If your Amazon Fire Stick has been acting up lately – whether that’s apps freezing, slow loading times, or storage warnings – it might be time to clear the cache. It’s a quick fix that can help your Fire Stick run smoother, free up space and reduce any annoying crashes. And it’s super easy to do too.
In this mini guide, we’ll walk you through what clearing the cache actually does. Plus, explain when and how to do it with some handy step by step instructions. We’ll even throw in a few extra tips that’ll boost its performance. Got all that? Let’s get started…
What does clearing cache on Fire Stick do?
Let’s start with the basics – what is the cache? Well, it’s temporary data stored by apps that helps them load faster and run more smoothly. For example, if you stream Netflix a lot, the app stores bits of data (like thumbnails and settings) so it doesn’t have to reload everything from scratch each time. And that lets you jump back into your favourite show quickly for another episode!
Over time though, this cached data can pile up. And instead of helping, it can slow things right down. Clearing the cache on your Fire Stick wipes this temporary data, giving your device a fresh start without deleting your app settings or login details. So, if your Fire Stick is a laggy mess, clearing the cache is a safe and easy first step.
Here’s what clearing the cache does:
Deletes temporary files stored by apps.
Frees up storage space.
Can fix app crashes or freezing issues.
And here’s what it doesn’t do:
It won’t delete the app itself.
It won’t remove your saved settings or login info.
It won’t affect any downloaded content unless you clear the app data (which is different).
When should you clear cache on Fire Stick?
Not sure if it’s the right time to clear the cache? Here’s a few telltale signs that it’s worth doing…
Apps are slow to open or load.
Streaming buffers more than usual.
Apps freeze or crash unexpectedly.
You get regular low storage warnings.
Your Fire Stick generally seems a bit sluggish.
If you’re running into any of these, clearing the cache should be the first thing you do. It’s especially useful if you’ve had your Fire Stick for a while or use a lot of different streaming apps.
How to clear cache on Fire Stick – step by step
When you’re ready to clear the cache, here’s what you’ll need to do…
Go to the Home Screen on your Fire Stick.
Select ‘Settings’ (if you can’t find it, it’s the gear icon on the far right).
Scroll down and choose ‘Applications’.
Select ‘Manage Installed Applications’.
Pick the app you want to clear the cache for (e.g. Netflix, YouTube).
Click ‘Clear Cache’.
And that’s it! You can repeat this later on for any app that’s causing issues or taking up space.
Tips to free up more storage on Fire Stick
Clearing the cache obviously helps. But if your Fire Stick is still low on space, try these extra tips…
Uninstall apps you don’t use – Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, then select any unused apps and hit ‘Uninstall’.
Clear app data (if needed) – If an app is still glitchy after you’ve cleared the cache, try ‘Clear Data’ – just remember, this resets the app.
Use storage management tools – Some Fire Stick models have a ‘Storage’ section under Settings. Check it to see what’s taking up space and do a bit of digital spring cleaning.
Disable auto updates – Turn off automatic app updates. It’ll stop apps from getting too big without you noticing. Head over to Settings > Applications > Appstore > Automatic Updates and toggle it off.
Restart your Fire Stick regularly – It’s the oldest trick in the book. A simple restart can help to clear temporary files and refresh the whole system.
What to do if your Fire Stick still runs slow
If you’ve cleared the cache and freed up some space, but your Fire Stick is still on the go-slow, try these…
Restart your Fire Stick – Hold down the Select and Play/Pause buttons together for about 5 seconds. Or go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart.
Check for system updates – Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates. Keeping your Fire Stick updated means it’ll run smoothly with all the latest fixes.
Clear app data – If a specific app is still causing problems, head to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, select the app and choose ‘Clear Data’.
Factory reset (last resort) – If nothing else works – and you’ve tried all of the above – you can always reset your Fire Stick to its original settings. Go to Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults. A word of warning though. This’ll erase everything, so only do this if you’re okay starting from scratch.
FAQs
Can I clear the cache for all apps on Fire Stick at once?
Unfortunately, no. The Fire Stick doesn’t currently have a clear all cache option. You’ll have to go into each app one at a time via Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications and clear the cache on them individually. It’s a bit of a manual process, but it gives you way more control over which apps you want to refresh.
Will clearing cache delete my saved shows or downloads?
No, clearing the cache won’t delete any content you’ve downloaded or shows you’ve saved. That data is stored separately. But, if you choose ‘Clear Data’ instead of ‘Clear Cache’, it’ll reset the app completely – removing downloads, logins and any preferences. So, make sure you select the right option depending on what you want to keep.
Need more advice?
So, that’s how to clear cache on Fire Stick. Our tips don’t stop there though. If you’ve just bought yours – and don’t know where to start – check out our article how to set up an Amazon Fire Stick. It should have all the answers you need. And for all your Amazon Fire TV needs, click right here.
