FireStick Remote Not Working? I Fixed It (Update: May 2025)

This article shows how to fix your FireStick remote not working. We’ll first outline how to diagnose the root cause and later discuss the various solutions. The solutions included here are tried and tested and have worked for users on the internet.

An unresponsive FireStick remote can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot your Fire TV remote.

Some common issues behind your FireStick remote not working include, but are not limited to:

• Weak batteries
• Pairing problems
• Connection Limit
• Distance
• Obstacles
• Incompatible Remote

In this guide, I have provided some reliable ways to fix your FireStick remote not working. These easy troubleshooting methods require no technical skills and can be done easily at home. Let’s explore and fix your remote.

Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick

How to Fix FireStick Remote Not Working

Here are the top solutions:

1. Restart Your FireStick

A quick restart fixes most glitches or software bugs. Unplug your FireStick from the television and power source and wait a few seconds. Then, plug it back in and try using the remote.

2. Install New Alkaline Batteries

Weak batteries are one of the most common causes behind the FireStick remote suddenly losing functionality.

Purchase good-quality AAA alkaline batteries from brands like Energizer, Duracell, and Camelion.

Before inserting new batteries in your FireStick remote, check that the battery connectors are not rusty. If they are, you can clean them with isopropyl alcohol.

3. Manually Pair Your FireStick Remote

Although the FireStick remote automatically pairs with Fire TV when you first set it up, pairing can be disrupted for unknown reasons, causing the remote to not work.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to manually pair your remote to your FireStick:

1. Plug your FireStick into your HDMI port and connect the power.
2. Turn on your TV and switch to the respective HDMI source.
3. Hold the Home button on your Fire TV remote for 10 seconds when you see FireStick booting up.
4. Your remote will re-pair itself with the FireStick

If your remote is still not working, repeat the process. People facing similar issues have reported successfully pairing their remotes after repeating the process.

If a FireStick remote with a light indicator flashes an orange light, it means the remote isn’t paired.

4. Connection Limit

A FireStick can connect with up to 7 Bluetooth devices. If you have connected more devices than the limit, you must disconnect one to make your FireStick remote work.

Here are the instructions to unpair a Bluetooth device from your FireStick:

1. Go to FireStick Settings and open Controllers & Bluetooth Devices.
2. You will see three sections: Amazon Fire TV Remotes, Game Controllers, and Other Bluetooth Devices.
3. Go inside a section, select a device you no longer use, and unpair it using the on-screen instructions.
4. Once again, try manually repairing your FireStick remote using the steps in the fix above.

5. Check the Distance Between the Remote And FireStick

You should keep your FireStick remote within 10 feet of your Fire TV to experience seamless operation. Ensure you are within the optimal operating range by moving closer to your TV.

6. Remove Obstacles Between FireStick Remote & Fire TV

FireStick and its remote communicate through Bluetooth. And even if you are within the optimal operating range, obstacles like walls can hamper communication between your Fire TV and its remote.

Ensure that no big objects interfere with your Fire TV and FireStick remote signals.

7. Minimize Electrical Devices

Although uncommon, plenty of electrical devices in the same room can disrupt one another’s signals. So, you can try minimizing gadgets near the FireStick and then check the remote.

8. Reset the Remote and Re-Pair It With FireStick

If the remote is not paired correctly with your FireStick, some buttons may not work properly. Hold the Home button on the remote for at least 10 seconds to pair it again.

If it still does not work, follow the steps to reset your remote and re-pair it with FireStick:

Note: The following steps DO NOT reset your FireStick to factory settings. They reset and unpair your remote and pair it again with FireStick.

1. Disconnect your FireStick from the power source (unplug the adapter from the power outlet or the FireStick device).
2. Hold down the following buttons (all of them together) for at least 20 seconds: Back, Menu, and the Left side of the navigation ring.
3. Remove the batteries from the FireStick remote.
4. Power on your FireStick and wait until you see the home screen on your TV.
5. Insert the batteries back into your FireStick remote.
6. Wait for 1-2 minutes.
7. Your FireStick remote must already be paired. If it hasn’t, hold the Home button for at least 10 seconds.

9. Troubleshooting FireStick Remotes With an LED Indicator

The latest FireStick remotes have an inbuilt troubleshooting mode that helps diagnose the problem, which is the first step to finding a solution. It was not easy with the old version of FireStick remotes, but for the new remotes with LED lights, it is much easier.

The troubleshooting mode has distinct LED lights that identify issues like discharged batteries, hardware issues in the remote, an unpaired remote, a powered-off FireStick, and paired mode.

Follow the steps below to determine if your remote supports this feature:

1. Press the rewind and right buttons simultaneously for at least three seconds.
2. Press the menu (three horizontal lines) button.
3. The remote will blink a green LED light at the top to indicate that troubleshooting mode is activated.

If you see the LED light, your Fire TV remote supports the troubleshooting mode. Press any button on the remote to diagnose why your remote is not working. Below are the various LED light colors and what they indicate:

• Blinking Red (Fast): The remote has a hardware issue. Reset it and try pairing it with the FireStick again.
• Blinking Red (Slow): Your battery charge is running low. Replace the alkaline batteries to fix the issue.
• Flashes Orange with each button press: The remote isn’t paired. Manually pair the remote by pressing the Home button for at least 10 seconds.
• Flashes White: The Fire TV is powered off. Power on the device and see if the issue is fixed.
• Flashes Blue: The remote has no issues and is correctly paired with the Fire TV device.

Once you’ve identified the issue, try the above-listed solutions to get your FireStick remote working again.

10. Is Your FireStick Remote Compatible?

Another standard solution for the FireStick remote not working is to check its compatibility. This is even more critical if your remote is a replacement device. However, if you have an out-of-the-box remote, this is not for you.

Many third parties and sources sell remotes compatible with FireStick. So, before purchasing, ensure the remote works with your FireStick generation and model. It includes in-house remotes, third-party ones, and specific FireStick-compatible game controllers.

Remember that not every FireStick remote can be used interchangeably. Moreover, many sellers sell cheap replicas of the original remote by copying the design and layout. Although they work fine in the beginning, within no time, they start creating problems. A replica also feels low-quality and rough. To avoid this, buy only from authentic sources and sellers.

11. Is Your FireStick Remote Damaged?

Have you followed all the troubleshooting methods, yet the remote refuses to work? Maybe it’s time to see if the device is damaged or broken. Physical damage can be evident from the remote’s condition and appearance. So, insert the batteries and press the buttons to check if they work smoothly.

Similarly, you can try using the remote on another FireStick (if you have one) and see if the issue persists. If the FireStick remote is dead and doesn’t work on any compatible FireStick, it’s time to replace it.

You can always get a new FireStick remote from Amazon for a few bucks. Amazon sells plenty of FireStick-compatible remotes from third parties and official sources. These may also come with additional buttons and features. Check the reviews before buying a FireStick remote on Amazon, and get the one with positive ratings.

12. Amazon Fire TV Remote App – Your Backup

You can control your device using the Amazon Fire TV Remote App.

This app converts your smartphone into a remote and lets you interact with FireStick just as you would with the physical remote.

The Amazon Fire TV Remote app is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Download the app and set it up with your FireStick or Fire TV device. Ensure your smartphone and FireStick device are connected to the same WiFi network.

Wrapping Up

Discharged batteries and faulty pairing are usually the leading causes of the FireStick remote not working. Regardless of the reason, a non-functional remote can be a major disruption to your entertainment experience. In this guide, we’ve outlined several solutions to help fix the issue and get your remote working again. Try them out and let us know which solution worked for you in the comments below.

Related:

• Best Working Solutions when FireStick Won’t Connect to WiFi
• How to Fix Optimizing System Storage & Applications on FireStick
• FireStick not Working- Problems & Solutions
• Fix Home is Currently Unavailable on FireStick

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