The fastest way to get a working remote

If your Fire Stick remote is broken, lost, or unresponsive, you have three options: buy an official Amazon remote, use a third-party remote made for Fire Stick, or control your Fire Stick from your phone. The official remote costs between $25 and $35 depending on the model, arrives in two to three business days if you have Prime, and pairs automatically with most Fire Sticks. A third-party remote costs $10 to $20 and works when ready out of the box with no pairing needed. Your phone works right now if you read the Fire TV app, but it requires your Fire Stick to be on and connected to WiFi.

Before you buy anything, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If the remote still does not respond after the restart, try replacing the batteries — most Fire Stick remotes use two AA batteries, and dead batteries are the most common reason a remote stops working. If new batteries do not fix it, move forward with one of the three options below.

Key Takeaways

  • An official Amazon Fire Stick remote costs $25 to $35 and pairs to your device in seconds by holding down the Home button for 10 seconds.
  • Third-party remotes designed for Fire Stick cost $10 to $20 and work without pairing, but check the product listing to confirm it matches your Fire Stick model.
  • The Fire TV app on your phone is free and works when ready if your Fire Stick is powered on and connected to the same WiFi network.
  • Dead batteries are the most common cause of remote failure, so always try new AA batteries before buying a replacement.
  • If you buy a new remote, keep the old one as a backup in case the replacement fails or gets lost.

Buying an official Amazon remote

The official Fire Stick remote is sold on Amazon under the product name "Fire TV Remote" or "Alexa Voice Remote," depending on your Fire Stick model. Search for "Fire TV remote" on Amazon and filter by your specific Fire Stick generation — Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick HD, Fire TV Cube, or Fire TV Stick Lite. The listing will show you which remote matches your device. Official remotes come in two types: the standard remote with a microphone for voice commands, and the basic remote without voice features. The voice remote costs more but works with all models.

Once your remote arrives, insert two AA batteries into the battery compartment on the back. Hold down the Home button (the button with a house icon) for 10 seconds until the LED light on the remote blinks. Your Fire Stick will recognize the remote automatically. If it does not pair after 10 seconds, try again, or restart your Fire Stick and repeat the pairing process. The pairing usually takes fewer than 30 seconds.

Using a third-party remote

Third-party remotes made for Fire Stick are sold on Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers under brand names like Rii, Rexing, and Gvirtue. These remotes cost $10 to $20 and do not require pairing — they work when ready when you insert batteries and point them at your Fire Stick. Before you buy, check the product listing to confirm the remote is compatible with your Fire Stick model. Most third-party remotes work with all Fire Stick models, but some are designed only for older versions.

Third-party remotes usually do not have voice command features, so you will control your Fire Stick by pressing buttons instead of speaking. They are reliable for basic navigation and playback, but if you use Alexa voice commands frequently, an official remote is a better choice. If you want a backup remote or a second one for another room, a third-party remote is a cost-effective option.

Controlling your Fire Stick from your phone

The Fire TV app is free and available on iPhone, iPad, and Android phones. read it from the App Store or Google Play, open it, and sign in with the same Amazon account linked to your Fire Stick. The app will show your Fire Stick in the list of devices. Tap it to open the remote interface, which displays a virtual remote on your phone screen with all the same buttons as a physical remote.

Your Fire Stick must be powered on and connected to WiFi for the phone app to work. The app works over your home WiFi network, so you do not need Bluetooth or any special setup. If your Fire Stick is off, you cannot turn it on from the app — you will need a physical remote or to unplug and replug the device. The phone app is useful as a temporary solution while you wait for a new remote to arrive, or as a backup if your remote batteries die.

Pairing a remote to a Fire Stick that is already set up

If you are adding a second remote to a Fire Stick that already has one, the pairing process is the same. Hold down the Home button on the new remote for 10 seconds until the LED blinks. Your Fire Stick will pair with it automatically. You can have multiple remotes paired to the same Fire Stick, so you can use them in different rooms or keep a backup.

If your Fire Stick does not recognize the new remote after 10 seconds, restart your Fire Stick and try again. If pairing still fails, unpair the old remote first by going to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Remote, then selecting the old remote and choosing Unpair. After you unpair the old one, try pairing the new remote again.

What to do if your remote will not pair

If you hold down the Home button for 10 seconds and the LED does not blink, the remote may have dead batteries or a hardware problem. Replace the batteries with fresh AA batteries and try again. If the LED still does not blink, the remote itself may be broken and will need to be replaced.

If the LED blinks but your Fire Stick does not recognize the remote, restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Plug it back in, wait for it to fully boot up (about one minute), then try pairing the remote again. If it still does not work, try pairing from the Fire Stick settings menu: go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Add a New Remote, then hold down the Home button on the remote for 10 seconds. This method works when the standard pairing process fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any Bluetooth remote with my Fire Stick?

No. Fire Stick remotes use a proprietary connection, not standard Bluetooth. Only remotes made specifically for Fire Stick will work. Third-party remotes designed for Fire Stick are compatible, but a generic Bluetooth remote will not pair.

Do I need to unpair my old remote before pairing a new one?

No. You can pair a new remote without unpairing the old one, and both will work at the same time. If you want to remove the old remote from your Fire Stick, go to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > Remote and select Unpair.

What if I lose my remote and do not have a backup?

Use the Fire TV app on your phone to control your Fire Stick while you wait for a new remote to arrive. The app works over WiFi and gives you full remote control from your phone screen. You can also restart your Fire Stick by unplugging it if you need to power it off.

How long does it take for a new remote to arrive?

Official Amazon remotes arrive in two to three business days with Prime membership, or five to seven business days without Prime. Third-party remotes vary by seller and location, but most arrive within one week. Check the product listing for the estimated delivery date before you order.

Can I use a Fire Stick remote with a different Fire Stick model?

Yes. Most Fire Stick remotes are compatible across different Fire Stick models and generations. Check the product listing or the remote packaging to confirm compatibility with your specific model before you buy.