How to cool down an overheating Fire TV
⚡ Fast fix
- Unplug it and let it cool. Give the Fire TV™ time to return to a normal temperature before using it again.
- Give it some breathing room. Tight spaces behind a TV can trap more heat than you'd expect.
- Check the power source. Use the power adapter designed for the Fire TV instead of an underpowered TV USB port.
- Keeps overheating? Get 24/7 expert support for the tech you rely on.
A Fire TV™ getting a little warm during a streaming marathon isn't unusual. One that's hot to the touch, shutting down, restarting, or throwing temperature warnings is a different story.
At Asurion, we're the tech experts more than 30 million people rely on each year to keep their devices working. If your Fire TV is running hotter than it should, here's how we'd cool it down now—and keep the heat from coming right back.
Unplug it and let it cool
If the Fire TV is unusually hot, stop streaming and disconnect it from power. Give it time to cool completely before plugging it back in; continuing to run an overheating device isn't going to help it recover.
While you wait, take a look at where it's installed. That often tells you more than another trip through Settings would.
Give the Fire TV more airflow
Fire TV Sticks tend to live in one of the worst places for heat: squeezed behind a television, surrounded by cables, and close to other electronics that are producing heat of their own.
If yours is wedged into a tight HDMI area, move it into a more open position. The HDMI extender included with some Fire TV models can help create a little distance between the Stick and the back of the television.
A few other things we'd avoid:
- Enclosed cabinets with little airflow.
- Stacking the Fire TV against other electronics.
- Covering the device or its vents, if present.
- Placing it near heaters or in direct sunlight.
Check how the Fire TV is powered
If the overheating comes with random restarts or unstable performance, we'd take a closer look at power.
Use the Amazon power adapter and cable intended for your Fire TV whenever possible. Powering a Fire TV Stick from a television's USB port may not provide the consistent power the device expects, depending on the TV.
Restart after it cools down
Once the Fire TV feels normal again, reconnect it and see how it behaves. If it heats up quickly even while sitting on the home screen, we'd be more concerned than if it only gets warm after hours of streaming.
If it stays stable, restart it from Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > Restart. A restart clears temporary processes that may have been putting extra strain on the device.
Check for Fire TV updates
A Fire TV that's working harder than it should can sometimes benefit from a software update, especially if overheating shows up alongside freezing, sluggish menus, or app crashes.
Open Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > About > Check for Updates and install anything available. Keep the Fire TV connected to steady power and Wi-Fi until the update finishes.
If an update refuses to install, our guide to fixing a failed Fire TV update walks through storage, connection, and update checks.
Pay attention to what makes it hot
This is where the pattern matters. A Fire TV that gets warm after several hours of 4K streaming is behaving differently from one that becomes extremely hot five minutes after startup.
Notice whether overheating happens:
- During one particular app.
- After long streaming sessions.
- While downloading or installing updates.
- When several apps have been running.
- Almost immediately after startup.
If one app consistently sends the temperature climbing, force stop it and clear its cache before using it again. If the entire Fire TV is sluggish or storage is nearly full, freeing up some space may help too.
Our guide to freeing up storage on Fire TV explains how to clear cache and remove apps you don't need.
When overheating stops being normal
Warm is one thing. Repeated shutdowns, temperature warnings, a burning smell, visible damage, or a Fire TV that becomes painfully hot are reasons to stop using it.
Unplug the device and leave it disconnected. At that point, more restarts and settings changes aren't worth the risk; the Fire TV or its power equipment may need to be replaced.
Still need help?
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FAQ
Is it normal for a Fire TV Stick to get hot?
Some warmth during streaming is normal. Excessive heat, shutdowns, restarts, or temperature warnings aren't.
Why does my Fire TV keep overheating?
Poor airflow, an unstable power source, heavy use, software problems, or failing hardware can all contribute. Pay attention to when the overheating starts to narrow it down.
Can I use a fan to cool down a Fire TV Stick?
You generally shouldn't need one. Give the Fire TV adequate airflow and keep it away from other heat sources instead.
Can overheating make Fire TV restart?
Yes. If your Fire TV gets hot and repeatedly restarts or shuts down, unplug it and let it cool before troubleshooting further.
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