Why Your Firestick Remote Might Not Be Working and How to Fix It

If you’ve ever sat down for a movie evening only to find your firestick remote not working, you’re not alone. It’s a problem that many users experience, and though it can be annoying, it’s usually easy to remedy. In this blog, we will discuss the potential causes for your Firestick not working and provide you with some simple troubleshooting tips to get it back to working condition ASAP.

1. Check the Batteries

So the first thing to do when your Firestick remote stops working is check the batteries. It’s a straightforward solution, but sometimes we miss the obvious fix. Batteries lose their charge over time (or could be installed incorrectly), which would stop the remote from working.

What to do:

Tap the remote and then remove the back cover and insert new batteries.

Use good-quality, fresh batteries (preferably alkaline, not rechargeable batteries).

Place the batteries by the polarity indicated inside the battery compartment.

If it’s still not working after replacing the batteries, you’re ready to move on to other troubleshooting steps.

Ensure Proper Pairing

As such, sometimes the Firestick remote may unpair with the device, particularly after a system update or if you accidentally pressed a button that set off a reset. Once this happens the remote stops communicating with the Firestick at all which makes it nonresponsive.

What to do:

Press and hold on your remote the Home button at least 10 seconds. This will initiate the pairing process.

To verify that the remote and TV have successfully paired, a message will show on the TV screen.

If pairing didn’t work, un-pair the remote, then re-pair the remote by holding down the Home button once more.

If you’ve tried pairing your remote several times without success, the problem may be with the remote, the Firestick, or both, and further troubleshooting will be necessary

3. Reset the Remote

If you have replaced the batteries and tried to reconnect the reset Firestick remote yet your device has gone haywire, resetting may help. Essentially, this will set the remote back to its factory settings, which may be useful for fixing some technical issues.

What to do:

Simultaneously press and hold the Home button, Back button, and Left button on the navigation circle for 10 seconds.

You should see the light on the remote flash and it will reset.

Go ahead and pair it with your Firestick again after the Reset as mentioned in step one.

This works in case a software bug is the reason your remote is malfunctioning.

Check for Interference

The Firestick remote can sometimes end up malfunctioning due to some interference. Other wireless devices — like your Wi-Fi router, microwave oven, or Bluetooth device — are the most common sources of interference. These can at times interfere with the remote’s signal.

What to do:

Keep your Firestick and the remote away from the possible interference devices.

Make sure that the USB port of the Firestick is not overloaded, which can cause power issues.

If possible, try using the remote from another location — preferably where there is a line of sight to the TV or Firestick.

Note, also, whether the remote still works when you’re sitting close to the Firestick. If it works well up close, it may indicate that the signal is being blocked or attenuated by objects or another device.

5. Software Issues and Updates

Firestick sticks require regular software updates to perform optimally. Sometimes, you may be using an outdated software version, which can cause the remote to malfunction. Updating your Firestick may fix numerous issues.

What to do:

Firestick: Settings > About > My Fire TV Waiting for any updates.

An update will download and install itself automatically if one is available.

In some cases, software or firmware issues on the Firestick can also prevent the remote from responding. Often resetting or updating the device resolves the issue.

Use the Fire TV App

If none of those solutions work, don’t panic. You can always use your mobile device as a temporary remote for Firestick. The Fire TV app (for iOS or Android) (to download, link), which works just like the physical remote, allows you to control your Firestick remotely.

What to do:

Get the Fire TV app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

Ensure that your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Firestick.

Now open the app and select your Firestick device to control it.

This is only a temporary solution, obviously, but it’s a nice workaround until you can get your physical remote working again.

7. Consider a Replacement

However, make sure you check if your Firestick is working fine with other devices or the Fire TV app before buying a new one, as the problem may also be with the Firestick itself.

Conclusion

A non-working Firestick remote is more common than you think and it doesn’t mean the end of your streaming life. From double-checking the batteries and checking proper pairing to resetting the remote or trying out the Fire TV app, there are lots of ways to troubleshoot the problem. If none of the above solutions work, you may need a new remote or have a deeper hardware issue with your Firestick. Either way, with a little patience and the right steps, you should be back to watching your favorite shows in no time.