Last updated on 8 December 2022
Amazon Firesticks have taken the Smart TV world by storm. They turn any TV that is not already a smart TV into one. They’re a fantastic alternative to having to buy a new TV. We’ll show you how to connect a firestick to WiFi without your remote control.
The remote controls can be finicky to get working, newly pairing it with your firestick, they even randomly die sometimes, but we’ll show you the many methods you can use to connect a firestick to WiFi and how to use it without the remote in your possession.
You can use Amazon Firesticks for a plethora of reasons. You can use any on-demand streaming service such as Netflix, Prime Video & Disney Plus, play Android games on your TV and even tune into live streams with your favourite sports and live streamers.
Why is my firestick remote not responding?
The Firestick remotes aren’t exactly the most reliable devices. You’ll find one day that your remote control will just die on you with no explanation.
Even once you replace your batteries, the remote sometimes still doesn’t respond. In this case, you can safely assume that the lifespan of your Amazon Firestick remote has probably neared its end.
If you’re convinced that your remote is still working, it may be worth attempting to reset your firestick by unplugging it from the power and leaving it for a couple of minutes before reconnecting it.
Once you restart your Firestick, you can try using your remote with the device. If it’s still not working with your device, then it’s worth trying some of the methods below to figure out how to get your firestick working without the remote control.
Pair/unpair your Fire TV remote
So, you can’t unpair a Fire TV remote with the remote alone unless you delete the device from your Fire TV menu in settings. You can pair the remote with other devices though, so you can have the same remote working on several Fire TV devices simultaneously. We’ll go over the methods quickly for you.
Pairing with a brand-new device
If you’re just opening a brand new device and connecting it with a new remote, you should just be able to press the buttons on the remote, and it should automatically pair up with the Fire TV device. It’s that simple!
Pairing an unresponsive Fire TV remote
Hold the home button down on your Fire TV remote for at least 10 seconds or until the light at the top of your Fire TV remote starts blinking.
If you’re successful, your remote will flash blue three times, and you’ll receive an on-screen notification telling you that the remote has been paired successfully.
If this doesn’t work, try either replacing the batteries in your remote with new ones and attempt this again. If it still doesn’t work after replacing the batteries, it’s safe to assume your remote has died, and you’ll most likely need a replacement Firestick TV remote.
How to connect a firestick to WiFi
Use the Fire TV mobile app
There’s a Fire TV mobile app available on both Android & iOS devices. This app lets you control your Firestick as if your smartphone were the remote.
This method will only work if your Firestick is already connected to WiFi.
The reason for this is that the app only allows you to connect to your Fire TV device through WiFi. The likelihood of your Fire TV device being connected to your WiFi is high if you’ve already been using it.
Using the Fire TV Mobile app as a remote control can be weird initially as there’s no tactical feedback on input (You can’t feel what you press). But you’ll have no trouble using it as a remote once you learn through muscle memory where the buttons are.
Use an HDMI-CEC Remote
HDMI-CEC remotes are typically universal ones that work with any device with the setting enabled. These are usually the media controls towards the bottom of your TV remote. If you don’t see any, then it’s likely that your remote doesn’t have CEC support, and you’ll need to try another method.
These remotes only work for devices connected to your TV through HDMI, as the signal from the HDMI-CEC remote runs through the HDMI to control the device.
Here’s how you can enable HDMI-CEC settings on your Fire TV Device:
- Go to your Fire TV home screen. (Alternatively, you can tell Alexa to “Go Home“.)
- Navigate to “Settings“.
- Open “Display & Sounds“.
- Find & select “HDMI-CEC Device Control“.
- Confirm your decision by selecting “Yes“.
Using Echo Dot
Echo Dot can be used to connect a Firestick to WiFi without using your remote, or any remote for that matter.
You can connect a firestick to WiFi through Echo Dot using only voice commands. These voice commands will usually be tailored to the name of your network, so it’s best to speak to Alexa with this one, and she’ll guide you through the process rather than us.
Replacing the Remote
If you’ve tried all of the above methods and still can’t connect a Firestick to WiFi without the remote, it’s a good idea to start looking for a replacement remote instead.
You can decide to use a universal/HDMI-CEC remote which you can purchase at most nearby local or big brand electronic stores, or you can search on Amazon for an official replacement remote.
Summary
Amazon Firesticks are fantastic but sometimes finicky devices to use. They can be slow & unresponsive but also incredibly useful and handy, especially for those who don’t own a smart TV in their household.
Hopefully, you’ve learned to connect a Firestick to WiFi without needing to use the remote. But if not, as we recommended just above, it’s probably worth searching for a replacement remote so you can use your Fire TV device without any issues.
