How to update Amazon Fire TV Stick: Amazon’s numerous iterations of the Fire TV Stick, in addition to the larger and more powerful Amazon Fire TV Cube, provide one of the most immersive and Alexa-friendly interfaces for connecting with all of your preferred streaming applications, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, while also acting as a command center for your smart home devices (with the Voice Remote Pro).
However, just like with any other all-in-one device that connects to the internet, you’ll want to make sure that the software on your Fire TV hardware is up to date.
When this is done, your Fire TV device will function normally, from navigation to Alexa commands, and will be as resistant to hacking as is humanly possible when it is connected to the Wi-Fi in your home.
If you want to manually download the latest software or check to see which version your Fire TV gear is running, we have put together this step-by-step guide to teach you how to do so. Fortunately, most Fire TV devices will perform automatic updates.
How to update Fire TV Stick or Cube
It is recommended that your Fire TV device be set up to automatically download and install software updates; however, you also have the option to perform these tasks manually.
Using the most recent iteration of the Fire TV operating system, the following instructions will walk you through checking for and installing an update.
- When you are on the Home screen, select the icon that looks like a gear. It is located on the far right side of the screen.
- Select My Fire TV from the list of available settings, then select About from the submenu that appears.
- Pick either the Install update option (if there is an update that needs to be installed) or the Check for updates option to see if there are any updates that can be downloaded.
- Once the update has begun, you must ensure that your Fire TV device remains plugged in. Your Fire TV device will automatically restart after the update has been successfully installed.
You can also read: Amazon Fire Stick 4k: How to Download and Install Twitch on Firestick
Updating a Fire TV device running a legacy OS
You will still be able to download and install software updates, regardless of whether or not your Fire TV device is running an older version of Fire OS that has a slightly different appearance and operates in a slightly different manner, depending on how old the device is.
- To change the settings of your device, go to the home screen and select the Settings option from the menu that appears.
- Choose My Fire TV from the drop-down menu of available options, then go to About.
- You will see a choice that allows you to either Install an update or Check for updates, just like in the most recent version of Fire OS. Choose which of the available options you want to go with, and make sure to keep your Amazon Fire TV plugged in while it is downloading and installing the new software.
How to check what software a Fire TV device is running
It is as simple as downloading and installing the updates for your Fire TV hardware in order to determine what software version your device is currently running. Here are the steps:
- Go to Settings, then choose My Fire TV.
- Select About.
- You will then see a sub-menu on the right side of the page that displays how much storage space is available, what version of Fire OS software your Fire TV device is running (located under Software version), and a few other fields.
Are you confused about which Amazon Fire TV device you should buy? To assist you in making your selection, we have provided a comparison between the Fire TV Stick and the Fire TV Cube.
How To Update Your Fire TV Stick or Cube
Amazon keeps Fire TV devices updated automatically, but rolling out enhancements for performance, security, and features is faster, and manual control now matters more than ever.
Your device will usually update itself in the background whenever it’s connected to the internet. That means most users rarely have to do anything manually.
How to Manually Check for Updates
Works across all Fire TV models, including Stick 4K, 4K Max (2nd Gen), and Cube (3rd Gen):
- Press the Settings (gear) icon from the Home screen.
- Navigate to My Fire TV (it may be labeled Device & Software, Device, or System).
- Select About (or Meu Sobre).
- Select ‘Check for System Update’ (or ‘Check for Updates’).
- If an update appears, click Install System Update, similar to other OS updates. The device may restart or install while idle.
If the “Check for Updates” button isn’t visible, your device is likely already checking or downloading.
Why You Should Keep It Updated
Regular maintenance includes security patches, performance enhancements, interface tweaks, and bug fixes. Updates typically roll out every few months. Manual checks are helpful, especially if updates haven’t been applied automatically for a while.
What to Do if Updates Fail
Ensure you’re online. Slow Wi-Fi may stall updates; Ethernet adapters can help older devices. If the device hangs during an update, restart it by holding the Select + Play/Pause buttons for 5 seconds or unplugging it for a few moments.
Persistent issues may call for a full Factory Reset; just be aware that this removes apps and your settings.
Speed-Tune Your Fire TV Stick (While Updating)
Slow performance isn’t always a sign of needing new hardware. You can speed things up and reduce update friction with these tricks:
- Restart your device regularly
- Uninstall unused apps
- Clear app cache and force-stop apps running in the background
- Disable autoplay previews, tracking, and notifications
- If needed, factory reset once you’ve tried everything else
Why Fire OS Matters
Fire OS 7.3.2.9 and Fire OS 8.3.3.5 are the latest versions as of June 2025, with new Fire TV hardware running upgraded Android-based Fire OS for smoother performance.
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Generation 2 Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max now run on newer processors, offer AV1 hardware decoding, and support Wi-Fi 6/6E for smoother updates and streaming.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Update Guide
| Step | What You Do |
|---|---|
| Manual update | Go to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for System Update |
| If the update fails | Restart the device, use Ethernet, or perform a factory reset |
| Improve performance | Remove unused apps, clear cache, disable autoplay/tracking |
| Know your OS & hardware | Fire OS 7/8, hardware updates affect the update flow |
Want some recommendations on how to bring your Roku streaming device up to date? There is a guide specifically for that as well.
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