Fire Stick Hacks Every thing you need to know about Fire Stick Hacks, Tips and Tricks
This is the step-by-step guide on Mistakes Firestick Users Make Unintentionally.
Firestick is such a device that provides a massive range of streaming services. It is more important to get the most out of it by using its features properly.
I have been using the Firestick device for a while and I have faced some issues for which device is not to be blamed. It is due to some mistakes that I have learned in these years.
Here in this guide, I’m going to mention these mistakes that most Firestick users are uncertain to know. I have learned from these mistakes over the year that I don’t want you to repeat.
Mistakes Firestick Users Make Unintentionally
Here are some common mistakes that you may have noticed already but for sure there are some that you haven’t known yet. To avoid those mistakes keep up with this guide till the end.
1. Creating an Amazon Account during the Firestick Setup
This is the most common thing that users do when they are setting up the Firestick device for the first time. Firestick device will ask you to Sign-In with two options.
- I already have an Amazon account
- I am new to Amazon
Mostly new users choose the 2nd option cause they are the new user. “That’s the Mistake”. You don’t have to create an account while setting up because it will ask you for your payment methods and credential afterward it will not allow you to install any app from the store whether it is free.
So How to Sign-In if don’t have an Amazon account already? The solution is that you can first create an Amazon account by using a PC or Mobile browser by visiting Amazon’s official website. Just make sure to provide the valid billing address and you must enable the 1-click purchase option.
Follow these simple steps.
- Go to Amazon.com and create a new account
- Provide your billing address at https://www.amazon.com/a/addresses?
- Enable Default 1-Click at https://www.amazon.com/cpe/manageoneclick?
2. Default Privacy Setting
Privacy Policy or Privacy Setting is one thing that most users never read or take concerned about. They just keep it just the way they are. Default Privacy Settings are always in the favor of the producer of the device or App.
The default privacy setting of the Firestick device allows the company to:
- Collect Device Usage Data
- Collect App Usage Data
- Conduct Data Monitoring
Most users are unaware that they are continuously been monitored, whether it is their streaming activity, their browsing history, or other online activity including payment methods.
To avoid these sneaky activities of the device you can change your privacy setting from the setting options of the Firestick Device.
Follow the steps below to change your default privacy setting.
Step 1. Select Settings from the FireStick home screen.
Step 2. Click Preferences
Step 3. Click Privacy Settings.
Step 4. Disable or turn off the following:
- Device Usage Data
- Collect App Usage Data
Step 5. Now, press the back button one time and go back to Preferences and click Data Monitoring.
Step 6. Turn off Data Monitoring on the following window.
You are now secure and free from monitoring.
3. Forget to Deregistration of your Firestick Device
This is a mistake that affects your pocket. If you have lost your previously Firestick device and you have a prime Amazon account on it and you haven’t deregistered it then you might be in trouble.
A Prime Amazon Account that you use in your Firestick device to pay for services and apps, does not ask for a payment method again and again.
So if your device with a Prime Amazon account has been lost and anyone found it, he can download any app or purchase any service from it and payment will be charged from your credit card.
To deregister your lost Firestick Device, these are the steps to follow:
- Go to your Amazon account options at https://www.amazon.com/your-account
- Sign in with your Amazon username and password (the same account you used on the lost FireStick device)
- Under Digital content and devices click the option Manage content and devices
- Click the Devices tab on the top (or you can directly go to https://www.amazon.com/hz/mycd/myx#/home/devices/)
- Select your FireStick from the list
- Click Deregister
Now your account has been safely deregistered no charges will be detected from your credit card.
4. Keeping Your TV/Firestick Far from the Router
If you’re facing the buffering issue or lagging what could be the problem. The first thing first you should check in this situation is the strength of your Wi-Fi Signals because as good as the strength of the signals will be as good you will experience buffer-free Streaming.
Firestick has the option to check the strength of the connected Wi-Fi signal in its setting.
To check the strength of the Wi-Fi signals, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Go to the Settings on your FireStick from the home screen.
Step 2. Click Network.
Step 3. Select your Wi-Fi connection. You could see the Signal Strength on the right
If you notice that signal strength is not very good or good, then try to reduce the distance between the Firestick and Wi-Fi Router.
5. Forget to Clear the Cache
The Cache is the hidden space that every app occupies in the device storage memory. You all are very much familiar with the limited storage of the Firestick Device.
Although the cache memory is in bits or Kbs, many apps’ cache collection makes a big significant memory that definitely affects the storage memory and causes many issues like slowing device, lagging, buffering, delay in the process, and many more.
However, there is no way to clear all the app’s cache at a time, you have to clear each app cache one by one.
Follow the steps below to clear the cache on your device:
Step 1. Go to FireStick Settings from the home screen.
Step 2. Click Applications.
Step 3. Choose Manage Installed Applications.
Step 4. Click the app for which you want to delete the cache.
Step 5. Click Clear cache.
You can repeat these steps for the cache of every app you want to clear.
6. Not Resetting the Firestick Device
When you are using the Firestick device for a long time. It is obvious that your device will start lagging or you will experience buffering while streaming or the device is taking a long time in operating.
It is due to the collection of so many apps on your device and their data collected and stored on your device memory that aforementioned the collection of cache data.
It is sometimes necessary to reset your Firestick device to make it as new as you bought it at first.
Following are the steps to Reset your Firestick device.
Step 1: Open Firestick Home
Step 2: Click on the Settings icon
Step 3: Select My Fire TV
Step 3:Â Select the option Reset to Factory Defaults
Step 4: Select Reset and the below screen will appear while the FireStick TV resets.
Step 5:Â The TV will now reboot; the following screen will appear.
Step 6: You will now be required to connect to WiFi. Do that. This Login screen will appear after that.
You have successfully reset your FireTV device.
You can also reset the Firestick device by using the Firestick Remote.
Press the Right Button on the round navigation key, and the Going Back button together. Press them together for almost 10 seconds or more.
The device will start to reset automatically then.
7. Not Connecting the VPN while Streaming through Apps or Browser
This is a mistake that is related to the privacy issue. Internet is a big ocean where you can surf anywhere to find anything. But there are some restrictions that are applied by the Government and ISP providers. They are always tracking your IP and keeping an eye on your activity.
When you use any free streaming website, restricted website, unregistered streaming Apps, Unofficial streaming Apps, low-cost Apps, and those shows or Live TV Channels that are not accessible in your country then it is strictly advised that you use a VPN on your FireStick device.
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To avail of this offer all you have to do is install and use ExpressVPN on FireStick device before streaming anything free or paid.
8. Not Disconnecting the VPN for Shutting Down the Firestick
This is not to be called a mistake but it is a little hack, whenever you will not disconnect the VPN before shutting down the Firestick device most of the VPNs on Firestick automatically connect when you restart the device to the same server that you left with.
Some users find it helpful not to reconnect VPN again and again, or not to worry about connecting the VPN on restarting.
But there is a small problem with the Firestick device whenever you will you restart the device with the VPN connected to it, Firestick will mess up with the Time and Dates.
For suppose, if you notice that Firestick time and date 2 days older or suddenly outdated then you should check for it.
9. Not Enabling the Parental Control
It is a feature that is available in the Firestick Setting that defines by its Name. It is mainly for the parents to stop their children from downloading apps, purchasing, and accessing restricted content or prevent other guest users as well.
Amazon Prime Account offers to Pin protect App Purchase, App Launch, and viewing restrictions to certain types of video content.
Categories of Amazon Prime Content using Parental Content:
- General (Suitable for all ages): Unrestricted/enabled by default
- Family (Suitable for ages 7+): Unrestricted/enabled by default
- Teen (13+): Restricted/PIN-protected
- Young Adults (16+): Restricted/PIN-protected
- Mature (18+): Restricted/PIN-protected
To enable the parental control feature and set up the Pin-code, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Go to FireStick Settings.
Step 2. Click Preferences.
Step 3. Click Parental Controls.
Step 4. Click Parental Controls again.
Step 5. Enter a 5-digit PIN.
Step 6. Re-enter the PIN.
Step 7. You will see this prompt when the PIN has been successfully set up. Click OK.
Wrapping up
These are the most common and basic mistakes that most users including me make more often. These mistakes may look smaller but cause a bigger effect on your streaming experience.
Slowing the device speed, Lagging, buffering, delay in ap launching, time and dates issues, privacy issues, Low-Memory storage, Misuse of your prime account, parental control, and all such issues may cause serious problems and disturbance in your streaming.
Follow the guide and avoid repeating these mistakes to enjoy the most out of the Firestick device and hassle-free streaming.
