firestick remote not working

How To Fix Firestick Remote not Working

With the introduction of more and more streaming sites, people have started moving away from cable television and have started entering the world of streaming sites. With this transition comes the introduction of devices like the Amazon Firestick. The Amazon Firestick is made for a TV’s HDMI port and shaped like a Flash drive. This Firestick allows you to stream different content using Wi-Fi. This content can be from any streaming site such as Netflix, Youtube, etc. This device communicates with the remote using Bluetooth, which allows the connection to be more stable and also allows flexibility. You do not need to be in the line of sight of your TV to use it. Long gone are the days of remotes with IR.

Although many people have nothing but high praises for this device, the remote can stop working sometimes. However, the issue is easily fixable. Read ahead to find out if your relaxing time is being marred by the Firestick remote not working.

What can cause a FireStick Remote to not work?

There are many reasons why a Fire Stick remote may stop working. It takes a lot of trial and error to figure out, however, what the real reason is. Here are the most common issues that can cause it to stop working.

Pairing

Pairing

Your FireStick remote needs to be connected to your FireStick device to work properly. This connection is a Bluetooth connection, that can sometimes fail, and the two devices may get unpaired. In such a situation, the remote will not work. Additionally, if you have recently gotten a firestick remote replacement, it needs to be paired to the FireStick device. This step is necessary as a Bluetooth connection needs to be established so that the two can communicate. 

Batteries

Batteries

If your firestick remote is not working, its batteries may have simply stopped working. This is the most common reason why FireStick remotes stop working. Another reason could be that the batteries in this device were not properly installed. A battery with a very low charge can also be the culprit for the FireStick remote not working. When the batteries are not working, or there is a low charge, a stable Bluetooth cannot be established and maintained with the FireStick device, and therefore, your FireStick remote may not work.

Obstructions

Obstructions

The FireStick remote communicates with the FireStick device using Bluetooth. This technology is unlike infrared, which was previously used in remotes, and does not need a direct line of sight. Therefore you can easily use your remote from the other room. However, if your remote is down on batteries, any obstruction may cause interferences. These obstructions can reduce the range of Bluetooth. Therefore, the more the obstructions, the nearer you have to be to the device to operate it. 

Interference

Interference

Bluetooth is not a foolproof technology. The connection can often be obstructed by many different devices that also use Bluetooth or use another technology that may interfere with Bluetooth connections. Therefore, devices that interfere with Bluetooth can reduce the range of the connection. It can also prevent your FireStick remote from connecting to the FireStick device. 

Distance

FireStick remote use Bluetooth instead of infrared ray in their remote, and this technology allows them to use the remote from further away without any issue. However, the distance is often exaggerated. Theoretically, it is assumed that devices with Bluetooth connections can communicate with each other even if they have 30 feet between them. However, the actual range is much shorter. 

Damage

It is always possible that either your FireStick remote or FireStick device is damaged. There could be a variety of reasons as to why it is damaged. There could be internal faults in either the remote or the device, or there could be water damage, some pieces of hardware may have come loose, etc. Whatever the damage may be, there is always a chance that the FireStick remote has stopped working because of it. 

Compatibility

The FireStick remote you use with your FireStick device must be compatible. This issue often arises when people damage their original remote and buy a replacement firestick remote. If this remote is not consistent, then a Bluetooth connection will not establish, and the remote and device will simply not communicate how the originals did. 

How to fix a firestick remote

Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can fic a FireStick remote and have it working without needing any specific skill or technical expertise. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can have the FireStick remote working again. 

Check the Amazon Fire TV remote app

If your FireStick remote stops working due to any of the reasons listed above, you may not be able to control the FireStick device. However, what some people do not know, is that with this device comes an app. You can install this app from the Google Play Store for Android users. The App Store also has this app for iPhone users. This app can be quite beneficial, as it allows you to control the device without needing the remote, although the remote is an essential accessory, and you should fix it as soon as possible.

Once you have the Amazon Fire TV remote, you can easily use it to navigate Fire TV with it. All the essential features are available on the app. You can use Alexa voice control, touch navigation, virtual keyboard, and more on the app. 

Replace the Firestick remote batteries

Replace the Firestick remote batteries

This solution is a very intuitive one. Whenever one of the devices starts to malfunction, checking the battery may save us a lot of time and worry as they are the culprit most of the time. This reason is also one of the common ones and can be easily be fixed. Bluetooth requires a lot of battery. Hence you may find yourself replacing the battery of the remote far more than you anticipate. To replace the batteries, follow these steps.

  1. Flip the remote over and remove the battery cover
  2. From inside the cavity, remove the batteries and check to see if there is any foreign particle. These particles may be blocking the connection of the battery to the remote. If you find any, remove it and clean out the space.
  3. If there are no particles, then probably the batteries are worn out and need to be replaced. 
  4. Replace the worn-out batteries with new ones and insert them in the appropriate order. 

Remove gadgets near it

There are certain devices and appliances that can interfere with the Bluetooth the FireStick remote uses to communicate to the device. It is always best to remove any such devices from the vicinity where the FireStick is being used for optimal connection that is free from interference and unnecessary disruptions. Such devices can be Bluetooth speakers, microwave ovens, or any other wireless device. Two things that hinder Bluetooth are the connection rage and interference from other devices. As long as these two issues are clear, your FireStick remote or any other Bluetooth device will not show abnormal connectivity issues. 

Try re-pairing the firestick remote

Usually, the FireStick remote is designed to pair with the TV as soon as you take it out of the box because it uses Bluetooth technology. As Bluetooth is much better than other kinds of connection methods such as indeared, the pairing is seamless, and the range is unparallel. However, sometimes issues can arise. These can easily be fixed by unpairing the two devices and re-pairing them manually. Here is how to pair the firestick remote.

  1. First, you need to unpair the FireStick remote, which can be done by setting up your TV stick and then turning it on.
  2. Next, move closer to the TV and press the ‘Back’ and ‘Home’ buttons simultaneously. Hold them for 10 to 15 seconds before releasing both buttons.
  3. Your FireStick remote should now be unpaired.
  4. To repair it back, long press on the ‘Home’ button on the remote. Hold it for 10 seconds. This should prompt the device to pair again. 

There should not be a successful connection between the FireStick remote and the TV. If this step does not work, repeat it several times as now you know how to connect the firestick remote. It may take several attempts to get the connection going.

Move closer to the TV

The FireStick remote, because it uses Bluetooth, may lose connection when you move away from the tv. Although the days of infrared connection between the TV and you’re remote are long gone, Bluetooth connection only offers you a relatively small range within which it works. Therefore, if you are trying to control your TV using the FireStick remote from a considerable distance, you may have to move closer for the remote to work. However, it is still superior to IR as you do not need to be in a direct line. Additionally, there are other features that you can use if your FireStick remote is unable to handle the distance between you and the remote. This feature is Alexa Voice Assistance. It is an easier option, and it makes the Bluetooth technology on the FireStick remote better.

If you want to ensure that range is not the issue, use the remote where the Fire TV Stick is connected. If it works, use the extension cable that comes with the device. This method can help bring out the device a bit, thus improving the signals. 

Remove any obstructions

Although Bluetooth technology, which the FireStick remote and the Fire TV Stick use to communicate with each other, does not require you to have a direct line between the remote and the stick, obstructions can weaken the signals and make the range smaller. Therefore, ensure that nothing is blocking either the remote or the stick. These obstructions can be as mundane as a pile of books or a game console. Additionally, ensure that there are no devices using radio signals nearly as they too can cause interference.

Reset the remote

Reset the remote

Usually, unpairing the device and repairing it again does the trick. However, if that does not work, you can always reset the remote. This helps refresh the connection and reset the remote’s hardware and software. To reset your remote, follow these steps.

  1. First, figure out which kind of remote you have. It can be
  2. To reset an Alexa Voice Remote, first, unplug your FireStick’s power cable to shut it down completely. 
  3. After a minute or so, press down and hold the left button, the menu buttons, and the back button simultaneously. Hold them down for at least 12 to 15 seconds.
  4. Release the buttons and wait an additional 5 to 10 seconds.
  5. Then, remove the FireStick remote’s battery and plug the FireStick back in. Wait for an additional minute or so. 
  6. Place the batteries back into the remote and press the home button.

On the remote, blue light should flash from the top of the remote when it has successfully reconnected. If this light does not shine, hold the home button down for an additional 10 seconds and try using it. 

Reset your firestick

If your FireStick remote is not working, then there is a possibility that the issue is not with the remote but rather your Fire TV Stick. You can try resetting the stick if none of the methods are working. When you factory reset your firestick, be aware that all the data will be erased. It will return to its default state of when it was bought. You will have to reinstall apps and log into all of your accounts once again. This method might be time-consuming, but it is a great way to get your device up and running again. To reset your device, follow these steps.

  • Open the settings menu on your FireStick. From here, select the ‘My Fire TV’ option.
  • Scroll to find the ‘Reset to Factory Defaults.’ Click confirm.

The device will take a few seconds to reset, but once it is done, you can set it up like it is brand new. 

FAQs

How to use a firestick without a remote?

If your FireStick remote has stopped responding, there are a number of ways that you can stull your Fire TV stick without needing the remote. You can use the Amazon Fire TV App; you can also use the HDMI CEC feature, and use the TV’s native remote. Another option is using a universal remote control compatible with the Fire TV Stick. Voice control from an Amazon Echo device can also help you use the Fire Stick without a remote.

Why won’t my firestick work?

There are many reasons why a Fire Stick may stop working. It can be the fault of the remote or the stick itself. Check the batteries of the FireStick remote and whether or not there are any obstructions between the FireStick remote and the Fire TV Stick. You can also reset the remote or the device.

Fire tv remote app not working?

If your Fire TV remote app is not working, then, on your remote, press the power button. Hold it down for 10 seconds and then press it again. You can also try to reset the connection on your device. This method usually helps the app and the remote connect better.

Conclusion

Issues with the Fire TV remote are common, and the main culprit behind it is the Bluetooth connection used to communicate between the TV and the remote. However, there are many solutions as well that can help solve issues with the remote, as listed in the article. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you start applying these solutions. This includes whether or not your remote has working batteries and whether or not you have a new fire stick remote replacement. These are the most common reasons why the FireStick remote is not working. 

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Abdul Wahab is a Software Engineer by profession and a Tech geek by nature. Having been associated with the tech industry for the last five years, he has covered a wide range of Tech topics and produced well-researched and engaging content. You will mostly find him reviewing tech products and writing blog posts. Binge-watching tech reviews and endlessly reading tech blogs are his favorite hobbies.