How to Set Up Amazon FireStick in 5 Minutes (Beginner’s Guide)

This guide will show you how to set up Amazon FireStick for the first time. The steps work on all Fire TV devices, including FireStick 2nd/3rd Gen, Fire TV Stick Lite, FireStick HD, FireStick 4K, FireStick 4K Max, and Fire TV Cube.

What’s FireStick?

The Amazon FireStick is a streaming device that transforms your non-smart TV into a smart streaming hub. It allows you to install both official and third-party apps that provide access to movies, TV shows, sports, live TV, kids’ content, and more.

Other content types accessible through a FireStick include:

• Music
• Podcasts
• Documentaries
• Games

The Amazon FireStick features a dedicated remote with voice commands and customizable buttons, making navigation easy.

The design is compact and lightweight, another feature that makes it a favorite among cord-cutters. It is convenient to carry and watch content wherever they are, provided they have access to an Internet connection and a compatible TV.

In this guide, we have explained how to set up your FireStick if you have recently bought or reset your FireStick.

Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick

Why Choose FireStick?

There are numerous streaming devices available on the market. Some are feature-rich, while others offer mediocre performance.

Below are some features of FireStick that make it a great choice for your streaming needs:

• The portable size is great for traveling.
• You can add external storage to expand the memory.
• The voice command feature makes it easy to control the device.
• It’s Bluetooth-enabled, so you can easily connect game controllers and other devices.
• It offers HD and UHD streaming facilities.

Pre-requisites to Set Up Amazon FireStick

Before setting up your Amazon FireStick, here are some prerequisites that need to be fulfilled:

• Stable Wi-Fi: The Amazon FireStick doesn’t offer a built-in Wi-Fi feature. Therefore, you must connect it to a fast and active internet connection.
• Compatible Television: FireSticks are only compatible with HD and UHD televisions with an HDMI port.
• Amazon Account: You must have an active Amazon account to enjoy using the Amazon FireStick. If you have ordered the device using your Amazon account, the seller will link it to it. Alternatively, you can register for an Amazon account in a few easy steps (we’ll cover that later).

How to Set Up Amazon FireStick With Remote Controls

Now that you’re all set, let’s begin. This setup guide applies to all Fire TV devices, except the FireStick Lite, which features a simplified remote that lacks essential buttons, such as volume controls.

To make the process easier, I have divided the setup into several key steps. Follow along to set up your Amazon Fire TV Stick for the first time.

Part 1: Getting Started

Follow the steps below:

1. Locate the micro-USB port and HDMI connector on your FireStick. Plug one end of the USB power cord into the micro-USB port of your FireStick and the other end into a power adapter brick.

2. Connect the power adapter to a power outlet. Then, plug the FireStick into any HDMI port on your TV.

Power on your TV and change the input to the corresponding HDMI channel. You’ll see a loading screen with the Fire TV Stick logo. It might take some time to load the first time, so don’t worry.

(Note: Using the power adapter in a wall outlet is recommended, not the powered USB ports offered by some TVs.)

3. It’s time to set up your FireStick remote. First, insert the two AAA batteries included in the box.

4. Once you have fixed the remote and connected the FireStick, the Fire TV logo will appear on your screen.

5. Next, a prompt to search for the remote will appear. If the remote is off, switch it on, and then click the Home button to pair.

6. Click the pause/play button to begin the setup.

7. Choose your language from the displayed list and click OK on the remote (the circular button is at the center of the navigation ring).

8. After that, a list of available Wi-Fi networks will appear. Click on the network to which you wish to connect your FireStick.

9. Enter the Wi-Fi password and click Connect.

10. Wait for the Connection successful message.

11. The FireStick will check for updates to ensure you use the latest version.

12. FireStick will begin downloading the latest software version.

13. Next, your FireStick will begin updating.

14. The Fire TV logo will reappear on your screen.

15. You will see a Finishing Updates notification.

Part 2: Setting Up the Fire TV Remote

If you purchased your FireStick directly from Amazon, it may already be pre-registered with your Amazon account. However, if it is not pre-registered or you prefer to use a different Amazon account, you can deregister the existing account and register a new one.

Please follow the steps below to register your FireStick with an Amazon account:

1. FireStick will ask you to sign in to your Amazon account. If you don’t have an account, click the second option to create one.

2. Use a computer or phone to go to amazon.com/code and enter the code displayed on your screen.

3. You will see a notification that the Fire TV is successfully registered in the next window.

4. Fire TV will inform you that your Fire TV will be registered to your Amazon account. Click Continue to proceed.

5. Select Yes on the prompt to save your Wi-Fi passwords on your Amazon account.

6. If you reset your FireStick or previously had a Fire TV, you will see a prompt asking you to Restore previous account data. You will not see this prompt if you set up Fire TV for the first time.

7. Choose a device to restore.

8. Choose your TV brand from the list.

9. You will see a prompt asking you to turn up your volume and listen to music. Click Next.

10. Use the volume up and down buttons on your remote as instructed on your screen.

11. Click Yes if you are sure that you can hear the music and that your volume controls are functioning correctly.

12. Fire TV will notify you that you have successfully set up your remote. Click OK.

13. Select your default payment method.

Note: This is an optional step that may be missing for some FireStick models.

Part 3: Set up the Fire TV

You need to set up your FireStick to stream content. This includes installing FireStick apps that offer relevant content, such as movies, TV shows, live TV, and sports.

It also entails personalizing the display and device settings. Follow the steps below:

1. Choose your Parental Control preference, whether you want it on or off.

2. Amazon will prompt you to subscribe to get the latest on shows, products, news, special offers, and more. Click Subscribe or Skip.

3. Click Got It on the next page.

4.  On the next window, set up your FireStick Profile.

5. This is how the FireStick home screen looks.

Your FireStick is now set. Install relevant FireStick apps to watch movies, TV shows, sports, live TV, kids’ content, and more.

Exploring FireStick

The Amazon FireStick comes pre-installed with Amazon apps like Prime Video and Amazon Music. However, to use the device to its full potential, you can install more apps from the Amazon App Store and external sites.

Let’s explore how you can maximize your FireSticks’ capabilities.

Jailbreak Your FireStick to Enjoy Third-Party Apps

One way to stream content on FireStick is through paid apps that offer a variety of content, including movies, TV shows, and sports. These applications include :

• Hulu
• Netflix
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime
• ESPN+
• Paramount+
• DAZN
• Peacock

Most streaming apps require a recurring subscription fee. For example, Netflix’s basic plan costs $7.99 per month, and if you subscribe to multiple platforms, the expenses can add up to hundreds of dollars per year.

However, you don’t always have to spend money to access content on FireStick. You can jailbreak your FireStick to install third-party and unofficial applications that offer free content.

Jailbreaking is entirely safe and legal. You are simply modifying settings to install the apps outside the Amazon App Store; no hacking or illegal activity is involved. Once you jailbreak your FireStick, you can install Kodi, a powerful multimedia player, and customize it with addons and builds to enjoy uninterrupted streaming of TV shows, movies, games, kids’ content, and more.

Hide Your Internet Activity by Using a VPN

The internet is not always a safe place. Besides government surveillance, your online activities can be traced by:

• Hackers
• Snoopers
• Trackers
• Third parties
• Your Internet service provider (ISP)

For this reason, I recommend using a VPN for FireStick, especially when streaming content using third-party applications.

There are dozens of VPN services on the market. Some work on subscription-based models, while others may offer limited free data.

After thorough research, I recommend ExpressVPN. It’s a completely secure, reliable, and fast Virtual Private Network. Moreover, your connection will never be compromised.

Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Subscribe to ExpressVPN HERE. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can use it free for the first 30 days, and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for a full refund.

Step 2: Power ON your Fire TV Stick and go to Find, followed by the Search option.

Step 3: Now type “Expressvpn” (without quotes) in the search bar and select ExpressVPN when it appears in the search results.

Step 4: Click Download to install the ExpressVPN app on Fire TV / Stick.

Step 5: Open the app and enter the login credentials you created while buying the ExpressVPN subscription. Click Sign in.

Step 6: Click the Power icon to connect to a VPN server. That’s all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for FireStick.

You can also read more detailed info on using ExpressVPN with Fire TV / Stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winding Up

That’s all you need to do to set up your Amazon FireStick for the first time! This device transforms any non-smart TV into a streaming hub, allowing you to watch movies, TV shows, live TV, sports, kids’ content, and more online. With its compact size and lightweight design, FireStick is an excellent choice for travelers and those with limited TV space.

If you encounter any issues during setup, feel free to ask your question in the comment section below. We will be happy to help.

Related Guides:

• FireStick not Working – Problems & Solutions
• How to Fix FireStick Remote Issues
• Where Do I Enter the Amazon Fire Stick Activation Code?
• How to Change Time on Amazon FireStick

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