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Amazon’s Firestick markets as the ultimate media streaming device, taking the world by storm. But this technology is still far from perfect. The hardware itself is frequently slow; you may have to wait an additional couple of seconds for an app to load, or a home menu may briefly stall when scrolling.
Things that cause such delays might be from overheated or overly bloated devices that can alter the wi-fi connectivity and the FireStick’s software itself. And here are the proven tips and tricks to lessen the stress on your device’s CPU, lowering temperatures and allowing your FireStick to function quicker.
Keep Your FireStick Updated
Fire OS releases updates regularly that can bring new security features or modest interface improvements, but they can also increase the performance of your Fire TV. Make sure your FireStick gadget runs the most recent version of its operating system to make things quicker, easier, and smoother to use. FireStick updates automatically as long as there is an internet connection, but you should do it manually in some instances.
To update your Fire OS go to Home Menu > Settings > Device > and click the “Check for System Update.” The Fire TV Stick will seek updated software on its own. If there is an updated version, you should download and install it.
Uninstall Apps
There is no harm in adding applications to your Fire TV. After all, it is one of the sole functions of this device. But, with time, you’ll find that your old Fire Stick isn’t as swift as it was when it was still fresh. This is because many programs check for updates or perform background tasks taking memory space and utilizing resources.
Uninstalling applications you don’t need will improve your device’s speed. Non-essentials such as utility applications or games are the good ones to start. Third-party programs are also known to create bugs, so keep an eye out for these as well. To remove an app from your Fire TV, open Home Menu > Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications > Click the app you want to Uninstall > click the “Uninstall” tab. Repeat the procedure for each app you wish to delete.
Turn Off Autoplay
By default, your FireStick will play content its algorithms assume you might be interested in from the featured area on the “Home” screen. As a result, the videos are continually looping, including their audio. Disabling this function can reduce the CPU’s load significantly. To do this, toggle Settings > Preferences > Featured Content, and turn off the tabs “Video Autoplay” and “Audio Autoplay.”
Turn Off Notifications
Not only can app notifications be bothersome, but they also influence the device’s performance. The unnecessary drain on power from notification spam may cause your FireStick to slow down. Users of Fire TV can deactivate alerts totally or on an app-by-app basis. To turn off notifications, go to Settings > Preferences > Notification Settings and turn on the “Do Not Interrupt” feature. To toggle off notifications on an app, click “App Notifications.”
Manage Data Collection/Monitoring
Amazon’s devices provide a quality experience with the help of its data collection from its users, and FireStick is no exception. It collects a significant amount of personal information to cater to your interest in streaming.
Turning off all of these settings will not only protect your privacy but will also make your device perform better. To turn off the data collection, go to Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings and toggle off these three tabs “Collect App Usage Data,” “Device Usage Data,” and Interest-based ads.
Data monitoring can be a beneficial tool for ensuring that you do not exceed your broadband service provider’s monthly data usage. Still, it consumes a small number of resources that are useful for other software. To stop data monitoring, go to Settings > Preferences > Data Monitoring, and turn it off.
Force Stop Unused Apps
You can stop any unused programs that don’t have an uninstall option or software you want so they don’t run in the background. Doing so will help your FireStick to lessen its processor’s load. To force quit an app, go to Settings > Application > select the application you want to stop and click force stop.
Turn off Unused Apps
When you install an app on your Fire TV, it periodically pings Amazon’s servers to check for updates. This consumes only a fraction of a second, but it may take a lot of time if you have hundreds of programs loaded. To manage automatic app updates, go to Settings > Applications > Appstore, and disable “Automatic Updates.” However, you should check your apps for compulsory updates and do it manually.
Restart Your FireStick
Even when they are not in use, most users leave their Fire TV Sticks plugged in and running. Considering they have low voltage consumption and wake up so rapidly, it’s typically preferable to keep them on. However, over time, this might cause interface lag or even buffering difficulties. A fast restart will clear the cache and offer your Fire Stick a notable speed boost. You can either unplug the device and reconnect it or restart Fire OS. To do this, go to Settings > Device > Restart, and confirm rebooting.
Using a VPN
If your buffering periods take more time than usual, the issue may not be with your device but with your internet service provider. For a variety of reasons, ISPs are known to limit their customers’ bandwidth.
A Virtual Private Network encrypts all internet data on a device and passes it via an intermediate server in a location of your choosing. It implies that your ISP cannot see the contents of your internet traffic, nor its source or destination, and hence, cannot impose restrictions on what you watch and where you stream it.
VPNs also give plenty of beneficial features, such as online privacy, improved security, and the ability to access regionally restricted websites and services, including many streaming services. There are many private networks in the market these days that are suitable for your FireStick.
Check this in-depth buying guide when purchasing a VPN.
Factory Reset
If you’ve done all that on this list and still aren’t receiving the performance you desire from your FireStick, executing factory reset is your “last resort.” This will delete any programs that were not pre-installed and reset all of your settings to default. A factory reset will remove everything on your Fire TV, including app downloads and sideloaded software. Reset will store your purchases, but you will need to log in and re-download everything when the reboot is complete. To reset your device go to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults, and select “Reset.”
Amazon Fire TV Stick is a promising technology that requires almost no setup and can stream videos from a wide range of sources at the touch of a button. The slowdown is usual, but with the tips and tactics listed above and proper care of the device, you can keep your Fire TV functioning like new every day.
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