How to pair a Firestick remote to your Amazon Fire TV, and add or replace remotes

• Pair your Firestick remote by holding down the "Home" button for 10 seconds.
• You can add a new remote or place an old one in Amazon Fire TV's settings.
• Some non-Firestick remotes can be paired but they must use specific Bluetooth profiles to work.

If you have an Amazon Fire TV, the Firestick remote can be a useful tool. But before you can start using it, you have to pair the remote to your TV.

The process will vary slightly depending on whether you have existing remotes paired, as well as if you're using an off-brand Bluetooth remote.

Here's what you need to know to pair your Firestick, or other compatible remote, to your Amazon Fire TV.

How to pair a Firestick remote

1. Hold down the Home button on your Firestick remote for 10 seconds.

2. You'll then see a blue light on your remote flash a few times or, there will be an on-screen confirmation message that your remote has been paired.

3. If you don't see either, try unplugging the Firestick from the power source and taking out its batteries. Then, reconnect the Firestick and add the batteries back in. Then, try holding down the Home button.

How to add or replace a Firestick remote

1. Press the Home button on your original Firestick remote.

2. Select Settings.

3. Choose Controllers and Bluetooth Devices.

4. Go to Amazon Fire TV Remotes.

5. On the next screen, select Add New Remote.

6. Press and hold the Home button on your new Firestick remote until it's recognized.

7. Using your old remote, press Select. Both remotes should then appear in your list.

How to pair a Firestick remote when you lost the old one

If you don't have a working, paired remote, you can use your phone as a remote:

1. Open the Firestick app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android.

2. Select your Fire TV device — or select Add device if you don't see that option — then enter your account login information.

3. Enter your PIN to start using your phone as a remote.

4. Using your phone or tablet, select Home, and then hit Settings.

5. Choose Controllers and Bluetooth Devices.

6. Go to Amazon Fire TV Remotes and select Add New Remote.

7. Press and hold the Home button on your new Firestick remote until it's recognized.

8. On your phone or tablet, press Select. Your new remote should then appear in your list.

How to pair a non-Firestick remote

Non-firestick remotes have to be compatible.

Amazon Fire TV recognizes specific types of Bluetooth profiles, including advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP), human interface device profile (HID), and serial port profile (SPP).

Your remote's user manual should say which type of Bluetooth profile it uses, and might even say that it's Amazon Fire TV compatible.

Here's how to pair your remote:

1. Go into the Settings of your Fire TV menu.

2. Choose Controllers and Bluetooth Devices.

3. Select Other Bluetooth Devices.

4. Choose Add Bluetooth Devices.

5. Your Amazon TV will then scan for your device. Once it recognizes it, select its name from the list of devices on the screen.

6. You should see a confirmation message letting you know that your non-Firestick remote has been paired. You can then start using it as you would a regular Firestick remote.

Troubleshooting a Firestick Remote

If you're having trouble pairing the Firestick remote with your Amazon Fire TV, there are a couple things you can do to fix it:

• Make sure the remote is in range. Move closer to the Amazon Fire TV, making sure you're within the typical Bluetooth ranges, which is 6-30 feet – the closer, the better.
• Try changing the batteries. Try replacing the remote's batteries if you've been using it for a while. Open the battery compartment at the back, remove the old batteries, and insert new ones – a Firestick remote takes two AAA batteries.
• Make sure there's a clear path between the remote and TV. Remove anything between or near the remote and Amazon Fire TV that can interfere with the Bluetooth signal. This includes other devices, routers, and microwaves ovens.
• Reset the Firestick remote. In some cases, resetting the Firestick remote can fix the connectivity problems you're experiencing.
• Reset the Amazon Fire TV. If the pairing issues are the result of a bug in the TV's software, you can potentially fix the problem by resetting your Amazon Fire TV back to factory settings.