What to do when Fire Stick is not connecting to Wi-Fi

You turn on the TV, eager to binge-watch your favorite show and relax. But your Amazon® Fire TV™ Stick won't connect to Wi-Fi. You've tried jiggling it and turning the TV off and on, but nothing seems to work.

At Asurion, we help millions of people fix tech issues like this every day. If your Fire Stick isn't connecting to Wi-Fi, here’s what to try to get back to watching without interruptions.

Check your Wi-Fi connection

If your Amazon Fire TV Stick won't turn on, a poor Wi-Fi connection could be the issue. Verify the connection strength with these steps: 

1. Using the Fire TV Stick remote, click Settings on the main menu screen.
2. Click Network.
3. Click the network name.
4. Press the Play/Pause button on the remote to view the current Connection Status.

Pay attention to the Signal Strength. If it's anything less than Very Good, try moving the Wi-Fi router (the box that sends your wireless signal) closer to your Fire TV Stick setup. 

Verify Fire Stick Wi-Fi settings

The Fire TV menu lets you view your current Wi-Fi settings. Use these steps to confirm Wi-Fi is enabled:

1. Use the Fire TV Stick remote to click Settings on the main menu screen.
2. Click Network.
3. Click Wi-Fi to turn it off. Click Wi-Fi again to re-enable the connection. 

Some routers broadcast two types of Wi-Fi signals: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. While 5 GHz is faster at short distances, the 2.4 GHz band has a longer range. So, if your Fire TV Stick and router are far apart, try connecting to the 2.4 GHz signal for a more stable connection. Here's how:

1. Click Settings on the main menu screen using your remote.
2. Click Network.
3. Click the name of the 2.4 GHz network to join it.
4. Enter the network password if prompted.
5. Click Connect.

You'll receive a confirmation message after successfully connecting.

Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi

Temporary files or small system bugs can keep your Fire TV Stick from connecting to Wi-Fi—even with a strong signal. Removing and re-adding the connection may help:

1. Use the remote to click Settings on the Fire TV menu.
2. Click Network.
3. Navigate to the network name.
4. Press the Menu button on the remote, then the Select or OK button to forget the connection. 

To reconnect to Wi-Fi, follow these steps:

1. Use the remote to click Settings on the Fire TV menu.
2. Click Network.
3. Click the network name you want to join.
4. Enter the password if required.
5. Click Connect.

After a confirmation appears, your Fire TV Stick should be good to stream.

Restart your Fire Stick and router

Restarting both devices gives them a fresh start and is sometimes the only fix you need!

To restart the Fire TV Stick, follow these steps:

1. Use the remote to click Settings on the Fire TV menu.
2. Click My Fire TV. 
3. Click Restart.

You can also restart the Fire TV Stick by unplugging it from its adapter or power cord. 

To restart your router, unplug it from its power source. Wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in. It may take a few minutes to fully boot up.

Update Fire Stick software

Amazon regularly releases updates for the Fire TV Stick, which include new features and bug fixes. If your device is acting up, it might be due to a missed update. To check, follow these steps:

1. Use the remote to click Settings on the Fire TV menu.
2. Click My Fire TV or Device & Software > About.
3. Click Check for System Update.
4. Follow the prompts to download and install the updates. 

Reset the Fire Stick to its factory settings

A factory reset of the Amazon Fire TV Stick restores it to its out-of-the-box settings. It removes the device from your account, deletes any customizations you've made, and unpairs the remote. If none of the other solutions resolve your connection issues, try a factory reset:

1. Use the remote to click Settings on the Fire TV menu.
2. Click My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults.
3. Click Continue to initiate the factory reset.

After the factory reset process finishes, follow the on-screen prompts to pair your remote with the Fire TV Stick and add it to your Amazon account. 

FAQ

Why is my Fire Stick not detecting any Wi-Fi networks?

If your Fire Stick isn’t showing any available networks, try restarting the device and your router. Also, check that you’re not too far from the router or surrounded by interference.

What if my Fire Stick keeps saying “unable to connect”?

Try forgetting the network and reconnecting, or manually entering your network settings. Make sure the password is correct and that your router isn’t blocking new devices.

Can too many devices on Wi-Fi cause Fire Stick issues?

Yes. If your Wi-Fi network is overloaded, your Fire Stick may struggle to connect. Try disconnecting a few other devices and see if the connection improves.

Should I use a wired connection for my Fire Stick?

If you have a compatible Ethernet adapter, a wired connection can offer better stability—especially for 4K streaming or in areas with spotty Wi-Fi.