Introduction
Whether you’re replacing your remote, giving away your Fire Stick, or facing connectivity issues, knowing how to unpair a Fire Stick remote can save you a ton of frustration. The Fire Stick has become a staple streaming device in millions of homes, and while pairing a remote is straightforward, unpairing it can be a bit tricky—especially since there’s no single “Unpair” button.
But don’t worry this complete guide will walk you through every method to disconnect your Fire Stick remote, with clear steps, real solutions, and pro tips for keeping your streaming setup clean and efficient.
Why You Might Want to Unpair a Fire Stick Remote
You may not think much about unpairing your Fire Stick remote—until something stops working. Here are some common reasons you might need to disconnect a remote:
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Switching to a new remote: Whether your old one broke or you want an upgraded model, you’ll need to remove the old one to free up slots.
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Giving away or selling your Fire Stick: You don’t want someone else to control your devices.
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Using multiple Fire Sticks in one house: Accidental pairing with another device nearby can create chaos.
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Fixing pairing issues: Sometimes, starting from scratch is the best fix.
How Fire Stick Remote Pairing Works
Understanding how Fire Stick remotes connect to the device helps make sense of the unpairing process.
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Bluetooth-based connection: Fire Stick remotes use Bluetooth instead of infrared. This means they don’t need line-of-sight but must be within a reasonable range.
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One-to-one pairing: Each Fire Stick can have up to 7 remotes paired at a time, but one is typically primary.
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Manual pairing: New remotes or app remotes can override the connection.
Method 1: Unpair Using Fire Stick Settings
This is the most direct way to unpair a remote from your Fire Stick.
Step-by-Step:
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Go to Home Screen using your existing Fire Stick remote.
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Navigate to Settings at the top menu.
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Choose Controllers & Bluetooth Devices.
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Select Amazon Fire TV Remotes.
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Choose the remote you want to unpair.
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Click “Forget Device” (if this option appears).
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Restart your Fire Stick.
⚠️ Note: Some Fire OS versions don’t show a “Forget Device” button. If you don’t see it, try other methods below.
Method 2: Use the Fire TV App as a Remote
If you’ve lost or damaged your physical remote, the Fire TV mobile app is your best friend.
Here’s how to use it:
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Download the Fire TV App from the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android).
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Make sure your phone and Fire Stick are on the same Wi-Fi network.
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Launch the app and select your Fire TV device.
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Use the app to navigate to:
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Settings → Controllers & Bluetooth Devices
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Select the remote and try to remove it.
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💡 Pro Tip: Once connected, you can also pair a new remote and leave the old one inactive.
Method 3: Reset the Fire Stick to Factory Settings
This is the most complete method. It removes all saved settings—including remotes.
Use this method if:
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You’re giving away or selling your Fire Stick.
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You’re experiencing serious bugs or pairing issues.
Steps to Factory Reset:
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Go to Settings → My Fire TV.
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Select Reset to Factory Defaults.
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Confirm and wait for the device to reboot.
After the reset, no remote will be paired. You’ll have to pair a new or existing remote again from scratch.
⚠️ This will also erase all installed apps, settings, and accounts.
Method 4: Pair a New Remote to Override the Old One
If you can’t remove a remote directly, you can “bump” it off the list by pairing a new one.
How to do this:
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Hold the Home button on the new remote for about 10 seconds.
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The Fire Stick will detect and auto-pair with the new remote.
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The old remote may become inactive automatically.
You can verify this in Controllers & Bluetooth Devices under Amazon Fire TV Remotes. The old one may no longer respond or appear in the list.
Bonus: Remove Old Remote from Amazon Account
Your Fire Stick devices are connected to your Amazon account. Removing unused remotes can help clean up your device list.
Steps
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Go to Amazon’s Device Management in a browser.
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Click Manage Your Content and Devices.
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Select the Devices tab.
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Choose your Fire TV Stick.
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Deregister any remotes that are no longer in use.
This helps keep your account clean and avoids unwanted access.
Troubleshooting: What to Do If Remote Won’t Unpair
Even with the right steps, you might run into issues. Here’s what to try:
1. Reboot Your Fire Stick
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity problems.
2. Change Remote Batteries
Weak batteries can prevent the unpairing command from registering.
3. Move Closer to the Fire Stick
Bluetooth range is usually about 30 feet, but walls and interference can affect it.
4. Update Fire OS
Old Fire OS versions may lack unpairing features or cause glitches. Go to:
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Settings → My Fire TV → About → Check for Updates
5. Try Pairing a New Remote First
As mentioned, pairing a new one sometimes “pushes” the old one out of the active list.
Can You Use Fire Stick Without a Remote?
Yes, there are multiple ways to control your Fire Stick without the original remote.
1. Use the Fire TV Mobile App
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Full functionality with navigation, typing, and voice search.
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Available for both Android and iOS.
2. Use HDMI-CEC Enabled TV Remote
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Many modern TVs support CEC (Consumer Electronics Control).
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If enabled, you can use your TV remote to control basic Fire Stick functions.
3. Use Alexa Devices
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Echo or Alexa-enabled speakers can control Fire TV via voice commands.
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Example: “Alexa, open Netflix on Fire TV.”
4. Use a Bluetooth Game Controller
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Pair a PlayStation or Xbox controller via Controllers & Bluetooth Devices.
Alternatives to Fire Stick Remote
If you can’t recover your remote, there are alternatives available:
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Official Fire TV Replacement Remote: Same model, plug-and-play.
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Voice Remote Pro: Includes customizable buttons and remote finder.
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Universal Remotes: Some support Fire TV via Bluetooth.
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Bluetooth Keyboards: Useful for typing and navigating.
Make sure any replacement is compatible with your Fire Stick version (2nd Gen, 4K, Lite, Max, etc.).
Quick Tips for Smooth Remote Management
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Label Your Remotes: If you have multiple Fire TVs in the house, use stickers or labels to keep remotes from getting mixed up.
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Limit Paired Devices: Remove unused remotes to free up Bluetooth space.
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Avoid Pairing in Crowded Wi-Fi Areas: Fire Stick can get confused if multiple devices are nearby during setup.
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Use a Remote Case: This reduces the chances of drops or water damage.
Final Thoughts
Unpairing a Fire Stick remote may not be as straightforward as pairing one, but it’s definitely doable—with multiple methods at your fingertips. Whether you’re using the official settings, the mobile app, or opting for a full factory reset, these steps will help you maintain full control over your streaming setup.
FAQs
Q1. Can I unpair a Fire Stick remote without another remote?
Yes, you can use the Fire TV app on your smartphone as a virtual remote to navigate and unpair your physical Fire Stick remote.
Q2. What happens when I unpair my Fire Stick remote?
Once unpaired, the remote will no longer control the Fire Stick device until it is re-paired manually.
Q3. How do I know if my Fire Stick remote is unpaired?
If your Fire Stick no longer responds to commands from your remote (and the batteries are fine), it’s likely been unpaired.
Q4. Can I unpair more than one remote from a Fire Stick?
Yes, you can unpair multiple remotes through the Fire TV settings or using the Fire TV app.
Q5. Do I need to reset my Fire Stick to unpair a remote?
No, resetting is not required. You can go to Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices > Amazon Fire TV Remotes to manage and unpair remotes.
Q6. Can I use the same remote with another Fire Stick after unpairing?
Yes! Once unpaired, you can pair the remote with a different Fire Stick device by following the pairing process.