5 Easy Ways to Fix a Fire TV Remote When It's Not Working

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Fix a Fire TV remote with this easy guide

Co-authored by Jocotra Cathey and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: August 21, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using Troubleshooting Mode

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Resetting the Remote

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Replacing the Batteries

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Pairing Your Remote

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Restarting Your Device

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Video

Is your Fire TV remote not working? If you just replaced the batteries, you may need to fully reset your remote to get it working again. You can also try to resync your remote to your device. Here's what to do when your Fire TV remote is not working with expert advice from TV Installation specialist Jocotra Cathey.

Repairing Unresponsive Fire TV Remotes

Enter troubleshooting mode by pressing the Rewind and Right buttons at the same time for three seconds.
If the light blinks red (slow), change the batteries. If it blinks red (fast), you'll need to reset the remote.
You may need to re-pair your Fire TV remote, or restart your Fire TV device.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using Troubleshooting Mode

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1
Check your device for compatibility. This method will only work on compatible models. To check, press the Alexa button or microphone button on the remote.
- If you see an LED flash on the remote, you can enter troubleshooting mode.^{[1]
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Hold it for at least three seconds. The Rewind button looks like two left-facing arrows while the Right button is the right quarter of the circular navigation button.

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3
Press the Menu button. This looks like three horizontal lines.
- When the remote is successfully in troubleshooting mode, the LED will turn green.
Keep an eye on the LED color.
5
Troubleshoot the issue. The different LED colors represent different issues.
- Red (slow blinking): replace the batteries
- Red (fast blinking): reset the remote
- Orange: re-pair your remote
- White: Confirm the Fire TV device is on and active
- Blue: Restart your Fire TV device
When you're finished troubleshooting, press and hold the Play/Pause button and the Up button at the same time for three seconds.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Resetting the Remote

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1
Unplug your Fire TV. Disconnect the power supply and HDMI cable to make sure it's fully off, and then wait at least 60 seconds.^{[2]
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- You may need to reset your Fire Stick remote if it's no longer pairing or frozen.
Left is the left quarter of the circular navigation button, Menu looks like three horizontal lines, and Back looks like a left-facing arrow.
Wait at least 5 seconds before continuing to the next step.
Open the panel on the back of the remote and carefully remove the batteries.
It'll take a moment to turn back on. When it does, it'll say that the remote can't be detected.
This will turn the remote back on again.
7
Press the Home button. This will sync your remote back to the Fire TV. The LED on the remote should blink blue.
- If the remote still doesn't pair, press and hold the Home button for at least 10 seconds.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Replacing the Batteries

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1
Put new batteries in the remote. Open the panel on the back of the remote and replace the batteries with new ones. It's best to use newly purchased batteries, so you know they have a full charge in them.
- If you know the batteries are new, Cathey advises to "make sure that they have a good connection and that you don't see any corrosion or the little white powder" on them.^{[3]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Pairing Your Remote

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You can also remove it from your TV to make sure it isn't getting power.
2
Remove the batteries from your Fire Stick remote. There should be no power source in both the Fire Stick and remote.
- Wait at least 30 seconds before proceeding. The power should be drained from both devices.
You'll need to turn on your Fire TV Stick and wait for the Home screen to load.
4
Press and hold the Home button on the remote. Hold it for around 10 seconds or until the light at the top of the remote starts to blink quickly.
- If the remote is still not paired, repeat the previous steps again.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Restarting Your Device

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This is the one that goes into the wall outlet. Unplugging your Fire TV Stick from your TV won't have the same effect; you must disconnect the power cord or adapter.
For best results, wait up to a few minutes.
Once the power is plugged in, your Fire TV Stick should take a few moments to boot up again. Your home page will load, and you should be able to use your Fire TV Stick with the remote.