Connect a Fire TV Stick to Wi‑Fi without a remote
A Fire TV Stick with no remote and no network is stuck behind the set-up screens. The Fire TV app and Tuned both need the stick on your Wi‑Fi first, so you have to get it online some other way. These routes work.
Use the TV's own remote
A Fire TV Stick can be steered by the TV's remote through HDMI-CEC, which sends arrows, OK and Back to the stick. It often works from the first start, as long as the TV supports it and CEC is switched on in the TV's settings. The names differ: Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG calls it SIMPLINK, and Sony calls it BRAVIA Sync. Try the arrows on the TV remote while the stick's set-up screen is showing. If they move the highlight, you can pick your Wi‑Fi and type the password with them.
Use a network cable
Amazon sells an Ethernet adapter for Fire TV Sticks that plugs in beside the power cable. Other Fire TV devices, such as the Cube, may have a network port of their own, so check yours. A cable gets the Fire TV online with no menu work. A phone on the same router can then reach it.
Try the hotspot trick
If the stick knew your Wi‑Fi before, you can make your phone look like that network.
- Set your phone's hotspot to the same network name and password as your old Wi‑Fi.
- Switch the hotspot on and restart the stick by unplugging it for a few seconds.
- The stick should join the hotspot, and your phone is on the same network.
- Open Tuned or Amazon's app and use the remote to join the stick to the real Wi‑Fi.
It does not work if the stick has never seen that network or if the name differs even by a letter.
The Fire TV app and Tuned
Amazon's Fire TV app can act as a remote, but you need to sign in to the account the stick is registered to. Tuned needs no account. For Tuned the TV shows a 4-digit code, which you type on your phone. Both need the stick and the phone to be on the same network, which is why the stick has to be online first.
Tuned cannot connect an offline stick to Wi‑Fi by itself.
Questions about Fire TV Wi‑Fi without a remote
Can the Fire TV app set up Wi‑Fi?
Not on a stick that is offline. It needs the phone and the stick on the same network, and your Amazon account.
Does the TV remote always work through HDMI-CEC?
No. It depends on the TV, and on CEC being on. If the arrows do nothing, use a cable or the hotspot trick.
Is there a way to avoid the remote for good?
You can pair another remote or use a phone app. Hold Home for 10 seconds to pair a new Fire TV remote. See Fire TV Stick remote won't pair.
Does Tuned work on a hotspot?
Yes, when your phone is the hotspot and the stick has joined it. The phone and the stick are then on the same network.
Get Tuned
Free to download for iPhone and Android.