Amazon’s Firestick has been a game-changer. The convenience, versatility, and sheer entertainment it provides are unparalleled. But with advanced technology comes some mysteries, like the blue light on the Firestick remote, which sometimes blinks unexpectedly or stays on for no apparent reason. What does it mean? Is it a signal for help?
The blue light on your Firestick remote can indicate the remote is trying to pair with your Firestick, has low battery, or is experiencing connectivity issues. It can also mean Alexa is listening. Start by replacing the batteries before trying to complete pairing, and then resetting the remote.
The blue light usually blinks when the remote is in pairing mode and searching for a device to connect to. Once the remote has successfully paired with your Firestick, the blue light should turn off. If the blue light keeps blinking, or stays on too long, well, that’s the exact type of thing we’re going to cover in this article. Let’s get started!
Understanding the Blue Light on Firestick Remote
So, first let’s figure out what all this blue light can mean.
Flashing Blue Light and Its Meaning – Pairing Mode
The most common reason for the blue light on your Firestick remote is that it is in pairing mode. This happens when you first set up your remote or if you need to re-pair it for any reason.
If the blue light on your remote is flashing, it means that the remote is in pairing mode. To pair your remote, simply press and hold the Home button for about 5 seconds until the light turns off. If the blue light continues to flash, try restarting the remote by removing the batteries and placing them back in after about 30 seconds.
A Blinking Blue Light May Mean Wi-Fi Interference
If your Firestick remote’s blue light is blinking, it may be due to Wi-Fi interference. This could happen if your remote is too far away from the Firestick device or if there are other devices in the area that are interfering with the Wi-Fi signal.
To fix this issue, try moving the Firestick device closer to your remote or turning off any other devices that may be causing interference.
The Microphone Button & The Blue Light
For Alexa or voice-enabled Firestick remotes, the blue light indicates that Alexa is listening. If you accidentally press the microphone button, the blue light will stay on until you press the back button or until Alexa stops listening.
If the blue light stays on continuously, it may be a sign of a glitch that needs to be cleared by restarting the remote.
Now that we know a little bit more about what can cause this, let’s talk about making it go away!
What About a Solid Blue Light?
While it’s not super clear what this glitch means, discussion on Amazon’s product forums indicates that this can be cleared by replacing the remote’s batteries. If it persists, it may mean a physical key on the device is stuck, that you can try to figure out and fix. Otherwise, you may need to replace the remote (see our suggestions for universal remotes toward the bottom of the article).
How To Clear A Blinking Blue Light On Firestick Remote
Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to clear the issue. If these don’t solve your problem, we address a few more common issues below, before discussing a replacement remote.
- Restart everything: Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Unplug your Firestick device from the power source, remove the batteries from the remote, and wait for a few minutes. Then, plug the Firestick back in and put the batteries back in the remote. This should clear any glitches that may be causing the issue.
- Check pairing: If the blue light is blinking, it could be trying to pair with your Firestick device. Make sure the Firestick device is plugged in and powered on, and wait for it to pair with the remote. If the remote still doesn’t pair, move on to the next step.
- Replace batteries: If the batteries in your remote are low or dead, the blue light may blink. Replace the batteries with new ones and check if the issue is resolved.
- Factory Reset the remote: If the issue persists, try resetting your Firestick remote. Press and hold the Home button for at least 10 seconds until the blue light starts flashing. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
Resetting Firestick to Factory Settings
If the remote is still not working after trying the pairing fixes, you can try resetting your Firestick device to its factory settings. To do this, go to Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults. This will erase all data and settings on your Firestick device, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
And, we should note that if your remote isn’t working, this is obviously going to be a bit tricky. Use the FireTV app on your phone to navigate the Firestick, or have a look at our more detailed article on controlling a FireTV without a remote.
Getting a Replacement Remote
If none of the above fixes work, it might be time to get a replacement remote. You can purchase a new remote on Amazon (on Amazon) or contact Amazon customer service for assistance. Maybe your existing device is within warranty!
Before purchasing a new remote, make sure to check if it’s compatible with your Firestick device, and if you’re already buying a new remote, we think you should consider a universal remote like the Phillips 6-Device universal remote (also on Amazon), which will allow you to control your Firstick and so much more.
Why We Recommend a Universal Remote
A universal remote will allow you to control multiple devices with a single remote, making it easier to switch between devices without having to juggle multiple remotes. Plus, a universal remote will come in handy if you have multiple Firestick devices in your home.
And especially for hom theaters, there are probably a few other devices you have in the room–DVD players, game consoles, audio systems, etc.–that you can also connect up to your universal remote. And we know that nothing can make a home theater experience better than not having to memorize which of 6 controls to use at any given time in the media watching process…trust us, use a universal remote!
Calming Your Firestick Remote
So, to sum it all up, a blue light on your Firestick remote is not a cause for alarm. If the blue light is flashing, try resetting your remote or re-pairing it with your Firestick device.
If the problem persists, consider purchasing a new remote, and really consider a universal remote. With these tips in mind, you can calm your blinking Firestick remote and get back to enjoying your favorite content. And be sure to check out Amazon’s troubleshooting page if you’re not out of the woods yet.
