In this post, I will show you how to pair a FireStick remote. This guide applies to remote controllers for Amazon FireStick 2nd Gen, FireStick 4K, Fire TV Cube, as well as most of the older Fire TV devices. I have also provided bonus steps to unpair your existing remotes in case you need to do that for any reason. Additionally, I have also included the steps to sync your FireStick remote with TV controls (power and volume).
If your Fire TV Stick remote has unpaired for some reason or you have bought a new replacement remote that needs to be paired, you can do that quite easily. In several cases, remotes pair with your FireStick device automatically. In some cases, they need to be paired manually.
Note: You might want to check out my other post in case your Firestick remote is not working at all.
I have tried to cover all the possible remote-pairing scenarios in this guide. If you think I missed something, let me know through the comments section below.
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How to Pair a FireStick Remote
There are many scenarios where you may need to pair your FireStick remote with the device. Let’s take a look at each case one by one.
Note: Make sure you have inserted the batteries in the remote
1. Pair the remote during FireStick setup
When you are setting up Amazon FireStick for the first time after taking it out of the box (or after resetting it), you are required to pair the FireStick remote. In fact, the very first thing you need to do is pair the remote so that you can navigate through the setup process.
To pair the Amazon Fire TV Stick remote during the setup, you will be asked to press the Play/Pause button on the remote (check the image below). That’s how simple it is.
2. Pair a replacement/new remote
If the original remote got damaged or stopped working, you must have bought a replacement/new remote.
The new remote will need to be paired with your device first before you start using it. Just follow the steps below:
- Unplug your Fire Stick from the power source
- Insert batteries in your new remote
- Power on your Fire TV Stick after about a minute and wait for the home screen to load up
- Sometimes, the new remote gets automatically paired upon reboot. Try using the remote to check if that’s the case.
- If it hasn’t paired automatically, simply hold down the HOME button on your FireStick remote for 10-20 seconds
- You may see a notification on your TV saying that the remote was successfully paired. If the notification isn’t displayed or you missed the notification, try using the remote to see if it is working.
This is how you pair a new or replacement remote.
3. How to pair additional/second FireStick Remote
You can use multiple remote controllers with Amazon FireStick. This could be handy if your existing remote isn’t all that good but you are not ready to do away with it just yet. In the meantime, you want to have a better-performing remote by your side.
Here are the steps to pair the second or additional remote with your FireStick:
1. Go to the home screen of Fire Stick
2. Select the option Settings in the menu bar
3. On the following screen, choose and click Controllers & Bluetooth Devices
4. Click Amazon Fire TV Remotes on the next window
5. Choose the option Add New Remote on this screen
6. Your Fire TV Stick will start looking for the new remote
You need to hold down the Home button on your “new” remote for at least 10 seconds
7. Once the new remote is discovered, press the SELECT button (middle button) on the OLD remote to confirm the pairing of the new remote
Check whether the new remote has been paired by trying to use it.
How to Unpair Your FireStick Remote
If you want to use your remote with another FireStick device, you will first need to unpair it from the existing device.
There are two scenarios to consider:
- You are using only 1 remote with the existing device
- You are using 2 remotes with the existing device
Let’s cover both the cases here
1. You are using only 1 remote with the existing device
If you are using just one remote, you cannot use it to unpair itself. However, it can still be unpaired if you intend to use it with another FireStick device.
If both the Fire Stick devices are within the range of the remote, make sure you unplug the existing device to which the remote is paired. If the FireStick is turned on, you can’t unpair the remote.
Now, use one of the pairing methods I have provided above to pair the remote with the other device.
2. You are using 2 remotes with the existing device
If you are using two remotes with the same Fire TV device and wish to unpair one of them, you can easily do that using the other remote.
Follow the steps below:
1. Go to Settings from the home screen of FireStick
2. Open the option Controllers & Bluetooth Devices
3. Click Amazon Fire TV Remotes
4. Select the FireStick remote you wish to unpair
Press the 3-line menu key on the “other” remote (pressing the button on the remote you wish to unpair will not work)
5. Press the Select button on the “other” remote
This is how you unpair a FireStick remote if you are using two remote controllers. You may now use the unpaired remote with any other Fire Stick or Fire TV device.
How to pair FireStick remote with the TV controls
The new FireStick and Fire TV remotes come with basic TV controls. You will find the following TV buttons on your remote that sync with the IR profile of your TV:
- Power ON/OFF button
- Volume Up/Down button
- Mute button
Again, these buttons do not control your FireStick. They sync with your TV.
In most cases, the TV buttons pair with your TV automatically. However, sometimes you may need to do it manually.
If the TV buttons are not working, follow these steps:
1. Select Fire Stick Settings from the home screen
2. Click Equipment Control
3. Choose the option Manage Equipment on the next screen
4. Click TV on this window
5. Choose the option Change TV
6. Click Change TV when prompted
7. Wait!
8. If FireStick detected the TV correctly, click YES
If not, click NO
9. If you clicked NO above, you will be asked to choose your TV brand. Go ahead and do that and follow the onscreen instructions to set up the TV control
Wrapping Up
Pairing a FireStick remote is easy. In fact, in most cases, the remote gets paired automatically or with just a press of the button. However, in some cases, it needs to be paired manually. You simply need to follow the instructions in this guide to pair any Fire TV remote.
Read Also:
- How to use FireStick Without a Remote
- How to Control FireStick with a Phone
- Best tips & tricks for Amazon Fire Stick Users
- How to fix buffering issues on Amazon Fire TV Stick
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If the remote isn’t paired then you cannot select anything, including but not limted to “settings”. No help here when your remote will not pair.
Hi Sean, you can try using the Amazon Fire TV app on your smartphone to operate your Amazon FireStick using your phone. This guide walks you through the steps. Please note that your phone and Fire TV Stick will need to be connected to the same network for this method to work.
I have a FireStick that was working fine and then the remote froze. I rebooted the FireStick but as it boots up, it goes into an app and I can’t get back out of it. The volume buttons work but no other buttons work. I tried to pair it again an no luck. Any thoughts?
Hi Dave, here is a guide on common solutions for fixing a FireStick remote.
Hi, my amazon cube remote volume + or – or mute doesn’t work any suggestions please.
Regards
Hi James, go to FireStick Settings > Equipment Control. Now, set the option Equipment Control to Automatic. If it is already that, click Manage Equipment and follow the onscreen instructions to sync the TV control buttons on your FireStick remote with your TV.
Hi, I factory reset my firestick and now the remote won’t connect to it.
Hi William, did you try and hold down the home button for at least 10 seconds?
I want to set up a firestick lite on my tv for my daughter to then take home and use on her tv , will the remote still pair with the firestick.
Hi Shawn, yes, it will pair. The remote pairs with FireStick and has nothing to do with the TV.
Hello. I have the older firetv box with the remote with no TV controls. I’ve tried pairing a new remote (with Tv controls) but have been unsuccessful. Is this possible?
Hi Richard, which Fire TV device do you have? It is possible to pair the Fire TV remote with TV controls with some of the older devices.
bad bad bad. at no point do you say WHEN to plug the fire stick IN after unplugging I went ahead and guessed when to plug it in
Hi Ann, great observation. Thank you for pointing it out. You could plug it back in after about a minute. I am updating the guide with the information.
Hi my tv is now paired with fire stick but i am now unable to use the tv remote to control tv channels, etc. your help would be most appreciated thaks in advance
Hi Terry, FireStick does not affect your existing TV remote. Which TV do you have?
There is no info on how to unpair Amazon Fire TV Remote App
Hi, there is indeed: https://www.firesticktricks.com/pair-firestick-remote.html#How_to_Unpair_Your_FireStick_Remote