Yes, overheating is a very common problem with Firesticks, especially older models and those used extensively for streaming. But don‘t panic – with a few simple fixes, you can stop your Firestick from overheating and extend its lifespan. This guide will walk you through the top solutions to keep your device running cool.
Let‘s first look at what causes Firesticks to heat up in the first place.
What‘s Causing Your Firestick to Overheat?
There are several core reasons your streaming stick might be feeling hot to the touch:
Insufficient Ventilation
Firesticks easily overheat when they don‘t have enough airflow around them. Cramming them into tight spaces like TV cabinets or shelving blocks ventilation.
Extensive Streaming Sessions
Using your Firestick heavily for long periods inevitably heats up the internal components. Resource-intensive apps like Plex or running 4K video speeds up the strain.
Direct Sunlight
Exposure to direct sun beams heats up your TV, which then transfers warmth to the Firestick. Keeping it out of sunny spots prevents extra heat soaking.
Faulty Power Supply
If your power source is providing uneven electricity, the Firestick strains itself trying to regulate power. Defective cords cause it to work too hard.
Too Many Background Processes
Lots of unused apps and services running simultaneously overload the Firestick‘s CPU capacity and contribute to excess heat production.
Hardware Defects
In some cases, an internal manufacturing defect results in a Firestick that runs chronically hot.
Now that you know what typically causes overheating, let‘s go through solutions to fix it!
10 Solutions to Stop Your Firestick From Overheating
1. Give It Some Breathing Room
One of the simplest yet most effective solutions is ensuring your Firestick has space around it to ventilate heat.
Ideally, it should have at least 1-2 inches of open clearance on all sides. Avoid cramming it into tight cabinets or shelving with no airflow.
If possible, reposition your Firestick out from behind the TV and away from other electronics or objects blocking airflow. The more open space, the better.
If you can‘t reposition the unit itself, use the included HDMI extender cable to distance the stick from heat-generating equipment:
The extender lets the Firestick access open air while still connecting to your TV – this prevents heat from building up.
2. Close Unused Apps and Features
Apps and services running in the background use up precious processing power, especially if left open when not in use. This contributes to excess strain on the device.
Go through and disable or force-quit any apps you aren‘t actively using:
- Open Settings > Applications > Manage All Installed Applications
- Select apps you want to close
- Choose "Force Stop" to disable them from running in the background
You can also turn off built-in services like Alexa Voice if you don‘t use them. Limit auto-starting and background downloading for apps when possible.
Reducing these unused processes eases the burden on your Firestick‘s CPU and prevents overworking it. Disable any features you don‘t need.
3. Lower Video Resolution
Streaming movies and shows in Ultra HD 4K resolution requires heavy lifting from your Firestick‘s processor. This can accelerate overheating, especially during long viewing sessions.
If your Firestick is running hot, dial back the resolution as a quick fix:
- Go to Settings > Display & Sounds
- Change the default resolution from 2160p (4K UHD) to 1080p (Full HD) or even 720p
Yes, you‘ll lose some picture quality at lower resolutions. But it takes a huge load off your processor and helps run cooler. You can bump it back up after addressing any overheating issues.
4. Clear App Cache and Data
Cache and data files build up over time as you use apps on your Firestick. This slows things down and forces the processor to work overtime.
Clearing this data forces apps to run lighter and more efficiently:
To clear cache:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications
- Select the app
- Choose "Clear Cache"
Repeat for any intensive apps. Over time, the cache overload contributes to high Firestick temperatures.
You can also clear an app‘s stored data, which deletes preferences and login info:
- Select the app
- Choose "Clear Data”
Do this if issues persist after clearing the cache. Wiping the data gives the app a clean slate.
5. Check for Firmware and App Updates
Outdated apps and firmware often have unpatched bugs that can strain device performance. This leads to processor overload and heat buildup.
In your Firestick‘s Settings, go to “My Fire TV” or "About” to check for pending system updates. Download the latest firmware when available.
Also manually update any outdated third-party apps, especially intensive ones like Plex. Newer app versions are optimized to run more smoothly and prevent overworking the CPU.
6. Do a Factory Reset
If you’ve tried everything and your Firestick still overheats, a factory reset gives you a clean slate. This completely wipes the device back to its original state.
Warning: Resetting permanently deletes all data on your Firestick:
- Go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart
- Select “Reset to Factory Defaults"
- Choose “Erase Everything” to fully reset
- Re-register your Firestick with your Amazon account
This should resolve any software-related overheating issues. Only reinstall essential apps to avoid recreating the problem.
7. Use Proper Power
If your Firestick is plugged into a faulty, overloaded, or inconsistent power source, it has to work extra hard to regulate electricity. This strains the components and generates excess heat.
- Only use the included 5W power adapter – lower wattages underpower the device
- Avoid low-quality extension cords or long power strips
- Do not use a USB port for power – these often under-deliver
- Plug directly into a wall outlet for consistent power
If you’re still seeing heat issues, try moving to a different outlet in case the original one is unreliable. Improper power forces the Firestick to labor excessively.
8. Switch to Wired Internet
Using WiFi forces your Firestick to constantly work transmitting signals back and forth. These wireless radios generate lots of internal heat.
Offloading this work to a wired connection stabilizes internet speeds and reduces processor strain.
If possible, connect your Firestick directly to your router using a wired ethernet adapter. Going wired eliminates wireless radio heat.
9. Disable Data Monitoring
Newer Firestick models have usage tracking enabled by default. The constant background monitoring utilizes processing capacity that could lead to overheating issues over time.
You can deactivate data collection in Settings > Preferences > Data Monitoring. Turn OFF "Send Usage Data" and "Device Analytics."
Disabling monitoring gives your processor a break from the constant work. But be aware you’ll no longer get personalized recommendations.
10. Contact Amazon Customer Support
If you still experience overheating after trying all troubleshooting, reach out to Amazon customer support for further help.
Explain the chronic heat issues you’re seeing. If they confirm a device defect, Amazon will provide next steps for replacing your Firestick under warranty.
Hardware flaws do infrequently occur, so contact support if problems persist after trying these solutions.
Signs Your Firestick is Overheating
Along with physical heat coming from the device, here are other indicators of an overheated Firestick:
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Frequent freezing or crashing – Apps and streams stalling is a classic sign of thermal throttling from excess heat.
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Severe lag and buffering – Overheating slows the Firestick‘s processing ability, leading to choppy streams.
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Black screening – A black screen with no video occurs when the CPU temporarily shuts down to cool off.
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Disconnects from WiFi – Overheating degrades the wireless chip‘s ability to maintain a consistent connection.
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"Firestick Overheat" warning – A warning directly on screen indicates the internal temperature is critically high.
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Failure to launch apps – Apps crashing, stalling, or taking a long time to open points to an overloaded processor.
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Device suddenly powering off – Excess heat triggers the Firestick to abruptly shut down to avoid permanent damage.
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Melted/warped casing – In extreme cases, you may see physical melting or warping of the Firestick or power adapter if temperatures exceed safety limits.
Notice any of these issues? It likely means your device needs help cooling down. The solutions in this guide will help get temperatures back to a safe range.
How Hot is Too Hot For My Firestick?
Newer generation Firesticks are designed to run at up to 104°F (40°C) under heavy usage.
The Firestick 4K (2018) model maintains normal operating temperatures around:
- 86°F to 95°F (30°C to 35°C) during streaming
- Up to 104°F (40°C) when under heavy load
Once your device consistently exceeds 104°F, overheating is occurring and you‘ll likely notice performance issues or throttling.
Older Firestick models run even hotter:
- Firestick 2nd Gen (2016) – up to 113°F (45°C)
- Firestick 1st Gen (2014) – up to 122°F (50°C)
Check your Firestick‘s exact temperature using a free utility app like System Info for Firestick. This gives you real-time data to identify when overheating happens.
Prevent Overheating and Keep Your Firestick Running Cool
With preventative care and smart usage, you can stop your Firestick from ever reaching problematic temperatures.
Keep background processes to a minimum, make sure it has plenty of ventilation room, and proactively monitor its heat levels. This saves you from the headaches of an overheated device.
If temperatures do spike, use the fixes in this guide to get things cooled back down. A few simple precautions go a long way towards maintaining steady performance.
So take action before your Firestick ends up a melted blob! A little airflow and maintenance prevents a lot of frustration.
