Seeing three dots (…) on your TCL Fire TV can be confusing. In most cases, the dots mean the TV (or an app) is loading, waiting, or temporarily stuck. Follow the steps below to identify where the dots are coming from and fix the issue.
Step 1: Identify Where the 3 Dots Appear
This helps narrow down the cause.
A) The 3 dots appear on the Fire TV Home screen or in menus
This usually points to a temporary system or network issue.
B) The 3 dots appear only inside one app (like a streaming app)
This usually points to an app issue (or a connection issue affecting that app).
C) The 3 dots appear only on one HDMI input (cable box, game console, etc.)
This usually points to the connected device, cable, or input settings.
Step 2: Quick Fixes (Try in This Order)
1) Restart your TCL Fire TV (Most Effective First Step)
- A restart clears temporary glitches.
- Unplug the TV from power
- Wait 60 seconds
- Plug it back in and turn it on
2) Check Your Internet Connection (If dots appear while streaming or on Home)
- Three dots often show up when the TV is waiting on content or system data.
- Press Home
- Go to Settings
- Select Network
- Confirm you’re connected to your Wi-Fi (or Ethernet if used)
If you’re not connected or the signal is weak:
- Restart your modem/router (unplug 30 seconds, plug back in)
- Move the TV closer to the router (or use Ethernet if available)
- Try connecting to the network again
3) If It’s Only One App: Force a Refresh
If the dots only happen in one streaming app:
- Press Home
- Go to Settings → Applications → Manage Installed Applications
- Select the app that’s showing the 3 dots
Choose:
- Force Stop
- Clear Cache
- Open the app again and test
If it still happens:
- From the same menu, choose Uninstall, then reinstall the app from the Appstore.
4) If It’s Only on an HDMI Input: Check the Source
If the dots only appear when using a cable box/console/etc.:
- Switch to a different HDMI port on the TV
- Reseat both ends of the HDMI cable (unplug/replug)
- Try a different HDMI cable (High Speed HDMI recommended)
- Power cycle the connected device (unplug 30 seconds, plug back in)
Step 3: Update Your TCL Fire TV Software
If the dots keep returning, your TV may need an update.
- Press Home
- Go to Settings
- Select My Fire TV
- Select About
- Choose Check for Updates
If an update is available, install it and restart the TV afterward.
Step 4: Try a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
Only do this if the issue happens across multiple apps or on the Home screen and won’t go away.
Important: This removes your accounts, apps, and settings.
- Press Home
- Go to Settings
- Select My Fire TV
- Select Reset to Factory Defaults
When to Contact Support
Contact support if:
- The 3 dots appear all the time, even after restarting and updating
- The TV becomes unusable (menus won’t load, apps won’t open)
- The dots appear along with other issues like freezing, reboot loops, or persistent black screen
Have ready: Your TV model number and serial number (found on the TV label or under Settings → My Fire TV → About).