If your Fire Stick shows no signal or a black screen, first check that your TV is on the same HDMI input as the stick. Then unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it straight into the TV with the power adapter that came in the box, and hold Select and Play/Pause on the remote for about 5 seconds to restart it. Those steps fix most Fire Stick no signal problems.
This guide gives you every fix in order, from the quick checks to a factory reset. It also covers how to restart a Fire Stick, how to reset it, and how to pair the remote again, using Amazon’s own instructions.
Why Does My Fire Stick Say No Signal?
A no signal message comes from your TV, not the Fire Stick. It means the TV is not getting a picture on the HDMI input you chose. The usual causes are the wrong input, a loose plug, too little power, a faulty HDMI extender or cable, or a Fire Stick that has frozen.
A black screen is slightly different. The TV may show the Amazon logo and then go black, or show nothing but sound. That usually points to the Fire Stick itself, such as a stuck update or a display setting the TV cannot show.
How to Fix Fire Stick No Signal: 9 Fixes in Order
Work through these in order. Check the screen after each one, and stop when your picture comes back.
Quick checks to try first
- Check the TV input. Press Input or Source on your TV remote and pick the HDMI port the Fire Stick is plugged into, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
- Unplug and replug the HDMI. Amazon suggests disconnecting the Fire Stick from the HDMI port and plugging it back in firmly.
- Use the power adapter from the box. Amazon tells you to use the connection equipment that came with your device. A TV’s USB port often gives too little power, which can cause no signal or random restarts.
- Restart the Fire Stick. Unplug its power for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
Cable, port and TV checks
- Plug straight into the TV. If you use a sound bar or receiver, connect the stick directly to the TV to test. If you use them, make sure they are on the right input too.
- Swap the extender or cable. Try the HDMI extender from the box, or a new High Speed HDMI cable or hub if you use one.
- Try another HDMI port. A single faulty port can cause no signal. Move the stick to a different port and change the TV input to match.
- Turn HDMI CEC off and on. If you can see the menu at all, go to Settings, then Display and Sounds, then HDMI CEC Device Control. Turn it off, then on again.
- Test on another TV. If it works on a different TV, the problem is your TV or its port. When it fails on every TV, the stick or its power supply is the likely fault.
Does your TV show no signal on every input? Then the issue is not your streaming stick. Our guide to fixing no signal on a TV covers that.
Fire Stick Black Screen After the Amazon Logo
If you see the Amazon logo and then a black screen, your stick may be sending a resolution your TV cannot show. Hold Up and Rewind on the remote together for about 10 seconds. It then cycles through display resolutions. Press Select when the picture looks right.
This shortcut is reported by AFTVnews, a long running Fire TV news site. If you do not press Select, it goes back to its old setting after a short wait.
Other causes of a black screen include:
- An update in progress. If you see an update or loading screen, give it time to finish. Do not unplug it during an update.
- 4K content on a non 4K setup. 4K streams need a High Speed HDMI cable and a 4K port. Try a normal HD show to test.
- A frozen app. Press Home, then restart the Fire Stick as shown below.
- Sound but no picture. Try the resolution shortcut above, then another HDMI port.
How to Restart a Fire Stick
Restarting fixes many freezes and black screens. It does not delete anything. Amazon gives three ways:
- With the remote: hold Play/Pause and Select at the same time for about 3 to 5 seconds.
- From the menu: go to Settings, then My Fire TV, then Restart.
- By unplugging: unplug the power cord for at least 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
If your Fire Stick keeps buffering or freezing after a restart, see our guide to fixing Fire Stick buffering and freezing.
How to Reset a Fire Stick to Factory Settings
A factory reset wipes the device and sets it up like new. Amazon warns that it removes your account information and all downloaded content, including in app purchases. Use it only when restarting has not helped.
Reset from the menu
- Open Settings from the Fire TV home screen.
- Select My Fire TV.
- Choose Reset to Factory Defaults.
- Confirm. If you do nothing, the reset starts on its own after a few seconds.
Reset with the remote buttons
This works even when you cannot reach the menu. Hold the Back button and the right side of the navigation circle together for 10 seconds. Then follow the prompts on screen.
After the reset, you sign in to your Amazon account again and reinstall your apps. If Wi-Fi will not connect after a reset, our guide to Fire Stick not connecting to Wi-Fi after a reset walks you through it.
Fire Stick Remote Not Working? How to Pair It Again
Sometimes the screen is fine, but the remote stops responding, so it looks like the whole device is broken. Amazon’s steps are:
- Hold Home for about 10 seconds. Keep holding until the screen shows “Press Play/Pause to start”.
- Reset the remote. Hold Left, Menu and Back together for 12 seconds. Then hold Home again to pair.
- Refresh the batteries. Take them out for 30 seconds, then put them back. If that fails, try new alkaline batteries.
- Move closer. Stay within 10 feet, or 3 metres, of the device.
- Restart the device. Unplug it for 5 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.
How to add a new or replacement remote
With a working remote, go to Settings, then Controllers and Bluetooth Devices, then Amazon Fire TV Remotes, then Add New Remote. Put batteries in the new remote and it should appear in the list. If it does not, hold its Home button for 10 seconds.
No working remote at all? Install the free Amazon Fire TV app on your phone. Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi as the stick, and use the app as a remote.
Fire Stick Remote Shortcuts at a Glance
| What you want | Buttons to hold | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Restart the Fire Stick | Select and Play/Pause | About 5 seconds |
| Change resolution for a black screen | Up and Rewind | About 10 seconds |
| Pair the remote | Home | About 10 seconds |
| Reset the remote | Left, Menu and Back | 12 seconds |
| Factory reset the Fire Stick | Back and Right | 10 seconds |
Beware of Fake Amazon Support Numbers
An earlier version of this post listed a phone number as Amazon’s toll free Fire Stick support line. That number did not belong to Amazon, so we removed it. Many websites list numbers like this, and some lead to scammers who ask for remote access or payment.
Only contact Amazon through your Amazon account or Amazon’s own help pages. Never give a caller access to your computer or phone, and never pay for “Fire Stick activation”. Setting up a Fire Stick is free.
Common Questions About Fire Stick No Signal
Can I power my Fire Stick from the TV’s USB port?
Sometimes, but it often causes problems. Many TV USB ports do not supply enough power. Amazon recommends the equipment that came in the box, so use the wall adapter if you see no signal, black screens or restarts.
Why does my Fire Stick work on one TV but not another?
The TV or its HDMI port is the likely cause. Try another port, check the input, and turn HDMI CEC off and on. A TV that does not support the Fire Stick’s resolution can also show a black screen, so try the resolution shortcut.
Does restarting delete my apps?
No. A restart keeps everything. Only a factory reset removes your apps, account and downloads.
Does a Fire Stick work outside the US?
Yes, the device itself works on any TV with an HDMI port. Some apps depend on your Amazon account’s country, so a few apps may not appear for readers in Nigeria and other countries.
What else can I watch on it?
Plenty. See our guides to Xfinity Stream on Fire Stick, the Spectrum TV app on Fire Stick and Netflix on your TV box.
Get Your Picture Back
To fix Fire Stick no signal, check the TV input, reseat the HDMI plug, use the power adapter from the box, and restart with Select and Play/Pause. For a black screen after the Amazon logo, hold Up and Rewind to change the resolution. Use a factory reset only as a last step. For Amazon’s full list of display fixes, see Amazon’s help page on how to fix a blank TV screen on Fire TV devices.
Frenzy valentine is a passionate blogger, developer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and author of myfreshgists.com.