The reset option embedded in virtually all electronic devices is meant to restore the device to its factory settings whenever the device begins to malfunction or is not working at all(Read also – How to Factory Reset your Android Device). Both soft reset and hard reset options are available on some devices including Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet. In this article, we shall highlight the steps needed to either soft reset or hard reset Kindle Fire tablet.
Why Soft or Hard Reset Kindle Fire?
An explanation of what is meant by soft reset and hard reset, as applicable to the Kindle fire is apt at this juncture. Both the Soft and Hard Reset options for Kindle Fire are troubleshooting measures aimed at fixing a dysfunctional device. However, there are a few differences between the soft and hard reset of the Kindle Fire tablet.
A Soft Reset restores the settings on the Kindle Fire device back to its default settings, in a manner that data stored on the device are not affected. On the other hand, a Hard Reset completely expunges all data and files from the device and restores it to its factory settings. Being a non-reversible process, necessary precaution and a backup of the data on your Kindle Fire device is advisable before doing a hard reset.
Hard Reset is only advisable when the problems on the device are a result of corrupted or malfunctioning files.
How to Soft Reset Kindle Fire
A soft reset is appropriate when your Kindle Fire device freezes or becomes unusually slow. In most cases, the soft reset restores the device to normal performance. The following steps listed below will help you to soft reset your Kindle Fire tablet.
- Simultaneously press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons on your device until it shuts down or goes off.
- Release both buttons once the Kindle Fire is has gone off completely.
- After the device has powered off, wait for at least 10 seconds.
- After waiting for 10 seconds or more, you can now Power ON your Kindle Fire by pressing the Power button until the device comes on.
If your device is any of the first to fourth generation Kindle devices like Kindle HD or Kindle HDX, then the following steps are needed instead to soft reset the devices:
- For 20 seconds, press and hold the power button until the device is completely powered off.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds after the device has been powered off.
- Then put on the Kindle Fire tablet by pressing the power button until the device is powered on.
How to Hard Reset Kindle Fire
If you want to hard reset Kindle Fire, then you must have observed that your Kindle Fire tablet is malfunctioning and you have already done a soft reset without any improvement, then you may try to hard reset Kindle Fire. As expected, you should have backed up your data on the Kindle fire before contemplating the Hard Reset. This approach, of course, prevents the loss of important data. In addition, before carrying out a hard reset of your Kindle Fire, make sure that it is up to 30% of battery capacity still available. The steps to hard reset Kindle Fire are listed below:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen and then tap the Settings tab on the screen.
- Tap on Device Options. In the case of the First or 2nd generation Kindle Fire, you have to tap on the More icon before the Device option becomes visible for you to tap it.
- Next, tap Reset to Factory Defaults.
- A notification then pops up to confirm that you intend to hard reset your Kindle Fire. Tap the Reset option to confirm your choice.
How to Hard Reset Kindle Fire Without Password
If you have forgotten your password, of course, you won’t be able to access the Settings on the device. It is however still possible to hard reset Kindle Fire even under such circumstances. The following steps will help you to hard reset Kindle Fire without accessing the Settings menu of the device.
- Press and hold the power button until you see the Power OFF prompt on the screen. Tap Ok to power off the device.
- After the device is powered off, then simultaneously press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons until the Amazon logo appears on your screen. You may also try the Power and Volume Up buttons if the first combination does not work.
- Wait a few seconds for the Amazon logo to disappear. You will then see Amazon System Recovery Screen on your device.
- Next, use the volume down button to select wipe data and factory reset option and then press the Power button to choose this option.
- On the next screen, use the volume down button to choose the Yes — delete all user data option and then press the power button to start the process of hard reset your Kindle Fire.