How to Turn On a Firestick
Press any button on the Alexa Voice Remote. The Firestick wakes from standby mode automatically. If the Firestick is fully powered off, it will boot up within about 30–45 seconds after the remote button press or after power is supplied via the USB adapter.
Step-by-Step
- Make sure the USB power cable is plugged in — the Firestick needs mains power to operate
- Turn on your TV using the TV's own remote or power button
- Select the correct HDMI input on your TV — press Source, Input or similar on your TV remote and choose the HDMI port the Firestick is connected to
- Press any button on the Alexa Voice Remote — the Home button is the easiest choice
- Wait for the Fire TV interface to load — usually 10–30 seconds from standby
Standby vs Full Restart
A Fire TV Stick in standby mode (screen off, device still powered) wakes up almost instantly when you press a button on the remote. If you have fully unplugged and replugged the power, a cold boot takes around 30–45 seconds.
The Firestick is designed to stay in a low-power standby state rather than fully powering off. This means it updates in the background and is ready almost instantly when you need it.
Selecting the Right TV Input
If you plug in the Firestick but see a blank screen, you may be on the wrong TV input. Use your TV remote to press the Source or Input button and look for the HDMI port number that the Firestick is using. Most TVs label these HDMI 1, HDMI 2 etc.
Some TVs can automatically detect an active HDMI input and switch to it. If yours does not, you will need to manually select the right input each time.
How to Turn Off a Firestick
The Fire TV Stick does not have a traditional power button. Instead, it goes into standby mode when the TV is turned off or when you have been inactive for a period of time. To put it into standby manually:
- Press and hold the Home button on the remote for a few seconds
- Select Sleep from the menu that appears
Alternatively, simply turn off your TV. The Firestick will enter standby mode automatically.
How to Restart a Firestick
To restart your Firestick without unplugging it:
- Go to Settings on the Fire TV home screen
- Select My Fire TV
- Select Restart
You can also restart by pressing and holding the Select button + the Play/Pause button simultaneously on the remote for about 5 seconds. The Firestick will restart automatically. If you are having problems that a restart doesn't fix, see our complete Firestick reset guide.
Troubleshooting: Firestick Won't Turn On
Check the power
Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both the Firestick and the power adapter, and that the adapter is plugged into a working mains socket. Try a different socket if necessary. Avoid using a TV USB port as a power source — it may not supply enough power.
Check the remote batteries
If pressing the remote does nothing, check the remote batteries. If the LED on the remote doesn't flash, the batteries may be flat. Replace with new AA batteries.
Check the HDMI connection
Remove and reinsert the Firestick (or HDMI extender cable) firmly. Try a different HDMI port on the TV.
For more help with the remote, see our Firestick remote pairing guide. For broader issues, see our Firestick troubleshooting guide.
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Shop Firestick PackagesFrequently Asked Questions
Press any button on the Alexa Voice Remote. Make sure your TV is on and set to the correct HDMI input.
Check the power cable is securely connected and the adapter is plugged into a working mains socket. Check the remote has working batteries.
No — it wakes from standby via the remote. To restart, use Settings > My Fire TV > Restart.
Go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart on the Fire TV home screen. Or hold Select + Play/Pause on the remote for 5 seconds.
You may be on the wrong HDMI input. Press Source/Input on your TV remote and select the HDMI port your Firestick is connected to.