If you are locked out of an Amazon Fire tablet, the first step is to work out which password is blocking you. For a forgotten lock-screen PIN or password, Amazon’s official route lets you reset the credential from the lock screen by entering your Amazon account password, provided the tablet is connected to the internet. If that reset option does not appear, or the lock is a parental-controls restriction, the fallback is a factory reset. A factory reset erases downloaded content and removes the tablet from your Amazon account.
Work out which password is locking you out
Fire tablets use two separate credentials. The lock-screen PIN or password is requested when the tablet wakes. The parental-controls password is set separately and guards restricted apps, content and settings. Amazon states that the two are different, so the lock-screen reset flow should not be assumed to clear the parental-controls password.
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- Lock-screen prompt: you see a PIN or password entry screen when you wake the tablet. Start with the reset route below.
- Parental-controls prompt: an app, content item or setting is blocked and asks for a parental-controls PIN. Go straight to the parental-controls section.
Reset a forgotten lock-screen PIN or password
Amazon’s Customer Service page titled Reset Lock Screen Password or PIN on Your Fire Tablet documents this route. The tablet must be connected to the internet for the reset to work. Amazon’s instructions for this route, current as of October 2026, are:
- At the lock screen, enter the wrong password or PIN five times.
- Select Reset Your PIN from the notification that appears.
- Enter the password for the Amazon account registered to the tablet.
- Set a new PIN or password.
If the reset option does not appear, the tablet cannot get online, or you do not know the Amazon account password, this route is not available to you. Move to the factory reset section below.
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When the reset option is unavailable: factory reset
A factory reset returns the tablet to its factory settings and deregisters it from the Amazon account. Review the consequences in the section below before you start.
Factory reset from Settings (when Settings can be opened)
- Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Settings.
- Choose Device Options.
- Choose Reset to Factory Defaults and confirm.
If the tablet has expandable storage such as a microSD card, safely eject it before resetting.
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Factory reset from Recovery Mode (when Settings is inaccessible or the tablet freezes)
- Turn the tablet off completely.
- Hold the power button and the volume down button together. This is the combination Amazon describes for most devices. Button combinations vary by model, so confirm the instructions for your exact model before pressing anything.
- Use the volume buttons to move to Wipe data/factory reset.
- Press the power button to confirm.
Forgotten parental-controls password
Amazon says that a forgotten parental-controls password requires a factory reset to restore full access. The lock-screen reset described above does not replace this step. Follow the factory reset steps for your situation, and expect the consequences described below.
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- Downloaded content on the tablet, including in-app purchases, is erased.
- The tablet is deregisters from your Amazon account and must be registered again before it can be used.
Amazon’s instructions describe what happens on the device. Do not expect anything downloaded to the tablet to survive the reset.
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- Like-New Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet is refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new and comes with the same limited warranty as a new device. Like-New Amazon devices may be packaged in generic Amazon-branded boxes.
- Fire HD 8 offers an 8" HD display for seamless streaming and gaming, coupled with a 5MP rear facing camera for photos—with a thin, light, durable design.
- Responsive with all day battery life - Includes 3GB RAM (50% more than 2022 release), 32GB of storage, and up to 1 TB of expandable storage (sold separately). Up to 13 hours of reading, browsing the web, watching videos, gaming, and listening to music at home and on-the-go.
- Save time, get creative - Enjoy three smart tools to help you send polished emails, quickly summarize webpages, and create unique wallpapers.
- Stream or download your favorite shows, movies, and games (like Minecraft, Roblox, and more). Enjoy your favorite content from Facebook, Hulu, Instagram, TikTok, and more through Amazon’s Appstore (Google Play not supported. Subscription for some apps required).
Choosing the right route
| Route | When it fits | What you need | Main consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reset from the lock screen | You forgot the lock-screen PIN or password and the reset prompt appears | An internet connection and the Amazon account password | Sets a new lock-screen credential. Amazon does not describe this route as a factory reset. |
| Factory reset from Settings | The reset prompt is unavailable and Settings can be opened | Access to Quick Settings and Settings | Factory-reset consequences apply |
| Factory reset from Recovery Mode | Settings cannot be opened or the tablet freezes | The button combination for your exact model | Factory-reset consequences apply |
| Parental-controls recovery | You forgot the parental-controls password | A factory reset | Factory-reset consequences apply |
After you regain access
After a factory reset, register the tablet with your Amazon account again and follow the setup screens to use it.
If you cannot meet the Amazon account requirement
The documented lock-screen route depends on the Amazon account password. If you do not know it, Amazon’s official instructions do not describe a way around that requirement. Recover the account through Amazon’s account recovery pages or official device support. No official source guarantees a particular outcome. No third-party unlock tool is needed for any documented step, and this article does not recommend one.
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