Pairing your Firestick remote happens automatically in most cases, but if it stops working or you're setting up a new device, you'll need to do it manually

When you unbox a new Firestick, the remote usually pairs itself during setup. If your remote stops responding or you're adding a second remote to the same device, you can pair it again through the Firestick settings menu in under a minute. The process is the same whether you have a standard Firestick remote or an Alexa Voice Remote.

You can also pair Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and game controllers to your Firestick so you can listen privately or use accessories for gaming. Each type of device pairs slightly differently, but the Firestick walks you through each step.

Key Takeaways

  • A new Firestick remote pairs automatically during initial setup, but you can re-pair it anytime through Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Amazon Fire TV Remotes.
  • To pair a Bluetooth speaker or headphone, go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices and put your device in pairing mode first.
  • Game controllers pair through the same Bluetooth menu and work when ready once connected.
  • If pairing fails, restart both the Firestick and the device you're pairing, then try again.
  • You can pair multiple remotes, speakers, and controllers to one Firestick, but only one audio device can play sound at a time.

How to pair or re-pair your Firestick remote

Start on your Firestick home screen. Press the home button on your remote to make sure you're there, then navigate to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Scroll down and select Remotes and Bluetooth Devices.

Choose Amazon Fire TV Remotes. You'll see a list of remotes already paired to this Firestick. To add a new remote or re-pair an existing one, select Pair New Remote. The Firestick will enter pairing mode for 30 seconds and display a message on your TV screen. During this window, hold down the home button and the back button together on the remote you want to pair for about 10 seconds until you see a confirmation message.

Once the remote pairs, you'll see it listed under Amazon Fire TV Remotes. Test it by pressing a few buttons to confirm it's responding. If nothing happens, the pairing window may have closed—go back to Pair New Remote and try again.

Pairing Bluetooth speakers and headphones

Put your speaker or headphones into pairing mode first. This usually means holding a button on the device for a few seconds until a light blinks or you hear a tone. Check your device's manual if you're not sure which button to hold or how long.

On your Firestick, go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices. Select Pair New Bluetooth Device. The Firestick will search for nearby devices and display a list. Select your speaker or headphones from the list. Once it appears as "Connected," the pairing is complete.

You can now route audio to that device. When you play music or a video, look for an audio output option in the app or player controls and select your Bluetooth device. Some apps let you switch audio devices mid-playback; others require you to choose before you start.

Pairing game controllers

Game controllers pair the same way as speakers and headphones. Put your controller into pairing mode—usually by holding a specific button until the light flashes. Consult your controller's manual if you're unsure.

Go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices and select Pair New Bluetooth Device. Choose your controller from the list. Once it shows as "Connected," launch a game that supports controllers and test the buttons to confirm it's working.

Most games for Firestick are designed to work with standard controllers like the Amazon Fire TV Game Controller or third-party options. Some games work with multiple controllers, so you can pair more than one if you want to play with others.

What to do if pairing fails

If a remote, speaker, or controller won't pair, start by restarting both devices. Unplug your Firestick from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then restart the device you're trying to pair—turn it off and back on, or remove and reinsert its batteries if it has them.

Try pairing again. If it still doesn't work, forget the device from the Firestick's memory and start fresh. Go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices, find the device in the list, and select it. Choose Forget. Then put the device back into pairing mode and pair it again.

If you're pairing a remote and it still won't work after a restart, the batteries may be dead. Replace them with fresh ones and try again. For Bluetooth devices, make sure they're fully charged or have fresh batteries, as low power can prevent pairing.

Pairing multiple remotes to one Firestick

You can pair as many remotes as you want to a single Firestick. Each remote will control the same device independently, so everyone in your household can have their own remote. Go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Amazon Fire TV Remotes > Pair New Remote for each additional remote you want to add.

If you have multiple remotes paired and one stops working, you can unpair it without affecting the others. Go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Amazon Fire TV Remotes, select the remote you want to remove, and choose Forget. The other remotes will continue to work normally.

Pairing multiple Bluetooth devices at once

You can pair multiple speakers, headphones, and controllers to your Firestick, but only one audio device can play sound at a time. If you have a speaker and headphones both paired, you'll need to choose which one to use before you start playing audio. Some apps let you switch between them in the audio settings; others require you to disconnect one device before the other will work.

Game controllers don't conflict with audio devices, so you can have a speaker and a controller paired simultaneously without any issues. This is useful if you want to play a game with sound coming through your speaker while using a controller.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Firestick remote pair?

The most common reason is dead batteries. Replace them with fresh ones and try pairing again. If the batteries are fine, restart both the Firestick and the remote, then attempt pairing once more. If it still doesn't work, the remote itself may be faulty and may need to be replaced.

Can I use a phone or tablet as a remote for my Firestick?

Yes. read the Amazon Fire TV app on your phone or tablet, open it, and select your Firestick from the list of devices. The app will control your Firestick just like a physical remote. You can also use voice commands if your phone has a microphone.

What if I pair a Bluetooth speaker but can't hear sound from my Firestick?

After pairing, you need to tell the app or video player to send audio to that speaker. Look for an audio or speaker icon in the app's settings or player controls and select your Bluetooth device. Not all apps support Bluetooth audio output, so check the app's documentation if you don't see that option.

Can I pair a Firestick remote to a different Firestick device?

Yes. A remote can only be actively paired to one Firestick at a time, but you can unpair it from one device and pair it to another. Go to Settings on the original Firestick, find the remote under Amazon Fire TV Remotes, and select Forget. Then pair it to the new Firestick.

Do I need to pair my Firestick remote every time I use it?

No. Once a remote is paired, it stays paired until you unpair it or the Firestick is factory reset. You only need to pair it once during setup or if it stops responding and you want to re-establish the connection.