How to Update to the Latest Fire Stick Software in 2024

To ensure you're making the most of your Fire Stick, it's crucial to regularly update its software to the latest version. However, some issues may prevent your Amazon Fire TV Stick from updating automatically. A lack of updates can lead to bugs, buffering, and security risks, so it’s crucial that you don’t let the device go without updates for too long.

In this article, I will guide you through the simple steps to update your Fire Stick manually. I also further outline the significance of software updates and the possible enhancements and features they might bring.

In addition, I show you what settings to change on your Fire TV Stick to help ensure you get updates automatically. This can help your Amazon device maintain optimal performance and maximize your security. Whether you're a regular Fire Stick user or just getting started, this guide will help you unleash the full potential of your streaming device and keep it running smoothly. Read on for everything you need to know.

How to Update Your Amazon Fire TV Stick to The Latest Version

Your Amazon Fire TV Stick usually updates itself automatically when connected to the internet. However, if you happen to miss an update, or just want to ensure you have the latest software version, you can manually check for updates. If an update you’re lacking is found, you’ll be able to download and install it immediately.

Although the names of the menu options may vary slightly depending on the model of your Fire TV Stick, the process of checking for updates should be similar across all devices.

Keep in mind that updating your Fire Stick may change your user interface and settings. It’s a good idea to check your settings after an update to see if any changes have been made that you’re unhappy with.

With all that said, here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to manually check for and install updates on an Amazon Fire TV Stick:

Step 1. Click the gear icon on the Fire TV Stick home screen to open the settings.

On older versions, you might see a tab labeled “Settings” instead of the gear icon

Step 2. Select My Fire TV.

The icon may say “Device,” “Device & Software,” or “System” on older versions

Step 3. Press About.

The About section contains info about the device's software version, storage, and network data

Step 4. Select Check for Updates to search for available software updates for your Fire TV Stick. If an update is available, click Install Update to start the download and installation process.

Installing the update will take around 5-15 minutes, depending on your internet connection

Step 5. Wait until the update is complete. Once it’s done, your Fire Stick will be operating on the latest firmware version.

How To Update Your Fire TV Stick Remote

Updating the Fire Stick remote is also worth it, as it can improve battery life, fix bugs, and enhance functionality. Here’s how to get the remote for your Fire Stick updated:

Step 1. Click the gear icon on the far right of the home screen, or on older versions, navigate to the tab labeled “Settings”.

Step 2. Scroll down and select Controllers & Bluetooth Devices.

The update process is really easy — you’re already almost done

Step 3. Select Amazon Fire TV Remotes and pick the remote you’d like to update from the list.

You’ll see a list of available remotes associated with your Fire TV Stick

Step 4. Check for updates. If an update is found, you’ll be prompted to install it. Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the update process. It may take a few minutes for the update to complete.

Step 5. Once the update is successfully installed, you can restart your Fire TV Stick for the changes to take effect.

How to Ensure That a Fire TV Stick Receives Automatic Updates

By default, Amazon Fire TV devices are set to automatically download and install updates when they're available. This means you generally don't have to change any settings to enable automatic updates. However, it’s definitely worth double-checking and ensuring that updates are indeed set to Automatic. Here's how to confirm:

1. From the Fire TV Stick's main menu, hit the gear on the far right or select the Settings tab if you’re on an old version.
2. Navigate to My Fire TV or Device (the name might vary based on your Fire Stick version).
3. Select About.
4. Scroll down and select Software Updates.
5. Make sure that it's set to On or Automatic.

Once you've ensured that automatic updates are enabled, your Fire TV Stick should regularly check for updates and install them when available, typically during periods of inactivity. But it’s still a good habit to manually check for updates from time to time, just in case something goes wrong with the automatic update process.

Why Does Fire Stick Need to Be Updated?

Just like your smartphone and PC, an Amazon Fire TV Stick also needs regular software updates for the following reasons:

• Bug fixing. Software updates often introduce patches that help your Fire Stick run smoothly and prevent app crashes.
• Interface updates. Amazon periodically updates the user interface to make the device more intuitive and easy to use.
• New functionality. Updates add new features, such as the incorporation of user profiles and deeper integration with Alexa voice assistance.
• Security improvements. Failing to update your Fire Stick can leave it vulnerable to emerging security and privacy risks. Notably, Amazon guarantees security patches for up to 4 years after the device has been officially available for purchase.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Things to Check Before You Update Your Fire TV Stick

Here are a few things to ensure a safe and error-free update of your Fire Stick:

• Check your available storage space. In order to install updates, your Fire TV Stick needs a minimum of 500MB of free space. Too little space is often the reason why automatic updates don’t occur. To check for space, go to Settings, select My Fire TV, and click About.
• Clean cache to free up storage. In Settings, select Applications, and go to Manage Installed Applications. Select the apps you don’t often use and click on Clear Cache (or Clear Data) to remove temporary files that take up space.
• Delete unwanted apps. You should regularly delete applications you don’t need to improve stability and accessible storage. Deleting apps is possible via the Manage Installed Applications screen.
• Test your connection. Make sure your Internet connection is stable before updating. Navigate to the Network menu in Settings, and press Play/Pause on your remote to test your connection. Try resetting your router if you find there’s a problem.
• Verify whether the Fire TV servers are functioning properly. Occasionally, issues with Amazon's servers can hinder the update process. I’d recommend checking services like Downdetector to see if Amazon is experiencing any relevant outages or instability before attempting to update.
• Close apps before installation. This can prevent update errors. To close apps, press and hold the Home button on your remote and select Force Stop from the pop-up menu. You can also close apps via the Manage Installed Applications screen.

FAQs on How to Update Fire Stick

When can I update my Fire TV Stick?

Amazon rolls out updates for the Fire TV devices about every 15 days. By default, Fire TV Sticks should update automatically if connected to the internet. However, to ensure your Fire TV Stick is up to date, you can check for the updates yourself since some issues can prevent automatic updates.

What if I don’t like the Fire Stick interface after a firmware update?

You can use a custom launcher that allows you to personalize the Fire Stick UI. For example, Wolf Launcher lets you customize various aspects of your interface, including tile features and background. So you can update your Fire Stick to the latest version without worries.

Keep in mind that custom launchers like Wolf Launcher aren’t official and require you to allow “Apps From Unknown Sources” before they can be installed.

Will jailbreaking my Fire Stick affect new updates?

No. A jailbroken Fire Stick can still receive and install updates, both automatically and manually. However, bear in mind that some sideloaded apps may interfere with the update process and cause unexpected system behavior.

How long does it take to update Fire Stick?

Fire Stick updates typically take 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your internet speed. Thankfully, it only takes a few clicks to manually start a Fire Stick update — and you might not even need to, as the device is set to automatically update by default.

What should I do if my Fire Stick update fails or gets stuck?

It’s advised to check your device and connection if the update fails. First, ensure your Fire TV Stick has at least 500MB of local storage. Clear some space if you don’t have enough.

If storage doesn’t seem to be the issue, try checking if you have a stable internet connection and fixing any potential network problems. It may also be worth seeing whether Amazon’s servers aren’t functioning correctly via a service like Downdetector, in which case the problem is on their end and not yours. If you cannot find the issue, try contacting Amazon’s support team.

Can I update Fire Stick on my laptop and PC?

Yes, if you connect your Fire TV Stick to your computer via a HDMI cable. Some laptops may require a HDMI to USB video capture card and Open Broadcaster Software (OBS). If you need to use this method, open OBS and select the USB video option in the Setup Video Capture Device settings. After that, you can install the Fire Stick update in the My Fire TV section as usual.

What is the latest Fire Stick version?

You can check this official Amazon page to see the latest Fire Stick version. If the version of your device differs from the latest release, you can manually update your Fire Stick in just a couple of steps.

How can I check my Fire Stick OS version?

Checking the OS version of your Fire Stick (often referred to as the Fire TV software version) takes just a few steps. Remember, it's a good practice to regularly check for updates to ensure your device has the latest features and security patches. With that being said, here’s how to check your device’s OS version:

Step 1. Click the gear on the far-right of the main menu. If you’re on a particularly old version, you may need to navigate to the Settings tab at the top instead.

Step 2. Go to My Fire TV or Device (the name might vary based on your Fire Stick version).

Step 3. Select About.

Step 4. Scroll down to find the “Software Version” details.

Do Fire Sticks wear out?

Yes, like all electronic devices, Amazon Fire Sticks can wear out over time. If you notice your Fire Stick lagging, freezing, or experiencing other performance issues, it might be showing signs of wear. In some cases, a simple restart, factory reset, or software update can resolve the issues. However, if the problems persist, it might be time to consider replacing the device or upgrading to a newer model.

There are many reasons why Fire Sticks might wear out or degrade in performance. Some of them include hardware limitations, memory degradation, frequent overheating, software bloat, and physical wear and tear.

Wrapping Up

Keeping your Amazon Fire Stick updated prevents bugs, tightens security, and adds new features. However, sometimes network issues, server malfunction, or insufficient storage can prevent your device from being updated automatically.

Luckily, manually updating a Fire Stick is easy and can be completed in just a few clicks. I’d recommend periodically checking whether an update is available, even if you have automatic updates turned on. Otherwise, you risk missing an update, causing you to lose out on potential performance enhancements and new features — and you may even be leaving critical security flaws open for exploitation.