How to Fix a Firestick Remote That's Not Working

There are few things more annoying during entertainment time than your remote not following commands. However, these issues happen more often than you might think, and the Firestick TV remote is no exception. If your Firestick remote failed on you, you've come to the right place.

In this article, we will share common reasons why your Firestick remote might not work. We will provide solutions for each problem separately. Whether it's your battery, an update issue, volume issues, or anything else, we've got you covered.

Firestick remote does not work at all

Firestick remotes can stop working for various reasons. Whether you just bought a new one or have been using one for a while, there is no guarantee that they will always work perfectly. Fortunately, there are often simple solutions for most problems.

Below are some of the most common issues, along with instructions for resolving them:

Piles

Incorrectly inserted or low-power batteries can cause issues with Firestick remotes.

Here's how to check if the batteries are causing the issue on your Firestick remote:

1. Remove the batteries from the remote control.
2. Analyze how they were installed. Be sure to follow the diagram inside the battery compartment to install the batteries in the correct direction.
3. Install new batteries. It is better to add new ones. If rechargeables don't work, try alkaline batteries.
4. If the remote still does not work, the problem is probably elsewhere.

Twinning

Remotes that are not paired to the TV will not be able to give a signal and may appear broken. Re-pairing the Firestick to your TV often resolves the issue:

1. Light the fire stick.
2. Start the Fire TV.
3. Hold the remote close to the Firestick.
4. Press and hold the "Home" button on the remote for 10 seconds.
5. Release the button and check if the remote works.
6. Repeat the action several times.
   

If pairing didn't work, your remote may need to be reset. There are different reset commands for each generation of Fire TV remote, and you can find yours at this link.

Distance

Firestick remotes work over Bluetooth. Their theoretical range is around 30 feet, but the actual range is much less. If you have a large living room or are trying to use your remote from another room, it may not work.

To check if distance is the issue, bring the remote closer to the Firestick and make sure there are no obstacles in between. If the remote only works when you're very close to the TV, consider using the Firestick extension dongle to reposition the device.

Compatibility

Have you recently replaced your old Firestick remote with a new one? If the new addition is not compatible with your TV, it may cause problems.

If you realize that your remote is not compatible with your device, you can use your smartphone as a remote until you get a new one. You can get the app for Android and iPhone. Simply follow the steps below to use your smartphone as a remote control:

1. Download the application on your smartphone.
   
2. Switch on the television.
   
3. Log in to your Amazon Fire TV account on your smartphone app.
   
4. Select your Fire TV device in the app.
   
5. Copy the code displayed on the TV into the app.
   

Damage

External damage and internal defects can prevent your remote from working. Whether there has been water damage or faulty components, the remote control can sometimes become useless.

Firestick remote not working – No light

If your Firestick remote won't turn on, try unplugging the Fire TV Stick from the back of your device and wait 20 seconds. Plug it back in to see if the issue is resolved.

If that didn't help, your Firestick remote might not be paired to the TV. You can do this by following the steps below:

1. Turn on your Fire TV Stick.
2. Bring the remote closer to the TV and press the Back and Home buttons for 10 seconds. You have now unpaired the Firestick.
   
3. Press the Home button for 10 seconds to fix it.
4. Repeat the process several times.

If that doesn't help, make sure you're close enough to the TV. The Firestick remote is a Bluetooth device, which means it can only work within a certain distance of the device.

Also check if the batteries are installed correctly. Maybe their charge is low or they need to be replaced.

Firestick remote not working with volume

Many Firestick TV users experience volume issues with their remotes. The problem can occur for several reasons. The most common way to fix the problem is to pair your Firestick remote via Device Control.

Manage equipment control

1. Turn on the TV and go to "Settings", then "Equipment Control".
   
2. Go to “Manage Equipment”, then “TV”.
   
3. Go to "Change TV" and click "Change TV" again.
   
4. Press "Continue".
5. Select the type of TV you have from the list.
6. Press the power button on your Fire TV remote to turn off the TV.
   
7. Wait 10 seconds and press the power button again to turn it back on.

Check the batteries

If this method didn't help, you might want to check your batteries. Make sure the batteries are inserted correctly and are fully charged.

Since Firestick remotes use Bluetooth, the connection may become inconsistent if the batteries are low. Firestick and TV remotes are more power hungry than other remotes. Heavy use of the remote control means that the battery will consume a lot of power much faster than expected.

You can try the following method to exclude batteries as a problem:

1. Remove the batteries from the remote control.
2. Pay attention to how they were installed. Have they been inserted upside down? Reinstall them and be sure to follow the battery compartment instructions.
3. If rechargeable batteries don't work, try alkaline batteries.
4. If you are still having trouble with the volume button, continue to the next method.

Pair Your Fire Stick Remote

Typically, Firestick or Fire TV devices come with already-cut remotes. However, this is not always the case. You can re-pair the remote by following the steps below:

1. Turn on your Firestick.
   
2. Start Fire TV.
3. Hold the remote close to the Firestick.
4. Press and hold the Home button on the Fire TV remote.
   
5. Hold it for 10 seconds.
6. Release the button and check if it works.
7. If not, repeat the action. It may take several times for the process to work.

Firestick remote not working after update

If your Firestick has stopped working after updating your device, try the following five methods. If the first one doesn't work, move on to the next ones until the issue is resolved:

1. Hold the Home button on the remote for 10 seconds. This should pair the remote to the TV in case it becomes unpaired.
   
2. Unplug your device from the outlet and try the remote again.
3. Turn off the TV and reset the remote by following the instructions here.
4. Make sure there are no obstacles between the remote control and the TV.
5. Replace your batteries and make sure they are installed correctly.

If your remote has been damaged, the new update may no longer support its use. If none of the above steps help, you may consider replacing the remote.

Firestick remote not working after reset

If your Firestick remote stops working after the reset, you can try the following methods:

1. Restart the Firestick TV. When you are redirected to the remote pairing screen, unplug the TV from the outlet. Reconnect and pair the remote by pressing the Home button for 10 seconds.
2. Change your batteries. Maybe the batteries are low and changing them might solve the problem. Just make sure you install them correctly. Also, it is better to buy a new set of batteries if you think the old ones may be damaged. When changing the batteries, be sure to clean the battery compartment from dirt.
3. Try another remote. If resetting and removing the batteries didn't help, try connecting another remote to your Firestick TV. You can borrow one from a friend or buy it online. Alternatively, you can use the Fire TV app for iPhone or Android and use it as a remote.

Repair your Firestick remote

Not being able to use your Firestick remote is never a pleasant experience. However, there are solutions to everything, and the remote control is no exception. The most common solutions include resetting and re-pairing the remote or inserting new batteries. However, if none of the suggestions in this article work, you can contact Amazon customer service or replace your remote.

What methods from the article have you tried? Were they working? If you have any questions on the subject, leave us a comment below.