The basic power-on steps

Press the power button on your Fire Stick remote. It is the circular button at the top of the remote. Hold it for one second — you do not need to hold it longer. The Fire Stick will light up, and you will see the Amazon logo appear on your TV screen within a few seconds.

If your TV is already on and set to the correct input, you will see the Fire Stick home screen load automatically. If your TV is off, turn it on first and make sure it is set to the HDMI input where your Fire Stick is plugged in. Most TVs have an input button on the remote or on the side of the set.

The first time you power on a new Fire Stick, it may take 30 to 60 seconds to fully load. Subsequent power-ons are usually faster. If the screen stays black for more than two minutes, unplug the Fire Stick from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in and press the power button again.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the power button at the top of the remote for one second to turn on your Fire Stick.
  • Make sure your TV is on and set to the correct HDMI input before powering on the Fire Stick.
  • The home screen appears within a few seconds on first power-on, though new devices may take up to a minute.
  • If the screen stays black, unplug the Fire Stick for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.

What to do if the remote does not work

If pressing the power button does nothing, the remote batteries may be dead. Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote and replace both AA batteries. Make sure the batteries are inserted with the correct polarity — the + and − symbols inside the compartment show which way they go.

If you have replaced the batteries and the remote still does not work, the remote may need to be paired with the Fire Stick again. Hold down the Home button (the house icon) for 10 seconds. The remote will pair automatically if it is within 20 feet of the Fire Stick. You should see a pairing confirmation on the TV screen.

If pairing does not work, you can also turn on the Fire Stick using the power button on the device itself. Most Fire Sticks have a small power button on the side or back of the unit. Press it once to power on. After the device is on, you can use the remote normally.

Checking the power connection

Your Fire Stick needs power to turn on. Check that the power cable is plugged firmly into the back of the Fire Stick and into a working electrical outlet or USB port. If your Fire Stick is plugged into a USB port on your TV, make sure that port supplies power even when the TV is off — many TV USB ports do not.

If you are unsure whether the outlet works, plug in a lamp or phone charger to test it. If the outlet is dead, try a different one. Some Fire Sticks come with a power adapter; if yours did, use that adapter rather than plugging directly into a USB port.

Look for a small light on the Fire Stick itself. When powered on, it should glow white or blue. If there is no light and the device feels cold, it is not receiving power. Check the cable connection and the outlet again.

What happens after the home screen loads

Once the home screen appears, you are ready to use your Fire Stick. You will see rows of apps, movies, TV shows, and other content. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to navigate, and press the center button to select. The home screen is where you launch apps like Netflix, Prime Video, or any other service you have installed.

If this is your first time using the Fire Stick, you may see a setup screen asking you to sign in with your Amazon account. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete setup. You will need your Amazon username and password. Setup usually takes five to ten minutes.

Turning the Fire Stick off

To turn off your Fire Stick, press the power button on the remote once. The device will enter sleep mode, and the screen will go dark. The Fire Stick uses very little power in sleep mode, so you do not need to unplug it.

If you want to fully shut down the Fire Stick, go to Settings on the home screen, select Device, then select Restart. This will power off and restart the device completely. You only need to do this if the Fire Stick is not working properly.

Troubleshooting a Fire Stick that will not turn on

If your Fire Stick will not turn on even after checking the power cable and replacing the remote batteries, try a hard reset. Unplug the Fire Stick from power for 30 seconds. While it is unplugged, press and hold the power button on the remote for 10 seconds to discharge any remaining power. Then plug the Fire Stick back in and press the power button again.

If the device still does not turn on, check whether the power cable itself is damaged. Look for cuts, fraying, or burn marks on the cable. If the cable looks damaged, do not use it — order a replacement cable from Amazon or use the original cable if you have it.

If you have tried all these steps and the Fire Stick still will not power on, the device itself may be faulty. Contact Amazon support with your device serial number, which you can find on the bottom of the Fire Stick or in your Amazon account under Devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a Fire Stick to turn on?

A Fire Stick usually turns on within 5 to 10 seconds on subsequent power-ons. The first time you power on a new device, it may take 30 to 60 seconds to fully load and display the home screen. If it takes longer than two minutes, try unplugging it and plugging it back in.

Can I turn on my Fire Stick without the remote?

Yes. Most Fire Sticks have a small power button on the side or back of the device itself. Press it once to power on. You can also use the Fire TV app on your phone as a remote once the device is powered on.

Does my Fire Stick use power when it is in sleep mode?

Yes, but very little. Sleep mode uses about 0.9 watts of power. If you want to save power, you can unplug the device when you are not using it for extended periods. There is no harm in leaving it plugged in and in sleep mode.

Why is my Fire Stick not showing a picture even though it is powered on?

Check that your TV is set to the correct HDMI input. Use your TV remote to cycle through inputs until you see the Fire Stick home screen. Also make sure the HDMI cable connecting the Fire Stick to your TV is plugged in firmly on both ends.