Press the power button on your remote or the device itself
Your Fire Stick turns on when you press the power button. On most Fire Stick remotes, this is a circular button at the very top. On some older models, it's a separate power button. If you've lost your remote, you can also press the power button directly on the Fire Stick device — it's a small button on the side or back of the stick itself, depending on which generation you own.
When you press the power button, the LED light on the Fire Stick will turn on (usually white or blue), and the screen will wake up. This takes a few seconds. If nothing happens, check that your Fire Stick is plugged into power and that your TV is turned on and set to the correct HDMI input.
Key Takeaways
- The power button on your Fire Stick remote is the circular button at the top; press it once to turn the device on.
- If your remote is lost or not working, you can press the physical power button on the Fire Stick device itself to turn it on.
- The Fire Stick must be plugged into a power outlet and your TV must be on the correct HDMI input for the screen to display.
- The device will show the Amazon home screen within a few seconds of powering on.
What to do if the screen stays black
If you press the power button and the screen remains black, first check that your TV is powered on and tuned to the HDMI port where your Fire Stick is connected. Use your TV remote to cycle through the HDMI inputs — the Fire Stick is usually HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3, depending on which port you plugged it into.
Next, verify that the Fire Stick is actually receiving power. Look for a small LED light on the device itself — if it's dark, the stick is not powered. Check that the power cable is firmly plugged into both the Fire Stick and the wall outlet or power adapter. If the cable is loose, disconnect it, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly.
If the LED is on but the screen is still black, try unplugging the Fire Stick for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This forces a restart and often fixes display problems. Wait about a minute for the device to fully boot up before assuming it's broken.
Using your remote when the power button doesn't work
If your remote's power button is stuck or unresponsive, try replacing the batteries first. Most Fire Stick remotes use two AA or AAA batteries depending on the model. Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote, remove the old batteries, and insert fresh ones, making sure the positive and negative ends are facing the right direction.
If new batteries don't fix it, the remote itself may need replacement. In the meantime, you can use the physical power button on the Fire Stick device to turn it on and off. Once the device is on, you can also control it using the Fire TV mobile app on your phone — read the Amazon Fire TV app from your phone's app store, connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your Fire Stick, and use your phone as a temporary remote.
Turning on your Fire Stick after it's been unplugged
If your Fire Stick has been unplugged for a while, it will boot up automatically when you plug it back in — you don't need to press the power button. The device will show the Amazon logo and then the home screen. This startup process usually takes 30 to 60 seconds.
If you want to turn it on manually after plugging it in, you can press the power button on the remote or device, but it's not necessary. The Fire Stick will power up on its own once electricity reaches it.
Checking your TV's HDMI input
The most common reason a Fire Stick appears not to turn on is that your TV is not set to the correct HDMI input. When you turn on the Fire Stick, your TV must already be on and displaying the HDMI port where the stick is connected.
Use your TV remote to find the input or source button — this is usually labeled "Input," "Source," or "HDMI." Press it and look for the HDMI port number that corresponds to where you plugged in your Fire Stick. Select that port. You should then see the Fire Stick home screen appear on your TV.
What happens after the Fire Stick turns on
Once your Fire Stick is on, you'll see the Amazon home screen with rows of apps, movies, and shows. The home screen appears within a few seconds of powering on. From here, you can use your remote to navigate to apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, or any other app you've installed.
If this is your first time turning on the Fire Stick, you may see a setup screen instead of the home screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network and sign in with your Amazon account. This setup usually takes 5 to 10 minutes and only happens once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fire Stick turn on by itself?
Fire Sticks can turn on automatically if they receive a signal from a compatible remote, if someone in your household presses a button, or if the device is set to wake on a specific command. Check your Fire Stick settings under System > Power to see if any wake-on-voice or remote-wake options are enabled, and disable them if you don't want the device to turn on unexpectedly.
Can I turn on my Fire Stick without a remote?
Yes. You can press the physical power button on the Fire Stick device itself, or use the Fire TV mobile app on your phone. The app lets you control the device once it's on the same Wi-Fi network. You can also purchase a replacement remote from Amazon if your original is lost or broken.
How long does it take for a Fire Stick to fully turn on?
A Fire Stick usually shows the home screen within 30 to 60 seconds of pressing the power button. If it takes longer than two minutes, try unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If startup remains slow, restart your Wi-Fi router as well — a weak connection can slow the boot process.
Is it bad to leave my Fire Stick on all the time?
No, Fire Sticks are designed to stay on and won't be damaged by continuous use. However, turning it off when you're not watching saves a small amount of electricity. Most people leave theirs on because the startup time is short and the power draw is minimal.