The Amazon Firestick is a great device for bringing many premium smart TV features to non-smart TVs. However, sometimes users have trouble with the device’s remote. One of the simplest ways to fix these issues is to reset your remote, but how do you do this?
To reset the newest model of Firestick, unplug the Firestick for a minute and then hold down the left, menu, and back buttons for 12 seconds. Remove the remote’s batteries and plug in your Firestick for another minute. Then, put the batteries back and hit the home button.
The steps to reset your Firestick remote depend on what generation of Amazon Fire TV remote you have. The steps above were for the newest generation of the Alexa Voice Remote, but what if you have an older Firestick remote? Let’s get into this topic in more detail so that you can learn how to reset any kind of Firestick remote.
What Causes a Firestick Remote to Stop Working?
When it comes to the Firestick remote, four often issues can cause the remote to stop working entirely. These are dead batteries, signal interference, an unpaired remote, and hardware issues. Let’s go through each of these issues as well as how to fix them.
Dead Batteries
A Firestick remote can frequently stop working is low or dead batteries. The remote requires power to function, and if the batteries are low or dead, it won't work. To fix this issue, users can replace the batteries and try again.
Signal Interference
Another common cause of remote issues is signal interference. This can occur when there are physical barriers between the remote and the Firestick, or when other electronic devices are operating nearby.
To fix this issue, users can move closer to the Firestick, remove any physical barriers, or try turning off other electronic devices.
Remote is Unpaired
Sometimes, the remote can become unpaired with the Firestick. This can happen if the Firestick is reset, or if the remote is paired with another device. The easiest way to fix this issue is to re-pair the remote with the Firestick by following the instructions in the Firestick menu.
Hardware Issues
Finally, hardware issues can also cause the Firestick remote to stop working. This can occur if the remote is damaged or if there are internal issues. In this case, you must to replace the remote or seek professional help.
How to Reset Your Firestick Remote?
So, how do you reset a Fire Stick remote? Before we can get into this, there are actually three different ways to do this depending on what generation of Firestick remote you might have. There is the basic first-generation remote, the Alexa Voice remote, and the newer Alexa Voice remote. Let’s go through how to reset each of these remotes.
Pro Tip: You can probably control your Firestick with your normal TV remote as well. If you'd like to try that instead, check out our related guide!
Resetting the Basic Firestick Remote
The basic remote is the only Firestick remote that doesn’t have a microphone at the top for you to interact with Alexa. So if your remote doesn’t have a tiny hole at the top of the front face, you have a basic remote. To reset a basic remote, just follow these steps:
- Press and hold the Home button.
- At the same time you’re holding the Home button, press the Menu button to the right of the Home button three times.
- Release the Home button and then press the Menu button nine more times.
- Remove the batteries from your remote and then unplug the Firestick itself for at least a minute.
- Plug the Firestick back in and put the batteries back into the remote.
- Once the Firestick is on, hold the Home button until the remote pairs with your Firestick.
Resetting the Alexa Voice Remote (Original Model)
The original Alexa Voice remote introduces a microphone hole at the top for you to interact with Alexa. This remote only has a microphone button, a circle pad, and then six buttons below that. To reset this remote, just follow these simple steps:
- Unplug the Firestick itself for at least a minute so that it completely shuts down.
- Press and hold the left button on the circle pad and the Menu button for at least 12 seconds.
- Release the buttons and wait 5 seconds.
- Remove the batteries to your remote.
- Plug the Firestick back in and wait at least 60 seconds.
- Put the batteries back into the remote and press the home button to reconnect it to your Firestick.
Resetting the Alexa Voice Firestick Remote (New Model)
Newer versions of the Alexa Voice remote (as well as the Alexa Voice Remote Pro) will include all Amazon Firestick remotes that we haven’t covered yet. All-new Alexa Voice Remotes have a button that looks like an old antenna TV (older remotes don’t have this). To reset a newer Alexa Voice Remote, just follow these steps:
- Unplug the Firestick itself for at least a minute so that it completely shuts down.
- Press and hold the left button on the circle pad, as well as the back button, the home button, and the menu button for at least 12 seconds. (These are the three buttons directly below the circle pad).
- Release all the buttons and then wait for around 5 seconds.
- Take the batteries out of your Firestick remote.
- Plug the Firestick back in and wait at least 60 seconds.
- Put the batteries back into the remote and press the home button to reconnect it to your Firestick.
How To Reset An Amazon Fire TV Remote On A New TV?
To reset a Fire TV stick remote for a new TV, follow these steps:
- Press and hold the Home button on the Firestick remote for approximately 10 seconds.
- Wait for the remote's light to start blinking.
- Follow the on-screen instructions on your TV to complete the pairing process.
How To Reset A Fire TV Stick Remote When It's Frozen?
If the Firestick remote is frozen, you can try the following steps to reset it:
- Take out the batteries from the remote.
- Disconnect the Firestick device from the power source.
- Wait for 30 seconds for the remote and the Firestick to completely power off.
- Put the batteries back into the remote.
- Reconnect the Firestick to the power source.
- Allow a minute for the remote to automatically pair with the Firestick.
If you experience issues with your Firestick Home screen, like the screen not loading or showing an error message, we have troubleshooting guides on that as well.
Fire Remote Troubleshooting Tips
If you're experiencing issues with the Amazon Fires TV stick itself, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem before resorting to contacting Amazon support.
Pro Tip: You can also control your Firestick without a remote, using the Fire TV App. More in our guide here.
1. Ensure your Firestick is securely connected to your TV and power source. Check that the HDMI cable is properly plugged into both the Firestick and your TV, and ensure the power cord is correctly connected and receiving power. If power issues persist, try using a different outlet or power cord.
2. If your Firestick is connected but not working, restart it by unplugging it from the power source for a few seconds and then plugging it back in. This should force a reset and may resolve the issue.
3. If you didn't resolve the issue by restarting the Firestick, clear the cache by going to Firestick settings, selecting Applications, and then Manage Installed Applications. Locate the troublesome app, select it, and choose Clear Cache. If unsure which app is causing the problem, consider clearing the cache for each app.
4. If the above methods don't work, you will have to consider doing a factory reset. To do this, go to the Firestick settings, select System, select Reset to Factory Defaults, and then select Reset. This will erase all data on the Firestick and return it to its original settings.
What Are the Best Alternatives to an Amazon Firestick Remote?
While the Firestick’s remote is great, it's not always the most convenient option, especially if you've lost or broken it. Fortunately, since Firestick can last for a couple of years, there are plenty of alternatives that you can use to control your Firestick.
Use your smartphone as a remote control for your Firestick by downloading the “Amazon Fire TV” app from Amazon. Connect it to your Firestick, and you can control your device seamlessly. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android.
Another option is to use a universal remote. These remotes (like this Kassionel remote (on Amazon for example) can be programmed to work with multiple devices, including your Firestick.
If you prefer voice control, you can use an Amazon Echo device to control your Firestick if you have one. Simply link your Firestick to your Echo device, and you can use voice commands to navigate your Firestick.
