How to fix Fire TV remote not working | Digital trends

The Amazon Fire TV operating system is one of the most popular AV entertainment platforms in the world. You can find Fire TV built into a number of devices, including Fire TV, the Fire TV Stick series, and the Fire TV Cube. Aside from using Alexa voice commands, the primary way you’ll interact with Fire TV OS is with your Fire TV remote—whether it’s one of the older-generation remotes or the newer Alexa Voice Remotes. So what do you do if your Fire TV remote stops working?

Your first inclination might be to buy a new remote (or throw the wrong one out the window), but before you start spending your hard-earned cash, let’s spend some time troubleshooting the problem.

Whatever problem you’re having with your Fire TV remote, chances are you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the most common Fire TV remote problems encountered by users around the world. We’ll also tell you what you can do to fix them.

Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

Use the troubleshooting mode

Before we even get into the topic of troubleshooting and repairs, we’d like to address the fact that most Fire TV remotes actually have a troubleshooting mode. It’s nothing special, but if the little LED on the top of your remote blinks when you press the blue Alexa button, your remote may be fixing the problem.

With us so far? Now here’s what you need to do to access the troubleshooting mode:

Stage 1: Press Scroll back and true navigation buttons simultaneously and hold for 3 seconds.

Step 2: Press Menu button. The LED on the top of the remote should be green, letting you know that you have entered troubleshooting mode.

Step 3: Press any button on your remote and the LED will light up in different colors to indicate what problem your remote may be having. We’ve also listed each color/blink code below:

Red (slow flashing): Low battery
Red (fast flashing: general error indication
Orange: Your Fire TV remote is not paired with a Fire TV device
White: Your Fire TV device may be turned off
Blue: No problem

Step 4: To exit troubleshooting mode, press and hold Play/Pause and up navigation buttons simultaneously and hold for 3 seconds.

Step 5: Press Menu button to disable the troubleshooting mode. Then remove the batteries from the remote and put them back.

Reset your Fire TV device

One of our go-to solutions for troubleshooting and fixing most devices is to reset your device. After all, nothing gets the job done like forcing your AV peripherals to cool off and think about what they’ve done.

For most Fire TV devices, you can restart them by simply unplugging them and plugging them back in after a few seconds. Or you can do it from the menu on your Fire TV.

Stage 1: Go to Settings on your Fire TV device.

Step 2: Choose My Fire TV option and then select I’m rebooting.

How to reset most Fire TV remotes

This should work for the Alexa Voice Remote Pro, the third-generation Fire TV remote, and the second-generation Alexa Voice Remote Lite.

Stage 1: The first thing you need to do is unplug your Fire TV device from power and the HDMI input on your TV, then wait 60 seconds. If you’re using a smart TV powered by Fire TV, simply unplug it from the electrical outlet it’s connected to.

Step 2: Get the Fire TV remote. Press To the left navigation button, Menu button and vice versa button simultaneously and hold for 12 seconds.

Step 3: Release the buttons and wait 5 seconds. Now remove the batteries from the remote.

Step 4: Turn your Fire TV back on and wait until you see the screen that says the remote can’t be found. Now put the batteries back into the remote.

Step 5: Press At home button. If the LED is flashing blue, your remote has successfully paired with your Fire TV device. If it doesn’t pair, press and hold At home button for 10 seconds.

Basic Edition remote control reset

Stage 1: Press and hold At home button. While holding, press Menu button three times.

Step 2: Get rid of At home button. Then press Menu button nine times.

Step 3: Remove the batteries from the remote. Now unplug your Fire TV device from power and HDMI, then wait 60 seconds.

Step 4: Put the batteries back into the remote, then reconnect your Fire TV device. When the home screen appears, press and hold At home button for 40 seconds.

Step 5: After about 60 seconds, your remote should be paired.

Reset Alexa Voice Remote (1st Gen)

Stage 1: Unplug your Fire TV device from power and HDMI, then wait 60 seconds.

Step 2: Press To the left navigation button and Menu button at the same time and hold them for 12 seconds.

Step 3: Release the buttons and wait 5 seconds.

Step 4: Remove the batteries from the remote, then turn your Fire TV back on and wait for the screen that says the remote can’t be found.

Step 5: Put the batteries back into the remote, then press At home button.

Step 6: If your remote is not yet paired, press and hold At home button for 10 seconds.

Replace the batteries

Nothing says “bad remote” like two dead batteries. As we mentioned in the troubleshooting mode section, if the LED on the Fire TV remote is slowly flashing red, it means the batteries are dead.

And while this may sound obvious, make sure you insert the batteries correctly. When inserted incorrectly, the batteries may appear to look fine, so take an extra second or two to double-check.

Bluetooth and interference

Unlike traditional IR remotes, the Fire TV remote forms a Bluetooth handshake between the controller and the host device. This A-to-B Bluetooth pairing should be good for up to 30 feet, but that may not always be the case. Often walls, floors, ceilings, small appliances and other devices connected to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi can generate interference.

If your Fire TV remote is losing connection with a Fire TV streaming device or smart TV, take a look around your entertainment space. If there are devices you can move without messing up your daily AV setup, try moving one or more devices to a new location.

You can also try adding a

Fire TV extender

to your AV setup. Sometimes when a Fire TV streaming device is hidden behind your TV (like most of the Fire TV Stick range), the remote can struggle to connect properly.

Look for damage

Unbeknownst to you, your Fire TV remote may be physically damaged. Dropping it a few times probably won’t do much, but if your controller is prone to drops and you have hard floors, there’s a chance it’s taken too many hits.

Cosmetic damage to one part of the remote can also cause problems that are not in the same area.

Ensure compatibility

Whether your remote is damaged beyond repair or lost, there may come a time when you need to purchase a new Fire TV remote. And if you bought the wrong model for the Fire TV device you’re controlling, the remote won’t work.

If you’re not sure which version of Fire TV Stick you own, you can sign in to your Amazon account to check. To do this, go to your Amazon account Manage your content and devices dashboard. All registered Fire TV devices (including Amazon smart TVs and Fire TV-powered smart TVs from brands like Toshiba and Insignia) will appear under All devices.

New Alexa Voice Remote Pro is compatible with the following Fire TV devices:

Fire TV Cube (3rd Gen)
Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen)
Fire TV Cube (1st Gen)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st Gen)
Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen)
Fire TV Stick 4K (first generation)
Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)
Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen)
Fire TV Stick Lite
Fire TV (3rd generation, hanging design)
Fire TV Omni QLED series
Fire TV Omni Series
Fire TV 4-Series
Fire TV 2-Series
Toshiba Smart 4K UHD TV – Fire TV
Toshiba Smart HD 1080p TV – Fire TV
Toshiba Smart 4K UHD with Dolby Vision – Fire TV
Insignia Smart 4K UHD TV – Fire TV
Insignia Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p – Fire TV

New Alexa Voice Remote (3rd generation) is compatible with the following devices:

The new Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced is compatible with the following devices:

Update the software

Last but certainly not least, it’s always a good idea to make sure your Fire TV product software is up to date. While the latest Fire TV OS patch may not include controller fixes, it may include upgrades to Bluetooth technology or other engineering elements that may affect the connection between your Fire TV remote and its host device.

To check for a software update on your Fire TV, go to Settings > My Fire TV or Device and software. Then choose regarding > Check for system update.

Using the Fire TV app

In case your remote is completely broken or you just want a second way to control your Fire TV device, you can always download the Fire TV app (for iOS and Android devices) for your smartphone or tablet.

As long as you connect your mobile device to the same Wi-Fi as your Fire TV device, the Fire TV app can function as an alternative remote for your Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, or Fire TV-powered smart TV.