How to program amazon fire tv remote

Fortunately, the FireStick remote can sync with the TV to control it. With a connected FireStick remote, you can turn your TV on/off and also control the volume levels. You just need to connect your FireStick remote to the TV. This process is usually completed during the initial set-up of the FireStick itself. This guide is for you if you didn’t do so initially, have changed your remote, or simply want to pair a new remote.

In this guide, I will list various ways you can sync your FireStick remote to your TV. This method also applies to traditional or non-smart TVs. The only prerequisite is support for HDMI CEC (more on that later).

Attention, FireStick Users!

Governments and ISPs constantly monitor your online activity, and accessing copyrighted content on your Fire TV Stick could lead to serious trouble. Currently, your IP is visible to everyone. I strongly recommend getting the best FireStick VPN to mask your IP address and securely stream your favorites.

I personally use ExpressVPN, the fastest and most secure VPN available. Not only is it easy to install on any device, it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, if you're not 100% satisfied, you can always get a refund. ExpressVPN is currently also offering a whopping 3 extra months free on their annual plan!

Here are reasons why using a VPN at all times is essential.

Read: How to install and use the best VPN for FireStick

How to Connect a New FireStick Remote to TV

Ideally, the FireStick remote automatically pairs with the TV. If for some reason the process doesn’t take place automatically, the user can complete it manually by following these steps. 

1. Long press the home button (looks like a house) on your FireStick remote for around 10 seconds.

2. The LED light on the button will start blinking. This means that the remote is searching for a TV.

3. The remote will flash three blue lights once it has found a TV and connected to it. This means that your remote is paired with the TV.

The remote might fail to connect even after following all the aforementioned steps. This issue can be blamed on CEC technology.

How to Control the TV using FireStick Remote

CEC, standing for Consumer Electronic Control, is a feature of HDMI. In simpler terms, CEC helps in the back-and-forth communication between the TV and a connected device (here, the FireStick). As a result, the user can change the TV settings using the HDMI-connected device. Since quite a few years ago, most TVs ship with CEC included. However, the name of the technology varies from brand to brand. Here’s a list of the most popular TV brands and their corresponding CEC branding:

Samsung: Anynet+

Sony: BRAVIA Sync

LG: SimpLink

Panasonic: HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync, or VIERA Link

Toshiba: CE-Link and Regza Link

Now, I will show you how to enable CEC on your FireStick and TV.

Part 1: Preparing your FireStick and TV 

1. Go to your FireStick home screen and click on settings (the gear icon) on the far right.

2. Click on the Display & Audio banner.

3. Scroll down to HDMI CEC Device Control.

4. If this setting is OFF, click it to turn it ON.

Your FireStick is now ready. I will now explain how to enable CEC on your TV.

Note: I will explain this process on a Toshiba TV. The UI and controls will vary from brand to brand. However, the general process should be similar.

1. Press the menu button on the TV remote.

2. The settings window should pop up. Head to System.

3. Locate the option named HDMI CEC Control.

4. Enable HDMI CEC control. If prompted, select Always On.

We can set up the FireStick remote to control the TV now, as CEC has been enabled on both devices.

Part 2: Connecting the FireStick Remote to TV

1. Click on the home button on your FireStick remote to go back to the home screen. Click on settings again.

2. Select the Equipment Control banner.

3. Scroll down to Manage Equipment.

4. Click on Add Equipment.

5. Select TV.

6. Wait for the setup process to be completed.

7. If the system correctly identifies your TV, select Yes and skip to step 10. Otherwise, continue with step 8 below.

8. If the identified TV is incorrect, click on No.

9. From the list of TV brands, select the one that matches your TV. I am using a Toshiba TV, hence I’ll select Toshiba.

10. Follow the on-screen instructions: Press the power button on your FireStick remote, wait 10 seconds, and press the power button again.

11. If your FireStick remote turned your TV off and back on, select Yes and skip to step 15. Otherwise, go to step 12 below.

12. If your TV didn’t respond to the FireStick remote’s power button, select No.

13. The system will now ask you to go through a series of attempts. This is a trial-and-error method. Keep trying until you come across the option that works for you. Each user’s mileage and the number of attempts may vary.

14. Click on Yes for the attempt that successfully turned the TV off and on.

15. The system will now perform a volume test. If the TV is muted, increase the volume using your TV’s traditional remote. Click Next when you’re ready for the volume test.

16. Use your FireStick remote to change the volume levels. If you can control the volume using your FireStick remote, click on Yes and skip to step 19. Otherwise, follow step 17 below.

17. If the volume didn’t change in response to your FireStick remote, click on No.

18. Select the option that suits your setup. I will select I use just my TV since I am not using any external audio equipment.

19. Repeat from step 13. Keep repeating this cycle until you find a setup that works for you. Once you’ve found one, you can proceed to step 20.

20. This step is very useful when you have multiple media devices (like consoles and DTH boxes) connected to your TV and need to constantly switch between the HDMI channels. This step will create a shortcut to jump to your FireStick’s HDMI channel. Select the HDMI port your FireStick is connected to from the list. In my case, it’s HDMI 2.

Note: If you use only a single HDMI input (FireStick) on your TV, you can skip this process by pressing the forward button (two forward arrows) on your FireStick remote. Then skip to step 23.

21. Switch to an alternate HDMI input source using your traditional TV’s remote. Now, press the forward button (two forward arrows) on your FireStick remote.

22. The TV should switch to the FireStick HDMI channel. If it did, select Yes. You have now successfully created a shortcut to switch back to your Fire TV from any HDMI source using the forward button on your FireStick remote.

23. Click on OK. You have successfully synced your FireStick remote to your TV.

You can now enjoy a hassle-free experience of using only a single remote to control your FireStick and TV.

How to Change the Paired TV

Fire TV also allows users to re-pair their remote to a new TV. So, if you decide to change the TV you use your FireStick with, you can sync the FireStick remote to the new TV instead. You can do so by following these steps:

1. Go to the FireStick home screen and click on settings.

2. Click on the Equipment Control banner.

3. Click on Manage Equipment.

4. Select TV.

5. Scroll down and select Change TV.

6. Select Change TV.

7. Go back to Part 2 above and follow steps 6–23.

The remote will now be paired with your new TV. You can use this remote to turn the TV on/off, control its volume, and switch HDMI inputs.

How to Add a New Remote to FireStick

FireStick also has provisions that allow users to pair two remotes. This feature is especially handy if you often misplace your remote or simply have a spare FireStick remote lying around. To add a new remote to your FireStick, follow these steps:

1. Select Settings on the home screen.

2. Select the Remotes & Bluetooth Devices banner.

3. Click on Amazon Fire TV Remotes.

4. Select Add New Remote.

5. The system will search for nearby devices. Hold the home button on the new FireStick remote for 10 seconds to make it discoverable.

6. The new FireStick remote should appear alongside your old remote.

Your new FireStick remote is now paired to your Fire TV. You can use both these remotes as needed.

Conclusion

I have covered various ways to sync your FireStick remote with your TV. As I mentioned earlier, pairing a remote with a TV is extremely useful, as it avoids the burden of using two different remotes. In this article, I have included steps on how to pair a new remote, how to enable CEC to control your TV, and how to add a secondary remote if needed. If you have any other questions, please drop them in the comments below!