Troubleshooting
Low Storage on a Streaming Device? How to Free Up Space Safely
Running out of storage on a Fire TV Stick, Android TV box or smart TV causes crashes and failed updates. How to check space and what is safe to remove.
When a streaming app freezes, crashes or behaves oddly, clearing its cache is one of the most effective and least disruptive fixes. The cache holds temporary files — images, partial downloads, saved responses — that help the app load faster. Over time those files can become corrupt or outdated, and the app trips over them. This guide explains what clearing the cache does and how to do it on each major platform.
Cache vs data: an important difference
| Option | What it removes | What you keep |
|---|---|---|
| Clear cache | Temporary files | Login, settings, downloads |
| Clear data / storage | Everything the app has stored | Nothing — the app resets to a fresh install |
Always try Clear cache first. Use Clear data only if the cache does not help, and be ready to sign in again and reconfigure settings.
Fire TV and Fire TV Stick
- Go to Settings › Applications › Manage Installed Applications.
- Select the app.
- Choose Force stop, then Clear cache.
- Reopen the app.
If problems continue, return to the same screen and choose Clear data.
Android TV and Google TV
- Open Settings › Apps (you may need to select See all apps).
- Select the app.
- Choose Force stop, then Clear cache.
Some manufacturers place this under Storage within the app’s settings.
Samsung smart TVs
Samsung’s Tizen platform does not offer per-app cache clearing on every model. Options include:
- Device Care on many recent models, which can clear app memory and caches and show storage usage.
- Removing and reinstalling the app from the Apps panel, which clears all of its data.
- A full restart (unplugging for a minute), which clears temporary memory.
LG smart TVs
LG’s webOS does not generally offer a per-app clear-cache button. The reliable options are:
- Fully restarting the TV.
- Deleting and reinstalling the app, which clears its stored data.
Exact options vary by webOS version.
Android phones and tablets
- Go to Settings › Apps and select the app.
- Open Storage (or Storage & cache).
- Tap Clear cache.
iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
Apple devices do not expose a clear-cache button for apps. Instead:
- Offload the app (iPhone and iPad: Settings › General › iPhone Storage, select the app, Offload App), which removes the app but keeps documents and data, then reinstall it.
- Delete and reinstall the app for a full reset, which removes its data as well.
- Some apps include their own option to clear downloads or cached content in their settings.
Windows and macOS
For streaming in a browser, clear the site’s cookies and cached files from the browser’s privacy settings. Clearing data for one site is less disruptive than clearing everything. Desktop apps sometimes include a reset or clear-cache option in their settings.
When clearing the cache helps
- The app is stuck loading or crashes on launch.
- Images or menus display incorrectly.
- The app behaves oddly after an update.
- Storage is nearly full.
When it will not help
- Network problems: buffering caused by weak Wi-Fi will not change. See fixing buffering.
- Account issues such as expired subscriptions.
- Service outages.
How often should you clear the cache?
There is no need to do it routinely. Caches exist to make apps faster, and the app will rebuild them after clearing, so the first launch may be slightly slower. Clear the cache when something goes wrong, or when you need to recover storage. Freeing up storage on a streaming device covers the second case.
Common questions
Will clearing the cache delete my downloads or sign me out?
On Fire TV, Android TV and Android devices, clearing the cache usually keeps your login and downloads. Clearing data (or storage) removes everything. Apple devices do not offer a cache button; offloading keeps data, deleting does not.
How long does clearing the cache take?
A few seconds. The next time you open the app, it may take a little longer while it rebuilds its temporary files, after which it should behave normally.
Is it safe to clear the cache of system apps?
Clearing the cache of a system app is generally harmless, but clearing its data can reset system settings. If you are unsure what an app does, leave its data alone and restart the device instead.
Next steps
If clearing the cache does not fix a crashing app, update or reinstall it — see why a streaming app won’t open for the full sequence. Clearing the cache is a quick, safe first step that solves a surprising number of problems, so it is worth knowing where the button is on each of your devices.