Overview
This article will show you what to do when your Fire TV stick says it is Optimizing System Storage.
Some online guides assure you that the fix would only take ten minutes tops. Ten minutes later, your Fire TV stick is still stuck with the Optimizing System Storage. Many people are left scratching their heads with no viable solutions.
After getting stuck, your Fire TV stick is still malfunctioning. As a result, you cannot watch your favorite TV shows and movies. Streaming is not possible. Opening your Fire TV stick’s home screen becomes a challenging process.
The primary solution found online has a blurry way of addressing the problem. It tells you to attach an OEM power cord. Afterward, you have to plug in a different adapter. They will advise you to get the original Amazon adapter and avoid the touching power strip. Whatever it is, it still does not immediately solve the problem.
Here at ReviewVPN, we are simulating some Fire TV stick malfunctions. We want to give you the best solutions we can put together. In this article, we will discuss some solutions if your Fire TV stick shows the “Optimizing System Storage” screen message.
Why does your Fire TV stick Get Stuck with Optimizing System Storage?
Quick Navigation
Before we proceed in giving you solutions, we will first discuss some reasons why your Fire TV stick gets stuck with the Optimizing System Storage screen message.
Full Device Storage
The Fire TV stick has a natural storage capacity of 8 GB. This is enough to install many applications. However, some installation files can remain inside your Fire TV stick. Some apps that you are not using can take up enough space. It will cause your Fire TV stick to try and optimize its system storage.
Solutions:
Empty your Downloader app’s file storage
1. Scroll to your Downloader app.
2. Click on the Files section.
3. Choose any app installer you want to remove.
4. Click on your Remote’s Menu button.
5. Select Delete from the prompt.
6. Any apps APK installer will be deleted from your Fire TV stick.
Clear an App’s cache
1. Go to your Fire TV stick’s Settings tab.
2. Select the Applications window.
3. Click on Managed Installed Applications.
4. Choose an app for cache clearing.
5. Use the middle button of your remote’s scroll button group.
6. Select Clear Cache from the list of options.
Clear up the cache of your Amazon App store
1. Open your Fire TV stick’s home screen.
2. Select the Settings tab.
3. Click on the Applications tab.
4. Choose Managed Installed Applications.
5. Scroll down to the Appstore’s official icon.
6. Press the middle button of your remote’s scroll button group.
7. Scroll towards the Clear cache option.
8. Your Appstore’s cache will be cleared with your latest input.
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Perform a Factory Reset
1. Open your Fire TV stick’s home screen.
2. Select the Settings tab.
3. Choose the My Fire TV section.
4. Scroll down towards the Reset to Factory Defaults option.
YOUR INTERNET ACTIVITY IS BEING WATCHED
ReviewVPN cannot attest to the legality, security and privacy of the applications discussed on this site. It is highly recommended that you use a VPN service while streaming or using Kodi.
Currently, your IP 3.239.87.20 is visible to everyone and your Browser is being tracked by Advertisers & ISP Provider.
Here are the main reasons why you must use a VPN:
- Your activities are hidden from your ISP, the government, and from the apps you are using.
- You can access additional movies and TV streams.
- ISP attempts to throttle are thrwarted thus reducing buffering issues.
- Geographically restricted content like Netflix and Hulu can be unblocked.
A VPN works be replacing your ISP-assigned IP address and creating an encrypted tunnel. We recommend the no log service offered by IPVanish. It works well on a Firestick and offers the fastest possible speeds.
Uninstall Applications that you are not Using
1. Go to your Fire TV stick’s Settings tab.
2. Select the Applications window.
3. Check your Fire TV stick’s storage consumption at the right pane.
4. Tap on Managed Installed Applications.
5. Select any app you are not using.
6. Use the middle button of your remote’s scroll button group.
7. Scroll down and press on the Uninstall option.
8. Apps will be removed from your Fire TV stick.
Install an app for cleaning your Fire TV stick’s storage.
Using a Different Power Cable
Upon purchase, your Fire TV stick comes with its original power cable. It is a USB power cord that has an end that can be plugged into an electrical outlet. Some people lose or misplace their original USB Power Cord. They will then replace it with another one. Sometimes their replacement will not sufficiently power the Fire TV stick.
Solution:
Purchase another OEM Power Cable
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. If you purchase the original Fire TV stick power cable, it will ensure that your Fire TV stick receives the proper amount of power to function properly. Chances that your Fire TV stick will end up optimizing its storage will decrease.
Malfunctioning HDMI Cable
The Fire TV stick has a short HDMI Cable. It has both female and male ends for attaching your Fire TV stick to your TV set. The only disadvantage is its short length, although it can be an advantage in plugging your Fire TV stick into your TV monitor. There are instances where the HDMI Cable receives damage or gets loose to properly function.
Solution:
Buy a new HDMI Cable
The Fire TV stick already has its HDMI cable. Suppose you want to replace a malfunctioning one, the HDMI cable to buy should be compatible with HDMI 2.0/4K ports.
Using an HDMI Splitter
There are some cases where people choose to attach an HDMI Splitter to their Fire TV stick set up. They know the hardships of not having enough HDMI ports on their TV monitors. HDMI Splitters can increase your connection possibilities. However, some HDMI Splitters can cause the Fire TV stick to get stuck.
Solution:
Attach your Fire TV stick to a direct HDMI port of your TV Monitor
The Fire TV stick will freeze or malfunction if not enough A/V signals are not passing through. This can be caused by an overcrowded HDMI splitter. You should detach your Fire TV stick to your HDMI splitter and attach it directly to one of your TV monitor’s HDMI ports.
Insufficient Power Input
An insufficient Power Input can also cause your Fire TV to stick to freeze. This can be caused by loose power cables, attaching different power adapters, or physical damages to the cords. It can also happen when your Fire TV stick power cable gets loose.
Solution:
Directly Attach your Fire TV stick to an Electrical Outlet
Power strips are typical sources of power for Fire TV stick users. Similar to other devices, your power strip can be overcrowded with many devices requiring power. The solution is to directly attach your Fire TV stick’s USB power cord and adapter to an electrical outlet.
Using another Power Adapter
The Fire TV stick package is complete with a USB Power Cable, HDMI cord, and an original Power Adapter. There are cases where people attach another power adapter to their Fire TV sticks. They also mistake the Fire TV stick’s adapter for another one. Attaching the wrong power adapter will cause an insufficient supply of power to your Fire TV stick.
Solution:
Purchase a Power Adapter with 1 amp (1A = 5V) Power Output
The only solution is to purchase the original power adapter similar to the Fire TV stick. Your Fire TV stick has a USB Power charger with a power output of 1 amp (5 volts). Any alternative charger with the same similar output (5V = 1A) can power your Fire TV stick.
Not Using a Power Adapter
Not using any power adapter is one of the common reasons why the Fire TV stick gets stuck. Some people directly attach the USB Power cord to the USB ports of their TV monitors. As a result, the Fire TV stick receives an insufficient supply of power. It could lead to freezing, malfunctions, and not opening up.
Solution:
Plug your Fire TV stick into an Electrical Socket
If you’ve mistakenly attached your Fire TV stick USB Power cord to your TV monitor, the damage is not too permanent. Your TV monitor may not overcharge your Fire TV stick with insufficient power. The best course of action is to directly plug your Fire TV stick’s charger into a power socket.
Malicious Apps
In the past few years, experts found out that the Amazon Fire TV stick is vulnerable to online threats. These cyber-threats infiltrate your Fire TV stick via the installation of malicious software. Primary culprits are crypto-mining malware that infects your device with malware or virus. It will then use your device for crypto-mining purposes. We warn you to be cautious when downloading apps from the internet.
Solutions:
- Scan your Fire TV stick with an anti-malware application.
- Uninstall recent apps with malicious intent.
- Get a powerful VPN like Surfshark to act as an online vanguard against modern threats.
Install Surfshark on Firestick
Protect your Fire TV Stick with a VPN
The Amazon Fire TV stick is an excellent gadget for online streaming. However, it is still vulnerable to cyber threats like malware and viruses.
As a result, your Fire TV stick will appear to have full storage. It can also cause your Fire TV stick to freeze or malfunction.
To protect your Fire TV stick, we recommend the VPN known as Surfshark. It can act as your vanguard against the latest cyber threats. The VPN also improves your streaming speeds.
Surfshark is the best for your Fire TV stick’s safety. The VPN offers you several advantages:
- Allows you to access geo-blocks.
- Enhances your streaming experience.
- Increases your internet speeds.
- Conceals your internet traffic.
- No more disturbances while streaming online content.
How to Install Surfshark VPN on Firestick
If your Firestick still has the older interface, read this article to learn how to update it: Update Firestick Interface.
You can download Surfshark directly from the Amazon App store. It will be easy for you to find Surfshark with your Firestick’s Find feature. Refer to our screenshots below.
1. Go to the Home screen of your Firestick.
2. Navigate towards the Find tab. Press the Search button from the resulting dropdown.
3. Type in the keyword of SurfShark and select from the suggestions that will appear.
4. Click the official SurfShark icon from your search results.
5. Press the Download (You own it) button.
6. The SurfShark VPN installer will download on your device.
7. SurfShark VPN’s app will automatically install itself on your Fire TV stick.
8. Press the Open button after completing SurfShark VPN’s installation process.
9. Please wait for the SurfShark VPN to load its user interface.
10. You can now log in with your SurfShark VPN account credentials.
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Install Surfshark on Firestick
Alternative Solutions
Purchase a new Fire TV stick
If you are one of the people that performed some mistakes with your Fire TV stick, there are instances where the damage is irreversible. The best solution is to replace your old device with a new Fire TV stick.
Conclusion
The Fire TV stick is a great invention for streaming online media content. Your Fire TV stick will display the Optimizing System Storage if it detects it to be full. Other possible causes are cyber threats and physical damage to your hardware.
We hope this article helps with fixing your Fire TV stick getting stuck with the Optimizing System Storage screen.