Fire TV won’t install apps? How to get downloads moving
⚡ Fast fix
- Try another app. If one download fails but others work, the problem may be with that app.
- Check your storage. Fire TV™ needs enough free space to download and install apps.
- Restart before digging deeper. A reboot can clear a download that's gotten stuck.
- Still watching that download go nowhere? Get 24/7 expert support for the tech you rely on.
Downloading an app on Fire TV™ should be the easy part: find it, select it, and start watching. So when Download does nothing—or an app gets stuck halfway there—it's frustrating to have movie night held up before you've even picked a movie.
At Asurion, we have the know-how to help people sort out the everyday tech problems that interrupt moments like these. Here's how we'd get Fire TV downloads moving again without changing a bunch of settings that weren't causing the problem.
See whether other apps will download
Before troubleshooting the entire Fire TV, try downloading a different free app from the Amazon Appstore.
If that works, we'd leave the Fire TV settings alone for now. The original app may be temporarily unavailable, incompatible with your device, or having a problem on the developer's end.
When nothing will download, that's when we'd start looking at the Fire TV itself.
Check how much storage you have
Apps need room to download, unpack, and install, so a Fire TV that's nearly full can refuse a new app even when it looks like there should be just enough space. Open Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > About > Storage.
If you're running low, remove apps you don't use or clear cache from larger streaming apps before trying the download again. Our guide to freeing up storage on Fire TV walks through the cleanup if you need more room.
Restart Fire TV
If storage looks fine but downloads won't start, give the Fire TV a fresh start before doing anything more disruptive.
Go to Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > Restart. You can also unplug the Fire TV for about 60 seconds, reconnect it, and wait for the home screen to fully load before trying the app again.
Check whether Wi-Fi is the real problem
A download that starts and then stalls gives us a different clue than one that never starts at all. If apps also buffer, thumbnails load slowly, or other streaming services struggle to open, we'd take a closer look at the connection.
Try streaming something you already have installed. If that struggles too, restart the router and let Fire TV reconnect before retrying the download. If staying online is the bigger issue, our guide to fixing a Fire TV Stick that won't connect to Wi-Fi covers the next connection checks.
Make sure Fire TV is up to date
If downloads still won't cooperate, check for Fire OS updates under Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > About > Check for Updates.
Install anything available, then try the app again once the update finishes. If Fire TV itself refuses to update, our guide to fixing a failed Fire TV update can help with that problem first.
Check your Amazon account
If the Appstore opens normally but downloads refuse to start, make sure the Fire TV is registered to the Amazon account you expect.
This is especially worth checking after changing accounts, resetting the device, or setting up a Fire TV that someone else previously used. Account settings, purchase restrictions, or parental controls can prevent certain apps from downloading even when the device itself is working normally.
Clear the Appstore cache
When browsing works but the Download button seems stuck, the Appstore's temporary data may be the part that's misbehaving. Open Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications, find the Amazon Appstore if it's listed on your model, and select Clear Cache. Restart the Fire TV afterward and try the download again.
We'd start with Clear Cache, not Clear Data, because clearing data can reset app information and require additional setup.
Save a factory reset for a bigger problem
We wouldn't factory reset a Fire TV because one app refuses to download. If streaming works, other apps install normally, and the device otherwise behaves itself, wiping everything is unlikely to be worth it.
If no apps will download after you've checked storage, Wi-Fi, updates, and your Amazon account, a reset becomes more reasonable. Open Settings > My Fire TV (or Device & Software) > Reset to Factory Defaults and follow the prompts.
You'll need to set up the Fire TV and sign back into your apps afterward, so have those passwords handy before you start.
Still need help?
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FAQ
Why won't my Fire TV download apps?
Low storage, an unstable internet connection, outdated Fire TV software, or an Amazon account issue can prevent downloads.
Why is my Fire TV app stuck on downloading?
If the download starts but doesn't finish, check Wi-Fi and available storage first, then restart the Fire TV and try again.
Why can I download some Fire TV apps but not others?
The problem may be specific to that app. It could be unavailable, incompatible with your Fire TV model, or restricted by your account settings.
Does Fire TV need free storage to install an app?
Yes. An app needs enough room to download and install, so freeing up storage can solve downloads that won't start or finish.
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