“My Firestick remote is working, but not the volume buttons…”
One great thing about a Firestick remote is that it can adjust the volume of your TV.
But then sometimes it can get into some trouble.
The volume buttons may suddenly stop responding.
Or not work at all.
But there are several ways you can fix it.
And, promise, you won’t need to dig deep into its system.
Read on to learn:
- How to connect Firestick remote to the TV.
- How to reset Fire TV stick and Firestick remote.
- 8 ways to fix Firestick remote volume not working.
- What port to use to enable Firestick remote volume.
- And more…
Why does my Firestick remote volume not work?
The Firestick remote volume will not work if the Fire TV stick is not plugged into an HDMI-CEC port, the equipment control device is not set up, the remote batteries are drained, or the TV IR sensor is blocked. It will also not work if the TV, Fire TV stick, or Firestick remote software is outdated.
Firestick remote volume not working – 8 ways to fix it
#1: Plug Fire TV Stick into an HDMI-CEC port
Amazon Fire TV Stick devices use an HDMI port to connect with the TV.
But if you want your Firestick remote volume to work, use an HMDI-CEC port.
An HDMI-CEC port allows all connected devices to work as one.
For this case, HDMI-CEC allows you to control both your TV and Fire TV Stick using only one remote.
So, if you want your Firestick remote TV to work, make sure that the Fire TV Stick is plugged into an HDMI-CEC port.
Your TV usually has labels beside the port.
So, you can easily identify which one is an HDMI-CEC port.
Note: Several TV brands have different names for HDMI-CEC ports.
Here’s a quick guide on its alternative names:
- LG TVs: SimpLink.
- Philips TV: EasyLink.
- Sharp TVs: Aquos Link.
- Samsung TVs: Anynet+.
- Hitachi TVs: HDMI-CEC.
- Panasonic TVs: VIERA Link.
- Mitsubishi TVs: Realink for HDMI.
- Toshiba TVs: CE-Link & Regza Link.
- Sony TVs: BRAVIA Link & BRAVIA Sync.
- Other brands: HDAVI Control or EZ-Sync.
Once you’ve located the HDMI-CEC port on your TV, plug in your Amazon Fire TV Stick.
After that, navigate your TV settings to double-check the port connectivity.
Depending on your TV, sometimes you have to enable the HDMI-CEC first for it to work.
Tip: If you don’t want to plug in your Fire TV Stick directly to your TV, you can use an HDMI extender.
Reading recommendation: Firestick Remote Not Working: 10 Causes & Fixes
Want a video explainer on how to set up equipment control? Then, watch this video!
#2: Change equipment control setting
“I’ve already plugged in my Fire TV Stick to an HDMI-CEC port. But the Firestick remote volume still doesn’t work.”
It will not automatically work because you have to pair your Firestick remote to the TV first.
Your TV only recognizes and follows the command of your TV remote.
That said, you have to let your TV recognize your Firestick remote.
How can you do that?
By navigating the equipment control setting.
To enable your Firestick remote volume:
Note: You have to use your Firestick remote.
- Go to settings.
- Look for “Equipment Control,” then select it.
- Click “TV.”
- Wait for the screen to load.
- Select your TV brand.
- Press the “Home” button once.
- Once the TV is turned off, wait for 10 seconds.
- Press the “Home” button again.
- Then, press “Yes” once a question appears on the screen.
- Press the volume up button to check if it’s working.
- And when the TV volumes up, press “Yes.”
After this, your Firestick remote volume buttons should work.
Setting up your TV and Firestick remote can fail several times.
If anything fails during the process, just repeat the setup. Do it several times until the pairing becomes successful.
#3: Remove obstructions in front of the TV IR sensor
When you use the Firestick remote to change the volume, your remote communicates with your TV.
So if the volume buttons aren’t working, then the remote must be having a hard time communicating with the TV.
The most common reason for this is a blocked TV IR sensor.
The TV IR sensor uses infrared signals to receive commands from the Firestick remote.
So, when it’s blocked, the TV won’t be able to follow commands.
It may sound technical, but it only needs minor solutions.
The only thing you have to do is to remove any objects that block the TV IR sensor.
While you’re at it, clean the TV IR sensor.
Doing this is equally important as dust can also block the sensor.
You can clean the IR sensor by blowing air into it.
Another option is by wiping it using a damp microfiber cloth.
#4: Replace the remote batteries
When did you start using your Firestick remote?
If it has been more than five months, replace the remote batteries already.
On average, Firestick remote batteries can last up to 6 to 12 months. Depending on how often you use it.
So if the remote volume doesn’t work, it can be because the batteries are already drained.
If that’s the case, replace the batteries as soon as possible.
All versions of Firestick remotes use AAA batteries.
So make sure to get the same type of battery.
A few reminders when replacing Firestick remote batteries:
- Don’t use rechargeable batteries.
- Insert batteries with the same brand.
- Don’t use old and new batteries together.
- Use two batteries that have the same voltage.
Note: Dispose of the old batteries properly.
Editor’s pick: 8 Easy Steps To Open Your Firestick Remote (With Video)
#5: Soft reset the TV
If the TV IR sensor or remote batteries aren’t the problem, try soft resetting your TV.
Soft resetting is refreshing the device’s system and deleting temporary memory data.
And that included every software bug in its system as well.
Software bugs are programming errors or mistakes. And they cause the device’s system to malfunction or stop working.
They can prevent your TV from receiving commands from your Firestick remote.
Developers remove these software bugs by creating new software updates.
But if there are no available updates on your device. You can fix the bugs by soft resetting your TV.
“But I don’t use a smart TV.”
Even if you’re using a regular TV, soft resetting your TV can fix the problem.
Because its system can experience lagging as well.
To soft reset your TV:
- Turn off the TV.
- Unplug the power cord from the socket.
- Wait for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Then, replug the cord from the socket.
If this doesn’t resolve the problem, try redoing it 2 to 3 times.
#6: Soft reset Fire TV Stick
If your TV is fine, your Amazon Fire TV Stick may be the issue.
Like TV, your Fire TV Stick can get infected with software bugs.
The Fire TV Stick acts as the bridge between the Firestick remote and the TV.
So, when a Fire TV Stick has software bugs, it can prevent the Firestick remote and the TV from communicating.
Normally, the device updates itself automatically.
But it can sometimes fail to do so.
Your first option is to update the Fire TV Stick manually.
You can do that by navigating your device’s settings.
If there’s no update available, then it’s time to soft reset your Fire TV Stick.
Note: Don’t worry! Soft resetting your Fire TV Stick will not delete any data.
To soft reset Amazon Fire TV Stick, press and hold the “Select” and “Play/Pause” buttons for about 5 seconds.
You can also soft reset your Fire TV Stick via the device’s setting.
Here’s how:
- Go to settings.
- Select “My Fire TV.”
- And click “Restart.”
Tip: Press and hold the “Home” buttons on your Firestick remote to access the settings page.
#7: Soft reset Firestick remote
If soft resetting the TV and Fire TV Stick still doesn’t work, try soft resetting your Firestick remote.
Sometimes an error can happen on your Firestick remote’s system.
But you can easily resolve it by soft resetting the remote.
Here’s how to do it:
- Unplug the Fire TV Stick.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Press and hold a series of remote buttons for 12 seconds (see below instructions).*
- Remove remote batteries.
- Replug the Fire TV Stick.
- Put the batteries back in.
- Then, press the home button.
After this, the Firestick remote volume should be able to work.
*The series of buttons you have to press will depend on the version of your remote.
Determine the version of your remote, then press and hold these buttons:
- For basic edition: left + menu buttons.
- For Alexa voice (1st gen): left + menu buttons.
- For Alexa voice: left + menu + back buttons.
- For Alexa voice lite: left + menu + back buttons.
- For Fire TV Smart TV: left + menu + back buttons.
#8: Factory reset Fire TV Stick
“I’ve already soft reset all possible devices. But the Firestick remote volume still doesn’t work!”
If nothing above worked, it’s time to factory reset your Fire TV Stick.
You do this because sometimes, soft resetting devices doesn’t remove software bugs.
Warning: Factory resetting will delete all your device’s data and custom settings. So, make sure to try everything above first.
Factory resetting your Fire TV Stick will delete all data. Including any software bugs in its system.
So, your Firestick remote volume should be able to work after the process.
To factory reset Fire TV Stick:
- Go to settings.
- Choose “Device.”
- Select “Reset to Factory Defaults.”
- Press “Reset.”
You can also do this by pressing and holding the back and right buttons.
It will lead you straight to step 4.
You might also like: Why is my smart TV remote not working?