Fire TV Stick Remote Not Working: Reasons and DIY Fixes

Occasionally, the remote may not be working which is not an exception for Fire TV Stick. Sometimes, it may happen due to technical reasons, and sometimes not. Many Fire TV Stick users have reported that the remote is not pairing and keeps blinking orange, blue, and yellow. There is no need to replace your Firestick remote because these problems occur due to minor reasons. Hence, they can be fixed with workarounds without seeking support from a technician.

Reasons for Fire TV Stick Remote Not Working

Before looking into the possible fixes, let’s see the major reasons that will cause the Firestick remote to not work.

SCENARIO	REASONS
1	Because of drained or dead battery cells on the remote
2	If the remote you are using may be incompatible with the device
3	If the remote has been physically damaged due to an accidental fall
4	The remote buttons may get stuck because of excessive dirt
5	If the remote has an issue while pairing it with the device
6	Technical or software glitches in the remote or Fire TV Stick
7	If there is a signal obstruction between the device and the remote

How to Fix Fire TV Stick Remote Not Working

As we know the reasons for the issue, it is mandatory to know how to fix it. So try these troubleshooting methods in order, as it would help you find the reason and also helps to prevent the problems from happening again.

Change the Batteries

The Fire TV remote won’t work if the batteries have an insufficient charge or they were inserted wrongly. So check whether the remote batteries are discharged or not. To fix it, open the battery slot on your remote and insert the new batteries. Then try using it. If your Firestick Remote is not working with new batteries, then the issue can be something else.

Release Stuck Buttons

While using the remote for a long time, there is a chance for dirt or dust sediments to settle on the edges of the button. Excessive dust sediment makes the button stuck. That may lead the remote to stop responding to any of the remote functions. Hence, you need to clean the edges of the button wisely to stop the dust formation on the remote. For cleaning the remote keys, use a cotton swab or microfiber cloth by dipping it with 99% isopropyl alcohol.

Clear the Obstructions

Sometimes, you may face unresponsiveness on the remote due to obstacles between the TV and the remote. The IR signal from the remote might be blocked by the obstacles you have kept between the TV and the remote. Because of this, the Firestick remote may become dysfunctional. So, remove the obstructions and ensure that there is a clear path for the IR signals to get transmitted.

Restart the Remote and Firestick Device

Sometimes, minor issues can be easily rectified by restarting the Firestick and the remote.

[1]. Disconnect the Fire TV Stick from the power supply and plug it back into the TV after 10 seconds.

[2]. Grab the remote, remove the batteries, and insert them back after a few seconds allowing it to discharge the flea power.

[3]. Now, try pairing the remote by pressing the Home button and see if it works.

Unpair and Re-pair Fire TV Remote

Try to unpair the remote from the Fire TV and pair it back to see if it works.

[1]. To unpair your remote, press and hold down the Back and Home buttons for ten seconds. Doing this will unpair your remote.

[2]. To pair the Firestick remote, press and hold down the Home button for 10-12 seconds. If the pairing was the issue, then your remote should work now.

If your existing remote does not work to do the above-said steps, then replace it with another Fire TV remote to check if the issue is with the remote.

[3]. Open Settings >> Controller & Bluetooth Devices on your Fire TV using the second remote.

[4]. Select Amazon Fire TV Remotes from the options.

[5]. Navigate to the name of the remote that is not working. Press the Menu button, and then you’ll be asked for a confirmation. Press the Select button to remove the remote from the list.

[6]. Go down and select Add New Remote. Navigate to the remote name and press and hold down the Home button.

[7]. By now, your secondary remote should be paired with the Fire TV. So check if the remote is working fine. If the second remote is also not working, then the issue may be with the Fire TV stick.

Pair Firestick Remote to CEC Enabled TV

Try to pair your Firestick remote with CEC-enabled TV to check whether the issue is with the Fire TV Stick remote.

[1]. Turn on the TV and ensure to plug in the Firestick to the TV.

[2]. Navigate to the TV settings, and go to the CEC option to enable it. By doing so, the Firestick can turn the TV on and off.

[3]. Tap on the power button on the remote to check it. If the TV responds to the remote, then it means the remote is paired. Else proceed further until you pair the remote with the CEC-enabled TV.

[4]. Now, try to repeat the process by unpairing and reconnecting the remote.

Unpair Other Devices

If your remote is not connecting to your device, it means that so many devices are already paired to your Firestick. So you can unpair the unused Firestick devices from the list to pair the remote you are using right now.

[1] Navigate to Settings (Gear icon) on the home screen.

[2] Click on the Controllers and Bluetooth Devices on the Settings option

[3] Then, Select the Search Firestick TV Remotes option and tap on the Ok button.

[4] Choose the remote that you want to unpair from the device.

[5] Hit on the hamburger icon and go to the select option.

[6] Finally, choose the remote you want to unpair and the remote you are using will only be connected to the device.

Fix the Light on the Fire Stick Remote

The light on the Fire TV Remote must work to ensure proper working. If it does not work, then try disconnecting the Fire TV Stick or Fire Cube and plug it back in again after a few seconds. If it still does not work, then try unpairing and pairing it again.

Fire TV Remote Not Controlling Volume

If your Fire TV Remote does not control the volume like it’s supposed to, use the Change TV option under Equipment Control settings on your Fire Stick to reconnect your remote to the TV and fix the volume issues.

[1]. Use the Power button on your remote to turn on the TV. Make sure that the right input is set to display your Fire Stick.

[2]. Go to Settings >> Equipment Control >> Manage Equipment and select TV.

[3]. Select the Change TV option on the screen, followed by clicking Continue and selecting the TV from the list.

[4]. Now, turn off your TV by pressing the Power button on your remote and turn it back on after ten seconds.

[5]. Press the power button on the remote again to turn on your Fire TV Stick and check if the remote is working or not.

Reset the Fire TV Remote

If the issue persists even after following all these techniques, try to reset your Fire TV Remote.

[1]. To begin with, disconnect your Fire Stick device and wait for at least 60 seconds.

[2]. Then, press and hold the Left, Menu, and the Back button on your remote together for at least 12 seconds.

In the case of the 1st-generation Fire TV Remote, just press the Menu and Left button and do the same process.

[3]. Remove the batteries from your remote and wait for 5 seconds to re-insert it back into the slot.

[4]. Then, plug your Fire Stick back into the TV.

[5]. To finish the process, press and hold the Home button for ten seconds while standing within the range of 10 feet from the device.

If you have an Alexa Voice remote with volume and power buttons, you will see a blue light flash at the top of your remote for Fire TV Smart TV Remote and Fire TV Soundbar emote. If it does not flash, then try pressing and holding the Home button for another 10 seconds.

Fixing the Fire TV Remote Compatibility Issue

In case the Fire TV remote is not compatible, you can alternatively use the Amazon Fire TV app as a remote from your smartphone.

[1]. First, install the Amazon Fire TV app on your smartphone using Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for iPhones.

[2]. Turn on your TV and Sign-In with your Amazon Fire TV account.

[3]. After logging into your account, select your Fire TV device name displayed on the screen.

[4]. A code will be displayed on your TV screen. Enter this code into your phone.

[5]. Now you can control your TV using your smartphone.

Your remote should have started working by this point. If it does not, then there is a chance for the remote to have some internal or external damage. If the issue continues even after fixing it several times, it is advisable to change the remote. Remember to buy one that is compatible with the Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Buy a Universal Remote

If you are not interested in the troubleshooting methods or your remote has faced heavy physical damage, you can buy a universal remote instead of purchasing the original remote for a high price. While it is used for multi-purpose and you can use it to control other devices once you program it with your device’s remote codes.

Contact Amazon Support

If all the above methods failed to resolve the problem, you can contact Amazon Customer Support for additional help. The customer support team will guide you to sort out both technical and software problems on the Firestick remote. Luckily, if the remote is under the warranty period, you can claim a new remote by replacing the old one. For more convenience, you can make a phone call to 1-866-216-1072 and speak to the customer support agent.

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