5 Amazon Prime Video Settings You Need to Fix Now for a Better Streaming Experience
Your Amazon Prime membership offers a vast library of premium content, but are you getting the most out of your streaming experience? Many of Prime Video’s default settings can lead to frustrating autoplay, lower-than-expected video quality, and a cluttered home screen. By taking a few minutes to adjust these five key options, you can transform your viewing experience, reclaim your privacy, and ensure you're getting the full value of your subscription.
Here are the five essential Amazon Prime Video settings to fix now to improve your 4K entertainment, take control of your account, and enhance your home cinema setup.
1. Adjust Streaming & Download Quality for Best Picture
If you have a 4K TV and a fast internet connection, you should ensure your video quality is set to "Best." Prime Video's "Auto" setting can sometimes default to a lower quality, especially on mobile networks, preventing you from seeing content in full resolution.
Why You Should Fix It: This ensures you are always getting the best possible picture and sound quality, whether you're streaming on Wi-Fi or downloading content to watch offline. For those on a limited data management plan, you can also use this setting to save data.
How to Fix It:
Go to the Prime Video app’s Settings or My Stuff > Gear Icon.
Select Stream & Download.
Choose Streaming Quality and select Best (or "Good" for data saving).
2. Disable Autoplay for a Clutter-Free Experience
Like many streaming services, Prime Video aggressively uses autoplay to launch trailers and the next episode in a series. This can be jarring and disruptive, especially when you're just Browse for a new show.
Why You Should Fix It: Turning off autoplay gives you full control. You can browse the homepage without a loud trailer suddenly starting and decide on your own time when you're ready to move on to the next episode.
How to Fix It:
On a web browser, go to the Prime Video Account & Settings page.
Navigate to the Playback tab.
Find the Autoplay setting and switch it to Off.
3. Set a PIN and Parental Controls for Your Family
For households with children, it's vital to ensure they are only watching age-appropriate content. Prime Video's parental controls allow you to set a PIN to restrict purchases and viewing based on maturity ratings.
Why You Should Fix It: This is a crucial step for responsible family entertainment and provides peace of mind that younger viewers won't stumble upon adult content.
How to Fix It:
Go to the Prime Video Account & Settings page on a web browser.
Select the Parental Controls tab.
Click on Prime Video PIN to set a 5-digit PIN.
Under Viewing Restrictions, choose the appropriate age rating for the devices in your home and save.
4. Hide Videos and Clear Watch History to Improve Recommendations
If you started a movie or show you didn't enjoy, it can haunt your homepage and influence your recommendations. Clearing your watch history or hiding specific titles is the best way to "recalibrate" the algorithm.
Why You Should Fix It: Hiding videos and clearing watch history ensures your home screen is only filled with relevant recommendations, making it easier to discover content you'll actually enjoy. This is a great way to manage your digital technology.
How to Fix It:
On a web browser, go to your Prime Video Watch History page.
Click the Hide this video button next to any title you want to remove. For a series, you'll see an option to "Hide season" or "Delete all from watch history."
5. Manage Your Devices for Account Security
If you’ve ever used your Prime Video account on a friend’s TV, a hotel's streaming device, or a mobile phone you no longer own, you could have several unused devices still signed in. This is a major account security risk.
Why You Should Fix It: Reviewing and deregistering old devices protects your account from unauthorized access and ensures that your streaming plan isn't being used by others without your knowledge.
How to Fix It:
On a web browser, go to the Your Devices page on your Amazon account.
This page lists all devices linked to your Prime Video.
Click on Deregister next to any device you don't recognize or no longer use.
