Connect your Fire Stick to your TV first, then to WiFi

Your Fire Stick needs two connections to work: one to your television via HDMI, and one to your home WiFi network. The TV connection is physical and takes seconds. The WiFi connection happens through the Fire Stick's on-screen menu and usually takes a few minutes. If you have already plugged in your Fire Stick and see the Amazon logo on your TV, you are ready to set up WiFi. If not, start with the HDMI cable.

The Fire Stick itself is a small rectangular device about the size of a large USB drive. One end has an HDMI connector that plugs directly into an HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. The other end has a power port where you plug in the included power adapter. Once both are connected and your TV is on the correct HDMI input, you will see the Fire Stick startup screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug the Fire Stick into an HDMI port on your TV and connect the power adapter before you do anything else.
  • Switch your TV to the HDMI input where you plugged in the Fire Stick — use your TV remote and look for an HDMI button or input menu.
  • When the Fire Stick menu appears, select your WiFi network from the list and enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard.
  • The Fire Stick will test the connection and show you when it is ready to use.
  • If your WiFi password has special characters or is very long, type it slowly and double-check each character.

Plug in the Fire Stick and switch your TV to the right HDMI input

Locate an HDMI port on your TV. Most TVs have two to four HDMI ports on the back panel or along the side. Push the Fire Stick's HDMI connector firmly into one of these ports until it clicks. Then plug the power adapter into the power port on the other end of the Fire Stick and plug the adapter into a wall outlet or power strip.

Turn on your TV and use your TV remote to switch to the HDMI input where you plugged in the Fire Stick. On most remotes, there is an Input or HDMI button. Press it and you will see a list of available inputs — select the one that corresponds to the HDMI port you used. If you are not sure which port, try each one until you see the Fire Stick startup screen with the Amazon logo.

Find and select your WiFi network

Once you see the Fire Stick home screen, you will be prompted to select a WiFi network. The Fire Stick will scan for available networks and display a list. Look for your own WiFi network name — this is the name you use to connect other devices like phones or laptops. Select it from the list by highlighting it with the remote and pressing the select button in the center of the remote's directional pad.

If you do not see your network listed, make sure your WiFi router is turned on and within range of the Fire Stick. If your network name is hidden, you can manually enter it by scrolling down to the bottom of the list and selecting the option to enter a network name manually.

Enter your WiFi password

After you select your network, the Fire Stick will ask for your WiFi password. An on-screen keyboard will appear. Use the remote's directional pad to move between letters and numbers, and press the select button to choose each character. Type your password exactly as it is — WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are different.

Take your time entering the password, especially if it contains numbers, symbols, or mixed uppercase and lowercase letters. A common mistake is typing a zero (0) instead of the letter O, or the number one (1) instead of the letter I. Once you have entered the entire password, highlight the Connect button and press select.

Wait for the connection test

The Fire Stick will test the connection to your WiFi network. You will see a message saying it is connecting. This usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. If the connection is successful, you will see a confirmation message and the Fire Stick will proceed to the next setup screen.

If the connection fails, the Fire Stick will tell you the password is incorrect or the network is unavailable. Go back and re-enter your password, checking each character carefully. If you still cannot connect, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully restart before trying again.

Complete the initial setup

After WiFi is connected, the Fire Stick will ask you to sign in with your Amazon account. You can use the on-screen keyboard to enter your email address and password, or you can use the Alexa app on your phone to sign in more quickly. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete setup, which may include selecting your language, time zone, and whether you want to use voice search.

Once setup is complete, you will see the Fire Stick home screen with rows of apps and content. Your Fire Stick is now ready to use. You can read apps, stream video, and use voice commands through the remote's microphone button.

Troubleshooting a connection that keeps dropping

If your Fire Stick connects to WiFi but then loses the connection, the problem is usually distance from the router or interference from other devices. Move your WiFi router closer to the Fire Stick, or move the Fire Stick closer to the router if possible. Keep the router away from microwaves, cordless phones, and other devices that use the 2.4 GHz frequency.

If your router has both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, try connecting to the 5 GHz network instead — it is faster and less crowded, though it does not travel as far. You can also restart the Fire Stick by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. If the problem continues, restart your router as well by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not know my WiFi password?

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of your WiFi router — it usually has the network name and password printed on it. If you changed the password and cannot find it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this will erase any custom settings. Contact your internet provider if you need help recovering the password.

Can I use a wired connection instead of WiFi?

Some Fire Stick models support an optional Ethernet adapter that you can plug into the power port, but most Fire Sticks only work with WiFi. Check your model number on the back of the device and search the Amazon website to see if an Ethernet adapter is available for your version.

Why does the Fire Stick keep asking me to enter the password?

This usually means the password you entered is incorrect or the Fire Stick is too far from the router. Try re-entering the password one character at a time, checking the original password on your router's sticker. If that does not work, move the Fire Stick closer to the router and try again.

Can I connect the Fire Stick to a mobile hotspot instead of home WiFi?

Yes, you can select a mobile hotspot network from the WiFi list and enter its password the same way you would for home WiFi. Keep in mind that streaming video uses a lot of data, so this may quickly use up your mobile data allowance.