How to Connect a Firestick to Your TV and Get It Working First Time
Connect a Firestick to your TV in about ten minutes. Plug in, pick the HDMI input, pair the remote and join WiFi, with fixes for common snags.
By IPTV UK Free Editorial3 min read
In this guide
Connecting a Firestick takes about ten minutes, and most of that is waiting for it to update itself. The physical part is two plugs. The rest is a handful of choices on screen. Here is the whole process in order, followed by the things that most often go wrong.
Before you start
Check three things. Your TV needs a free HDMI port, which is a slim rectangular socket on the back or side. You need a power socket within reach of the TV. And you need your WiFi name and password, because the Firestick will ask for them. If you do not know the password, it is usually printed on a sticker on your router.
You will also need an Amazon account. A free one is fine. If you do not have one, you can create it on the stick during setup.
Step by step
- Plug the stick into an HDMI port. Push it in firmly. If the stick will not fit because of a wall mounted TV, use the little HDMI extender that comes in the box.
- Connect the power. Plug the USB lead into the stick and the other end into the mains adapter that came with it. Using the adapter in the box matters. A weak USB port on the back of a TV can leave the stick underpowered and unstable.
- Fit batteries in the remote. Two AAA batteries go in the back.
- Switch your TV to the right input. Press the Input or Source button on your TV remote and select the HDMI port you used. The Firestick logo should appear.
- Pair the remote. It should pair by itself. If not, hold the Home button for about ten seconds.
- Pick your language and join WiFi. Choose your network, type the password, and wait for the connection test.
- Sign in to Amazon. You can type your details or scan a code with your phone.
- Let it update. The stick will download the latest software. Do not unplug it during this. It can take five minutes or more.
- Choose your apps. Install iPlayer, ITVX and anything else you use from the Appstore.
Things that commonly go wrong
The screen stays black. Almost always the wrong HDMI input. Cycle through the inputs on your TV. If that fails, try a different HDMI port, and unplug and replug the stick.
The remote does nothing. Replace the batteries, then hold Home for ten seconds. Move it close to the stick. Remotes sometimes struggle when the stick is hidden behind the TV.
It keeps buffering. Check the WiFi signal in the settings menu under Network. If the stick shows a weak signal, move the router, switch to the 5GHz band if you have one, or buy the Ethernet adapter that Amazon sells for Fire TV devices. Our guide to reducing buffering on a Firestick goes through more.
The picture looks fuzzy. Go to Settings, Display and Sounds, Display, Video Resolution, and set it to the highest option your TV supports. If you have a 4K TV and a 4K stick, make sure both are running 4K.
The stick overheats. Give it breathing room. A stick jammed in a tight gap against a hot television will slow down. The HDMI extender helps by moving it out into free air.
Which Firestick, and which TV
Any Firestick from the last several years works on a TV with an HDMI port. Older televisions without HDMI need a converter, which usually lowers picture quality. If your TV is a 4K model, a 4K stick is worth it. For a small bedroom TV that only does 1080p, a basic HD stick is plenty.
One thing to be aware of is that Amazon has started shipping some newer Fire TV models on its own Vega operating system, which does not install Android apps from outside the store. If you plan to use apps beyond those in the Appstore, check what the model runs before you buy. Our Firestick device guide explains what to look for.
After the basics
Once the stick is working, it is worth spending five minutes in the settings. Turn off the autoplay previews on the home screen if they annoy you, switch the screensaver off if it wakes your TV, and set up a PIN for purchases. If you want to try IPTV on the stick, you can request a free 24 hour trial and we send setup steps written for Fire TV.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need WiFi to use a Firestick?
You need an internet connection, either WiFi or a wired connection through Amazon's Ethernet adapter. Without one the stick shows only the menu.
Can I use a Firestick on an old TV?
Yes if the TV has an HDMI port. On older sets with only a scart or composite input you would need a converter, and the picture will not be as sharp.
Do I have to pay anything to use a Firestick?
The stick itself is a one off purchase. Apps such as iPlayer and ITVX are free to install, though a TV licence is needed to watch live TV.