Quick answer: go to Settings, then My Fire TV (or Device on some menus), then About, then Check for Updates. Most Firesticks update automatically overnight, so you rarely need to do this manually — but if an update looks stuck, your storage is full, or the stick keeps rebooting mid-update, the fixes below cover the actual causes rather than just telling you to restart it.
How to check your current Fire TV software version
Go to Settings → My Fire TV → About. This screen shows your Fire OS version and build number, which is useful if a guide or a support conversation asks for it specifically, and it is also where you will see whether Vega OS is in play — Fire OS and Vega OS report themselves differently on this screen. If you are not sure which kind of Firestick you have, our Which Firestick Should You Buy guide explains the current UK lineup.
How to manually check for updates
Go to Settings → My Fire TV → About → Check for Updates. Your Firestick needs an active internet connection to do this, and if one is available it will download and prompt you to install it. Fire TV Sticks generally install updates automatically overnight while in standby, so a manual check is really only useful when you suspect you have missed one, or after buying a second-hand device that may not have been switched on for a while.
What to do if the update is stuck
A progress bar that has not moved for over 20–30 minutes is stuck, not slow. First, leave it — do not unplug mid-install, since interrupting a write to system storage is the single most common cause of a genuinely broken update. If it is still stuck after 30 minutes with no progress at all, unplug the power (not just the HDMI), wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This forces a restart without cutting power mid-write, which is a materially safer moment to interrupt than while the progress bar is actually moving.
Insufficient storage during an update
Fire OS needs free space to stage an update before installing it, and a Firestick that is nearly full on internal storage can fail an update with a vague error rather than a clear “storage full” message. Free up space by uninstalling unused apps and clearing app cache (not app data) on your largest apps before retrying. Our dedicated Firestick storage full guide covers why storage fills up on these devices and the USB-OTG cable detail that catches most people out when adding external storage.
Reboot loops during or after an update
A stick that restarts itself repeatedly right after an update is usually still finishing a background step, and this can genuinely take several boot cycles on older hardware — give it up to 15 minutes before assuming it is broken. If it is still looping after that, a power-cycle (unplug fully, wait 30 seconds, reconnect) resolves the majority of cases. If reboots continue well beyond that, treat it as a separate fault rather than an update issue and see our wider Firestick not working after an update guide for other post-update symptoms.
Wi-Fi issues during an update
Updates are downloaded over Wi-Fi, so a weak or dropping connection can cause an update to appear to hang or fail partway through. Move the Firestick closer to your router temporarily if possible, or use a 5GHz-to-2.4GHz fallback if your router supports band-steering issues, then retry the manual update check above. A stick that cannot hold a stable connection long enough to finish downloading an update will show the same symptoms as a genuinely stuck update, so ruling out Wi-Fi first saves time.
What might change after an update
Software updates occasionally rearrange settings menus, reset some display or audio preferences to default, or change which apps appear on the home screen row. This is expected behaviour, not a fault, though it is confusing the first time it happens. If your remote stops responding specifically after an update, see our dedicated Firestick remote not working guide. If your screen goes black after an update rather than showing the new interface, see Firestick black screen fix. For a fresh start after any update-related confusion, our full IPTV setup guide covers the setup screens end to end.
Want to know about updates before they reach your device rather than only reacting when something changes? Our WhatsApp Community shares genuine Fire TV software changes as they happen, and our Firestick Latest Updates UK hub keeps a dated record of the bigger ones.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check what software version my Firestick is running?
Go to Settings, then My Fire TV, then About. Your Fire OS version and build number are shown on that screen.
Why is my Firestick update stuck on the progress bar?
Give it at least 20–30 minutes before assuming it has failed — some updates take a genuinely long time. If it has not moved at all after that, power-cycle the device rather than unplugging while the bar is actively moving.
Can insufficient storage stop an update from installing?
Yes. Fire OS needs free space to stage an update, and a nearly-full stick can fail an update with an unclear error. Free up storage and try again.
Why does my Firestick keep restarting after an update?
Some restart cycling immediately after an update is normal while it finishes a background step. If it continues well beyond 15 minutes, power-cycle the device fully rather than continuing to wait.
Want the latest Firestick updates, app changes and troubleshooting alerts? Join our Firestick UK WhatsApp Community.