Usually, overheating does not happen in Firestick devices. But since you’re here, that means yours definitely did.
In this tutorial, you’ll find numerous ways to prevent Firestick from overheating. These solutions are easy and simple to implement.
These techniques not only work for Firestick. They will cool down other Amazon Firestick devices as well, including Fire TV Cube, Firestick 4K, Firestick Lite, and more.
Overheating will slow down the performance of your Firestick at first. You’ll start experiencing more connectivity issues, files will take a few more seconds to load and navigation will get painfully slow. Videos, too, will take forever to buffer.
If you leave the issue unattended, your Firestick might suffer permanent damage. That is why you need to think of ways to cool down your Amazon Fire TV Stick. The alternative – replacing a burnt Firestick – might be too costly for you.
Check out these solutions to fix the Firestick overheating issue:
In some instances, the app might still be run in the background even after you’ve closed it. That usually happens when the app gets stuck, leaving you with no choice but to press the Home key to return to the device’s interface.
In such a scenario, chances are that the app is still running in the background. That isn’t good news. Any app that runs in the background will consume the resources of your device, potentially contributing to the overheating problem.
Follow these steps to force close apps:
Step 1: Select the Settings option from the home screen or long-press the apps button on the remote control to directly open Settings.
Step 2: Select “Applications.”
Step 3: Click on “Manage Installed Applications.”
Step 4: Choose the app which you want to forcefully close.
Step 5: Select “Force Stop.”
Every time you run an app on your Firestick, it will create a cache. The bigger the app, the more the device storage its cache will consume.
Sure, the cache will be stored temporarily, but it will still take its share out of your limited storage space. Which is why we recommend clearing caches from time to time.
Here’s how to clear cache on your Firestick:
Step 1: Click on Settings.
Step 2: Select “Applications.”
Step 3: Click on “Manage Installed Applications.”
Step 4: Click on the app whose cache you want to clear.
Step 5: Select “Clear cache.”
Force closing and clearing the cache of the apps will keep the overheating issue at bay. But applying both these solutions will consume a lot of time, especially if multiple apps are running in the background. Or if there are more than a few apps whose cache needs clearing.
Don’t have much time on your hands? Then we suggest you power off your Firestick. This means unplugging your device (Firestick doesn’t give you the option to shut it down). Unplugging will force close all the files running in the background of your Firestick. It will also clear all caches.
After unplugging your device, wait for a few seconds. Inspect your device to ensure that it has cooled down, before plugging it back in.
Most smart TVs come with multiple HDMI ports. You’ll find the ports on the side and in the back of the TV.
Usually, everyone plugs in their Firestick on the backside. But the problem with putting it on the backside is that it gets less airflow, resulting in the Firestick device overheating.
For this reason, it’s recommended to use the side panel. Since it’s more exposed than the back panel, it will expose your Firestick to more airflow, potentially keeping the overheating issue at bay.
Most Firesticks come with an HDMI extender to let you plug them into the TV.
But if you aren’t using the HDMI extender, chances are your Firestick is probably too close to the TV, not getting enough airflow. This will allow the Firestick’s heat to accumulate in and around the device.
At the same time, your TV will be generating heat of its own. With your Firestick installed too close to the TV, its heat will add up to the TV’s, potentially making the overheating problem worse.
To prevent this scenario, it’s recommended that you use the HDMI extender. By creating some distance between your TV and the Firestick, the extender will expose the Firestick to more airflow, allowing heat to dissipate.
Sometimes you’ll need to sideload third-party applications. That’s because they are not available in the official store.
Once the app’s installed, you’ll no longer need the APK. But the APK file isn’t automatically deleted.
You’ll have to manually override to save some storage and prevent your Firestick device from overheating.
If you use the Downloader app to sideload APK files, it gives the option to delete the APK file after installation.
Step 1: Once the app is installed, instead of clicking “Open,” click on “Done.”
Step 2: Select “Delete” and then click “Delete” again.
Not using Downloader to sideload the APK files?
In that case, let’s see how you can use the ES File Explorer to delete the APKs.
Step 1: Download and Install the ES File Explorer.
Step 2: Open ES File Explorer.
Click “Local” in the left menu bar
Select the 2nd “Home” option. Or click on “Internal Storage.”
Step 5: After selecting the APK file, click on “Delete.”
It’s located at the bottom (as shown in the screenshot)
Make sure to uncheck the “Move to Recycle Bin” option.
Select “OK.”
Amazon Fire TV Stick doesn’t offer much storage space. Installing unnecessary apps puts a burden on the already limited storage space, potentially inviting the overheating issue.
That’s why we suggest uninstalling the apps that you no longer need.
Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Click on Settings.
Step 2: Select “Applications.”
Step 3: Select “Manage Installed Applications.”
Step 4: Select the app you want to uninstall.
Step 5: Select “Uninstall” and then click “Uninstall” again.
If you’ve applied all the solutions recommended above, but your Firestick is still heating, it’s time to go for the nuclear option.
Keep in mind that resetting your Firestick device will wipe off everything on its storage. All your apps, files, and accounts will be gone. You’ll need to set up everything from scratch afterward.
Here’s how you can reset your Firestick:
Step 1: Open Settings.
Step 2: Select “My Fire TV.”
Step 3: Scroll down till you can find “Reset to Factory Defaults.”
Step 4: Click on “Reset.”
As is the case with any electronic device, the Firestick tends to overheat when used frequently over a long period. The problem isn’t as serious as some people make it to be. Applying the solutions recommended above should be enough to cool down your Amazon Fire TV Stick.