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Firestick Tech Issue

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https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/2040070025

March 25, 2026, 07:10 AM
Powers77
Firestick Tech Issue
I've been using a Firestick to stream Hulu and Netflix since 2023 with good results until recently.
About 9 months ago while on Hulu the audio will go garbled. Turning the TV off/on would fix it but is a PITA.
For about the last month it has started freezing video while the audio plays fine. Seems even harder to "reset".
I have tried a new Firestick and updating the software. A couple of days ago Hulu sent an update and it might be a little better.
This seems to be a Hulu/Firestick issue so I was wondering if anyone using a similar set up is having the same issue?
I say this because my other TV runs an ONN Stick and I don't have the same issue and Netflix doesn't seem to have the same issue on the Firestick TV.
I was ready to buy an new TV, thinking that was the issue but using logic, I'm not sure the TV is the issue. Thus my question about others using a similar setup.
March 25, 2026, 09:51 PM
HRK
We use firesticks to stream, depending on the app there can be issues, most of which I think it's the ISP throttling us, and I pay for a Gig of service so we should never see any throttling.

Firesticks don't have a ton of ram and can get a bit flaky but they provide a consistent operating methodology that keeps me from having to retrain the wife..

You can go into the settings and clear the cache for the stick, and/or each app, go into settings, applications, bring up the app and go to clear cache....

See if that helps, resetting the stick doesn't clear the cache, because that would be smart programming...
March 26, 2026, 12:17 AM
PASig
Try changing the HDMI port it’s plugged into to see if it resolves itself.

Also, how hot is it getting? My FIL had a Roku stick that was plugged in a port that was in a tight spot and it was getting extremely hot and acting up. The fix was to add a short HDMI extender to it so it hung in air and therefore was cooled much better and the issue went away.


March 26, 2026, 06:28 AM
Powers77
quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
We use firesticks to stream, depending on the app there can be issues, most of which I think it's the ISP throttling us, and I pay for a Gig of service so we should never see any throttling.

Firesticks don't have a ton of ram and can get a bit flaky but they provide a consistent operating methodology that keeps me from having to retrain the wife..

You can go into the settings and clear the cache for the stick, and/or each app, go into settings, applications, bring up the app and go to clear cache....

See if that helps, resetting the stick doesn't clear the cache, because that would be smart programming...

Thanks, will give this a go.
March 26, 2026, 06:32 AM
Powers77
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
Try changing the HDMI port it’s plugged into to see if it resolves itself.

Also, how hot is it getting? My FIL had a Roku stick that was plugged in a port that was in a tight spot and it was getting extremely hot and acting up. The fix was to add a short HDMI extender to it so it hung in air and therefore was cooled much better and the issue went away.


I recently moved the HDMI port and that did not seem to have any impact. I've also unplugged it both from the electrical outlet and the TV end several times and have not noted any heat issues.
We do have the extender that came with it so I'll try adding that to see if it has any impact.
Thanks for the respose.
March 26, 2026, 11:14 AM
gpbst3
I am having the exact same issue.

We have T-Mobile internet and a Firestick HD. It is mostly isolated to our living room TV. It occasionally does it for the bedroom TV but not nearly as bad. It is also 95% Hulu specific problem as Netflix and Disney+ seem to work fine.

I tried the basic trouble shooting of uninstalling the Hulu app, cleared the data/cache. I even did a factory reset. I called Hulu and they said everything looks fine from their end.

Im not sure if its a Tmobile throttling issue and I should probably call them.

I did order a new Firestick 4K which Amazon had one sale for $25. Maybe the Firestick is just buggy, who knows. I did look into the Onn box but right now my 3 yr old can work the Firestick so I hate to change.

I also noticed that Live TV like the local new is out of sync and there is a half second delay between audio and video.


March 26, 2026, 12:02 PM
HRK
quote:
I also noticed that Live TV like the local new is out of sync and there is a half second delay between audio and video.



Found that to be a "normal" situation from time to time by way of streaming, be it Hulu, Netflix, Prime, et al...
March 26, 2026, 01:17 PM
PASig
Could also try a Roku stick.

I have zero issues with my sticks and Roku TV's

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
quote:
I also noticed that Live TV like the local new is out of sync and there is a half second delay between audio and video.



Found that to be a "normal" situation from time to time by way of streaming, be it Hulu, Netflix, Prime, et al...


Have never had this problem with Roku...


March 31, 2026, 10:28 AM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by Powers77:

We do have the extender that came with it so I'll try adding that to see if it has any impact.



Did you try this yet to see if that was the issue?


March 31, 2026, 12:28 PM
HRK
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
Could also try a Roku stick.

I have zero issues with my sticks and Roku TV's

quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
quote:
I also noticed that Live TV like the local new is out of sync and there is a half second delay between audio and video.



Found that to be a "normal" situation from time to time by way of streaming, be it Hulu, Netflix, Prime, et al...


Have never had this problem with Roku...


Have a ROKU tv, it does well, and yes the Amazon Fire Sticks are somewhat under memory powered but they are consistent across all TV's.

Problem with the ROKU is you can't jailbreak it and they run a proprietary operating system, as long as you live with whatever they tell you is ok they area great. If you want to sideload non approved apps, you cannot.

I can do that on FireSticks easily with just a menu selection, the goal will be to obtain an Android 8K 32GB or higher box and load the applications we use, it will just require me to spend time teaching the wife all over...
April 01, 2026, 12:56 PM
Powers77
quote:
Originally posted by PASig:
quote:
Originally posted by Powers77:

We do have the extender that came with it so I'll try adding that to see if it has any impact.



Did you try this yet to see if that was the issue?


Sorry, had company in and was tied up for a week.
I have now tried using the extender and it has NOT improved the problem.
Going to try the ONN stick next.
April 01, 2026, 03:50 PM
TigerDore
Me use 'em firestick to hunt buffalo and make war on white man.



.

Sorry- this being a gun a forum, my mind went straight there when I saw the title.


.
April 02, 2026, 12:15 PM
gpbst3
I changed to the new 4k Firestick and the video delay issue has been resolved.

I still have the slight audio/visual delay on live tv news.


April 02, 2026, 01:49 PM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by Powers77:

Sorry, had company in and was tied up for a week.
I have now tried using the extender and it has NOT improved the problem.
Going to try the ONN stick next.



So now try it on another TV

It may be the TV that has the issue and not the stick


April 02, 2026, 02:53 PM
Powers77
quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
We use firesticks to stream, depending on the app there can be issues, most of which I think it's the ISP throttling us, and I pay for a Gig of service so we should never see any throttling.

Firesticks don't have a ton of ram and can get a bit flaky but they provide a consistent operating methodology that keeps me from having to retrain the wife..

You can go into the settings and clear the cache for the stick, and/or each app, go into settings, applications, bring up the app and go to clear cache....

See if that helps, resetting the stick doesn't clear the cache, because that would be smart programming...


HRK Thank you. I think this may have solved the problem. When I initially saw you post I thought that we had done this and I had started a new stick and thought that would have cleared it as well.
So, today I go to Walmart and pick up an ONN stick. Get to talking to the sales guy there and he tells me he's done a fair amount of research on the subject and its likely the cache. Tell him I'm going to try clearing it again before launching the ONN. He said its a good idea to make the clearing of the cache a very regular thing as that is what freezes up the Firesticks.
Thanks again HRK.
Again, I think it has worked.