How to Use an Amazon Fire TV Stick on a Non-Smart TV?

Put simply, you can connect a Firestick to a non-smart TV. However, you might run into some issues if your TV doesn't have an HDMI port or an open one. With that in mind, there are some things you can do if you've found yourself in this situation, including buying the right kind of conversion adaptor.

To connect a Firestick to a non-smart TV, you can use an HDMI cable if your TV has HDMI ports. If you have an older TV without HDMI ports, you can purchase a component or composite converter and use it to connect the Fire TV Stick.

This article explains how to connect a Firestick to non-smart TVs, detailing the process for TVs with and without HDMI ports, using converters for older models, and offering easy setup instructions to make streaming affordable without needing a smart TV.

How to Connect a Fire TV Stick to a Non-Smart TV That Has HDMI Inputs

There are a few steps to follow when you have a standard TV and want to connect to an Amazon Fire TV Stick. It's not difficult to set up (you can even connect a FireStick 4K to a non-4K TV with our guide), but there are a few things you need including your Amazon Prime account information. Here is a step-by-step list of how to connect a Fire TV Stick to a non-smart TV using HDMI inputs:

1. Plug the Fire TV Stick Into a Power Outlet Using the USB adapter. Plug the USB adapter that came with your Fire Stick into a nearby electrical outlet or a constantly powered-on power strip.
   
   
2. Connect the Fire TV Stick To an Available HDMI input on the TV. The HDMI input should be located on the side or back of your TV. If you can't reach the HDMI input on your TV, you can use a HDMI extender, as we have explained in this guide.
   
   
3. On the TV, select the HDMI input the Fire Stick is connected to. Select the HDMI input on your TV that corresponds to where the Fire Stick is connected (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc).
   
   
4. Insert the 2 AAA Batteries Into the Remote Control. The remote is already paired with the Fire TV Stick, you'll just have to supply the batteries, but they are inexpensive and easy to find.
   
   
5. Follow the Instructions to Connect the Fire Stick to the Wi-Fi network. When you press the remote’s “On” button the Amazon Fire TV setup screen should appear. There will be a couple of steps to follow to connect the Fire Stick to the Wi-Fi signal.
   
   
6. Sign into your Amazon account. You’ll need your username and password for your Amazon account to finish syncing the Fire TV Stick.
   
   
7. Press the Home icon on the remote once you're verified to start browsing through the apps, movies, and shows.

How to Connect a Fire TV Stick to an Older TV Without HDMI Inputs

If your TV is older than ten years, chances are it doesn’t have an HDMI port, but there is a solution that allows you to still use your Fire TV Stick. You’ll need either an HDMI-to-component converter or an HDMI-to-composite converter.

1. Purchase an HDMI to Component or Composite Converter.
   
   • A composite/component converter is a small box that converts HDMI to components (red, blue, green, red, and white) or to composite (yellow, red, and white). It allows you to use an analog TV with devices that only connect via an HDMI port. There are links to each type of converter below:
     
     • HDMI to Component converter (on Amazon)
       
     • HDMI to Composite converter (on Amazon)
       
       
2. Plug the Fire TV Stick into a Power Outlet Using the USB Converter. Regardless of how old your television is, the Fire Stick always requires a power source to turn on.
   
   
3. Connect the Fire TV Stick to the HDMI Input on the Converter. Connect the Firestick to the input on your converter. It's the same as connecting it to the HDMI input on your TV if your television had one.
   
   
4. Connect the Component or Composite From the Converter to the TV. The converter comes with composite or AV cables. Connect the cable to the video input on the TV. Now the TV is in sync with the Fire Stick.
   
   
5. On the TV, Select the Input the Converter is connected to. Turn the TV on, and go into the input settings menu. Select the input you connected the converter to.
   
   
6. Insert the 2 AAA Batteries into the Remote Control. If you don’t have a couple of AAA batteries lying around, you can find them at most stores. Don’t worry about setting the remote up, it is already paired with the connected Fire TV Stick.
   
   
7. Follow the Instructions to Connect the Fire Stick to the Wi-Fi. You’ll see on-screen instructions that will walk you through the simple setup steps. When you’re finished, the Fire Stick will be connected to your Wi-Fi network.
   
   
8. Sign in to your Amazon account. Enter your username and password into the supplied fields and press “enter”. The Amazon Prime home page should appear. From here, you can start watching content and downloading apps with the Amazon Fire Stick.

Related Questions

Can You Connect a Firestick To a Non-Smart TV Without a Remote?

For the very first setup, you typically need the physical Fire TV remote to connect the Fire Stick to a new Wi-Fi network. This is because you must navigate the Fire Stick's menus to select and log into a Wi-Fi network.

If you don't have the original Firestick remote or if it's not functioning properly, you can try to reset it using this guide. Also, using another Firestick remote from another device will work. Additionally, you can use a universal remote that is compatible with the Firestick (like this one on Amazon).

After connecting it to Wi-Fi, you can use the Amazon Firestick App (available for Android/iOS) to finish connecting and control your Firestick.

Can You Use a Firestick With Any TV?

Given that Amazon Firesticks can last for a couple of years, you may be wondering if you would be able to use it with another TV at some point. Amazon Firesticks are designed to work with most TVs, smart or non-smart. It can be used with any old TV that has an HDMI port.

The Firestick needs a power source, usually through a USB port on the TV or a separate power adapter that plugs into a power outlet. It also requires an Internet connection to stream content, usually provided via Wi-Fi. The TV itself doesn’t need to have internet capabilities, as the Firestick has its own built-in Wi-Fi receiver.