Unpairing a Fire Stick Remote: The Basic Steps

To unpair a Fire Stick remote, go to Settings on your Fire Stick, select Remotes and Bluetooth Devices, find the remote you want to remove, and choose Unpair. The remote will no longer control that Fire Stick once you complete this step. If you cannot access the menu because your remote is not working, you can unpair it from the Fire Stick itself by holding the Home button for 10 seconds, which forces the device into pairing mode and disconnects any currently paired remote.

The process takes less than a minute and does not affect your Fire Stick's settings, apps, or account information. You can pair a different remote to the same Fire Stick afterward, or pair the same remote to a different Fire Stick if you own multiple devices.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard way to unpair is through Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices > select the remote > Unpair.
  • If your remote is broken or lost, hold the Home button on the Fire Stick itself for 10 seconds to force unpair mode.
  • Unpairing a remote does not erase your Fire Stick's apps, account, or viewing history.
  • You can pair a new remote to the same Fire Stick or move an unpaired remote to a different Fire Stick.

When You Should Unpair a Remote

You might unpair a remote if you are selling or giving away your Fire Stick and want to remove the old remote's connection before handing it over. You should also unpair if you are replacing a broken remote with a new one, or if you own multiple Fire Sticks and want to dedicate one remote to a specific device instead of having it control all of them.

Unpairing is also useful if a remote keeps connecting to the wrong Fire Stick. Fire Stick remotes use Bluetooth, and if two devices are close together, a remote may pair to whichever one it reaches first. Unpairing from one device and then pairing it to the correct one solves this problem.

Unpair Using the Settings Menu (Standard Method)

If your remote is working, this is the fastest way. Pick up the remote and press the Home button to wake your Fire Stick. Navigate to Settings at the top of the home screen using the directional buttons on the remote, then press the select button in the center of the directional pad.

From Settings, scroll down to Remotes and Bluetooth Devices and select it. You will see a list of any remotes currently paired to this Fire Stick. Highlight the remote you want to remove and press select. A menu will appear with options including Unpair. Select that option, and the remote will disconnect when ready.

After unpairing, the remote will not respond to button presses on that Fire Stick. If you want to use it again with this device, you will need to pair it again by holding the Home and Back buttons together for about 10 seconds until a pairing prompt appears on screen.

Unpair When the Remote Is Not Working

If your remote is lost, broken, or the batteries are dead, you cannot navigate the Settings menu. Instead, use the Fire Stick's physical buttons. On the back or side of your Fire Stick device, you will find a small reset button or a button labeled with a circle and dot. Hold this button for 10 seconds until the light on the front of the device blinks or changes color.

This action puts the Fire Stick into pairing mode and automatically unpaairs any remote that was previously connected. Once the device finishes restarting, it will be ready to pair with a new remote. You can then hold the Home and Back buttons on a new remote for 10 seconds to establish the connection.

Note that this method does not erase any of your Fire Stick's data—your apps, account login, and watch history remain intact. It only disconnects the remote.

Pairing a New Remote After Unpairing

Once you have unpaired the old remote, pairing a new one is straightforward. Make sure the new remote has fresh batteries installed. Point it at the Fire Stick and hold down the Home button and the Back button together for about 10 seconds. You should see a pairing notification appear on your TV screen.

The pairing process usually completes within 30 seconds. After that, the new remote will control the Fire Stick normally. If pairing does not work on the first try, wait a few seconds and repeat the process. Make sure you are pointing the remote at the Fire Stick and that nothing is blocking the infrared sensor on the front of the device.

Troubleshooting Unpair Problems

If you select Unpair but the remote still responds to button presses, the unpair command may not have registered. Go back to Settings > Remotes and Bluetooth Devices and try again, making sure to highlight the correct remote before selecting Unpair. If the menu is slow to respond, wait a few seconds between button presses.

If you cannot reach the Settings menu because the remote is unresponsive, use the physical reset button method described above. If your Fire Stick does not have a visible reset button, check the back panel or the bottom of the device—some models have the button in different locations. Consult your Fire Stick's manual or the Amazon support website for your specific model if you cannot locate it.

If a remote keeps reconnecting even after unpairing, move it to a different room or turn it off by removing the batteries. Some Fire Stick remotes have an on/off switch on the back; if yours does, flip it to off. This prevents accidental reconnection.

Moving a Remote Between Multiple Fire Sticks

If you own more than one Fire Stick, the same remote can pair to different devices, but only one at a time. To move a remote from one Fire Stick to another, unpair it from the first device using the method above, then go to the second Fire Stick and hold the Home and Back buttons for 10 seconds to pair it there.

The remote will now control only the second Fire Stick. If you want to switch it back to the first device later, unpair it from the second device and repeat the pairing process on the first one. This is useful if you have a Fire Stick in your bedroom and another in your living room but only one remote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unpairing a remote erase my Fire Stick's apps or account?

No. Unpairing only disconnects the remote from the device. Your Fire Stick keeps all your apps, account login, watch history, and settings. The device itself is not affected.

Can I unpair a remote if I lost it?

Yes. Use the physical reset button on the back of your Fire Stick and hold it for 10 seconds. This unpaairs any remote that was connected, even if you cannot find it.

What if I unpair the remote by accident?

You can pair it again when ready by holding the Home and Back buttons together for 10 seconds. The remote will reconnect to the Fire Stick within 30 seconds.

Can one remote control two Fire Sticks at the same time?

No. A remote pairs to one Fire Stick at a time. If you want to control multiple devices, you need a separate remote for each one, or you can unpair and re-pair the same remote between devices as needed.

Why does my remote keep connecting to the wrong Fire Stick?

Fire Stick remotes use Bluetooth and may pair to whichever device is closest or turned on first. Unpair the remote from the device you do not want it to control, then pair it only to the correct one. Keep the other Fire Stick farther away or turn it off while pairing.