to FireStick applications. So, if you use Kodi for streaming purposes, you shouldn’t keep too many Kodi add-ons installed on your device.
Let’s learn how to uninstall Kodi add-ons that you rarely use:
1. Open Kodi and hit Gear icon ⚙️(Settings).
2. Next, hit Add-ons
3. Then, select My Add-ons.
4. Choose Video add-ons/ Program add-ons.
5. Click the Kodi add-on that you want to uninstall. I will be uninstalling The Oath for this demo.
6. Hit Uninstall.
7. Hit Yes
6. Force Stop Apps That are Not in Use
Some apps tend to run in the background even if you are not currently using them. This increases the load of the CPU of FireStick as it occupies most of the FireStick RAM. And, hence it makes your FireStick slow.
If you are not using those apps, you can directly uninstall them. But what if these are system apps or apps that can’t be uninstalled? Also, some apps you might want to keep and not uninstall. In such cases, you can force stop the application.
Let’s learn how to force stop apps on FireStick:
1. Go to FireStick main screen & select Gear Icon ⚙️(Settings).
2. Hit Applications.
3. Select Manage Installed Applications.
4. Choose the application that you would like to force stop. Again, I am taking Unlinked as an example here.
5. Click Force Stop option.
7. Turn Off Automatic App Updates
Nowadays, most FireStick devices allow automatic updates of Applications. This makes sure the apps are automatically updated whenever there’s a new version available.
Although this feature is good, sometimes it may indirectly lead to slowing down of FireStick. It’s because FireStick will try to update the apps in the background while you are using your FireStick for streaming or other purposes.
This will increase the load on FireStick and may cause it to slow down. You can always update apps manually when you are not using FireStick for any other things.
You can turn off automatic app updates for the time being to see if it fixes the slow FireStick problem. Let’s learn how to do it:
1. Hit Gear icon ⚙️(Settings) from the FireStick main screen.
2. Hit Applications.
3. Choose Appstore
4. Finally, hit Automatic Updates to turn it OFF.
You can turn it back ON anytime you want.
8. Disable Collect App Usage Data, Internet-based ads & Device Usage Data
Your FireStick stores a lot of your data to know more about your app usage habits. It does so to show you relatable ads, give recommendations, and improve the user database of the developers.
These in turn help the developers to release better updates for app improvement and user experience enhancement.
Turning these features off will not only improve your privacy but also speed up your Firestick performance. Let’s learn how to do it:
1. Hit Gear icon ⚙️(Settings) from the FireStick main screen.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Hit Privacy Settings.
4. Switch off all 3 options: Collect App Usage Data, Device Usage Data & Internet-based Ads one-by-one.
9. Disable Data Monitoring
Data monitoring is a feature used to keep a track of your data. It ensures that you don’t use more data than the monthly data limit of your internet.
It also keeps a track of your uploads, downloads, search, and history. This feature also sends some data to the FireStick developers and app developers. It allows them to improve the system and apps in the future update. But this feature can also lead to slow FireStick performance.
Let’s learn how to disable data monitoring on FireStick :
1. Hit Gear icon ⚙️(Settings) from the FireStick main screen.
2. Choose Preferences.
3. Hit Data monitoring.
4. Select Data monitoring again to turn it OFF.
10. Turn off Audio and Video Autoplay
FireStick has a recommendation algorithm feature that plays videos and audios similar to the ones that you watched/played before. The videos and audios continue to play on a loop unless interrupted.
This feature increases the load on the FireStick CPU and hence, needs to be turned off. Let’s learn how to do it:
1. Go to the FireStick main screen & hit Gear icon ⚙️(Settings).
2. Hit Preferences.
3. Select Featured Content.
4. Switch OFF both Allow Video Autoplay & Allow Audio Autoplay options.
11. Turn off Application and AppStore notifications
Although FireStick notifications can be useful at times, they can be irritating too. Not only that, it can also indirectly contribute to the slow performance of FireStick.
There are generally two types of FireStick notifications- Appstore notifications and Application notifications. Appstore notification notifies you about app updates basically. And Application notifications notify you about various notifications given by your installed apps.
Let’s learn how to turn off App notifications on FireStick:
1. Hit Gear icon ⚙️(Settings) from the FireStick main screen.
2. Choose Preferences.
3. Hit Notification Settings.
4. Switch ON the option Do not interrupt option by selecting it. You can also hit App Notifications to turn off app notifications for individual applications.
Similarly, you can also disable Appstore notifications on FireStick by following the steps below:
1. Click Gear icon ⚙️(Settings) from the FireStick main screen.
2. Hit Applications.
3. Then, choose Appstore.
4. Click Notifications and ensure that it is turned OFF.
12. Try Optimizing Kodi
If you are only facing slow performance issue in FireStick while using Kodi and not other applications, the main culprit is Kodi. You have to alter some Kodi settings to fix it. You can uninstall Kodi addons that are not necessary(steps are provided above).
Clear Kodi cache, enable all providers and integrate premium sources account like Real Debrid with Kodi add-ons. You can also uninstall Kodi and install it again to see if the problem gets fixed.
13. Turn off Services that you don’t use
FireStick enables some services in default. These services also run in background and use a considerable amount of FireStick RAM.
Depending on your FireStick device and Fire OS, there could be Prime Photos and Whispersync.
For example, Amazon has Prime Photos which allows user storage access to keep unlimited photos. Similarly, Whispersync allows user to sync their gaming data including high scores, progress, etc. on all their Amazon-linked devices.
If you don’t use either of the services, you can turn them off.
I have noticed that the newer FireStick interface don’t have these apps but if yours do, you can follow the below tutorial that I have made using the old FireStick interface.
Let’s learn how to turn off Prime Photos:
1. Click Gear icon ⚙️(Settings) from the FireStick main screen.
2. Choose Applications
3. Hit Prime Photos.
4. Switch off both Access Prime Photos & Allow guest connections options.
Make sure Access Amazon Photos reads Disabled and Allow Guest Connections reads OFF
Let’s learn how to turn off Whispersync:
1. Go to the FireStick main screen & hit Gear icon ⚙️(Settings).
2. Hit Applications.
3. Choose Gamecircle.
4. Switch OFF Whispersync for Games.
14. Ensure FireStick is getting enough power from Power Source
I recommend using the original USB and power adapter that came along with your FireStick when you purchased it. Using other accessories might not give enough power to FireStick for it to run smoothly.
If the original accessories provided with the FireStick get damaged, you should only buy original accessories from Amazon and not duplicate ones. If you use duplicate accessories to power your FireStick, chances are that it will not start. And, even if it starts, it will not perform properly.
15. Check your Internet Connectivity
FireStick requires good internet connectivity to run properly. So, if you have spotty internet connection, you may see a slow FireStick or FireStick buffering problem.
That’s why you should always be careful while choosing your ISP. Make sure that your FireStick is receiving proper WiFi signals by following these steps: Settings > Network > Select WiFi name > Press Play/Pause button on remote.
You should see your Wi-Fi signal strength. You can also use Internet Speed Test app available on FireStick to check the speed of your internet connection. You could also use Fast.com with the help of a browser.
16. Try using an Ethernet Adapter
Yes, using an ethernet adapter can also help you speed up the performance of FireStick. It will solve the buffering issues and app slowing down issues.
If your WiFi router is placed at a far from your FireStick or there is a lot of hindrance between your TV and router, it can cause network issue. But, using an ethernet cable instead of using WiFi can remedy this problem. We really enjoy using the UGREEN Gigabit Ethernet Adapter.
If you are using an Amazon Firestick, you will require an OTG Cable to connect the Gigabit Ethernet Adapter.
17. Try Using a VPN
Sometimes, you may face buffering issues while streaming content on FireStick. And, it’s normal to mislabel it and blame it on the slowness of FireStick. The issue can actually be caused due to the throttling of internet speed by your ISP.
ISP can also geo-restrict content and hence, you may find buffering issues. That’s why you should connect to a trustworthy VPN while streaming. It will also improve your security and hide your IP address and save you from potential online scams.
I use ExpressVPN, which offers blazing fast speed & top-notch security online. It also comes with a 30- day money back Guarantee, so you’ve got nothing to lose.
Here’s how you can set up ExpressVPN on Firestick:
1. First of all, sign Up for ExpressVPN HERE
2. Navigate to the Find Icon on your FireStick home screen.
3. Now, go to the Search option
4. Enter the word ExpressVPN using the onscreen keypad and select it from the Search results.
5. Now, click the ExpressVPN icon under Apps & Games section
6. Click on Get /Download and wait for it to install on your FireStick
7. Click Open to launch the ExpressVPN app
8. Enter your login credentials that you used when you registered for ExpressVPN. And click Sign In
9. Choose a server location of your choice and click the Power Icon to connect to the server.
Once connected, your IP address will change automatically. Meaning, your Internet activities are now anonymous and anything you stream on this FireStick device is safe from the prying eyes. It will also unblock geo-restricted content.
For detailed review & installation process, read our guide: ExpressVPN Review: Installation & How-to Use
18. Reset FireStick to Factory Defaults
If you’ve tried all of the above and your Firestick is still lagging, you may need to perform a factory reset to speed up your slow FireStick.
Resetting will restore the FireStick to its default settings as it was before when you first bought it.
FireStick reset will erase everything- including files, apps, login info, etc. So, make sure you have a backup of everything before you proceed. Let’s learn how to factory reset FireStick:
For a detailed overview on this topic, read our article: How to Reset FireStick/ Fire TV
1. Go to FireStick main screen & select Gear Icon ⚙️ (Settings).
2. Hit My Fire TV.
3. Choose Reset To Factory Defaults.
4. Hit Reset to confirm.
Wrapping Up
I am sure that after following the methods mentioned above, you will be able to fix the slow performance issue of FireStick. The last method i.e. FireStick reset should be followed only if the other methods fail to work.
But if even after resetting the FireStick, the problem was not rectified, then the problem is because of hardware issues. In such a case, you can contact Amazon service center and get it fixed or get a new one.
If you have any other questions, drop them in the comment box below. We will surely answer them.
Hi, I am Alyssa! I am a tech enthusiast and a blogger. I have been using Kodi and FireStick since 2016. I wanted to share my latest tech discoveries and knowledge with the World, which led me to start this blog in 2021. I post in-depth how-to guides for FireStick devices & Kodi in a way that is easy to understand for people of all ages. Thanks for stopping by!
