The Amazon Fire TV automatically begins to download the latest software update available during its initial setup process. It does not prompt you to allow or reject the update. This poses a problem for those who want to root their Fire TV because the latest software version blocks the current method of rooting. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps you should take to ensure your Fire TV does not install a software update which blocks rooting during the initial setup.

I have written two methods you can choose from. Method 1 is the recommended method as it guarantees an unwanted update does not get installed. However, it is more technical and involves setting up domain blocks in your internet router. If that isn’t something you can do, I’ve written method 2 which involves disconnecting and reconnecting the Fire TV’s internet connection at key moments. Method 2 should work for most, but there is a tiny chance an unwanted update will automatically install, so that is why method 1 is the recommended method.

Method 1: Domain blocking with Router – Recommended Method

Before powering on the Fire TV, go into your router’s settings and block access to the following three domains:

amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net

softwareupdates.amazon.com

updates.amazon.com

If you do not know how to do this, you can refer to my guide or search the internet for instruction for your particular router.

NOTE: Do NOT block firs-ta-g7g.amazon.com as it is unnecessary for blocking updates and will cause problems during the initial setup if blocked. If you are using a wired internet connection, go ahead and plug it into the Fire TV and power it on. If you are using a wireless internet connection, power on your Fire TV and connect to your wireless network when prompted. When asked, press the play button on your Fire TV remote. As soon as you press this button, your Fire TV will check for software updates and attempt to download the latest version it finds. There will be no indication that the download failed, but it will fail assuming you blocked the domains in step 1 correctly. An unskippable welcome video will begin to play. Once it finishes, you should be on the home screen. From the home screen, scroll down to “Settings”, scroll right to “System”, and select “About”.

If your Fire TV lists 51.1.1.0_user_511070220 as the “Software Version” or if you do not want to update your Fire TV software at all, you can stop here, root your Fire TV, and block updates using the recommended method. However, if you wish to update your Fire TV software to version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220, which is the latest rootable version, continue with this guide. Unblock the domain softwareupdates.amazon.com , but keep the domain amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net blocked. This will allow the Fire TV to check for updates, but will still prevent an update from downloading. With only amzdigitaldownloads.edgesuite.net blocked by your router, scroll down and select the “Check for System Update” option.

Your Fire TV will try to download the latest software version and fail. Write down the number that appears at the bottom under “Downloading version…” before it reports an “Update error”.



If the number listed is… 511070220 : You’re lucky that your Fire TV is trying to instal the latest rootable software version, which is what we want. Proceed to step 11 in this guide.

: You’re lucky that your Fire TV is trying to instal the latest rootable software version, which is what we want. Proceed to step 11 in this guide. 510055620, 510058520, or 511069920: Your Fire TV is trying to install a software update that is rootable, but is not the latest version. You have two options… Option 1: Proceed to step 11 in this guide and install the update that you Fire TV is trying to install. When done, you will need to repeat steps 6 thru 15 since your Fire TV will likely want to install another update. At that point your Fire TV may try to install version 511070220, which is what you want, or it may try to install an unrootable version, which means you will have to do option 2 anyway.

Option 2: Install the latest rootable software update manually. Stop following this guide, follow this guide to root your Fire TV, then follow this guide to block software updates using the recommended method, then follow this guide to manually install software version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220, then re-root.

512073320 or any other version: Your Fire TV is trying to install a software update that will block rooting. You will have to manually install the latest rootable version, which is 51.1.1.0_user_511070220. Stop following this guide, follow this guide to root your Fire TV, then follow this guide to block software updates using the recommended method, then follow this guide to manually install software version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220, then re-root.

Go to your router configuration and stop blocking the domains in step 1

On the Fire TV, select the “Check for System Update” option once again. This time the Fire TV should start to download the update.



Once the download is complete, select “Install System Update”



Your Fire TV will reboot and install the update. While it installs the update, you should re-block the domains in step 1 with your router.

Your Fire TV should now be updated. If it is on version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220, you should now root the Fire TV and block updates using the recommended method. If it is on version 51.1.0.1_user_510055620, 51.1.0.2_user_510058520, or 51.1.1.0_user_511069920, then restart this guide from step 6 to get to version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220.

Method 2: Disconnecting the Internet

All steps in this guide and prompts by the Fire TV should be done immediately. Do not let your Fire TV sit ideal at any point. I suggest using a wired internet connection as it is simpler to unplug a cable then to unplug a router/modem when you want to kill the Fire TV’s internet connection. Power on your Fire TV. If you are using a wired internet connection, do not plug it in yet. Let the Fire TV find your remote. Press play on the remote when prompted. It will scan for wireless networks. At this point, connect your wired connection or select your wireless network, but be ready to kill the connection. As soon as it establishes an internet connection, the Fire TV will check for updates. The screen will change from the network screen to a “Checking for updates” screen. As soon as the screen makes this change, kill the Fire TV’s internet connection (i.e., pull the ethernet cable or turn off the modem/router) The Fire TV will stay on the “Checking for updates” screen for just over a minute. Eventually it will give up and continue. If you purchased your Fire TV directly from Amazon, it will come pre-registered, so you will now need to reconnect the Fire TV to the internet so that it can sign in. As soon as it signs in, a welcome video will start. Disconnect the Fire TV’s internet connection as soon as the video starts.

If you purchased your Fire TV from somewhere else or just factory reset your Fire TV, you will need to enter your Amazon account information. With the internet still disconnected, select register, enter your email address and password. Reconnect the Fire TV’s internet connection, wait a few seconds for it to establish a connection (there will be no indication of this happening), and then click sign in. As soon as it signs in, a welcome video will start. Disconnect the Fire TV’s internet connection as soon as the video starts. Once the unskippable welcome video finishes, you will be asked about Amazon Prime and Parental controls. Make your selections and you will be on the homescreen with a message saying “Home is Currently Unavailable” because there is no internet connection. Scroll down to “Settings”, scroll right to “System”, and select “About” to see what software version your Fire TV is on.

If your Fire TV is on… Version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220: Congrats, your Fire TV has the latest rootable version. You should stop this guide, reconnect the internet, quickly root your Fire TV, and quickly block updates using the recommended method.

Version 51.1.0.1_user_510055620, 51.1.0.2_user_510058520, or 51.1.1.0_user_511069920: Your Fire TV is rootable, but it is not on the latest rootable version, which is version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220. If you don’t want to update, then you should stop this guide, reconnect the internet, quickly root your Fire TV, and quickly block updates using the recommended method. If you do want to update, then continue to step 13.

Version 51.1.2.0_user_512073320 or any other version: Sorry, but there is no way to root your Fire TV at this time. Scroll down to “Check for System Update”, reconnect the internet, and press select.

Your Fire TV will start to download the latest software version. Write down the number that appears at the bottom under “Downloading version…”, then cancel the update and disconnect the internet.

If the number listed is… 511070220 : You’re lucky that your Fire TV is trying to instal the latest rootable software version, which is what we want. Proceed to step 16 in this guide.

: You’re lucky that your Fire TV is trying to instal the latest rootable software version, which is what we want. Proceed to step 16 in this guide. 510055620, 510058520, or 511069920: Your Fire TV is trying to install a software update that is rootable, but is not the latest version. You have two options… Option 1: Proceed to step 16 in this guide and install the update that you Fire TV is trying to install. When done, you will need to repeat steps 13 thru 19 since your Fire TV will likely want to install another update. At that point your Fire TV may try to install version 511070220, which is what you want, or it may try to install an unrootable version, which means you will have to do option 2 anyway.

Option 2: Install the latest rootable software update manually. Stop following this guide, reconnect the internet, quickly follow this guide to root your Fire TV, then quickly follow this guide to block software updates using the recommended method, then follow this guide to manually install software version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220, then re-root.

512073320 or any other version: Your Fire TV is trying to install a software update that will block rooting. You will have to manually install the latest rootable version, which is 51.1.1.0_user_511070220. Stop following this guide, reconnect the internet, quickly follow this guide to root your Fire TV, then quickly follow this guide to block software updates using the recommended method, then follow this guide to manually install software version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220, then re-root.

Reconnect the internet and select the “Check for System Update” option once again and let the Fire TV download the update.



Once the download is complete, select “Install System Update”



Your Fire TV will reboot and install the update. While it installs the update, you should disconnect the Fire TV’s internet connection.

Your Fire TV should now be updated. If it is on version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220, you should now root the Fire TV and block updates using the recommended method. If it is on version 51.1.0.1_user_510055620, 51.1.0.2_user_510058520, or 51.1.1.0_user_511069920, then restart this guide from step 13 to get to version 51.1.1.0_user_511070220.

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