Of all household items…
TV remotes are among the most commonly misplaced.
That’s why I can’t blame you if you lost your old Fire Stick remote.
But you know what?
You don’t even need to look for it.
Setting up a new remote’s easy. Even without the old one.
Continue reading to find out:
- Easy fixes if your new remote won’t pair with your Fire Stick.
- 5 simple steps to pair a new Fire Stick remote even without the old one.
- A mobile app that you’ll need to pair a replacement remote to your Fire Stick.
- And a lot more…
How to pair a new Fire Stick remote without the old remote?
To pair a new Fire Stick remote without the old remote, install the Fire TV app on your phone. Using the app, go to your Fire Stick’s Settings. And select Controllers and Bluetooth Devices. Then click Amazon Fire TV Remotes. And choose Add New Remote. Then press Home on your new remote to pair.
5 steps to pair a new Fire Stick remote without the old one
#1: Download the Amazon Fire TV app on your phone
If you’re going to add another remote to your Fire Stick…
You’d need to navigate through the Settings menu.
Now, obviously, it’d be impossible without your old remote. Especially since Fire Sticks don’t have built-in buttons in them.
The solution?
Download and install the Amazon Fire TV app on your phone. It’s available on Android and iOS.
Among its many features is a virtual remote control.
Moreover, the app can even help you reset your Fire Stick without a remote.
#2: Pair the app with your Fire Stick
Before using the app, you’d need to pair it with your Fire Stick first. Here’s how:
Step #1: Ensure that your phone and the Fire Stick are using the same WiFi connection.
Otherwise, your streaming device won’t be able to discover the app.
Step #2: Launch the Amazon Fire TV app on your smartphone.
Step #3: Under the Select a Device to Connect screen, select your Fire Stick.
If the app wasn’t able to automatically detect your device…
Click the New Devices option. And then sign in with your Amazon account. The same one you’re using for your Fire Stick.
The app should then be able to find your device.
Step #4: A 4-digit code should appear on your TV screen. Type in the code on the app.
And that’s it. You may now use your phone to control your TV.
Now, a visual guide would also help. So here’s a video on pairing the app with a Fire Stick:
Troubleshooting an unsuccessful pairing
“What if the pairing wasn’t successful?”
Well, it’s likely due to a glitch in the app.
So what you should do is just close it. Restart your smartphone. And then relaunch the app.
You may also try to delete it. And then re-install it.
In addition, an issue with your WiFi may also prevent a successful pairing.
So check for any network connection issues. Try to browse the web with your phone. Check if you can properly stream videos or load web pages.
And if your internet’s unstable, restart your modem and router. Unplug them from the outlet. And after around 30 seconds, reconnect them to the power source.
Once your phone and Fire Stick reconnect to the WiFi, try pairing them again.
#3: Select the Add New Remote option
Now that you can use your phone as a remote…
Navigating through the Fire Stick’s menu should be easy.
You’d now need to select the Add New Remote option. Here’s how:
- Press the Home button on the app’s remote control screen.
- Select Settings.
- Select Controllers and Bluetooth Devices.
- Scroll down and select Amazon Fire TV Remotes.
- Click Add New Remote.
Your Fire Stick should now start looking for a new remote to add.
#4: Press and hold your new remote’s Home button
For your Fire Stick to discover the new remote…
You’d need to press and hold the remote’s Home button.
Do it for about 15 to 20 seconds.
The new remote should then appear under Add New Remote.
“I’ve been pressing and holding the Home button. But nothing’s happening!”
Don’t worry. Many users have also experienced this. For some, it took many tries before their Fire Stick finally recognized their new remote.
So after holding for 20 seconds, release the Home button. And then just repeat the process.
But it’s also important to check if the remote’s batteries are actually working.
You may try to use the batteries on your other devices to verify. And look for replacements if they’re no longer functioning.
In addition, you may also restart your Fire Stick. Because it’s also possible that an OS glitch is disrupting the pairing.
Just unplug your Fire Stick from the outlet. And plug it back after 30 seconds.
#5: Using the app, select your new remote to add it
Once your Fire Stick discovers your new remote…
It should appear on the list under Add New Remote.
Just click it using the app.
Now that the new remote’s added to your Fire Stick, you may now start using it.
Bonus: Alternatives to the Amazon Fire TV app
So I mentioned that you’d need the Fire TV app if you lost your old remote.
However, there are other alternatives. Just in case you’d rather not use the app.
One is a computer keyboard.
“But Fire Sticks don’t even have a port for that.”
Exactly. Fire Sticks only have a micro USB port.
And that’s why you’ll also need to use an OTG adapter.
Particularly one with a USB A port. Plus, a micro USB port and plug. Such as this DSYJ adapter.
Once you have your keyboard and adapter ready, connecting to the Fire Stick’s really easy.
Here’s how to connect a keyboard to a Fire Stick:
Step #1: Unplug your Fire Stick from your TV.
Step #2: unplug the power adapter from the outlet.
Step #3: Disconnect the power adapter from the Fire Stick.
Step #3: Connect the power adapter to the OTG adapter’s micro USB port.
Step #4: Connect the keyboard to the OTG adapter’s USB A port.
Step #5: Connect the OTG adapter’s micro USB plug to the Fire Stick.
Step #6: Plug the Fire Stick back into your TV’s HDMI port.
Step #7: Plug the power adapter back into the outlet.
When your Fire Stick turns back on, you should now be able to use your keyboard to control it.
You may use the keyboard’s arrow keys for navigation. And the spacebar and Enter keys to select a menu option.
Another alternative is a mouse.
The setup’s actually the same as the keyboard. And you’d still need to use an OTG adapter.