Amazon FireStick Update: Why, When and How To?
The Amazon Firestick update is the way to keep your device firmware up to date and secured, enhancing performance and usability.
The main purpose of the FireStick software update is to enhance and add new features to Amazon Fire TV devices and fix temporary bugs and glitches.
According to Privacy International, a software update, often called a patch, represents a series of modifications made to a software program to refine, rectify, or augment it.
These changes usually target the elimination of bugs, the fortification of security measures, the introduction of fresh features, or the enhancement of performance and usability.
Updating your Fire TV to the latest software version is a quick fix for minor issues. However, avoiding these updates can put your device into compatibility, performance, and security issues.
To update your Amazon Fire TV Stick Software to the latest version, navigate to Settings (gear icon), select My Fire TV > About > Check for Update and Install the update (if available).
Read on to learn the exact steps to update different Fire TV Stick models including FireStick Lite, 4K, 4K Max, and Fire TV Cube.
Why Do I Need To Update My FireStick?
You need to update your Firestick to keep your device secured from vulnerabilities and potential cyber threats.
The importance of updating firmware is listed below.
- Fixes Bug
- Improves Security
- Improves Compatibility
- Optimizes Performance
1. Fixes Bug
The Firestick firmware is an operating software and like any other software, it can also have bugs and glitches impacting its performance.
Amazon regularly releases firmware updates to the Firestick device to fix these bugs and glitches for a smoother and more stable performance.
2. Improves Security
A firmware update improves security by addressing the device’s vulnerabilities and protecting it from cyber threats. So, if you don’t update your Firestick then your device will be susceptible to cyber-attacks and can even lead to personal data leaks.
There have been several reports of hacking using Amazon Fire TV devices. Arion Kurtaj, an 18-year-old boy who was in police protection at a Travelodge hotel breached Rockstar Games, a video game creator company, and acquired 90 unreleased clips of GTA6 using the hotel’s Amazon Fire Stick device, as per reports by Independent UK.
Also, failing to update your Firestick leads to security and privacy risks.
In short, updating your Firestick will improve your streaming quality as well as improve your security and privacy risk.
3. Improves Compatibility
Firestick firmware updates improve the device’s compatibility with the latest software and hardware.
Technology is changing at a very fast pace and the firmware updates allow you to use those latest features and functionalities with the same device without the need of changing your device.
4. Optimizes Performance
The FireStick firmware updates often optimize device performance by enhancing the device’s speed and efficiency which results in fast boot times, smooth multitasking, and better performance.
When Should You Update Your Firestick?
You should update your Firestick whenever it’s available for your device as these updates fix major bugs and keep the device stable and functional. So, check for updates every week to keep your old devices operational for a long time.
Amazon rolls out Fire TV device updates every 10-25 days but there could be differences in the available updates for old and new Fire TV devices.
Amazon Fire TV devices download and install software updates automatically when connected to a reliable internet connection.
Do Amazon FireSticks Need to be Updated?
Yes, Amazon firesticks need to be updated regularly. The FireStick updates are intended to fix bugs, improve security and compatibility, optimize performance, and keep the device stable.
As per the news article titled “Amazon Fire Stick users are just realizing they need to update ‘every 15 days’ to avoid a security nightmare” on The Sun US, Amazon Fire Stick owners are instructed to check and update their devices once in every two weeks to avoid security issues.
Do Firesticks Update Automatically?
Yes, firesticks update automatically as the default settings on the Firestick allow automatic updates when they are available for the device.
Automatic updates are more helpful for a user, as it doesn’t require initiating the update process manually. However, there’s an option to opt out of automatic updates from Settings.
What Do You Need To Know Before Updating Your Fire Stick?
Updating your Fire Stick is essential but you need to know these things before updating your device as an incorrect system software update can brick your Firestick device.
Get a Stable Internet Connection
A stable and profound internet connection is required to download and install system updates automatically on a Fire TV device.
Without a stable and robust internet connection, your Firestick won’t update to the current available OS version which will lead to several issues.
Also, never disable the internet source while the update is in progress as that can brick the device.
Don’t Unplug Your FireStick While Updating
Unplugging your Firestick while updating installation can brick your Firestick and it will get stuck to the boot logo.
Your Fire Stick will be unable to load the Fire TV operating system, says XDA Forums.
However, if the installation screen stucks, restart your Firestick. To do so, press and hold the Select and Play/Pause simultaneously for 5 seconds.
Close All The Apps Before You Install an Update
You must close all the background running apps before you install the current software version available for your FireStick.
You can either restart your Firestick from Settings (gear icon) or by unplugging it from the power source and plugging it back again after a few seconds.
You can also use a task killer on Firestick to close all the running Apps with a single click.
Also, remember to close all the background running apps on your Amazon Fire TV Stick before installing OS updates.
These are the 3 things that you must know before updating your Amazon streaming devices (Fire TV sticks). Now, let’s move on to the next section to find out the step-by-step guide on installing updates on FireStick 4k and old and new versions of Fire TV sticks.
How To Update Your Amazon Fire TV Stick?
To update your Amazon Fire TV Stick, go to My Fire TV from Settings, next, click on About and then Check for Updates, and click on Install Update once it’s downloaded.
Amazon changed its Amazon Fire TV interface in an update in late 2020 and if you haven’t updated your device during that update you will have an old interface and if the updates were automatically installed, you will have a new interface.
For all our readers’ convenience, the update process for both the old and new interfaces are given below.
Updating FireStick on New/Old Interface
1. Go to “Settings” by clicking on the Gear Icon (as shown in the pic below).
2. Select “My Fire TV“.
4. Now, choose “Check for Updates” (if you are on the new Fire TV interface) or “Install Update” (if you are on the old interface)
5. Click on “Install Update” to start the installation process if a new update is available for your device.
Does a Firestick Restart or Reboot After a Successful Update?
Yes, a FireStick restarts or reboots itself after a successful update. The Firestick reboot is needed because the system files or the OS your device is using needs to be updated with the new files and patches that come with a new update. So, the device has to reboot or restart itself to start using the new system files.
How Long Does It Take For A FireStick to Update?
A Firestick Update can take around 5 minutes to 30 minutes depending upon how small and big the update file size is. An update with minor improvements and bug fixes takes less time compared to large updates with significant changes or new features.
The Firestick update time also depends upon factors such as internet connection speed and the device’s processing power.
How Can I Check My Firestick OS Version?
You can check the OS version on your Firestick by navigating to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Fire TV Stick.
Or, you can simply open Amazon’s official website and match your device software version to the latest version available for Fire TV devices.
The steps to check the current Firestick software version your device is using are listed below.
- Open “Settings” by clicking on the gear icon from the home screen.
- Select “My Fire TV” from the list.
- On the next screen, click on “About” followed by “Fire TV Stick“
- This will display your device’s Software Version, Device Name, Storage Capacity, Amazon Account, Serial Number, and current date and time.
What To Do If Fire Stick Update Fails?
If your Fire Stick Update fails or your device’s update doesn’t complete,
- Make sure your device is connected to the internet – Navigate to Settings, and choose Network. Test your network connection by disconnecting and connecting it to the internet connection.
- If there’s a connectivity problem, restart your router and modem.
- Power cycle your Fire TV – unplug, wait for 60 seconds, and plug the device back in.
- Check the device storage for available space of at least 500 MB required to download the update.
- Here’s how you can find the available space update – Settings>My Fire TV>About>Storage. To increase the available device space, uninstall the unused apps.
Stefano M, an Amazon Staff says that if your FireStick update fails, the tips below will fix the bugs.
- Disconnect your Fire Stick from the power adapter.
- Wait for a few minutes, connect the Fire TV stick back to the power source, and check if the device is getting enough power.
- Keep your Fire TV turned on for 25 minutes and wait for screen changes.
- Use your device with and without an HDMI extender.
- Use a Hi-Speed HDMI cable with your Fire TV Stick.
- Connect your HDMI cable to another port and check if this solves the problem.
- Plug your Fire TV Stick directly into your TV.
- Read the owner’s manual video cable section to check if your TV is HDCP-compliant.
- Connect your Fire TV to a different TV.
- Connect your device to another wireless frequency band, switch it from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz, or vice versa).
What is the Latest Version of the Fire Stick?
The latest version of Amazon Fire TV is the Fire TV Stick 4K with Generative AI in September 2023. This Fire TV device also offers Dolby Vision Atmos, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity as per Amazon’s press release.
Conclusion
Keeping your Amazon Fire TV Stick updated is crucial for maintaining optimal performance, ensuring security, and accessing the latest features. Regularly checking for and installing software updates not only addresses bugs and glitches but also enhances the overall user experience.
Before initiating the update process, it’s essential to ensure a stable internet connection, avoid unplugging the device during the update, and close all running apps. These precautions help prevent potential issues such as bricking your Fire Stick.
The step-by-step guide provided in this article simplifies the update process for both the old and new Fire TV interfaces.
By navigating to Settings, selecting My Fire TV, and then checking for updates or installing them, you can keep your Fire TV Stick up-to-date effortlessly.
