Reprogram your Firestick remote to your TV in three steps
Your Firestick remote can control your television's power, volume, and input without needing a separate remote. To set this up, you hold the Home button and Select button together for about 10 seconds until a light flashes on the remote, then point it at your TV and press the power button. The TV should respond by turning off — if it does, the pairing worked. If your TV doesn't respond, you may need to try a different manufacturer code or use the on-screen setup menu on your Firestick device itself.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using an older Firestick remote (the kind with a microphone button at the top) or a newer one, and whether your TV is a common brand like Samsung, LG, or Sony or something less common. This guide covers both paths and what to do if the automatic method doesn't work.
Key Takeaways
- Hold Home and Select together for 10 seconds until the remote's light flashes, then test the power button on your TV to see if pairing worked.
- If your TV doesn't respond, you can enter a manufacturer code manually using the Firestick's on-screen menu under Settings > Equipment Control > Manage IR Devices.
- Common TV brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio have built-in codes that the Firestick can find automatically; less common brands may require a code lookup.
- The remote controls power, volume, and input switching, but not all TV functions — streaming apps and smart TV menus still require your TV's original remote.
- If pairing fails repeatedly, check that the remote has fresh batteries and that you're pointing it directly at your TV's infrared sensor.
The quick pairing method: Home and Select buttons
The fastest way to reprogram your Firestick remote is the pairing mode method. Press and hold the Home button and Select button at the same time for about 10 seconds. You'll see a light on the remote blink or glow — this means the remote has entered pairing mode and is ready to learn your TV's code.
Once the light is flashing, point the remote directly at your television and press the power button. Wait a few seconds. If your TV turns off, the pairing worked — your remote now knows your TV's power code. Test the volume buttons next to confirm those work too. If nothing happens, your TV's code wasn't found automatically, and you'll need to try the manual code entry method instead.
Manual code entry through the Firestick menu
If the quick pairing didn't work, you can enter your TV's manufacturer code directly through your Firestick device. On your Firestick, go to Settings, then Equipment Control, then Manage IR Devices. Select Add Device and choose Television. The Firestick will ask you to select your TV's brand from a list — pick the closest match to your TV's actual manufacturer.
The Firestick will then display a code number on your screen and ask you to test the power button on your remote. Point the remote at your TV and press power. If the TV responds, select Yes on the Firestick screen and you're done. If it doesn't work, the Firestick will suggest the next code in the sequence — keep testing until one works. This process can take a few tries, but most TVs are found within the first three codes.
What to do if your TV brand isn't on the list
If your TV's brand doesn't appear in the Firestick menu, or if you've tried all the codes and none worked, you have two options. First, try searching online for your TV's model number plus "Firestick remote code" — many TV owners post working codes in forums. Write down any codes you find and try them one at a time using the manual code entry method above.
Second, check whether your TV has a learning mode or universal remote compatibility setting in its own menu. Some TVs, especially older models, require you to enable infrared control before a third-party remote can pair. Check your TV's manual or the manufacturer's website for instructions. If neither approach works, your TV may not support infrared remote control at all, in which case you'll need to use your TV's original remote for power and volume.
Troubleshooting when pairing fails
If the remote still won't control your TV after trying both methods, start with the basics. Make sure the Firestick remote has fresh batteries — old batteries don't send a strong enough signal for the TV to recognize. Replace them and try again. Next, check that you're pointing the remote directly at your TV's infrared sensor, which is usually a small dark window on the front or bottom of the TV. Infrared signals don't bounce around corners the way WiFi does, so angle and distance matter.
If the remote works fine with your Firestick (the TV picture responds to the remote) but won't control your TV, the issue is the TV pairing, not the remote itself. In this case, go back to the manual code entry method and try a different manufacturer code. If you've tried all available codes for your brand and none worked, your TV model may use a proprietary code that Firestick doesn't have in its database. Contact your TV's manufacturer to ask if they publish infrared codes for third-party remotes.
What the Firestick remote can and cannot control
Once paired, your Firestick remote controls your TV's power button, volume, and input/source selection. This means you can turn the TV on and off, adjust the volume, and switch between HDMI inputs without reaching for another remote. However, the Firestick remote cannot control your TV's menu, picture settings, or smart TV apps — those still require your TV's original remote or the TV's own app on your phone.
The Firestick remote is designed to handle the basics so you don't need two remotes sitting on your coffee table. For everything else, you'll still use your TV's original remote or your TV manufacturer's app. This is by design: the Firestick remote only sends infrared signals for the most common TV functions, not the full command set your TV understands.
Older Firestick remotes versus newer models
Firestick remotes have changed over the years. Older remotes have a microphone button at the top and a circular navigation pad. Newer remotes are smaller, have a voice button on the side, and use a touch-sensitive pad instead of physical buttons. Both types use the same pairing method — Home and Select buttons held together — but the button locations differ slightly.
On older remotes, the Home button is in the center of the circular pad, and Select is directly below it. On newer remotes, Home is at the top of the touch pad and Select is in the center. If you're not sure which remote you have, look at the overall shape: older remotes are wider and have more physical buttons, while newer ones are narrower and flatter. Either way, the pairing process is identical once you locate the correct buttons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reprogram the Firestick remote to control multiple TVs?
No, the Firestick remote can only be paired to one TV at a time. If you want to control a different TV, you'll need to unpair the current TV and pair the new one using the same Home and Select method. You can't switch between TVs with a single remote through the Firestick system.
Why does my TV turn off when I pair the remote but then won't respond to volume buttons?
This usually means the power code worked but the volume code didn't. Go back to the manual code entry method and test the next code in the sequence — different codes within the same brand often control different functions. Keep testing until you find a code where both power and volume work.
Do I need to reprogram the remote every time I restart my Firestick?
No, once you've paired the remote to your TV, the pairing stays saved even if you restart the Firestick or unplug it. The pairing information is stored on the remote itself, not on the Firestick device. You only need to reprogram if you want to pair a different TV or if the pairing stops working.
What if my TV is a smart TV with WiFi — can the Firestick remote control it over WiFi instead of infrared?
The Firestick remote uses only infrared signals, not WiFi. Smart TV features like apps and menus require your TV's original remote or the manufacturer's app on your phone. The Firestick remote handles only the basic infrared functions: power, volume, and input switching.
Can I use a universal remote instead of reprogramming the Firestick remote?
Yes, if you already have a universal remote that controls your TV, you can use that instead. However, the Firestick remote is designed to work with most TVs, so reprogramming it usually takes less time than setting up a separate universal remote. If the Firestick remote won't pair after trying all available codes, a universal remote is a good backup option.