Is your Firestick remote not responding? Don‘t worry – I‘ll show you how to get it working again in no time. In this guide, I‘ll explain common Firestick remote problems and provide easy solutions to try at home in under a minute.
I‘ll also share some tips to avoid issues and alternative remotes you can use if needed. As an experienced streamer, I know the frustration when the Firestick remote stops working just when you want to watch your favorite shows. But with these quick fixes, you‘ll be streaming again in no time!
Why Is The Firestick Remote Not Working?
Before we dive into solutions, let‘s look at some reasons why your Firestick remote may have stopped functioning:
Drained Batteries – The remote uses up batteries very quickly. Fully drained batteries are the most common cause of a unresponsive remote.
Connection Loss – The wireless signal between the remote and Firestick can be interrupted. Being too far away or an obstruction can prevent connectivity.
Sync Issues – Sometimes the remote loses its paired connection to the Firestick and needs to be re-synced. This is an easy fix.
Physical Damage – In rare cases, physical damage from drops or spills can lead to remote failure.
Knowing the possible causes will help guide our troubleshooting. The good news is that over 80% of remote issues can be fixed yourself in under a minute! Let‘s look at some quick solutions to try:
6 Easy Ways To Fix Firestick Remote Not Working
Below I‘ll outline some simple troubleshooting tips you can do yourself to get your Firestick remote working again:
1. Check/Replace Batteries
Since drained batteries are the #1 issue, your first step should be trying new batteries:
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Remove old batteries and check for corrosion or leaks. Clean contacts if needed.
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Insert fresh alkaline batteries like Duracell or Energizer. Rechargeable batteries drain faster.
This quick fix solves over 50% of non-working remote cases. Keep extra batteries handy for when the Firestick remote dies.
2. Re-Pair The Remote
If new batteries don‘t help, re-syncing the remote is the next thing to try:
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Press and hold the Home button for up to 20 seconds.
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A message will confirm when pairing is complete. If not, keep holding the Home button.
Re-pairing forces the remote to re-establish its wireless connection to the Firestick. Complete these simple steps to restore connectivity.
3. Power Cycle The Firestick
Quickly power cycling your Fire TV device can also help:
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Unplug the Firestick from power, wait 10 seconds, and plug back in.
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Alternatively, you can restart via the Settings menu.
This forces the Firestick to reboot and reconnect with the remote. It‘s an easy first step that takes less than a minute.
4. Eliminate Signal Obstruction
Check that nothing is blocking the signal between the remote and Firestick:
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Make sure you have a clear line of sight between the devices.
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Remove any objects that could interfere with the connection.
The remote operates via a wireless radio frequency signal. Any obstructions can interrupt this communication and cause issues.
5. Use Remote Finder
If the remote seems lost, use the free Remote Finder app to locate it:
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Install the Fire TV Remote Finder app from the Amazon Appstore.
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Open the app and it will make the lost remote beep.
This can help find a misplaced remote buried in the couch cushions!
6. Factory Reset Firestick
If all else fails, a factory reset of the Firestick will force a fresh remote connection:
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Go to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults.
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Select Reset and the Firestick will reset to new.
This should clear up any software issues causing remote connection problems. You‘ll have to re-login and reinstall apps.
Trying these basic troubleshooting steps will fix a dead Firestick remote in under a minute in most cases. But if you‘re still experiencing issues, don‘t worry – there are more solutions.
How To Pair Firestick Remote – 3 Easy Methods
Re-syncing (pairing) the remote connection is one of the best ways to restore functionality. Let‘s look at 3 surefire methods to pair your Firestick remote:
Method #1: Home Button
This is the quickest method outlined above:
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Press and hold the Home button on the remote for up to 20 seconds.
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Keep holding until you see a confirmation that pairing is complete.
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Repeat if needed. This forces a new sync.
Method #2: Remote Battery Removal
Removing the remote batteries resets its connection:
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Take out the batteries from the remote for 20 seconds.
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Reinsert batteries and the remote will pair like new.
Method #3: Factory Reset
Resetting your Firestick to factory default also re-pairs the remote:
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Go to Settings > Device > Reset to Factory Defaults.
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Choose Reset and the remote will be paired after reboot.
Use any of these 3 methods to quickly re-sync an unresponsive Firestick remote. The pairing process forces the remote to reconnect with the Fire TV device.
Firestick Remote Not Working – What Are Your Options?
If you‘ve tried the tips above but your OEM Firestick remote still isn‘t working, don‘t panic. You have several alternatives:
Fire TV Remote App
This free app turns your iPhone or Android into a Firestick remote:
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Download from Google Play or Apple App Store
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Provides touchpad, voice, keyboard – great for typing
Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard
A wireless keyboard is another excellent option:
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Lets you type easily and eliminates line-of-sight issues
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Highly recommended for convenience and flexibility
Replacement Firestick Remote
You can purchase another Alexa Voice Remote from Amazon for about $15-20. All generations of the remotes are compatible with the latest Firestick models.
Universal TV Remote
A universal remote can substitute for the Firestick remote. Look for ones able to program advanced codes.
Gaming Controller
Pair an Xbox, PlayStation or other Bluetooth game controller to navigate the Firestick interface.
With several alternatives available, you have options when the default remote is not cooperating.
Still Not Working? Other Troubleshooting Tips
If you still can‘t get the Firestick remote working after trying the above, here are a few other things to check:
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Try pairing the remote with a different Fire TV device to test if the issue is with the remote or your Firestick.
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Look inside the remote and inspect for any damage or loose connections on the circuit board.
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Check if other wireless devices like a wireless mouse work. This rules out broader wireless/Bluetooth issues.
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Inspect the Firestick remote sensor on the device itself for any damage or obstructions.
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Ensure the remote has the latest firmware – update if needed via the Firestick settings.
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As a last resort, contact Amazon Fire TV support for troubleshooting assistance or remote replacement.
Hopefully the quick fixes outlined in this guide will get the Firestick remote operational again right away. But if not, these steps help narrow down the issue further.
Why Does My Firestick Remote Keep Stopping Working?
If your Firestick remote seems to die frequently, here are some tips to prevent recurring issues:
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Buy rechargeable batteries – The Firestick remote drains batteries fast. Rechargeable AA batteries will save you money.
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Keep it nearby – Use within 15-20 feet and maintain line of sight for best connectivity. Don‘t lose it!
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Check for damage – Inspect the remote for cracks or malfunctions after drops. Stop use if damaged.
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Update remote firmware – Keep the remote firmware up-to-date via Settings to prevent bugs.
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Clean battery contacts – Use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to gently clean the battery contacts each battery change.
Following these tips will help minimize remote disruptions while streaming on your Firestick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about fixing Firestick remote issues:
Q: Why did my Firestick remote suddenly stop working?
A: The most likely cause is that the batteries have died. Try replacing them with fresh batteries first. Also make sure the remote is in range of the Firestick with no obstructions in the way.
Q: How can I reset my Firestick remote control?
A: To reset the remote, press and hold the Home button for up to 20 seconds until it re-pairs/reconnects to the Firestick.
Q: I lost my Firestick remote – what can I use instead?
A: Good alternatives are the Fire TV remote app, a wireless keyboard/mouse, or a universal TV remote. You can also purchase a replacement remote from Amazon.
Q: How do I pair a new Firestick remote?
A: To pair a new remote, press and hold the Home button for 10-20 seconds while the Firestick is powered on. This will sync it.
Q: Why won‘t my Firestick remote turn on my TV?
A: The remote can control TV power and volume but you need to program the TV codes first via the Firestick settings. Consult your TV manual for the codes.
Q: Can I use a Roku remote with Firestick?
A: No, Roku remotes use a different wireless protocol and are not compatible with Fire TV devices. You need the official Alexa Firestick remote or one of the alternatives mentioned above.
Hopefully these answers cover some of the most common questions around fixing Firestick remote problems. Let me know if you have any other issues!
Don‘t Stress – You Got This!
While a Firestick remote failure can be frustrating mid-stream, use the quick troubleshooting steps in this guide to get back up and running.
In most cases, you can have your remote working again in under a minute with fresh batteries or a quick re-pair.
If problems persist, one of the alternative remotes or apps should give you back full control. Just take it one step at a time.
Let me know if this guide helped you get your Firestick remote operational again! I‘m always happy to help fellow streamers.
Enjoy the show 🙂
