Switch your Fire Stick input using the remote or your TV remote

To change the input on your Fire Stick, press the Home button on your Fire Stick remote to return to the home screen, then use your TV remote to switch to the HDMI input where your Fire Stick is connected. Most Fire Sticks connect to HDMI ports labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3 — check which port your cable plugs into, then press the Input or Source button on your TV remote and select that port number.

If you want to control the input switch directly from your Fire Stick remote without touching your TV remote, you will need to set up HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), which allows your Fire Stick to communicate with your TV. Not all TVs support this feature, but most modern televisions do.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fire Stick connects to one specific HDMI port on your TV — find which one by checking where the cable plugs in.
  • Use your TV remote's Input or Source button to switch to that HDMI port when you want to watch your Fire Stick.
  • HDMI-CEC lets your Fire Stick remote switch inputs automatically, but your TV must support this feature.
  • If your Fire Stick remote does not control the input, check that HDMI-CEC is turned on in your Fire Stick settings and enabled on your TV.
  • Some TV remotes have a dedicated Input button; others require you to press Menu or Settings first to find the input option.

Find which HDMI port your Fire Stick uses

Look at the back of your TV where the cables connect. You will see several HDMI ports, each labeled with a number. Follow the HDMI cable from your Fire Stick to see which port it plugs into — this is the port you need to select when switching inputs. Write down the number or take a photo so you remember it.

If your Fire Stick is already plugged in and you are not sure which cable is yours, unplug it for a few seconds, then plug it back in and watch for the Fire Stick logo to appear on your TV. The moment it appears tells you that input is active.

Use your TV remote to switch to the Fire Stick input

Press the Input or Source button on your TV remote. This button is usually near the top or side of the remote and may have a picture of a rectangle with an arrow. A menu will appear on your screen showing all available inputs.

Look for the HDMI port number where your Fire Stick is connected — for example, "HDMI 1" or "HDMI 2" — and select it. Your Fire Stick home screen should appear within a few seconds. If you do not see an Input or Source button on your TV remote, check the remote's manual or search online for your TV model number plus "how to change input."

Enable HDMI-CEC so your Fire Stick remote controls the input

HDMI-CEC is a feature that lets your Fire Stick remote switch your TV's input automatically without needing your TV remote. To turn it on, go to Settings on your Fire Stick home screen, then select Display and Sounds.

Scroll down and look for HDMI-CEC or CEC. If you see an option that says "Control TV with Fire TV remote" or similar, turn it on. Your TV must also have HDMI-CEC enabled in its settings — check your TV's manual or settings menu for an option called CEC, HDMI-CEC, Anynet+, SimpLink, or EasyLink, depending on your TV brand.

Once both devices have HDMI-CEC turned on, your Fire Stick remote should switch the input automatically when you press the Home button. If it does not work, try unplugging your Fire Stick for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully restart.

What to do if your Fire Stick remote still does not control the input

Not all TVs support HDMI-CEC, even newer models. If you have turned on HDMI-CEC on both your Fire Stick and TV and the remote still does not switch inputs, your TV may not have this feature. In that case, you will need to use your TV remote to switch inputs manually each time.

Another common issue is that HDMI-CEC is turned on but not working because the cable connection is loose. Unplug the HDMI cable from your TV, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly. If the problem continues, try a different HDMI port on your TV — sometimes one port has better CEC support than others.

Troubleshoot if your Fire Stick does not appear on any input

If you switch to the correct HDMI input but see a black screen or "No Signal" message, the Fire Stick may not be getting power or the cable may be loose. Check that the power adapter is plugged into the Fire Stick and into a working outlet — you should see a small light on the device. If the light is off, try a different outlet or power adapter.

Next, unplug the HDMI cable from both the Fire Stick and the TV, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Make sure the cable is pushed in all the way until you hear or feel a click. If you still see no signal after waiting 30 seconds, try a different HDMI port on your TV — the original port may be faulty.

Use a universal remote to control your Fire Stick input

If you have lost your Fire Stick remote or prefer not to use two remotes, you can set up a universal remote to control both your TV and Fire Stick. Many universal remotes, such as Logitech Harmony or Sofabaton, can learn the Fire Stick remote's commands and switch inputs on your TV automatically.

To set this up, follow the instructions that came with your universal remote to pair it with your Fire Stick. Most universal remotes have a setup mode where you point your original Fire Stick remote at the universal remote to teach it the commands. Once paired, you can program the universal remote to switch your TV input and launch the Fire Stick app with a single button press.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch Fire Stick inputs without a remote?

You can use the Fire Stick mobile app on your phone to navigate the Fire Stick menu, but you will still need your TV remote to switch the input. The Fire Stick app does not control your TV's input settings. If you have lost both remotes, you can use your TV's physical buttons (usually on the side or back of the set) to access the input menu.

Why does my Fire Stick remote control the TV volume but not the input?

Your TV has HDMI-CEC partially enabled — it is responding to volume commands but not input commands. Go into your TV's settings and look for the HDMI-CEC option. Make sure it is fully enabled, not set to a limited mode. Some TVs have separate toggles for different CEC features; you may need to turn on both "CEC" and "Control via HDMI" or similar options.

What if my TV does not have HDMI-CEC?

Older TVs and some budget models do not support HDMI-CEC. You will need to use your TV remote to switch inputs manually each time you want to watch your Fire Stick. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with your Fire Stick — it just means your TV does not have this particular feature.

Do I need to switch inputs every time I turn on my Fire Stick?

Only if you switch to a different input in between. If your Fire Stick is the last thing you watched, your TV will stay on that input when you turn it back on. If you watched cable or another device after the Fire Stick, you will need to switch back to the Fire Stick's HDMI port.

Can I use an HDMI splitter to avoid switching inputs?

An HDMI splitter will not help because it still requires you to select one input at a time. What you might want instead is an HDMI switch, which lets you plug multiple devices into one switch and then plug the switch into one TV input. You would then use the switch's remote or button to select which device to watch, rather than using your TV remote to change inputs.