Your Firestick remote can control your TV's power, volume, and input without a second remote

The Firestick remote is designed to work with most modern televisions. When you set it up correctly, a single remote handles both your Firestick and your TV—powering it on and off, adjusting volume, and switching inputs. You do not need to buy anything extra or use two remotes at once.

The setup process takes about five minutes and works differently depending on which Firestick remote model you own. Amazon remotes made after 2016 have an infrared blaster built in, which sends signals to your TV the same way your TV's original remote does. Older remotes and some newer voice-only models cannot control your TV directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Firestick remotes with an infrared blaster (most models made after 2016) can control your TV's power, volume, and input without pairing.
  • You set up TV control in the Firestick settings menu under Remotes and Bluetooth Devices, then select your TV brand and test the buttons.
  • If your remote does not control your TV after setup, your TV model may not be in Amazon's database, or your remote may not have an infrared blaster.
  • You can manually program individual buttons on your remote to send commands if automatic setup does not work for your specific TV.
  • Some newer Firestick remotes are voice-only and cannot control any TV; check your remote's model number to confirm it has physical buttons.

Check which Firestick remote you own

Not all Firestick remotes can control a TV. The ones that can have an infrared blaster—a small light at the top that sends signals to your television. Most Alexa Voice Remote models (the black remote with a microphone button) made from 2016 onward have this feature. The older Fire TV Remote (silver with a circular touchpad) also works. The Fire TV Cube remote and some newer voice-only remotes do not have an infrared blaster and cannot control your TV.

To find your remote's model number, look on the back or bottom. It usually starts with "CV" or "LY". You can also go to your Firestick settings, select Remotes and Bluetooth Devices, then Remotes, and look for the model listed there. If you are unsure whether your remote has an infrared blaster, try the setup steps below—the Firestick will tell you if your remote cannot do it.

Set up TV control through Firestick settings

On your Firestick home screen, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Select Remotes and Bluetooth Devices, then Remotes. You should see your remote listed. Select it, then look for an option called Configure TV or Control Your TV (the exact wording varies by Firestick model year).

The Firestick will ask you to select your TV brand from a list. Scroll through and tap your brand—Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, TCL, and most other major manufacturers are included. After you select your brand, the Firestick will test whether your remote can send signals to your TV. Point the remote at your TV and follow the on-screen prompts. If your TV responds (the power button test is most reliable), the setup is complete.

If the test fails, your TV brand may not be in the database, or your remote may not have an infrared blaster. Try selecting a different brand that is similar to yours—some TV models respond to codes from other manufacturers. If nothing works, move to the manual programming section below.

Test the remote buttons after setup

Once setup is done, test the buttons that matter most: power, volume up, and volume down. Point the remote at your TV and press the power button. Your TV should turn on or off. Press the volume buttons and watch the TV's volume display change. If these work, your remote is controlling your TV correctly.

The input or source button may not work even if power and volume do, because not all TV brands respond to input commands the same way. If the input button does not work, you can still use your TV's original remote to switch inputs, or you can manually program that button (see the next section).

Manually program buttons if automatic setup does not work

If your TV brand is not in the Firestick database or the automatic test failed, you can teach your remote to control your TV by recording commands from your TV's original remote. Go back to Remotes and Bluetooth Devices, select your remote, and look for an option like Learn IR Commands or Teach Remote. Select the button you want to program (for example, the input button), then point your TV's original remote at your Firestick remote and press the same button on the original remote. The Firestick remote will record that signal.

This method works one button at a time and takes longer than automatic setup, but it works with almost any TV. You can program as many buttons as you need. The signals stay saved on your remote even if you unplug your Firestick.

Troubleshoot if your remote still will not control your TV

If your remote does not control your TV after setup and manual programming, check that you are pointing the remote directly at your TV, not at the Firestick. The infrared signal travels in a straight line and does not bounce around corners the way WiFi does. If your TV is in a cabinet or behind glass, the signal may not reach it.

If the remote works sometimes but not reliably, the infrared blaster on your remote may be dirty or the TV's infrared receiver may be blocked. Wipe the top of your remote with a soft cloth. Make sure nothing is blocking the front of your TV where the infrared receiver sits (usually a small dark window near the bottom or side).

If you have tried everything and your remote still will not work, your remote may not have an infrared blaster, or your TV model may not be compatible with any Firestick remote. In that case, you will need to use your TV's original remote for power and volume, and your Firestick remote for everything else.

Use your Firestick remote for both devices without switching

Once TV control is working, you can use the same remote for both your Firestick and your TV throughout the day. The remote automatically sends power and volume commands to your TV, and all other buttons (menu, select, back, home) control your Firestick. You do not have to toggle between modes or press a special button to switch—the remote knows which device each button is meant for.

If you ever need to control your TV without the Firestick on, the power and volume buttons will still work. The Firestick does not have to be powered on for the infrared blaster to send signals to your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I control my TV if it is an older model?

Older TVs (before 2010) may not respond to standard infrared codes that Firestick remotes use. Try the automatic setup first—if your TV brand is in the database, it may still work. If not, manual programming with your TV's original remote is your best option, though some very old TVs do not respond to learning remotes either.

Why does my remote control the TV volume but not the power?

Different TV brands use different infrared codes for different commands. It is common for volume to work but power not to, or vice versa. Try selecting a different TV brand during setup—sometimes a similar brand's codes work better. You can also manually program the power button using your TV's original remote.

Do I need WiFi for the remote to control my TV?

No. The infrared blaster sends signals directly to your TV through light, not through WiFi or Bluetooth. It works even if your Firestick is offline or your home WiFi is down.

Can I control multiple TVs with one Firestick remote?

Your remote can only be programmed to control one TV at a time through the automatic setup. If you have multiple TVs and want one remote to control both, you would need to manually program each button for each TV separately, which is not practical. Most people use their Firestick remote with one TV and keep the other TV's original remote nearby.

What if I lost my TV's original remote and cannot program buttons manually?

You can still use the automatic setup to control your TV if your brand is in the Firestick database. If automatic setup does not work and you do not have your TV's original remote, you may be able to buy a universal remote that works with your TV brand, or contact your TV manufacturer to ask if they sell replacement remotes for your model.