FireStick Not Working? Common Problems & Solutions (2021)

In this guide, I will show you how to fix the issue of your FireStick not working. I will walk you through all of the common problems and their solutions. The guide is suitable for any Amazon Fire TV device, including FireStick 4K, FireStick 2nd Gen, FireStick Lite, and Fire TV Cube.

Imagine settling down to enjoy a marathon of your favorite TV show. You pick up your remote to navigate to the new video-on-demand app that you’ve taken a liking to. Suddenly, you realize that your FireStick is not working and you can’t get it to respond. It’s a frustrating scenario.

In general, the FireStick is a pretty reliable device. It is a small gadget with no moving parts that is quite durable. However, like all things tech, it is not invincible. The FireStick does not experience errors very often, but it can sometimes stop working all of a sudden after it’s been used for some time, or even worse, fresh out of the box.

Whether it’s a glitch with your remote, a compatibility issue, or a sneaky problem with the device itself, FireStick problems can be quite annoying when they pop up. The good news is that most of the time, there is an easy fix for the issue. In this troubleshooting guide, I will explain exactly what you should do to fix all of the common problems that lead to your FireStick not working.

Read: How to install and use the best VPN for FireStick

How to Fix a FireStick That’s Not Working

Regardless of how complex the issue may seem, restarting your FireStick, updating the device software, or factory resetting your FireStick may be what does the trick. So, let’s look at those generic fixes. You may wish to try these simpler solutions before moving on to the more complex ones.

Let’s fix that FireStick.

Restart Your FireStick

In many cases, your FireStick just needs to be rebooted. It is the simplest method to resolve a problem with FireStick devices, and it takes only a few seconds to carry out. When you restart your FireStick, you are essentially reloading the system, allowing it to start again fresh.

Here’s a guide that includes several methods to restart your Fire TV Stick.

Update Your FireStick Software

To have your device perform optimally, it is essential that you keep your FireStick software up to date. By installing the latest updates provided by Amazon, you ensure that you get the fixes for bugs, crashes, and other performance issues. Software upgrades also come with new and improved features for a more enjoyable experience on the FireStick.

Before you update your FireStick software, you first need to confirm that there are new updates for your device. You can manually check for updates in the FireStick settings.

Here’s a guide that will show you how to check and install the latest update on FireStick.

Once you install the update, it clears up the problem that was causing your FireStick to not work. If the issue persists, move on to the next step.

Reset Your FireStick to Factory Settings

Another generic solution to many of the problems that cause the FireStick to stop working is to reset your FireStick. This process reverts the device to its factory default settings, the settings it had when it came out of the box.

Note: You should only resort to resetting your FireStick to factory settings if other methods do not work. When you reset your FireStick to factory settings, all of the data and personal settings on the device are permanently erased.

There are two ways you can reset your FireStick device to factory settings. For more detailed information, you may wish to read our guide on how to reset FireStick to factory settings.

Specific FireStick Problems and Solutions

Blank Screen

A blank screen occurs when there is suddenly no display on your FireStick. There are several reasons this problem can occur. One reason is your TV is not receiving an input signal from the FireStick due to a loose cable. Incompatible or damaged cables can also result in faulty input signals.

The first step to take in correcting a blank screen is an obvious one: Restart your FireStick. If this does not work, check your TV’s input source. The active input source must be set to the HDMI port your FireStick is plugged into. For example, if your FireStick is plugged into the HDMI 1 port, ensure that you select the corresponding input source.

You should also check the connection between the TV and FireStick. You want to ensure that the FireStick is plugged in properly and is not loose-fitting. If you find that it’s loose, adjust it so it’s positioned properly. You can also disconnect the device and then reconnect it again.

App Crashes

Sometimes an app that you have installed on your FireStick will crash or close down when you try to use it. This problem usually corrects itself. However, if you find that one or more apps crash consistently, then you should do something about it.

A technique to fix app crashes is to clear the cache and/or data of the faulty app. The cache is the dedicated memory for storing data and functions that are repeatedly used by an app. Clearing the cache cleans out all that data and can solve multiple app malfunctions. Here is a detailed guide on the FireStick cache and how to clear it.

You can easily clear the cache by going to the FireStick Settings > Applications > Manage Installed Applications. Select the app that’s experiencing issues and then select Clear cache.

If the problem persists, you can clear the app’s data instead. This will erase all the information and settings that you have configured in the app. To clear an app’s data, follow the same steps but select Clear data instead.

If clearing the cache and data does not fix an app that keeps crashing, you may have to uninstall and then reinstall that app.

No Audio Issues

You may try streaming a movie or TV show on your FireStick and notice that while the video plays just fine, you are unable to hear any sound.

The first step to resolving this problem is checking if the TV or FireStick audio is muted or turned down really low. This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by how easily such a small detail can go unnoticed.

If audio settings are not the issue, check the connections. Ensure that the HDMI and any optical connectors are plugged in properly. Also, make sure your cables are not visibly faulty.

If the problem is not from the cables or connections, you may want to check for any device updates as I detailed above. If there is a new software update pending, carry out the update.

You may also need to change an audio setting on your FireStick. Sometimes turning off Dolby Digital Plus in your FireStick settings can fix audio problems. Go to Settings > Display & Sounds > Audio > Dolby Digital Output, then turn it off and see if your audio issue has been fixed.

Internet Connection Issues

Your FireStick may not be working because of problems arising from its connection to the internet. This issue is common. Your FireStick needs the internet to function, so any disruption to the connection will cause the device to stop working.

Fixing this error can be quite easy. First, check if there is an active internet connection. On your home screen, go to Settings and select Network. Press the play/pause button on your remote while on your internet network to view the connection status and confirm that there is an active connection.

The next step is to disconnect and reconnect your Wi-Fi. This is a simple trick that will likely solve the problem. You can do this by going to Settings > Network and then selecting your network. Next, click the options button on your remote and select the option that forgets the network. After forgetting the network, select it from the list of available networks to establish a fresh connection. When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi password.

If forgetting and reconnecting to your network does not solve the problem, you can reset your Wi-Fi router. To reset your router, simply unplug its power cord. Wait for about half a minute and then plug the power cord back in. Let the router sit for a few minutes while it reboots, then try reconnecting your FireStick to the internet.

If you regularly experience internet issues on your FireStick, the signal from your router may not be reaching your FireStick at full strength. Try moving your router and FireStick closer together and clearing the physical path between them. Also, ensure that your FireStick or Fire TV device is not near enclosed areas. Small areas like closets can block your Wi-Fi signal and cause connectivity issues. Finally, large glass or metal surfaces around or between your router or FireStick can deflect Wi-Fi signals, so check for these obstacles and move them if possible.

Did you swap out the cables that came with your FireStick for your own cables? Sometimes other cables cause compatibility issues. You may actually be able to resolve your issue by going back to the original FireStick cables.

Internet connection issues can also arise from compatibility issues with modems or routers that are several years old. If you’ve consistently had connection issues on your FireStick and you can’t seem to resolve them, the problem may be with your old router or modem. Since replacing it would be an investment, doing so should be your last resort.

Unresponsive Remote Control

There are quite a few reasons your FireStick remote could stop working as it should. One is the batteries dying out. Conveniently, Amazon implemented a way for you to check the remaining charge in your remote control batteries from the FireStick settings. But obviously, getting there requires your remote to function to some degree.

If your remote is still usable but has been intermittently unresponsive recently, you should check your remote’s battery power. Go to Settings > Remotes & Bluetooth Devices > Amazon Fire TV Remotes. Click on your remote in the list to view its status and see how much battery life is left. If the batteries are low, replacing them should get rid of your intermittent remote problems.

If your batteries aren’t the problem, you can try restarting your remote control. Often, this will repair your issue. The process to restart a FireStick remote depends on the generation of the device, so you’ll want to refer to Amazon’s official instructions to restart FireStick remotes.

Your remote control should respond fine after resetting it. If it doesn’t and you can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong, consider getting a replacement remote online.

Overheating

FireStick devices don’t typically experience overheating problems. In fact, most of them do not have that issue. But those devices with overheating issues tend to overheat often. A FireStick can be permanently damaged if it overheats too many times. If this happens, there’s no way forward but to buy a new device.

Even if it doesn’t completely fry your FireStick, overheating negatively affects the performance, resulting in problems like slow loading times, connectivity issues, and lagging.

If your device overheats, you can unplug and let it cool down for a few minutes before plugging it back into the outlet. Unplugging it shuts the device down and allows it to refresh. Other options are clearing the cache and data on bigger apps or force-closing apps to prevent them from running in the background.

Here’s a guide to avoiding overheating of FireStick.

If these fixes don’t help, you may have to reset your FireStick to factory settings. This wipes out all installed apps, app data, and any device settings. Hopefully, that can solve your overheating problem.

FAQs

What if none of the solutions worked for me?

If you tried all the solutions to common FireStick problems and none of them worked, you can reach out to Amazon’s FireStick customer support for more professional help. Even then, you may need to purchase a new device, but at least you’ll have confirmation that there’s nothing more you can do.

Do FireStick devices wear out?

Yes, they do. Like all devices, your FireStick will eventually begin to wear out, leading to more problems. The good news is that this usually takes quite a while. The FireStick is a durable device, and you will probably enjoy yours for several years before wear and tear start to cause issues.

Wrapping Up

FireSticks can experience a range of problems, from connection issues to faulty audio to remote control malfunctions. If your FireStick was not working, you came to the right place. In this guide, I covered all the common causes of FireStick problems and their solutions. I hope one of these solutions fixed the problem that was preventing you from enjoying your streaming device. If you have any feedback on this article or any solutions of your own to suggest, we would love to hear from you. Please drop a comment below.

Related:

• Best Working Solutions for When FireStick Won’t Connect to Wifi
• How to Fix If FireStick Remote is not Working
• How to Set Up FireStick 
• How to Contact Amazon FireStick Customer Service