Start with the basics: power, HDMI, and internet

A Fire Stick that won't work usually fails at one of three points: power, video connection, or internet. Before you troubleshoot anything else, check these three things in order.

Plug the Fire Stick into power using the cable and adapter that came in the box. The device needs a steady power source — a USB port on your TV may not deliver enough current. Plug the HDMI cable into an HDMI port on your TV, then plug the other end into the Fire Stick. Turn on your TV and switch to the correct HDMI input. You should see the Amazon logo and a loading screen within 30 seconds. If you see nothing, try a different HDMI port on your TV or a different HDMI cable.

Once you see the Amazon logo, the Fire Stick is receiving power and video. Now it needs internet. The Fire Stick will prompt you to connect to Wi-Fi during setup. Select your network name from the list, enter your password, and wait for the connection to complete. If your network does not appear, move the Fire Stick closer to your router or restart both the Fire Stick and router.

Key Takeaways

  • Power the Fire Stick with the included adapter, not a TV USB port, because TV ports often do not supply enough current.
  • Connect the Fire Stick to your TV using HDMI, and switch your TV to that HDMI input to see the setup screen.
  • During setup, connect to your Wi-Fi network by selecting it from the list and entering your password.
  • If the Fire Stick does not appear on your network list, restart your router and move the Fire Stick closer to it.
  • Sign in with your Amazon account during setup so the Fire Stick can read apps and remember your preferences.

Complete the setup with your Amazon account

After the Fire Stick connects to Wi-Fi, it will ask you to sign in with an Amazon account. This step is required — the Fire Stick cannot read apps or stream content without it. If you do not have an Amazon account, you can create one on Amazon.com for free.

Enter your Amazon email address and password on the Fire Stick. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Amazon account, you will receive a code by email or text. Enter that code when prompted. Once you sign in, the Fire Stick will read your preferences, saved passwords, and any apps you own.

The setup process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes after you sign in. The Fire Stick will read updates and prepare your home screen. You do not need to do anything during this time — just leave it plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.

Restart the Fire Stick if it freezes or stops responding

A Fire Stick that freezes, loads slowly, or stops responding to the remote usually needs a restart. Hold down the select button (the circular button in the center of the remote) for 10 seconds. The Fire Stick will shut down and restart automatically. This takes about 30 seconds.

If the Fire Stick does not respond to the remote at all, unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the Amazon logo to appear. This is a hard restart and will clear temporary files that may be causing the problem.

If the Fire Stick still does not respond after a hard restart, check that your remote has fresh batteries. Replace the two AA batteries in the remote and try again. A dead remote battery is the most common reason a Fire Stick appears to be broken.

Fix Wi-Fi connection problems

If the Fire Stick connects to Wi-Fi but apps load slowly or stop playing, the problem is usually your internet connection, not the Fire Stick. Move the Fire Stick closer to your router. Walls, metal objects, and distance weaken Wi-Fi signals. If you cannot move the Fire Stick, move your router closer to it or place the router on a higher shelf.

Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for all the lights to stop blinking before you try to stream again. If you have other devices on your network using a lot of bandwidth — someone downloading files or streaming video on another device — that can slow down the Fire Stick. Ask other people on your network to pause their activity while you test.

If the Fire Stick keeps dropping the Wi-Fi connection, forget the network and reconnect. Go to Settings on the Fire Stick home screen, select Network, find your Wi-Fi network, and select Forget. Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering your password. This clears out old connection settings that may be corrupted.

Update the Fire Stick software

Fire Stick software updates usually happen automatically when the device is idle and plugged in. However, you can check for updates manually if the Fire Stick is not working correctly. Go to Settings, select My Fire TV, then select About. Select Check for Updates. If an update is available, select Install. The Fire Stick will restart and install the update, which usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Do not unplug the Fire Stick during an update. If the update fails or the Fire Stick does not restart properly, unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. The update will resume or restart automatically.

Troubleshoot apps that won't open or play

If a specific app will not open or play content, try closing it and reopening it. Press the home button on the remote to return to the home screen, then select the app again. If the app still will not open, uninstall it and reinstall it. Go to Settings, select Applications, select Manage Installed Applications, find the app, and select Uninstall. Then go to the Appstore, search for the app, and select Install.

If an app plays video but the picture is choppy or keeps stopping, the problem is usually your internet speed. Most streaming apps need at least 5 megabits per second for standard video and 25 megabits per second for 4K video. Check your internet speed on another device using a speed test website like Speedtest.net. If your speed is lower than what the app needs, move the Fire Stick closer to your router or contact your internet provider.

Some apps require you to sign in with a separate account — Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are examples. If an app says you are not signed in, select Sign In within the app and enter your username and password for that service. The Fire Stick does not store these passwords — each app manages its own login.

Reset the Fire Stick to factory settings as a last resort

If none of the steps above fix the problem, you can reset the Fire Stick to factory settings. This erases everything on the device and returns it to the state it was in when you first unboxed it. Go to Settings, select My Fire TV, select Reset to Factory Defaults, and confirm. The Fire Stick will restart and show the setup screen again. You will need to sign in with your Amazon account and reconnect to Wi-Fi.

A factory reset takes 10 to 15 minutes. Do not unplug the Fire Stick during this process. After the reset is complete, the Fire Stick will work the same way it did on the first day you set it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fire Stick say it is not connected to the internet?

Check that your Wi-Fi password is correct — an incorrect password is the most common cause. Go to Settings, select Network, select your Wi-Fi network, and select Forget. Then reconnect and re-enter your password carefully. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Can I use the Fire Stick without an Amazon account?

No. The Fire Stick requires an Amazon account to read apps and stream content. You can create a free Amazon account on Amazon.com if you do not have one. Once you sign in on the Fire Stick, you can use all the apps and services available.

Why is my Fire Stick remote not working?

Replace the two AA batteries in the remote first — a dead battery is the most common reason. If the remote still does not work, restart the Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the remote has a pairing button on the back, hold it down for 10 seconds to re-pair the remote to the Fire Stick.

How do I know if my Fire Stick is getting enough power?

The Fire Stick should show the Amazon logo within 30 seconds of being plugged in. If nothing appears on your TV screen, check that the HDMI cable is fully inserted into both the Fire Stick and your TV, and that your TV is set to the correct HDMI input. If you are using a USB port on your TV for power, switch to the included power adapter instead.

What should I do if my Fire Stick keeps freezing?

Restart the Fire Stick by holding down the select button on the remote for 10 seconds. If it continues to freeze, unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. If freezing happens only when you use a specific app, uninstall that app and reinstall it. If the Fire Stick freezes constantly, perform a factory reset.