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Firestick Remote Won’t Turn TV on (Or Off)

As an owner of an Amazon Firestick, I was recently frustrated when my remote wouldn’t turn my TV on or off. After some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this problem, as well as other solutions I discovered. So if you’re having trouble getting your Firestick remote to control your TV, read on to find out what you can do.

First, you need to check the Firestick Remote batteries. Then, you need to make sure that the remote is in range and that there are no obstacles in the way. If that doesn’t do the trick, you can reset your Firestick device and remote.

OptionSolutionDescription
1Check the BatteriesEnsure that your Firestick remote has fresh AAA batteries and that they are positioned correctly.
2Make Sure You’re in RangeStay within 30 feet of your Firestick device and remove any obstacles blocking your remote’s connection.
3Unpair and Pair the Firestick Remote AgainHold the “Back” and “Home” buttons for 10 seconds to unpair the remote, then press the “Home” button for 10 seconds to pair it again. Repeat if necessary.
4Reset Your Fire TV RemoteFor Basic Edition remote: Follow the steps provided in the article. For 3rd generation remote: Unplug your Fire TV, press and hold the “Left”, “Menu”, and “Back” buttons for 12 seconds, release and wait for 5 seconds, remove batteries, plug in your Fire TV, wait 60 seconds, put batteries back, and press the “Home” button.
5Contact Amazon SupportIf none of the previous solutions work, contact Amazon for further assistance.
Alternative SolutionUse the Fire TV App on Your PhoneIf your remote has hardware damage or you want a free alternative, download the Fire TV app on your Android or iOS device, connect it to the same Wi-Fi as your Fire TV, sign in with your Amazon account, select your Fire TV device, and enter the code displayed on the TV screen.

How to Fix Your Firestick Remote

Here are some quick fixes that can get your Firestick remote running again:

  1. Check the Batteries

As you might know, your Firestick remote runs on two AAA batteries. The problem is that these batteries can run out of juice without any warning.

Although it might seem like it’s too obvious, the batteries should be the first thing that you check when your remote isn’t working. Additionally, you need to check that the batteries are in the right position.

Simply remove the battery cover on the back of your remote and replace the batteries with fresh ones.

  1. Make Sure You’re in Range

Your Firestick remote doesn’t use infrared like normal remotes. Instead, it connects to your Firestick device via Bluetooth. Therefore, you need to be within the range of the Firestick device, which is typically around 30 feet.

Additionally, you need to remove any obstacles that might be blocking your Firestick remote.

  1. Unpair the Firestick Remote and Pair It Again

If the previous steps couldn’t fix the issue, you might need to unpair your Firestick remote and pair it again. Don’t fret! The process is simple, and it takes no time.

To unpair the Firestick remote, you need to hold the “Back” and “Home” buttons for 10 seconds. Then, you can pair the remote again by pressing the “Home” button for 10 seconds.

You might need to repeat the process a few times before your remote successfully pairs with the Firestick device.

  1. Reset Your Fire TV Remote

Resetting the remote can fix most connection issues. If you have the Basic Edition remote, you can proceed with the following steps to reset it:

  1. Press and hold the “Home” button on your remote, and at the same time, press the “Menu” button three times.
  2. After that, release the “Home” button, and press the “Menu” button nine times.
  3. Then, remove the batteries from your remote, and unplug your Fire TV.
  4. Wait 60 seconds and put the batteries back in your remote.
  5. Plug in your Fire TV device and wait until the home screen appears.
  6. Finally, press and hold the “Home” button on your remote for 40 seconds. The setup usually takes around a minute to finish.

On the other hand, if you own the 3rd generation remote, the reset process can be a little different:

  1. First, unplug your Fire TV device and wait 60 seconds.
  2. Then, press and hold the “Left”, “Menu”, and “Back” buttons simultaneously for 12 seconds.
  3. After that, release the buttons and wait for 5 seconds.
  4. Remove the batteries from your Firestick remote.
  5. Next, plug in your Fire TV and wait 60 seconds before putting the batteries back in your remote.
  6. Finally, press the “Home” button on your Firestick remote.

    5. Contact Amazon Support

If none of the previous solutions didn’t fix the issue, the last option is to contact Amazon. They can help identify the problem with your Firestick remote.

Read more: Firestick remote red light

Alternative Solution: Use the Fire TV App on Your Phone

Your remote might be suffering from hardware damage. This is more common than you think, and unfortunately, it’s hard to fix hardware damage by yourself.

In this case, you’ll need to buy a new remote, or you can save money and use the Fire TV phone app.

The Fire TV app can basically turn your smartphone into a fully functioning remote to control your Fire TV. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices, and it’s fairly easy to use.

Here’s how to set up your Fire TV app:

  1. First, connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi as your Fire TV.
  2. Then, download and install the Fire TV app on your mobile device.
  3. After that, open the Fire TV app and sign in with your Amazon account.
  4. Next, pick your Fire TV device from the available devices list.
  5. Finally, a code will appear on the TV. 
  6. Enter this code in the app on your phone.

Conclusion

Read more: Firestick network disconnected

So, what to do when the Firestick remote won’t turn TV on or off?

First, you need to check the batteries and replace them with fresh ones. Then, make sure that you’re close to the Firestick device. After that, you can unpair your remote and pair it again.

If that doesn’t fix the issue, you can reset your Fire TV remote. Finally, you can contact Amazon support for further help.

The best alternative solution is to download the Fire TV phone app. It can turn your smartphone into a fully functioning remote!