Are you having trouble with your Firestick remote not working? Stop banging it on the table because that may not help.
Over the past few years, Firesticks have become crazy popular, especially amongst the middle-class society who don’t want to invest in a brand new television.
The Firestick can replicate smart TV-like features on your ordinary television set where you can stream 4K content, listen to high-quality music, and use voice commands to perform various tasks.
It’s a small HDMI device that you can easily plug into your normal TV and connect to a wireless network. From here, it’s similar to any other streaming device such as Roku, Chromecast, and so on. All you need to do is sign in to your favorite streaming platform on the Fire TV app and you are set to go.
To control the firestick and Fire TV, the company provides a remote device that is different than your conventional TV remote. But similar to any other wireless device, it’s prone to technical glitches. Yes, most of the time there is a battery-related issue behind the fire tv remote not working but sometimes the issue is more complicated than we imagine.
As we all know, nothing is more frustrating than a remote control that is non-functional since we have been used to such luxuries, and getting up and tweaking the volume may sound like climbing Mount Everest at times.
If your remote is stuck, read this article till the end. I have compiled a list of some easy methods to fix the firestick remote not working. We will also discuss how to reset firestick remote.
So without any further ado, let’s begin.
My Firestick Remote Is Not Working: Why?
Before we attempt the solution, let’s find out what causes the fire tv remote not working issue.
As I have mentioned, the most common reason behind your Amazon firestick remote not working is the battery issues. The batteries may be inserted in the wrong way or out of power completely. Usually, we don’t pay attention to battery life unless our devices completely stop working.
Here are some other issues apart from the battery:
Distance
Keep in mind that these firestick remotes are not IR remotes that we have for our television sets. These are Bluetooth-operated remotes that have a specific range that can operate in. Cross the coverage area and the remote may stop working due to the loss of the signals.
Physical Damage
A TV remote is a device that’s used heavily on a daily basis. It’s natural that it’s subjected to physical damage such as exposure to water, being dropped on the floor, etc. This may cause internal damage to the IC chips.
Obstacles
By obstacle, I don’t mean that you need to sit in front of the TV in order to use the remote, like those infrared remotes from the old days. But a large number of obstacles such as curtains, pillows, and couch, can significantly impact the coverage of the remote.
Compatibility Issue
If you have just bought a replacement remote for your firestick, there is a high chance that it’s not compatible with your Amazon stick.
Pairing Issue
Bluetooth remoted need to be paired before you can start using them. Sometimes due to network interference, the remote loses the connection with the stick and stops working.
Interference From Other Bluetooth Devices
If you are using several wireless devices in the same room such as a laptop, smartphone, and so on with an active Bluetooth connection, there are chances that the networks will intrude on each other, and eventually your remote will stop working.
Firestick Remote Stopped Working: How To Fix?
Let’s try some quick fixes to get the firestick remote to work:
Check The Batteries
Before we go any further, let;’s rule out any possible battery issues. There is nothing complicated and I am sure this is the first solution anyone would think in case of any battery-operated device stops working.
You should always try a different set of batteries to check if the remote is working or not. Also, it’s advisable to use high-quality rechargeable batteries instead of normal ones.
Pair Your Firestick Remote Again
Firestick remote is different than a conventional IR remote. It has to be paired to the firestick in order to work. The same goes with all other advanced Bluetooth remote controls. Now, there are advantages of having a Bluetooth remote over an IR one but the main disadvantage is that often it loses the connection and you need to pair it again.
So if your remote has suddenly stopped working, there are chances that the pairing is lost.
Take the following steps to pair the remote to the firestick:
- Plug in and power on the Firestick and TV.
- While keeping the remote in position, press and hold the home button for 8-12 seconds.
- If the connection is successful, you will be able to use the remote instantly. If the pairing fails, repeat the process at least 2 times.
Tip: If you are still unable to use the remote, there is a chance that too many Bluetooth devices are connected to your firestick. In this case, you can download the Fire Tv application on your smartphone and use the on-screen remote to operate your firestick. |
- Simply go to Settings from the home screen.
- Click on Controllers & Bluetooth Devices and check all the connected devices.
- Firestick allows you to connect up to 7 Bluetooth devices at a time. If you already have 7 devices, disconnect a couple of them and then try to pair your remote.
Make Sure You Are In the Range
The typical Bluetooth devices have a working range of 30 feet.
Similarly, your firestick remote may lose the signals if you are trying to operate it from a long distance.
Also, check for obstructions if there are any. The easiest solution is to stand in front of the TV and check of the remote is working.
The stick is hidden behind the TV so you can also try to use the remote from the nearest possible spot to the firestick device.
You can also check if there are any active Bluetooth connections or devices such as smartphones, a microwave oven, wireless speakers, and so on. You can try to move the devices away and try to pair your remote to the stick again.
Tip: If the remote works only from a very close distance, you can use a firestick extension device to change the firestick position and increase the working range of the remote control. |
Check Compatibility/physical damage
Check the remote for any physical damage on the exterior. Check if you can hear any broken pieces inside the remote.
If your remote has suffered physical wear & tear, you can easily order a replacement. But keep in mind there are hundreds of cheap firestick remotes available on the website. These remote can do the job for an instance but in the long run, there is always a chance of breakdown.
Also, compatibility is a big issue with any third-party applications. Make sure you always buy an original Amazon-branded firestick remote that’s compatible with the stick.
Reset the Firestick Remote
If none of the above methods has worked for you, you should finally reset the firestick remote.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Unplug the firestick from the TV and the power source.
- Press and hold the menu, back, and left buttons for 15-20 seconds.
- Take out the batteries from the remote.
- Plug the firestick and the power adapter and wait for the device to boot.
- When the home screen appears, insert the batteries into the remote.
- Allow it a few minutes to pair with the stick automatically.
- If the remote doesn’t pair by itself, hold the home button for 8-10 seconds to attempt the pairing.
