The Amazon Firestick has revolutionized entertainment consumption by transforming our TVs into smart devices. The convenience can sometimes be tough to appreciate when problems arise.
One notable problem users encounter includes issues with the Firestick remote not pairing with their Firestick device.
While frustrating, the good news is that there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this problem.
In this article, we will guide you through a series of common causes of the issue and the solutions you can take to regain access to your streaming experience.
1. Check Your Remote Batteries
Far and beyond, the most common reason that the Firestick remote won’t pair with the device is that the batteries are dead or depleted.
Therefore, the first troubleshooting step is always to replace the existing batteries with new ones. The replacement batteries should not be ones you found in another remote or ones that have been used for a while.
Even if they do have power remaining, how long can you go until you cycle around to them being dead again? Batteries should be new and fully powered in order to ensure optimal use with the Firestick remote.
2. Make Sure You Are Using the Correct Remote
Some people have more than one Firestick in their home. What is problematic is that the remotes look identical.
If they aren’t labeled manually in any way, you might be running into a situation where one remote traveled to a room it was not originally from.
Make sure that you try all remotes you find to see if you are simply not using the one that belongs to this Firestick or if its setup will not be compatible.
3. Make Sure the Remote and Firestick Are Close Enough
While the Firestick remote can cover some distance, it has limitations. It also may struggle to push its signal through physical obstructions.
If you are attempting to use it from behind a partial wall or counter, make certain that the Firestick remote has a line-of-sight path to the Firestick and the TV.
If your Firestick is obstructed by the TV itself or by another electronic next to it, you may want to try to reposition it. Make sure you are close enough to it when attempting to operate it as well.
4. Restart Your Firestick
While replacing the batteries is the most common reason a Firestick may not pair or work, it could be several other things.
Many glitches with the Firestick’s interface and remote performance can be resolved by restarting the Firestick.
Since you cannot use the remote to navigate around the menu, you can restart the Firestick by unplugging it from its power source and then plugging it back in about 15 seconds later.
It will run its initialization scripts and enter the typical interface you usually see. Once that happens, you can try pairing the remote again.
5. Reset Your Firestick Remote
You can reset your Firestick remote independently of the Firestick, which can also help fix the pairing issue.
To reset the remote, follow these steps:
- Hold down the Menu button + Back button + left button together for about 10 or 15 seconds
- When you see that the LED light on top of the remote starts to flash quickly, release the hold.
- Give the remote about a minute to reset.
The remote should pair automatically with the nearest Firestick at this point.
6. Reset Your Firestick
Sometimes, when your Firestick remote is not working, the Firestick device might be the culprit. If the above troubleshooting steps prove ineffective, resetting your Firestick is a viable solution.
Performing a factory reset on your Firestick will wipe all its data, restoring it to its default condition during its initial unboxing.
Although it may be a bit of a hassle, a factory reset effectively addresses issues such as when your remote is not working.
For step-by-step instructions, check our guide on how to reset your Firestick.
7. Examine the Remote For Damage
It is possible that your remote sustained some physical damage that prevents it from working or pairing. If all of the above steps do not remedy your remote pairing problem, you might need to replace the remote.
The great thing is that almost all Firestrick remotes are pairable to Firestick products. Even better, they have a low price point, so they are inexpensive to replace.
If you scour Amazon, you could purchase a replacement for your remote for as little as $10.
8. Use the Fire TV Remote App
You may ask what you are supposed to do if you cannot afford a replacement or are simply waiting for one to arrive.
The good news is that there is a substitution available, and it’s in your pocket. That’s right. A FireTV remote app will allow you to control the Amazon Firestick just like you would with a proper Firestick remote.
You can find it for free in the AppStore and the Google Play store. Follow the instructions during the setup to pair it with your Firestick device, and you should be all set.
Wrap-Up: Firestick Remote Not Pairing
Experiencing issues with the Firestick remote not pairing can be frustrating, but by following the troubleshooting methods mentioned above, you can overcome the issue.
Replacing the batteries will fix your issue the majority of the time, but if not, the other methods should supplement you with sufficient troubleshooting power to get your remote paired or set up a viable alternative.
