Pairing a new remote to your Firestick takes about two minutes
To connect a new remote to your Firestick, hold the Home button on the remote for about 10 seconds until the light on your Firestick flashes. The remote and device will pair automatically. If the light does not flash, try moving closer to the Firestick and holding the Home button again. Most remotes pair on the first attempt.
The process works the same whether you are adding a second remote to an existing Firestick or replacing a lost or broken one. You do not need to unpair the old remote first — a Firestick can work with multiple remotes at once, and any of them will control the device.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the Home button for 10 seconds until the Firestick light flashes, then release — pairing happens automatically without entering codes or passwords.
- If pairing fails, move the remote closer to the Firestick and try again, as distance and obstacles can block the connection.
- You can pair multiple remotes to one Firestick, and they all work equally well for controlling the device.
- Firestick remotes use Bluetooth, so they work from anywhere in your home without needing line-of-sight to the device.
What to do if the pairing light does not flash
If the Firestick light does not flash after holding Home for 10 seconds, the remote batteries may be dead or missing. Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote and check that both batteries are installed correctly, with the positive ends facing up. Replace them if they look corroded or have been in the remote for more than a year.
If the batteries are fine, restart your Firestick by unplugging it from power for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it restarts, try pairing the remote again. If the light still does not flash, the remote itself may be defective — contact Amazon for a replacement.
Pairing a remote to a different Firestick
If you own multiple Firesticks and want to use one remote with a different device, the process is identical. Hold Home for 10 seconds on the remote while standing near the Firestick you want to pair it with. The remote will forget its previous device and connect to the new one.
If you want the same remote to work with multiple Firesticks in different rooms, you cannot do that — each remote pairs to one Firestick at a time. You would need a separate remote for each device, or you can manually re-pair the remote each time you move it to a different Firestick. This manual re-pairing takes the same 10 seconds and works instantly.
Using an older Firestick remote with a newer device
Older Firestick remotes from 2014 and 2015 use infrared instead of Bluetooth and cannot pair with newer Firesticks. If you have an older remote, it will not work with current-generation devices no matter what you try. You will need to buy a newer Bluetooth remote that matches your Firestick model.
Newer Bluetooth remotes work with all recent Firesticks, even if the remote is newer than your device. If you bought a Firestick in 2017 or later, any current Amazon remote will pair with it. The compatibility goes both directions, so you do not have to worry about buying a remote that is too new for your hardware.
Controlling your Firestick without a remote
If your remote is lost or broken and you do not have a replacement yet, you can control your Firestick using the Amazon Fire TV app on your phone. Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, open it, and select your Firestick from the list of devices. Your phone becomes a remote.
The phone app works over WiFi, so your Firestick must be connected to your home network. The app includes all the same buttons as a physical remote, plus a keyboard for typing in search boxes. This is a temporary solution — a physical remote is faster for everyday use, and you will want to order a replacement to avoid the extra step of unlocking your phone each time you want to change the channel.
Troubleshooting pairing problems step by step
If your remote still will not pair after checking the batteries and restarting the Firestick, try these steps in order. First, move to within three feet of the Firestick and hold Home for the full 10 seconds without releasing early. Some people release after five or six seconds thinking the pairing has started, but the full 10 seconds is required.
Second, check whether your Firestick is actually powered on. The device should show a light or glow on the front. If it is completely dark, plug it in and wait for it to boot up — this takes about 30 seconds. Third, if you have other wireless devices nearby like a cordless phone or microwave, move them away temporarily, as they can interfere with Bluetooth pairing. After pairing succeeds, they can be in the same room without causing problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Firestick remote with other Amazon devices?
No. Firestick remotes only work with Firestick devices. Amazon also makes remotes for Fire tablets and Echo devices, but they are not interchangeable. Each remote is designed for its specific device type.
Do I need to unpair the old remote before pairing a new one?
No. You can pair a new remote without removing the old one. Both remotes will work on the same Firestick. If you want to stop using the old remote, you can simply put it away — there is no unpair button or setting.
Why does my remote keep losing connection?
Bluetooth remotes can lose connection if the batteries are low, if the Firestick is too far away, or if there is interference from other wireless devices. Replace the batteries first, then try moving closer to the Firestick. If the problem continues, restart both the remote and the Firestick by removing and reinserting the batteries, then unplugging the device for 30 seconds.
What if I have a Firestick Cube instead of a regular Firestick?
The pairing process is exactly the same. Hold Home for 10 seconds on the remote until the Cube light flashes. Firestick Cubes use the same Bluetooth remotes as regular Firesticks and pair using the same method.
How far away can the remote be from the Firestick?
Bluetooth remotes work from up to 30 feet away in most homes, and they do not need line-of-sight to the Firestick. Walls and furniture do not block the signal. If your remote stops working at a certain distance, low batteries are usually the cause.