Most Firestick remote problems come from dead batteries, lost pairing, or button buildup—and you can fix all three at home
A Firestick remote stops working for a handful of reasons, and the fix usually takes minutes. The remote may have lost its wireless connection to your Firestick device, the batteries may be dead, or dirt and moisture may be blocking the buttons. Start by checking the batteries and cleaning the remote. If that does not work, you can unpair and re-pair the remote to your Firestick using the device itself or the Alexa app on your phone.
Most of the time, you will not need to buy a replacement. The steps below walk you through battery replacement, cleaning, and re-pairing in the order that fixes the most common problems first.
Key Takeaways
- Replace the two AAA batteries in your remote first—dead batteries cause most remote failures.
- Clean the remote's buttons and the infrared sensor on the front with a dry cloth to clear dirt and moisture.
- Re-pair the remote by holding the Home and Back buttons together for 10 seconds until the light flashes, then wait for the pairing screen on your TV.
- If re-pairing fails, restart your Firestick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then try pairing again.
- A second-generation remote or newer can be paired using the Alexa app if the TV screen method does not work.
Check and replace the batteries
Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote by sliding the cover downward. Remove the two AAA batteries and inspect them for corrosion—a white or blue-green crust on the metal contacts means the batteries have leaked and damaged the remote's contacts.
Insert two fresh AAA batteries with the positive (+) end facing up. Close the battery cover. If the remote still does not respond, the batteries were likely the problem and a fresh pair should restore it. If you see corrosion inside the compartment, clean the metal contacts with a dry cloth or a cotton swab before inserting new batteries.
Clean the remote's buttons and sensor
Dirt, dust, and moisture trapped under the buttons or on the infrared sensor can block signals. Hold the remote with the buttons facing down and gently tap it against your palm to dislodge loose debris.
Wipe the front of the remote—where the infrared sensor is located—with a dry, lint-free cloth. If buttons feel sticky or unresponsive, dampen a cloth very slightly with water (not dripping wet) and wipe around the edges of each button. Let the remote air-dry for at least 30 minutes before using it again. Do not submerge the remote or spray liquid directly into it.
Re-pair the remote using the Home and Back buttons
If the remote still does not work after replacing batteries and cleaning, it has likely lost its wireless pairing to your Firestick. Hold down the Home button and the Back button at the same time for 10 seconds. You should see a light on the remote blink or flash—this means the remote is in pairing mode.
Look at your TV screen. A pairing screen should appear on your Firestick within 30 seconds. If a code or pairing prompt appears, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing. Once the remote is paired, the light will stop flashing and you should be able to control your Firestick normally.
Restart your Firestick if pairing fails
If the pairing screen does not appear after holding Home and Back, your Firestick may need to restart. Unplug the power cable from the back of your Firestick device and wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for the device to boot up—this usually takes one to two minutes.
Once the Firestick has restarted, try pairing the remote again by holding Home and Back for 10 seconds. The pairing screen should now appear. If it does, complete the pairing process as described above. If the pairing screen still does not show up, move to the next step.
Use the Alexa app to pair a newer remote
If you have a second-generation Firestick remote or newer and the TV screen method does not work, you can pair the remote using the Alexa app on your phone. Open the Alexa app, tap the Devices icon at the bottom, then select Fire TV & Cube. Choose your Firestick device from the list.
Tap the Remote option and select Pair New Remote. Hold the Home and Back buttons on your remote for 10 seconds as instructed in the app. The app will confirm when the remote is paired. This method works even if your TV screen is not displaying the pairing prompt.
When to replace the remote instead of repairing it
If the remote still does not work after trying all these steps, the internal circuitry may be damaged. Water damage, physical damage, or age can make a remote unrepairable. Amazon sells replacement Firestick remotes—the standard remote, the voice remote with a microphone, and the voice remote with power and volume buttons that control your TV directly.
Before buying a replacement, confirm that your Firestick itself is working by trying to control it with the Alexa app on your phone. If the app controls your Firestick but the remote does not, the remote is the problem and needs to be replaced. If neither the app nor the remote works, your Firestick device may need troubleshooting instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my remote work sometimes but not all the time?
Intermittent remote problems usually mean weak batteries, a loose battery connection, or dirt blocking the infrared sensor. Replace the batteries first, then clean the front of the remote thoroughly. If the problem continues, try re-pairing the remote to your Firestick.
Can I use my phone to control my Firestick if the remote is broken?
Yes. read the Alexa app on your smartphone, open it, and tap Devices at the bottom. Select your Firestick and you can use your phone as a remote to navigate and control playback. This works as long as your phone and Firestick are on the same Wi-Fi network.
How far away can the remote be from the Firestick?
The Firestick remote uses infrared, which requires a direct line of sight and typically works within 30 feet. If you are farther away or the remote is pointed at an angle, the signal may not reach. Newer voice remotes use Bluetooth and work at greater distances without requiring line of sight.
What does it mean if the light on the remote keeps flashing?
A continuously flashing light means the remote is stuck in pairing mode and has not connected to your Firestick. Restart your Firestick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Try pairing the remote again by holding Home and Back for 10 seconds.
Do I need to unpair the old remote before pairing a new one?
No. You can pair a new remote to your Firestick without removing the old one. Both remotes will work at the same time. If you want to unpair the old remote, go to your Firestick Settings, select Remotes and Bluetooth Devices, find the remote in the list, and select Forget.