TV apps slow or crashing: how to fix a sluggish smart TV

When one app lags or crashes, the fix is usually small. Go in this order, stopping when the app behaves.

1. Cold restart

A cold boot works like restarting a computer. Samsung gives two ways: hold the power button on the remote for about 5 seconds until the TV turns off and on, or unplug the TV for at least 30 seconds. On a Fire TV Stick, Engadget says Amazon recommends unplugging for a full minute. Test the app again.

2. Update the software and the app

Update the TV's software. TechRadar recommends checking the System or Settings menu for Check for Update or Software Update, since smart TV platforms get regular upgrades. Then update the app. On a Samsung TV, open Apps, scroll to App Settings and make sure Auto update is on. Samsung also warns that technical limits can stop an app from working on certain models, so check the app developer's page for your model.

3. Clear the cache and data

A swollen cache is a common cause of slowness.

• Samsung: Settings > All Settings > Support > Device Care > Manage Storage. Choose the app, select View Details, then Clear Cache and Clear Data. Samsung notes that the TV's storage is limited, so you may need to delete apps you do not use.
• Fire TV: Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications. You can clear one app or pick Clear all Application Caches. Expect to sign in again to your services.
• Other brands: Roku, Google TV, Apple TV, LG and Sony all differ. Check your manual for the app management or storage settings.

Samsung's Device Care menu path varies by model year, so use search in settings if you do not see it.

4. Reinstall the app

On Samsung: Apps > App Settings, then choose Reinstall for the app. If the option is missing, the app may not support reinstalling or may be unavailable for your model. Other platforms let you uninstall and reinstall from their app stores.

5. Check the network

Samsung suggests connecting the TV by Ethernet to see if the app works. If it does, the Wi-Fi is the problem. You can also try a phone hotspot or a different Wi-Fi network. If the app fails everywhere, Samsung says changing DNS settings to alternate servers sometimes helps. Their example is entering 8.8.8.8 manually under the TV's network settings. Treat this as an experiment and note your original settings first.

6. Reset the Smart Hub or the TV

Samsung's Smart Hub reset initializes downloaded apps, signs you out of every app and Samsung account, and removes apps that were not pre-installed. You must be on live TV or an HDMI input to start it. Paths from Samsung Australia:

• On 2025 models, the option sits in Support, under Device Care, inside All Settings.
• On 2022 to 2024 models it is one level deeper, under Self Diagnosis within Device Care.
• Samsung lists older paths for 2020 and 2021 models and earlier ones, so check its page for your year.

A full factory reset is the last step. Samsung says it reverts picture, sound, channel, clock and timer settings but does not change network settings. On Fire TV, Engadget gives Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to factory defaults, and warns that you will need to log in everywhere afterward.

Fire TV extras

Engadget says entry-level sticks tend to bog down first. It suggests turning off autoplay in Featured Content settings, since playing video or audio for each title you browse can slow a struggling device. Amazon says it will continue security updates for most of its current sticks through 2030, but old models eventually lose app support. Engadget notes that Netflix has said it may end support on devices made before 2015.

When to replace the device

If a restart, update, cache clear, reinstall and reset do not fix it, the device may be too old or too small. A newer streaming player can be a cheaper fix than a new TV. Our catalog includes Apple TV 4K and Google TV Streamer. Choose by platform rather than by speed alone.