The Firestick remote controls your TV's power only if you set it up first

Your Firestick remote can turn your TV on and off, but it does not do this automatically. You have to tell the remote what TV model you own, and then pair it to that TV through your Firestick device. Once you do, the power button on the remote will control your TV instead of just the Firestick. This takes about five minutes and requires no additional equipment.

The remote uses infrared (IR) signals — the same invisible light that a standard TV remote uses — to send commands to your television. Your Firestick learns which signals your TV responds to, then passes those signals through when you press the power button. If you skip this step, the power button only controls the Firestick itself, not the TV.

Key Takeaways

  • You set up TV power control through your Firestick's Settings menu, not by pairing the remote to the TV directly.
  • The Firestick needs to know your TV's brand and model number, which you can find on a sticker on the back or side of your television.
  • The remote must already be paired to your Firestick (it usually is out of the box) before you can teach it to control the TV.
  • If the automatic setup fails, you can manually select your TV model from a list, or use the learning mode to teach the remote your TV's power commands.

Check that your remote is already paired to your Firestick

Most Firestick remotes arrive already paired and ready to use. To confirm yours is paired, press any button on the remote while your Firestick is on. If the Firestick responds — the menu moves, text appears, or the screen changes — your remote is paired. If nothing happens, the remote needs to be paired to the Firestick first, before you can set up TV power control.

If your remote is not paired, hold down the Home button (the button with a house icon) and the Menu button (three horizontal lines) at the same time for about 10 seconds. The Firestick will show a pairing screen. Once the Firestick confirms the pairing, you can move forward with setting up TV power control.

Find your TV's brand and model number

Before you start the setup, locate your TV's model information. Look on the back or bottom edge of your television for a sticker with the brand name and model number. Write down both — for example, "Samsung UN55RU8000" or "LG 55UP7570PUL". You will need this information when the Firestick asks you to identify your TV.

If you cannot find the sticker, check the original box your TV came in, or look in your email for the receipt or warranty paperwork. The model number is usually printed in small text near the brand name. Do not guess — using the wrong model number will prevent the remote from controlling your TV correctly.

Set up TV power control through Firestick Settings

On your Firestick home screen, navigate to Settings using the remote. Scroll down and select Equipment Control. You may see this listed as HDMI-CEC or External Inputs depending on your Firestick model — look for any option related to controlling other devices.

Select IR Blaster or Set Up Your Remote. The Firestick will ask you to enter your TV's brand name. Use the remote to scroll through the list of brands and select yours. Once you select the brand, the Firestick will ask for your TV's model number. Enter it using the remote's keyboard or number pad. The Firestick will then test whether the remote can communicate with your TV.

If the test succeeds, you will see a confirmation message. Press the power button on your remote — your TV should turn off. Press it again — your TV should turn on. If this works, setup is complete. If the test fails, the Firestick will offer you a list of alternative model numbers to try, or it will ask whether you want to use learning mode instead.

Use learning mode if automatic setup does not work

If the Firestick cannot find your exact TV model, or if the automatic setup fails, you can use learning mode to teach the remote your TV's power commands manually. In the Equipment Control menu, look for Learn IR Commands or Manual Setup.

The Firestick will ask you to point your original TV remote at the Firestick and press the power button. The Firestick's built-in sensor will record the infrared signal your TV remote sends. Do this twice — once to record the "power on" signal and once to record the "power off" signal. After the Firestick records both signals, test the Firestick remote's power button on your TV. If your TV responds, the learning is complete.

Learning mode works with any TV brand, even if the Firestick does not have your model in its database. The downside is that you need your original TV remote nearby to teach the Firestick. If you have lost your original remote, you can try the automatic setup with a different model number from the same brand — many TVs respond to the same infrared codes even if the model numbers differ slightly.

Troubleshoot if the power button still does not work

If you completed setup but the power button does not control your TV, first check that the Firestick and TV are in the same room with a clear line of sight between the remote and the TV. Infrared signals cannot travel through walls or around corners. If there is furniture or a soundbar blocking the path from the remote to the TV's infrared receiver, move the TV or the Firestick.

If the path is clear, go back to Settings and check that Equipment Control is turned On. Some Firestick models have a toggle switch for this feature. If it is off, turn it on and test the power button again. If the remote still does not work, try unplugging the Firestick for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. This resets the remote pairing and the equipment control settings. After the Firestick restarts, repeat the setup process.

If you are using a Firestick 4K or newer model, check whether your TV supports HDMI-CEC (a feature that lets devices control each other through the HDMI cable). If your TV has HDMI-CEC turned on, disable it in your TV's settings, then try the Firestick setup again. Sometimes both features enabled at once cause conflicts.

Understand what the remote can and cannot do

Once the power button is set up, it will turn your TV on and off, but it will not change the TV's input or adjust the volume — unless you set those up separately in Equipment Control. Some Firestick models let you program the volume buttons to control your TV's volume as well. Check your Settings menu to see whether this option is available for your remote and TV combination.

The power button will always control the TV, even when you are using the Firestick for streaming. You do not have to switch modes or press a special key first. If you want to use the remote to control the Firestick again after turning the TV off, just press any Firestick button (like Home or Menu) and the remote will switch back to controlling the Firestick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special remote to control my TV from a Firestick?

No. Any Firestick remote that is paired to your Firestick can be set up to control your TV. The standard remote that comes with most Firestick devices has this capability built in. You do not need to buy anything extra.

What if my TV is very old and does not appear in the Firestick's brand list?

Use learning mode instead. Point your original TV remote at the Firestick and let it record the infrared signals. This works with any TV, regardless of age or brand, as long as your original remote still works.

Can the Firestick remote control my TV if the TV is off?

No. The remote can turn the TV on, but if the TV is already off, the infrared receiver in the TV is not powered and cannot receive signals. Once you turn the TV on with the remote, you can turn it off again.

Why does the power button sometimes not work even though setup was successful?

The most common reason is that something is blocking the infrared path between the remote and the TV — a soundbar, a picture frame, or even your hand. Move the obstruction or angle the remote toward the TV's front panel. If nothing is blocking the path, the TV's infrared receiver may need cleaning, or the batteries in the remote may be low.

Can I use the Firestick remote to control other devices besides my TV?

Yes. In Equipment Control, you can set up the remote to control a soundbar, receiver, or other infrared device. The process is the same as setting up TV control — select the device type, enter the brand and model, and test the buttons.