With an Amazon Fire TV Stick streaming device, you can turn a regular TV into a smart TV. That means you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows with streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Disney +. However, before you can start streaming, you first need to set up your device properly. Here’s everything you need to know about how to set up your Amazon Fire TV Stick on your TV for the first time.
How to Set Up Your Amazon Fire TV Stick
To set up an Amazon Fire TV Stick, plug it into a power source and an HDMI port on your TV, soundbar, or AV receiver. Next, press the Source or Input button on your TV remote to switch to the corresponding HDMI channel and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Plug your Amazon Fire TV Stick into an electrical outlet. Plug one end of the provided cable into the Fire TV Stick and the other end into the power adapter. Then, plug the power adapter into an outlet.
Note: Do not power your Fire TV Stick from your TV’s USB port. Your Fire TV Stick might use more power than the USB port on your TV can deliver. It could also break your Fire TV Stick if you turn off your TV while your Fire TV Stick is in the middle of a software update.
- Then, plug the Fire TV Stick into an HDMI port on your TV. You will usually find HDMI ports on the back or side of your TV. If you don’t have an HDMI port on your TV, you will not be able to use the Amazon Fire TV. Also, take note of the port number, which should be labeled next to it.
Note: You should avoid plugging your Fire Stick into an HDMI port that is labeled ARC or eARC. Also, if you have a 4K TV, you will want to plug your Fire Stick into an HDMI HDCP 2.2 port if you have one.
Note: If you don’t have enough room to fit your Fire TV Stick behind your TV, use the HDMI extender provided in the box. Plug one end of the extender into an HDMI port on your TV, and then plug the Fire Stick into the other end.
- Next, set your TV to the same HDMI channel as your Fire Stick. You can do this by pressing the Source or Input button on your TV’s remote. For example, if you plugged your Fire TV Stick in HDMI port 2, press the input/source button on your TV remote until your screen says “HDMI 2.”
Note: It might take some time for your Fire TV Stick to load, but you will see the Fire TV logo appear on your TV when you are on the right HDMI channel.
- Then, insert batteries into your Fire TV remote. To do this, slide the back cover off by pulling it down.
- Next, press the Home button on your Fire TV remote.
Note: If your Fire TV Stick can’t find your remote, try placing it closer to your device. If it still doesn’t work, press and hold the Home button on your remote for 10 seconds or until the light at the top of your remote starts blinking.
- Then, press the Play/Pause button when prompted.
- Next, choose your preferred language. You can navigate up and down the list by using the top and bottom of the ring button on the Amazon Fire TV Stick remote. Then press the button in the middle of the ring to select your option.
Note: At almost any point in the process, you can press the Rewind button on your remote to go back to previous parts of the setup process.
- Then, choose how you want to set up your Fire TV Stick. The following steps will show you how to set up your Fire TV Stick using your remote.
Note: If you choose to set up your Fire TV Stick with the QR code, you’ll need to download the Fire TV app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Then open the app and select Set Up New Device > Fire TV. Next, follow the on-screen instructions in the app until your device is set up. Once your device is set up in the app, you can skip to step #16.
- Next, select your WiFi network. Using the right and left navigational buttons on your Fire TV Stick remote, find and select your WiFi network.
Note: Below each WiFi network, you can see its signal strength. If you see your WiFi network has a poor signal, check out our article on how to boost your WiFi signal.
Note: If you don’t see your WiFi network listed, scroll all the way to the right and select Re-Scan for Wi-Fi Networks. If you still don’t see your WiFi network listed, then select Join Other Network and then enter your WiFi network name manually.
- Then, enter your password and select Connect. You will need to enter your WiFi password letter by letter. You can press the Menu button with the three-line icon to enter capital letters, the Rewind button to delete, and the fast-forward button to enter a space. Finally, you can press the Play/Pause button instead of Connect.
Note: Your Fire TV might need to update and restart before you can continue setting it up. This might take a while, depending on how fast your WiFi connection is.
Read More: How to test your WiFi speed
- Next, sign into your Amazon account or create a new account. If you have an Amazon account, select I already have an Amazon Account to sign in with your account details. Otherwise, select “New to Amazon?” to create a new account.
- Then, a code will appear on your screen.
Note: You will also see a QR code that you can scan to continue setting up your Fire TV Stick. If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet available, you can also press the three-line icon on your remote to manually enter your Amazon account information from your remote.
- Next, go to amazon.com/code. You’ll need touse another device, such as your smartphone, to visit this website, so you can sign in, and enter the code on your screen.
- Then, enter your Amazon username and password and select Sign-In. If you don’t have an Amazon account, select Create a new Amazon account and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Next, enter the code from your TV screen and select Continue.
- Then, confirm your account name is correct. Amazon will ask if the account you are using is registered to the correct name. If the incorrect name is displayed, select Change my account. Otherwise, select Continue.
- Next, choose whether you want Amazon to remember your WiFi password. If you select Yes, it will only make it easier to set up new Amazon devices in the future. Your Amazon Fire TV Stick will remember your WiFi password for streaming, so you won’t have to enter it on this device if you choose No, unless you reset it to factory settings.
- Then, choose your TV brand. This will help your Fire TV Stick pair with the remote.However, you might not need to go through these steps if your Fire TV Stick remote doesn’t have volume buttons.
- Next, set up your Fire TV remote. You will be asked to press the volume buttons on your remote and confirm whether the audio on your TV turns up and down.
Note: If you do not hear a change in volume, select No. If you choose No, you’ll need to choose whether your Fire TV Stick is connected to your TV, soundbar, or an AV receiver. Your Fire TV Stick will then ask you to test your remote until the volume buttons work.
- Then, choose whether you want to use Amazon Kids+. This is a service that provides extra kid-friendly movies and TV shows. This service requires an additional fee, but you can always set it up on your Fire TV Stick at a later time.
Note: You might not see this step unless you have young children associated with your Amazon account.
- Next, choose whether you want to add any streaming services to your Fire TV Stick. Select Get Started if you want to install some streaming services now. However, you will only be able to add a select few streaming services at this stage. If you select No Thanks, you will be able to add any streaming services later, and it will speed up the setup process.
- Then, choose whether you want to enable parental controls. If you select Enable Parental Controls, you will be asked to create a PIN that will need to be entered any time you want to watch videos with age restrictions.
- Next, select Got It. This screen will tell you all the major and new features available on your Fire TV Stick.
- Then, select your profile. If you have not created a Fire TV profile before, you can select Add Profile.
- Finally, you can start using your Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Once you set up your Fire TV Stick, check out our step-by-step guide on how to download apps on your Fire Stick to start watching your movies and TV shows.
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