Fridays for me are all about kicking back and tuning into my favorite TV shows. However, on this particular Friday, as I prepared to dive into the latest season of The Boys, I found my Firestick remote acting up, with a persistent orange blink.
Having been a long-time Firestick user, I’ve pretty much mastered the art of troubleshooting everything related to it – TV compatibility issues, remote problems, you name it.
So, if you’re dealing with this stubborn orange blinking light on your Firestick remote, don’t worry. I’ve got some handy solutions for you to get your remote back on track right away.
The Clever Fix
A continuous blinking orange light on your Firestick remote means it is stuck in discovery mode and is not pairing to your device.
If your Firestick remote is blinking orange, do a firm restart. Open your Fire TV device and wait for “Cannot detect your remote” to appear on the screen. Press and hold the Home button for 10 seconds to pair your remote. If the connection is successful, wait for 20 seconds before it works.
What causes my Firestick remote to blink orange?
There could be a variety of reasons why your Firestick remote decides to play hardball and disconnect from your Fire TV. Dead batteries, outdated firmware, and irregular pairing might be the culprits behind this.
Before diving headfirst into solutions, it’s better to understand what’s causing the glitch. This way, you’ll know the most effective fix.
Here are some straightforward device checks to help you figure out what’s throwing your Firestick remote off balance:
Check for obstructions
Firestick remotes rely on a Bluetooth connection to sync with TVs. Make sure there aren’t any pieces of furniture or appliances throwing a wrench in your connectivity.
Normally, remotes function within a range of at least 10 feet, but the latest versions can work within 30 feet – provided there aren’t any obstructions blocking the signal.
Check where the Firestick remote is paired
If you’re finding it tough to pair your Firestick remote with your TV and you have more than one TV at home, chances are it might be paired to the wrong device.
Review the connections on all your Fire TVs, and pair your remote to the one you intend to use.
Check for loose connections
Sometimes, the issue may not be with the remote but with the TV itself. Ensure that your TV’s power source is operational.
If you’re using an extension cord to plug in your TV, consider plugging it directly into a wall outlet. Also, make sure that the Firestick is securely fitted into the HDMI port. Loose connections can impact the performance of your remote too.
How do I fix a Firestick remote with blinking orange light?
Did the checks and still no luck? No need to panic! Here are five speedy fixes that can set your Firestick remote straight in no time.
1. Power cycle the Firestick and the remote
Power cycling might sound like an easy fix, and guess what – it usually is!
If a power outage has left your remote unresponsive with a constant orange blink, giving your Firestick and its remote a good power cycle could help reset both their settings.
To do this, just follow these easy steps:
- Turn off the Firestick and unplug it from the HDMI port.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Remove the batteries of your Firestick remote.
- Press each button on the remote for about 2 seconds.
- Insert the batteries back into your remote and plug the Firestick into the HDMI port.
After doing this, the stubborn orange light should vanish as your remote pairs back with your TV.
2. Replace the remote’s batteries
Batteries can hold up for about a year, but with heavy use, they could die out quicker. This could be messing with your Firestick remote, causing the persistent orange blink.
If it’s been a while since you changed your remote’s batteries, it might be time for a fresh pair. Your Firestick remote uses two AAA batteries.
Clever Tip: Consider investing in alkaline batteries to get the most out of your Firestick remote. They’re cost-effective and known for their longer shelf life.
3. Update the Firestick firmware
An out-of-date Firestick may not only throw a wrench in your streaming experience, but it can also mess with your remote. Given that Amazon releases new updates almost monthly, it’s easy to miss them.
You might be thinking, “How do I update my Firestick if my remote is out of commission?” Surprise! You can use your smartphone as a quick-fix remote!
Here’s how:
- First, make sure to connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network that your Firestick is connected to.
- Download the Amazon Fire TV from Google Play or App Store.
- Once it’s downloaded, open the app and log in with your Amazon account.
- Select an available device on the screen.
- Follow the instructions on-screen.
- Use the on-screen navigation, keyboard, and other options to control the selected Fire TV device.
To update your Firestick firmware:
- On the Firestick interface, click Settings.
- Select My Fire TV.
- Note: For older Firestick, it may appear as “Device” or “System” instead.
- Choose About.
- Click “Install Update.”
- Note: If your device is updated, you will see “Check for Update.”
- Press Select.
Your TV will switch off and start updating. This process can take around 5 to 10 minutes, contingent on your connection speed. Now, to manually pair your actual remote, let’s move on to the next solution!
4. Manually pair your remote through the Fire TV app
Now that you’ve got your smartphone doubling as a temporary remote, you can also try manually pairing your actual remote (the one with the orange blink) to the Fire TV.
I have to say, this fix, along with changing the batteries, has been my surefire solution whenever my remote decides to go haywire!
All you have to do is follow these simple steps:
- Using your phone, navigate to Settings on the TV.
- Choose Controllers & Bluetooth Devices.
- Select Amazon Fire TV Remotes and click on Add New Remote.
- Aim your Firestick remote toward the TV.
- On the physical remote, hold the Home button for 10 seconds.
If the pairing’s successful, you should spot a “New remote paired” notification on the screen.
5. Reset your Firestick remote
If you’re still battling the orange blink on your Firestick remote, your last port of call is resetting your remote. This procedure will reboot both the hardware and software of the remote.
Bear in mind, resetting your remote will depend on the model you own.
Here’s what you can do for general Fire TV remotes:
- Unplug the Fire TV and wait for 60 seconds.
- Hold the Left, Menu, and Back buttons at the same time for 12 seconds.
- Release the buttons and wait for 5 seconds.
- Remove the batteries in your remote.
- Plug in your Fire TV and wait until a message prompt appears saying the remote is not detected.
- Insert the batteries back into your remote.
- Press the Home button.
A blue blink from the LED indicator is a thumbs up – your remote is successfully paired. If you don’t see it, hold the Home button for another 10 seconds.
Note: If you’re using Alexa Voice Remote (1st generation), you can still use this guide. There’s only a slight tweak in step two: after unplugging your TV, press and hold the Left and Menu buttons together for 12 seconds. From there, the remaining steps are the same.
For Basic Edition remote users:
- Hold the Home button as you press the Menu button three times.
- Release the Home button.
- Press the Menu button 9 times.
- Remove the batteries in your remote.
- Unplug your Fire TV and wait for 60 seconds.
- Place the batteries back in your remote.
- Plug in your Fire TV and turn it on.
- Wait for the Home screen to appear, then hold the Home button for 40 seconds.
- Wait for one minute to complete the setup.
Bottom line
If you’ve been battling the blinking orange light on your Firestick remote, I hope these solutions have helped you clear it up, so you’re all set to chill and catch your favorite shows!
If these tips aren’t cutting it, feel free to reach out to Amazon’s support team. You can ring their customer service at 1-888-280-4331, ping their online chat support, or even give them a shoutout on Twitter!
I hope you’ve found the solution you were looking for. As always, happy to lend a hand!
